4 Day Summer Photo Workshop in Iceland
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - South Coast to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Your adventure begins early in the morning on day one, when you will be picked up in Reykjavík. From there, you'll commence the journey to the South Coast of Iceland, home to some of the country's most extraordinary natural scenery. It will take around 5 hours to reach the Vatnajökull National Park though you can rest assured that there will be plenty of stops along the way to capture the magnificent sights.
As you make your way along the coast, you'll notice your surroundings changing before your eyes. Urban landscapes will be replaced with vast, mossy lava fields and you'll begin to spot glaciers glistening upon the horizon.
Your first stop will be at the breathtaking Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Dropping from a height of 60 metres, this waterfall is incredibly picturesque and provides many opportunities for a variety of compositions. Perhaps the most fascinating composition is to be found behind the waterfall, peering out from within a massive cavern. You may get a little wet for this shot but the results will be worth it.
From there, you'll head towards the Skógafoss waterfall, which is just as marvellous in its own right. Sheer, dark cliffs surround this thundering curtain of water that you can almost touch, provided you are brave enough to get that close! This is a great place to practice different exposure effects by experimenting with your shutter speed. While it is possible to walk to the base of the waterfall, you can also achieve a wonderful view by climbing up a staircase for an expansive panorama of everything below.
Thereafter, you'll head for lunch nearby, before making your way to the small fishing village of Vík. Along the journey, you'll make a stop at the extraordinary cliffs of Dyrhólaey where puffins nest all along the coastline. It's the perfect place for birdwatching and photographing the sheer power of the waves rolling in from the North Atlantic Ocean. In the distance, you'll be able to spot the famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks, rising steadfast from the tumultuous waters below.
From there, you'll continue onwards until you reach your accommodation within the Vatnajökull National Park. After checking in, there will be time to rest and to freshen up before you head back out in search of the golden light of the Midnight Sun. If conditions are favourable, then you may have your first shoot on the Diamond Beach or at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
You'll spend the night at accommodation nearby.
Read moreDay 2 - Vatnajokull National Park
There is not much time between sunsets and sunrises during the summer season in Iceland, so you'll have to be up early if you want to watch the first light over Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on day two! This is where icebergs that have calved from the nearby Breiðamerkurjökull glacier float in serene waters before being washed out to sea. On a warm day, you may witness seals hauled out upon the icebergs, making the most of the golden light of the sun. The area is also home to a multitude of sea birds, so be prepared to whip out that telephoto lens!
Adjacent to the glacier lagoon is the famous Diamond Beach. This is where the icebergs wash up, resembling glittering jewels beneath the sunlight. Your first shoot here will likely be filled with adrenaline-pumping action, as you line up each shot between icebergs and waves licking at your feet. It can be tricky to master the unique shooting style to capture stunning images here, though you can rest assured that there will be another opportunity to return for more practice during your workshop.
The rest of the day will be spent exploring the snowy mountain peaks, waterfalls and beautiful surrounds of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. There are many glacier tongues within the vicinity and depending on the conditions, you may visit glacier lagoons and other exciting locations, well off the beaten track, in search of the perfect composition for when the Midnight Sun takes hold.
You'll spend your second night in accommodation within the vicinity of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
Read moreDay 3 - Vatnajokull National Park
On day three, you'll rise early again for another sunrise shoot at the Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This will be your final opportunity to wave-paint with the icebergs as they wash onto the black sandy shore.
Thereafter, you'll continue your exploration of the Vatnajökull National Park and surrounds. While the locations that you visit will depend largely upon the weather and lighting conditions, there will still be plenty to see and photograph as you make your way back towards the village of Vík. It is possible that you may visit the mighty Vestrahorn mountain, where windswept vegetation mingles with the undulating black sand dunes. You may also visit the Svínafellsjökull glacier or the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, surrounded by lush green moss.
Once you arrive in Vík, you'll check in to your accommodation before heading out again to explore the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. This is where large waves from the North Atlantic Ocean roll ashore, meeting the breathtaking basalt columns that the nearby cliffs are known for. You may spot puffins within this cliff face, soaring out to catch fish at sea before making their way back to their nests.
Depending on the light, there may be the option to explore a hidden waterfall within the vicinity or to make your way up to a spectacular viewpoint of the white church of Vík, surrounded by a field of purple lupines.
You'll spend the night at accommodation in Vík.
Read moreDay 4 - Golden Circle and Back to Reykjavik
On day four, you'll rise early for a sunrise session back at the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, this time from a different vantage point. The conditions here can change rapidly and the black sand beach can take on a whole new atmosphere, depending on the light.
Thereafter, you'll begin the journey back to Reykjavík, albeit with a detour through the famous Golden Circle. It is made up of three well-known sites, including Þingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. As you travel through these, you'll soon learn why Iceland is nicknamed the 'Land of Fire and Ice'.
The Geysir geothermal area is where hot water spews forth from the ground below in a display of the true forces of nature. You'll witness steaming fumaroles, as well as the rainbow of colours that is so characteristic of soil affected by geothermal activity. The highlight will be when you photograph the exploding fountain geyser of Strokkur, which erupts every 5-10 minutes into the air!
From there, you'll make your way to Gullfoss. This incredibly powerful waterfall flows over a couple of tiers, plunging into a canyon below. There are opportunities to get up close for abstract, textural shots or to stand further away to capture the entire expanse.
Last but not least, you'll visit the Þingvellir National Park – an important historical and geological site of Iceland. This is where the old parliament first convened. It is also where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet as they drift apart. Dramatic fissures, mossy vegetation and deep, reflective pools of water make for a myriad of different compositions here. Our focus will be the charming Öxararfoss waterfall in the heart of the park itself.
Thereafter, we'll head back to Reykjavík, arriving by the evening. From there, you'll be free to explore the city at your leisure – no doubt with new photography skills under your belt, a multitude of images to look over once you get home and a host of new friends to stay in touch with.
Read moreDisclaimer
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
4-7 June 2024
22-25 June 2024
3-6 July 2024
6-9 August 2024
26-29 August 2024
