Let’s get this out of the way early — I didn’t take this trip expecting to come home with gallery-worthy fine art images. But like any optimistic photographer, I still packed all my gear, carefully selected excursions, and crossed my fingers for some magical moments. Spoiler: the moments were definitely there. The light, however, was not.
This was a solo trip — one of those rare windows where everything lined up just right. My kids were off on a Scout camping adventure, expiring airline points were burning a hole in my pocket, and Norway had been calling my name for years. I jumped on a 7-day cruise aboard the Sky Princess, sailing from London with port stops in Haugesund, Skjolden, Olden, and Stavanger. I was hoping to explore some of Norway’s most scenic landscapes, camera in hand.
What I found was a country so jaw-droppingly beautiful it almost didn’t seem real. Waterfalls literally around every corner, impossibly steep cliffs, and bright blue fjords that belong in a painting. And yet, despite all this natural beauty, capturing it well on a cruise itinerary in the summer proved… difficult.
Why Photographing from a Cruise is Tough
Let me first say — Norway in the summer is incredible to witness. But from a landscape photography standpoint? It’s a battle.
We were in port during the brightest parts of the day, usually between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. That meant full sun, no golden hour, and on most of this trip — not a cloud in the sky. I love a good weather forecast as much as the next traveler, but as a photographer, I was craving moody skies or soft light. Instead, I got harsh sun, hazy conditions, and zero drama in the atmosphere. Even at 10:30 PM, it was still fully light out, which sounds dreamy until you’re trying to get contrast and texture in your shots.
One of those classic “I’ll just stand here and stare for a while” moments near Skjolden — green fields, winding rivers, and waterfalls straight out of a fairy tale.
Excursions were another challenge. I deliberately picked ones that offered photogenic scenery — glaciers, mountaintops, waterfalls — but the tours were packed and tightly timed. Most stops gave us just enough time to jump off the bus, say “Wow,” and scramble to snap a few frames before moving on. That’s not the kind of environment where good photography happens.
So, this isn’t a blog post about masterpieces. It’s more like a travel journal — one that might help you plan your own trip, or at least (hopefully) make you smile. And if I can save one fellow photographer from hauling a full gear bag up a near-vertical waterfall trail for 10 rushed minutes of shooting, then it’s all been worth it.
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
Port 1: Haugesund – Langfoss Waterfall
The view from the base of Langfoss. Honestly, part of me thinks I should’ve just taken this shot and called it a day.
Our first port was Haugesund, and I had one goal: get to Langfoss Waterfall. It’s one of the most dramatic waterfalls in Norway, cascading over 2,000 feet down a mountainside right into the fjord. I’d booked an excursion specifically titled “Hike to Langfoss Waterfall,” which seemed like a photographer’s dream — keyword: seemed.
Let me start by saying I have never worked so hard for a photo I didn’t even like.
The hike was brutal. Like, probably the most difficult hike I’ve ever done — which, to be fair, isn’t saying a lot. I’m not exactly a seasoned mountaineer. I do hike occasionally, usually with a camera bag that makes me question my life choices about halfway up. This trail? Steep, rocky, and freshly soaked from the rain. Not exactly confidence-inspiring. It wasn’t technical in a ropes-and-harness kind of way, but there were long stretches where I had to scramble up wet rocks with my hands, dodge slick tree roots, and pretend I knew what I was doing — all while trying not to whack anyone with my tripod.
The guides didn’t really structure the group or offer many breaks; it was more of a “keep up or turn back” vibe. “I don’t want to scare you, but…” — not exactly what you want to hear from a guide, but it came up more than once when someone asked about the trail ahead. Several people did turn back. I somehow made it to the top (or actually about two-thirds of the way up, which is as high as we were allowed to go) — soaked, tired, and just barely holding onto my enthusiasm. But the payoff? We had about 10 minutes at the viewpoint. Ten. By the time I set up my tripod and tried to frame something around the crowd of other hikers, it was already time to head down.
Made it as high up Langfoss as they’d let us climb — soaked, sore, and with only a few minutes to snap a shot before scrambling back down. Still worth it… I think?
The descent was worse. The rocks were even more slippery, legs were shaky, and more than a few people fell. Miraculously, I didn’t — though my knees were definitely filing complaints by the end.
After the hike, we stopped at Eljarvik Farm, which sits at the base of the waterfall. It’s a historic family-run farm that supplies hydroelectric power to local homes. The family served us a traditional Norwegian lunch with pork, sausages, several types of cheese, and crackers — honestly, the best part of the excursion. The views of Langfoss from the farm, across the fjord, were probably better than what we got from the top.
After the brutal hike, this peaceful view from the Eljarvik farm below Langfoss almost made me forget my knees were on fire. Almost.
Port 2: Skjolden – Sognefjell Mountain Scenery
Somewhere high up in the Sognefjell mountain pass. I’m not exactly sure which glaciers those are back there, but they definitely helped make the scenery unforgettable.
If Haugesund was an exercise in pain management, Skjolden was the deep breath afterward. I booked an excursion called “Sognefjell Mountain Scenery,” which turned out to be exactly what it promised: a calm, stunning drive through some of Norway’s most beautiful mountain landscapes.
This wasn’t a hiking day — just a comfortable bus ride up winding roads with stops for photos along the way. The scenery was outrageous: snow-dusted peaks, alpine lakes, distant glaciers, and lush valleys filled with rivers and waterfalls. It felt like driving through a screensaver, only somehow better.
The light, unfortunately, was still pretty harsh — some clouds, but bright overhead sun, so the conditions weren’t ideal for photography. But honestly, the landscape didn’t care. It was going to look majestic no matter what you did with a camera.
This little melt stream carving its way through the snow was one of my favorite scenes from the whole Sognefjell tour. Such a peaceful moment up in the clouds.
I don’t remember every stop by name (and the guide didn’t always say), but I took photos of at least one or two glaciers — probably offshoots of the Jostedalsbreen ice field — and plenty of reflective lakes and winding mountain passes. Even though I didn’t come away with many portfolio pieces, this was easily my favorite excursion of the trip.
Port 3: Olden – Huaren Viewpoint Hike
A quick pause near the Huaren viewpoint in Olden. Not the most dramatic light, but I’ll never complain about a view like this on a sunny summer day in Norway.
I was really hoping to see Briksdal Glacier while visiting Olden, but all the excursions were sold out by the time I booked. So instead, I signed up for the next best thing: a hike to the Huaren Viewpoint.
The name sounded promising, and I figured it would be a solid alternative — plus, it included “Scenic Nordic Hiking Adventure” in the title. How could I go wrong?
Well… let’s just say this tour was more “adventure in creative pricing” than in scenery.
The hike itself wasn’t bad at all. It was around 2.6 miles to the top, and it starts quite literally a few hundred feet from where you walk off the ship. The path is well-marked, well-manicured, and honestly, you could do the entire thing without a guide if you’ve ever read a map or followed a sign in your life.
The two guides were perfectly pleasant and handed out backpacks containing a bottle of water, an apple, and a Norwegian version of a Kit Kat bar. I appreciated the snacks, but I’d essentially paid $180 for a self-guided hike, a candy bar, and polite conversation.
The viewpoint at the top? Nice — really nice, actually. You get a sweeping look back over Olden and the fjord with our cruise ship docked in the distance. But the harsh light, haze, and total lack of clouds made it less than photogenic. By the time I got up there, I was overheating, dehydrated, and trying to take decent shots while wiping sweat off my lens.
Made it to the top of the Huaren viewpoint in Olden and was rewarded with this view. You can spot the Sky Princess docked below. Not quite golden hour, but hey—I'll take it.
In hindsight, I probably could’ve done the same hike for free and brought my own apple—without paying a small fortune for the privilege of being politely guided uphill.
Port 4: Stavanger – Streets, Souvenirs, and Sitting Still
A panoramic look at Stavanger from the ship’s top deck. Colorful waterfront, crisp air, and the kind of view that makes you wish you had more time to explore.
By the time we reached our last port, I’ll admit — I was wiped out. After hauling camera gear up steep mountain trails, through slippery waterfalls, and under harsh sun for several days, Stavanger was less about getting “the shot” and more about letting my legs recover and my brain take a break.
The city itself is charming and walkable, with lots of historic cobblestone streets, boutique shops, and an easygoing energy that was a welcome change of pace. I wandered through town without any particular goal in mind — just camera in hand, no tripod, no pressure. I ducked into souvenir shops (because my kids absolutely would not have let me back in the house without a hoodie), got lost in the back alleys (the good kind of lost), and snapped a few frames of local churches, colorful storefronts, and quiet corners.
The tidy little rows of (mostly) white houses in Stavanger looked like something out of a storybook. Snapped this from the ship as we were about to pull out of port—couldn’t resist.
There was a part of me that regretted not booking the “Cruise Along Lysefjord” excursion — it would’ve taken me through more dramatic scenery and offered a few great photo ops. But after several overpriced tours and a few budget overreaches, I decided to let my wallet win that round. These excursions aren’t exactly a bargain.
It was still unseasonably hot, and once again — not a cloud in the sky. But somehow that felt less frustrating here. Maybe because I wasn’t climbing anything. Maybe because I was finally letting go of the idea that I needed to “make” something out of every port. Sometimes, it’s okay to just enjoy being there.
Final Thoughts – Would I Go Back?
One of my favorite non-waterfall photos from the trip—this was taken on the hike up to Langfoss. Even when you're gasping for air, Norway still knows how to show off.
Absolutely. In fact, I already want to.
Norway is one of the most visually stunning places I’ve ever seen — and that’s coming from someone who actively seeks out stunning places. The scale of the landscapes, the clarity of the water, the way entire mountains casually spill waterfalls down their sides like it’s no big deal… it’s incredible.
And let me be clear: I had an amazing time on this cruise. The ship and service was great, the scenery was unforgettable, and getting to visit these ports — even briefly — was something I’ll never forget. It was a true reset from the usual routine, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
That said, as a photographer, I left with a mix of inspiration and frustration. Between the cruise schedule, the midday sun, and the breakneck pace of the excursions, I constantly felt like I was catching glimpses of greatness without being able to fully chase it. I saw the light — just not the right kind of light. I found the views — but not the time to compose them. And I carried the gear — oh boy, did I carry the gear — but rarely got the moment I was hoping for.
Still, I wouldn’t call the trip a loss. Far from it. I saw parts of the world I’ve always wanted to see, I got to experience a few unforgettable moments (both in and out of camera range), and I learned a lot about what I want from a future photography trip. Most importantly, I came away knowing that I want to come back — ideally on a workshop or self-planned itinerary where I can focus on catching Norway during the right hours, not just the open hours.
Blue hour. Sunrise. Sunset. Maybe even winter. I’d love to try for the northern lights one day.
This might be my favorite shot from the whole trip—captured from the ship somewhere deep in an unnamed fjord. No clue where I was, but I’m glad I had the camera ready.
So no, these photos aren’t going in the gallery. But they still tell a story — of climbing slippery trails, missing shots, finding moments, and soaking in scenes so good they barely needed a camera at all.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. I’ll be posting some more of my favorite images from this trip on my Instagram account. And if you want to get notified when I share more photo journals like this (or when I finally make it back to Norway in the snow), scroll to the bottom of the page and sign up for my newsletter.
You can also follow along on social media:
👉 @tjmaxwell_photography on Instagram
👉 Maxwell Fine Art Photography on Facebook
Until next time — may your clouds be dramatic and your hikes reasonably graded.
“Take only memories, leave only footprints.” – Chief Seattle
