The Nikon F2, some Nikkors, and a Roll of Ektar 100 – By Sam Westenskow

In my seventeen years on this planet, there have been a handful of moments in which I have been completely overwhelmed by the intense beauty of my surroundings. In these moments, I have only felt peace, joy, and gratitude to exist in such a beautiful world. During the last week of May and the first week of June this year, I was very lucky to experience this sensation on multiple occasions on a family trip to the Lofoten Islands in Norway. I brought along my friend’s Nikon F2 (He borrowed my FM2N for a few weeks) and a roll of Kodak Ektar 100 and in my overwhelmed state, I did my best to capture these incredible moments. 

The first of these moments was on the ferry ride to Moskenesøya from Bodø. We had been waiting at the port for about 10 hours (the 1:00 pm ferry had a very limited number of spots) for the 9:00 pm ferry. At about 11:00 pm, I stepped out onto the front deck only to see the silhouette of the Lofoten islands against the most incredible sunset. After coming to my senses, I set up my tripod and after a couple of metering readings from my phone, I took three photographs, one with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4, and two with the Nikkor 200mm f/4.

The second moment happened the following day (only about an hour and a half later) at 12:30 am. We drove about 15 minutes from the port to our Airbnb and again, I was completely overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounded me. I set up my tripod and I took two photographs, one with and one without a warming filter.

The third moment took place the following evening. With my parents, I hiked Reinebringen, which consists of a 448 m ascent on a granite staircase. There are no words to describe the view at the summit. I took a total of five photographs on this hike, all with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4.

I really enjoyed using the Nikon F2. Although it is heavier and slower than my FM2N and the DP-1 prism gives less accurate metering information, there is something very special about it. I drive a 1973 Land Rover Series III and find the shooting experience with the F2 very similar to the driving experience of my Land Rover. Both are simple, raw, and utilitarian in form but incredibly capable in nearly every regard.

Kodak Ektar 100 is my favorite color negative film. The minimal yet beautiful grain structure complimented by the fact that it renders colors in a way that recalls the feelings and emotions evoked by the landscapes that I photograph better than any other film stock available makes it my go to. 

Thank you for reading! I don’t really do social media but I do have a fineartamerica profile that serves as both a portfolio and print shop.

fineartamerica.com/profiles/sam-westenskow