Gjerdingen Lake

Gjerdingen Lake is a quiet, forest-rimmed lake in the hills of Nordmarka, where still water and dense pine forest create strong reflections and a sense of deep Nordic calm. The lake's shoreline offers plenty of natural framing, with overhanging branches and mossy rocks you can use to anchor a foreground. Early morning is the best time to shoot, when mist often sits low over the water and the light is soft and diffuse; golden hour in the evening also works well when the sun drops toward the treeline. A wide angle lens suits the sweeping forest reflections, while a short telephoto helps compress the layers of trees across the far shore. The area is accessible by foot or bike along well-marked trails, and you will find several clearings along the water's edge that give you unobstructed views. (Harestua, Viken, Norway)