$2490
3 nights/4 days
August-September
Hotels
Private SUV/bus
Reykjavik
Iceland is a place like no other on earth. In summer the rugged, volcanic landscapes are transformed with lush vegetation and wildflowers, the waterfalls flow abundantly and dazzle with rainbows, wildlife can be found roaming the countryside, and days are long and filled with golden light.
Join us to experience this photographer’s paradise! Over 4 days we will capture the essentials of Iceland as we explore the landscapes, seascapes and wildlife of the south and east coasts.
Aimed at photographers of all skill level – beginner, amateur or a professional – you’ll be sure to come away from this workshop with a diverse portfolio of images of Iceland.
We will set off early from Reykjavik and start our photography adventure by exploring the South Coast, one of Iceland’s most popular areas due to its array of incredible landmarks.
Our first stop will be Seljalandsfoss, with its narrow stream of pure glacier water that cascades over a cliff 60 metres below. This waterfall is unique in that is has a path that takes you behind the veil of water – a truly unforgettable experience.
We will continue to Skógafoss, a waterfall so mighty you will feel the mist before you reach it. If the lighting is right, we will be able to capture a rainbow in the spray!
In the afternoon we will head to the infamous Reynisfjara Beach – a beach with imposing basalt columns, dramatic black volcanic sand, and towering sea stacks. Legend says that two trolls were pulling their ship into the shore when daylight broke, turning them into these impressive stone towers that are forever frozen into place just off the coast. We will stay here to capture their silhouettes through golden hour as the sun sets behind them on the horizon.
This morning we will visit the promontory of Dyrholaey with its massive sea arch and historic lighthouse. From here you can capture remarkable panoramic views of the coastline, with the black sand beach stretching endlessly into the horizon on one side and the rugged cliffs and Reynisdrangar sea stacks on the other.
Not only are the views here spectacular, but this area is also home to a colony of adorable Atlantic Puffins. These comical birds are often called the ‘Clowns of the Sea’ because of their technicolor facial markings and their awkward, clumsy antics. They are incredibly entertaining to watch, and amazing to photograph due to their expressive eyes and their striking colors. They will be sure to capture your hearts and lenses.
We will then make our way along the Ring Road to the Vatnajökull National Park, whose diverse landscapes are dotted with waterfalls, rivers, lava fields, and mountain peaks.
For our last shoot of the day we will visit Jökulsárlón. At this beautiful lagoon, icebergs in an array of shapes and sizes break off from the nearby glacial tongue and slowly drift towards the sea. It is a magical experience to see them float by in their palette of colors – turquoise, frosted white, deep blue and even black. We may also spot seals swimming and playing among them. Watching the sunset here is sure to be an unforgettable finish to our day.
Our day will start with sunrise at one of the most extraordinary locations in Iceland, Diamond Beach – the final resting place for the icebergs that we saw floating in Jökulsárlón. The icebergs are pounded by waves and smashed into smaller chunks of ice that then wash up onto the black volcanic sand where they lay, glistening like diamonds. We will have plenty of time to photograph this spectacular beach – the memories of watching the ice glow in the golden light will last a lifetime!
After breakfast we will continue further east to Vestrahorn, the iconic mountain that sits alone on the shore of the wild Atlantic Ocean. Located on the next headland is Eystrahorn – an incredibly steep mountain that has been continuously battered on all sides by wind and waves, creating jagged peaks and rugged formations from the dark lava rock.
The weather around these mountains is dynamic – it is common to witness clear skies, fog and clouds all within the same hour. The scenery constantly shifts as the light changes – making these mountains a photographer’s dream!
There are endless composition options at both locations – shallow pools providing reflections, frothy waves making stunning seascapes, wildflowers and undulating black sand dunes. We will spend our day and into sunset exploring these many composition options.
Diamond Beach is undoubtedly one of the most surreal places in Iceland, and it is commonly one of the highlights of our workshops. Every day, under different conditions, the beach is transformed. To ensure portfolios are varied and practice our long exposure skills, we will return for another sunrise.
We will then start our journey back along the beautiful south coast towards Reykjavik, stopping at several places to capture the incredible vistas.
One of these will be Svínafellsjökull, an immense glacier tongue almost 800 meters wide that stretches down from the ice cap towards the sea like fingers. You will be able to walk close enough to the sharp ice ridges to hear the otherworldly sounds of the glacier – creaks, fractures and deep cracking. From here, you’ll capture the fascinating textures in the ice made from deposits of black ash and rubble dispersed among the deep blue ice – the scars left by previous volcanic eruptions.
Along the way, we will keep our eye out for wildlife. At this time of year, it is common to spot herds of wandering reindeer, free-roaming Icelandic sheep, Arctic foxes and the beautiful Icelandic Horses.
We will arrive in the city in the evening – with memories to last a lifetime, new friends and memory cards full of amazing images of Iceland.