Nykvåg Bay

Nykvåg is a small, weathered fishing village wrapped around a sheltered rocky bay on the island of Langøya, offering the kind of rugged Nordic scenery that rewards patient photographers. The cluster of traditional red and ochre boathouses lining the water's edge makes for a classic Norwegian composition, especially when reflected in calm bay water. Shoot from the rocky shoreline to include the textured foreground, or find higher ground above the village for a wide perspective that captures the surrounding mountains and open sea. A wide angle lens handles the full sweep of the bay well, while a short telephoto lets you isolate individual boathouses against the hillside. Sunset casts warm light directly across the bay, bringing out the color of the wooden structures, but overcast days can work equally well by keeping reflections soft and even. The village is accessible by road and small enough to explore on foot in under an hour. (Nykvåg, Nordland, Norway)