Two Week Circle of Iceland Photo Workshop in Autumn

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Perfect Photo Workshop
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Description

Summary

Tour starts
Reykjavík, Iceland
Duration:
14 days
Ending place
Reykjavík, Iceland
Languages:
English
Difficulty:
Easy
Available:
September
Minimum age:
18 years old

Description

Join us on a two-week photography adventure along the Ring Road, visiting the best of Iceland’s majestic landscapes. This workshop road trip is a great idea for anyone who wants to discover Iceland's limitless natural beauty with a camera, all while developing their photography skills.

Autumn in Iceland is a colourful season of contrasts, which makes for excellent photos of landscapes bursting with texture and colour. The temperature is not yet as cold as it gets in the winter but you can still chase the Northern Lights in the dark autumnal nights.

Your tour of the island will be led by an award-winning photographer, who will direct you every step of the way and help you to capture the stunning landscapes. You will travel in a comfortable minivan with plenty of space for you and your equipment.

The famous Route 1 Ring Road encircles the island and you will complete it with numerous stops along the way. You will also visit the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the West of Iceland, where you will find waterfalls, dramatic rock formations and mystical mountains.

You will have the opportunity to shoot glaciers, icebergs, mountains and so much more with your experienced photo guide, who will share their insider knowledge about the best places to stand your tripod and which subjects to feature for the perfect composition. This tour is open to all skill levels and so it is well suited for amateurs and experts alike.

Each evening, you will cast your eyes to the heavens, so as not to miss the Northern Lights should they make an appearance. Your guide will also keep an eye on the aurora forecast and keep in mind the best landmarks to feature in the foreground of your Northern Lights snaps.

Spanning over two whole weeks, this trip around Iceland in autumn is a comprehensive workshop that is guaranteed to leave you with quality photos and memories to last a lifetime.

Grab your camera and join this exciting, gently paced photography workshop today! Check availability by choosing a date.

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Included

Professional photo guide
Transportation in a comfortable vehicle
Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses. Rooms with private bathrooms.
All breakfasts; Group dinner on Day 1 and 13

Activities

Northern Lights
Photo Tours
Photo Workshop

Daily itinerary

Day 1
Hallgrímskirkja church is arguably one of the most iconic sights to be seen in the capital Reykjavík; here, you can see it bathed in the warm shades of sunset.

Day 1 - Arrival

After arriving at Keflavik airport, you will make your way into the capital city, Reykjavik. Once you’ve checked into your hotel and settled in, you'll go down to the lobby to meet the rest of the group and your guide. From there, you'll head to a nearby restaurant for dinner to discuss the adventure ahead and familiarise yourself with your fellow photo enthusiasts.

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Day 2
The Snæfellsnes peninsula boasts many gorgeous natural features and it is often referred to as 'Iceland in Miniature' for this reason; here, you can see the beautiful Mount Kirkjufell in the warm colourful glow of sunset.

Day 2 - Heading to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Starting out at 8 AM, you will be picked up in Reykjavík and you'll drive north headed for the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the West of Iceland. This region is often referred to as 'Iceland in Miniature' for its wealth and diversity of natural features. You will be spending the next two days in Snæfellsnes taking your time to capture everything this wonderful area has to offer visitors and especially, photographers. You will make a coastal stop close to the small village of Arnarstapi and will have plenty of time to photograph the jagged rock formations in the autumnal light. Here, the rolling waves of the Atlantic combined with the lighting and ocean haze make for stunning compositions. Further along the coast, the famous black church of Búðir will provide another picture-perfect scene, helped by its stunning backdrop, the icy Snæfellsjokull glacier volcano from which the peninsula gets its name. Your final photo shoot of the day will be at Mount Kirkjufell, easily one of Iceland's most beautiful elevations and a staunch favourite of landscape photographers. It’s known for its almost perfect cone-shaped form, and the surrounding waterfall, rivers and hills make the area a photographer’s paradise. The mountain also provides the perfect foreground for Aurora Borealis, so cross your fingers that the lights come out to play during your visit. The result will undoubtedly take pride of place in your portfolio. Your accommodation for the evening will be on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

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Day 3
During the autumn months in Iceland, it is possible to see the Northern Lights as they are in this picture, dancing vibrantly behind the black church at Búðir.

Day 3 - Photographing Snaefellsnes

On the third day, you will continue your exploration of the Snæfellsnes peninsula visiting any sights that you did not cover the day before or returning to a favourite location that the group would like to spend more time at. You will also pay a visit to the dramatic basalt plugs, Lóndrangur. These rock formations erupt from the sea and stand defiantly against the ocean not far from the coast and happen to make for excellent photo subjects. The entire coastline is dotted with photogenic, charming little villages, and the colours of the fall will be all around for the group to enjoy. Mighty mountains and fjords will surround you throughout your time in the area, so prepare to capture plenty of iconic images. Your expert guide will decide where best to spend the sunset to ensure you all make the most of the elusive warm glow of the golden hour before returning to your accommodation in the area.

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Day 4
The rock formation, Hvítserkur is ften said to resemble different creatures such as a dragon, elephant, or troll.

Day 4 - Hvitserkur Rock Stack in North Iceland

On the fourth day, you will leave Snæfellsnes and head north to another peninsula, Vatnsnes. The area is known for having a wild side and offers a great chance to see, among other things, some magical Icelandic horses in their natural habitat. As you venture to the western side of the peninsula, it might be possible to spot the resident seals which call the area home all year round. You'll be confronted by views out to sea and on clear days you can spot the coastal region of Strandir in the neighbouring Westfjords of Iceland. Your photography focus of the day will be the intriguing rock formation Hvítserkur, a 15-metre high basalt carving that stands out at sea. It’s said that the stone resembles a dragon taking a drink, or from another viewpoint, one of the local trolls. According to legend around these parts, the rock formation is a troll who couldn’t escape the rising sun in time, and was turned to stone! Whatever your thoughts on the origin of Hvítserkur, the mysterious rock is tremendously photogenic, and your photo guide will be sure to share their learned advice so you can capture this sight from several different angles and light conditions. You will rest up for the evening in accommodation on the Vatnsnes peninsula. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Northern Lights as this is one of the most remote places you will be staying throughout the whole trip, ensuring minimum light pollution.

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Day 5
The mighty and beautiful waterfall Goðafoss thunders into the Skjálfandafljót river accompanied by a gorgeous rainbow.

Day 5 - Lake Myvatn

Back on the road, you will now make your way to the 'Capital in the North', Akureyri nestled in the wide and beautiful Eyjafjörður fjord. Take in this picturesque city as you make your way through the fjord and over the mountain for your first photo shoot of the day. Goðafoss waterfall is only a short drive from Akureyri and it's hard not to take a pretty picture of this stunning natural feature. Your guide will try to time this just right so you can shoot the falls in the best lighting. This waterfall has as much history as it has character and its name translates to 'Fall of the Gods' due to its role in the Christianization of Iceland in 1000 AD. Capturing Goðafoss in the autumn promises many subtle colours in the grounds surrounding the falls and its semicircular shape means there are plenty of angles with which to experiment. You will now head towards Lake Mývatn, one of Iceland's most breathtaking bodies of water which was formed by a volcanic eruption. The power of the earth's processes in this area is highly visible today and many of the attractions you'll see in the area are a direct result of volcanic activity. You will stop at Dimmuborgir, an immense and intense lava field characterised by eerie rock formations and scattered craters. There are so many interesting shapes to capture at this location and one could spend days lost here with a camera. The area looks much like another planet, which probably explains why several scenes from the epic TV series Game of Thrones were shot there. You will spend the night at your accommodation in Mývatn. If the Northern Lights do grace the night sky, you will be very close to a range of natural attractions from which to shoot them.

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Day 6
The Skjálfandafljót river is home to many impressive waterfalls including Aldeyjarfoss which cascades over black basalt rock in the North of Iceland.

Day 6 - Waterfalls of the North

Its time to take some off road driving today and trek out into the Icelandic Highlands to see two more amazing waterfalls that can be found on the Skjálfandafljót river, Aldeyjarfoss and Hrafnabjargafoss. If conditions are not safe enough for our bus we will jump aboard a super jeep to transport us up there.   At Aldeyarfoss the focus will be to capture the contrast between the dark basalt columns that frame the waterfall and the clear cascading water spilling over it, all the while surrounded by the warm shades of autumn. Next up is Hrafnabjargafoss which is again embedded into volcanic rock, but with a pristine blue pool at its feet that will provide every photo with a hint of magic. The day will be spent getting the perfect photos of these beautiful waterfalls before heading back to your accommodation in the Mývatn region.

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Day 7
Plumes of steam rise into the air as the geothermal processes at Námaskarð make their way to the surface.

Day 7 - Lake Myvatn's Geothermal Areas

On day seven of your photography adventure, you will carry on your exploration of the area around Lake Mývatn. To the east is the colourful geothermal area of Námaskarð, where the mixture of orange sands, bubbling vents and geothermal activity provides plenty of opportunities to capture Iceland’s wild side. As well as the active geothermal area, you'll visit a place that owes its existence to Iceland’s volcanic history, Hverfell. Hverfell is one of the world‘s largest explosion craters, with a diameter of around 1km. You will have time to hike its sides and capture this crater on your camera before moving on. It's time to treat yourself to a dip in the Mývatn Nature Baths. Fully embrace the geothermal nature of the region and unwind in the rejuvenating waters warmed by the earth's volcanic processes. You will once again stay overnight in Mývatn.

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Day 8
Dettifoss waterfall is also known as 'The Beast' since it is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe and has featured in such films such as Prometheus.

Day 8 - Heading East

The journey through the Autumnal Icelandic landscape continues as you say goodbye to the Myvatn region and travel east onto to the dramatic Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. This formidable landscape is home to the mighty Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. Measuring at 100-metres wide and 45-metres high; this is one waterfall you’re not going to forget in a hurry. Armed with your camera and plenty of new photography skills, there will be the opportunity to collect some epic memories during this particular stop. Once you have captured the power of Dettifoss, your group will travel across a highland desert and several mountain passes to reach the remote and timeless Eastfjords. Photography-wise, the area is packed with textures, from mountainous fjords to barren volcanic deserts and ice-capped glaciers. You will spend the night in the quaint fishing village of Djúpivogur where you can appreciate the harbour’s spectacular, mountainous backdrop. Whilst in the area you will also have the chance to photograph the Rjúkandi Falls; a layered waterfall that makes its way down a nearby mountainside with both grace and formidable force. It’ll make for a superb photography session, surrounded by the reds and yellows of the Icelandic autumn.

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Day 9
Icebergs glisten and reflect the warm colours of a sunset at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the southeast of Iceland.

Day 9 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon & Diamond Beach

Day nine will see you exploring one of the wonders of Vatnajökull National Park and what is often referred to as the 'Crown Jewel of Iceland', Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. You will spend the next three days in the vicinity of this natural feature, capturing a large number of unique spectacles to see in this region. As you arrive at Jökulsárlón, it's hard not to be awe-struck by the magnificent sight of giant ancient icebergs on their slow and serene progression out to sea. Marvel at the shades of white and blue ice, crisscrossed by black scars of ash from historical eruptions. You will spend the day shooting this otherworldly scenery from a multitude of angles, and, as the time passes, in many different light conditions. Wildlife photography enthusiasts will be delighted to know that many birds nest in the area and sometimes it is possible to spot wild seals playing in the surf. Under the guidance of your photo expert, you will spend the day trying to capture that all-time perfect shot of the lagoon; a highlight will be the sunset when you can shoot the scene under the warm lighting conditions of the golden hour. You will spend the night in accommodation close to the lagoon.

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Day 10
It's possible to get up close to ancient pieces of glacier ice on the Diamond Beach, an impressive stretch of black sand where icebergs from Jökulsárlón wash up with the surf.

Day 10 - Vatnajokull National Park In-Depth

Waking up in Vatnajökull National Park, you will travel the short distance back to the glacier lagoon to capture this stunning natural feature in all of its morning splendour. As well as continuing your quest for the ultimate photo of the glistening ice on the lagoon, you will also explore the adjacent Diamond Beach. This stretch of coastline is dotted with chunks of ice of various shapes and sizes as they wash up on shore after leaving the lagoon. The Diamond Beach provides the perfect scene for tantalising photos as the contrast between the crystalline icebergs and the black sands of the beach make for a compelling contrast. You will start early with a sunrise shoot, and aim to capture the sun’s first rays illuminating the lagoon. Later in the day, depending on the preferences of the group, you will have the opportunity to see some of the area's other breathtaking glacial sights. You will return to your accommodation in the Jökulsarlón area and will perhaps even return to the lagoon in the evening should the Northern Lights present themselves.

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Day 11
Mount Vestrahorn on the Stokksnes peninsula is a favourite among photographers due to its peculiar angles and shapes which make for an impressive photo whatever the time of day or year.

Day 11 - Majestic Mountains

On the eleventh day of this incredible Icelandic photography workshop, you will travel to the east of Vatnajökull National Park. There the group will enjoy the views from the black sand beach of the Stokksnes peninsula, across to the imperious peaks of the 454-metre high Vestrahorn mountain. Mount Vestrahorn is a photographer’s dream, and it is made up of several steep peaks, all stretching endlessly out to sea. Against a backdrop of the sun’s morning or sunset's dying light, these peaks offer as enticing an image as you can imagine. Add that to the rolling tide below and the possibility of Northern Lights, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for plenty of photographic fun. You will spend plenty of time chasing the perfect light as you shoot this mountain and its surroundings. You will spend the evening once again in the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon area.

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Day 12
The Reynisdrangar sea stacks in folklore are said to be the petrified remains of greedy trolls  caught in the sunlight and it is possible to view them from the town of Vík as well as Reynisfjara beach.

Day 12 - Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reluctantly leaving behind the majesty of the mighty Vatnajökull National Park, you will now head south to the charming fishing village of Vík í Mýrdal famed for its idyllic setting on Iceland's famous South Coast. In autumn, the region boasts spectacular natural attractions, from volcanoes to lava fields, lakes, black beaches, waterfalls and glaciers, all accompanied by the subtle colours of the fall. Your photography focus for the day will be the views from and around Vík. Your photo guides will show you the best spots in town to capture the village's enchanting black sand beach and the views out to sea featuring the impressive basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. Not far from Vík is the world-famous black sand beach Reynisfjara, voted the most beautiful non-tropical beach in the world. Here, you will enjoy views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks from another perspective as well as enjoying the geologically impressive hexagonal basalt columns that tower over the shore. After you have captured this exciting stretch of coastline at sunset, you will head to your accommodation for the evening in Vík.

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Day 13
Here, a visitor stands up close to the large waterfall Skógafoss; the ground leading up to the falls in exceptionally flat, allowing you to walk right up to the water.

Day 13 -  South Coast

It’s the last full day of the tour and on your way back to the city of Reykjavík you can look forward to many stops at scenic highlights on Iceland's stunning South Coast. The first stop of the day will be at Dyrhólaey, a protruding headland that offers epic viewpoints of the huge sea arch of the same name, the entire coastline as well as yet another perspective of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. If there is enough time, your group will stop close to the majestic glacier tongue, Sólheimajökull. Many of Iceland's glaciers are visible from the South Coast and at Sólheimajökull, you will be able to capture glacial beauty up close, nestled in its huge, rugged cliffs on either side. Next up, you will shoot the two most famous waterfalls in the south of Iceland. The first is Skógafoss, a towering curtain of water which promises epic shots no matter what the weather. It's one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, falling at over 60-metres and it is especially beautiful when surrounded by the colours and shades of autumn. If you catch it in the sunlight, it is often possible to capture it with a rainbow or two in the foreground. You will then travel the short distance to its neighbouring and no less beautiful waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. This cascading gem is particularly interesting in that, it is backed by a large concave cavern, allowing for people to walk behind it, presenting many interesting perspectives from which to capture its inarguable beauty. During the day, you will pass two active volcanoes. The first is Hekla, a 1490-metre high snow-topped mountain, infamous throughout Iceland’s history and known as the “gateway to hell”. The second you might have heard of, even if you can’t pronounce it, is Eyjafjallajökull. This is the volcano famous for shutting down European airspace back in 2010. You will settle in your accommodation in the centre of Reykjavík before meeting back up with the group in the evening to go out for a delicious meal, debrief after your travels, and discuss post-processing techniques to make the most of your images of Iceland.

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Day 14
Harpa Concert Hall stands by the harbour in downtown Reykjavík and its architecture is extremely impressive.

Day 14 - Departure

It’s all over! A sad day, but after another hearty Icelandic breakfast you will make your way back to Keflavík International Airport with a bank of memories and fantastic photos.

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Good to know

- We are a local tour operator and travel agency authorised by the tourism board of Iceland.

- We offer small group tours with a maximum group size of 10-12. This way, you’ll get to know your photography guide and we can take you to shoot in unique places that aren’t suitable for larger groups.

- All our guests get a free collection of post-processing videos from our award-winning photographers worth over $1,500.

- On our tours we use comfortable vehicles to safely transport you to amazing locations.

- We are using only the best hotels available in Iceland.

- Our photo tours and workshops are guided by award-winning professional landscape photographers.

- We provide crampons and rubber boots for free to all our guests throughout the tour.

- During the tour, we give highly informative and easy-to-follow photography and post-processing lectures.

- Our photo guides will always help you in the field to make sure you will bring home stunning photos of Iceland.

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Disclaimer

We highly recommend that you get a travel and medical insurance. Your own domestic medical insurance and private health scheme will not cover you whilst you are overseas.

The tour is always dependent on weather, as the Icelandic weather can indeed be highly unpredictable. Likewise, visits to ice caves are dependent on favorable conditions, and indeed the ice caves themselves are not permanent. When it comes to the Northern Lights, while they are most likely to be seen between September and April, there is no guarantee that they will appear on a given day.

Departure Schedule

18 Sep-1 Oct 2024

18 Sep-1 Oct 2025

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