Forsen

Forsen is a cascading waterfall tucked into the dramatic hillside above Kvalvika Beach in the Lofoten Islands, where the creek tumbles down from Forsvatnet lake toward one of Norway's most stunning stretches of coastline. The combination of rushing white water, rugged mountain terrain, and the sweeping bay below makes this an exceptionally layered scene to photograph. Try positioning yourself to include both the falls and the valley or beach in the background, using a wide angle lens in the 16 to 24mm range to capture the full scale of the landscape. Overcast days soften the light and bring out the greens of the hillside while reducing harsh shadows in the water; long exposures work beautifully here to smooth the cascades. You reach Forsen after roughly an hour of hiking the Kvalvika Beach Trail from the trailhead on Fv808, so wear sturdy footwear and arrive early to have the scene to yourself. (Fredvang, Nordland, Norway)