Exploring the Faroe Islands, a Serene and Rugged Landscape

Vast expanses of unspoiled nature. Dramatic clouds and lingering mist. Winding roads and little towns. These are some of my favorite things to photograph. And they are in abundance in the Faroe Islands.

My expectations before the trip were pretty high, but what I found was so perfectly aligned with my photographic eye I could hardly believe it.

It’s kind of the perfect time to visit the Danish archipelago. Located between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands still seem some years from becoming a super-popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers, like Iceland, but the infrastructure there is so well-developed that traveling around is a piece of cake. There are underwater tunnels and bridges that connect some of the islands, while the more remote ones are served by helicopter (surprisingly cheap) and ferries.

The roads are great, so it makes sense to rent a car. If you’re like me and the whole car renting process usually sends shivers down your spine, you’ll be glad to know that renting in the Faroes was probably my least stressful experience of the sort yet. The car was waiting for us at the airport, unlocked, with the keys in the glove compartment.

After a week of windswept stretches of perfect asphalt, we left our Golf at the airport, unlocked, with the keys in the glove compartment. No forms, no hidden additional fees, no waiting in line, nothing. Be sure to book a car way in advance though, as they do run out.

One more thing: bring a waterproof jacket. But don’t let the rain get you down. The weather in the Faroes keeps changing and the volatile climate makes for great photos.

The photographs you see here were mostly shot on Kodak Ektar 100. It was the ideal film to have in the Faroe Islands. It brought the best out of the muted colors of the landscape and the film's sharpness and fine grain were perfect for all those little houses and birds way out in the distance.

[Editor's Note: If you make your own trip to the Faroes, please consider not geo-tagging your photos. Let's let each traveler discover these new lands for themselves.]