5 Day Winter Photo Workshop in Iceland | Aurora and Ice Caves

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Description

Summary

Tour starts

Iceland

Duration:

5 days

Ending place

Iceland

Languages:

English

Difficulty:

Easy

Available:

Nov. - Mar.

Minimum age:

18 years old

Description

Immerse yourself in the pristine scenery of the Vatnajökull National Park as you capture the Northern Lights and photograph crystal blue ice caves during this one-of-a-kind 5-day winter photography workshop in Iceland!

You will explore the incredible sights along Iceland’s magnificent South Coast, which is home to some of the most breathtaking waterfalls and natural wonders in the country. With snow-capped mountain peaks, glistening glaciers and gorgeous black sand beaches, this spectacular region of Iceland is the perfect place to hone your landscape photography skills.

During this epic five-day winter photography workshop in Iceland, you’ll travel west to east, taking in all of the awe-inspiring sights that make this the country’s most famous region of all.

The Vatnajökull National Park is home to the breathtaking Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the Diamond Ice Beach, and the charming surrounds of the Skaftafell Nature Reserve, where intriguing scenery abounds and is sure to sweep you off your feet.

You’ll have ample opportunities to chase the Northern Lights all across the diverse winter landscape, as well as the extraordinary chance to explore the crystal ice caves that lurk hidden within Europe’s largest glacier.

Your four nights of accommodation during the tour will be pre-arranged for you before your arrival in Iceland, as well as all of your transfers to and from your shooting locations. Please note that your accommodation in Reykjavík city is not included and that you will need to arrange this yourself.

Throughout this experience, your expert photo guides will be on-hand to help you make the most of the winter conditions. They’ll share their depth of knowledge with you and get you to all of the right places at the right time to capture the best photos of Iceland.

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to photograph Iceland in winter, in one of the most spectacular regions that this country has to offer. Check availability by choosing a date.

Included

Professional photo guide

Transportation in a comfortable vehicle

Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses. Rooms with private bathrooms.

Breakfasts at hotel stays during the tour

Map

Attractions

Vatnajökull National Park

Activities

Northern Lights

Photo Tours

Photo Workshop

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Skógafoss waterfall is a famous point of interest along Iceland's South Coast.

Day 1 - South Coast to Vik

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? You’ll be picked up in Reykjavík early in the morning to begin your journey to Iceland’s South Coast. Please note that your hotel in Reykjavík is not included in the price of the tour and you will need to arrange this yourself. Your first stop will be at Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall that originates from the glacier volcano, Eyjafjallajökull. Dropping from a height of 60 metres, this waterfall is unique in that it features a path that will lead you behind the cascade of water for incredible 360-degree views. Just half an hour away is its neighbour, Skógafoss, a powerful waterfall that you can almost walk right up to. When the sun catches the curtain of mist thundering forth, it can create rainbows that arch through the spray! Be prepared at both of these locations though, as you may get a little bit wet. As you continue your journey along the South Coast, you’ll come across the small promontory of Dyrhólaey, not far from the village of Vík í Mýrdal. This windswept peninsula features staggering views of the coastline, a historic lighthouse and an abundance of birdlife. You’ll have the opportunity to capture the views from above and below, as you explore the nearby cliffs and catch a glimpse of the famous Reynisdrangar sea stacks in the distance. Don’t fret if they seem too far away, as we’ll certainly move closer while the sun dips lower on the horizon. Our sunset location will be at the spectacular black sand beach of Reynisfjara, where powerful waves roll in from the North Atlantic Ocean. Surrounded by tall basalt columns and with an incredible naturally formed cave on the shore, these features add an additional layer of drama to an already astonishing seascape. After dinner, if the conditions are just right, you’ll embark upon your first hunt for the Northern Lights. It’s a whole different kettle of fish trying to shoot in the dark but your expert photo guide will be on hand to teach you everything you need to know, ensuring that you’ll be able to capture the green lady dancing elegantly through the night sky. You will retire for your first night to accommodation in Vík í Mýrdal.

Day 2

The Northern Lights at Jökulsárlón is combining two of Iceland's biggest attractions.

Day 2 - Vik to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

On the morning of day two, you’ll get up early for a sunrise shoot at the black sand beach. From the opposite side, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks take on a different form. Freezing the motion of the waves as they crash against these incredible natural shapes is an exciting feat, and you’ll have all the time in the world to do so. From there, we’ll make our way towards the Vatnajökull National Park, reaching the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in time for sunset. Jökulsárlón is where icebergs calve from the majestic Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, floating about serenely in the calm waters before making their way out through a narrow waterway towards the sea. There, they are pounded by the waves, reshaped and deposited back upon the black sand, where they resemble diamonds glistening in the sun. You’ll have ample time to capture the immense serenity of these natural wonders as the sky takes on an ethereal winter glow. Watch closely as you might even spot a seal or two, fishing in the deep waters of the lagoon. After dinner, you’ll head out once again on a hunt for the Northern Lights. If the conditions are favourable, then you will shoot them dancing above the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, with large icebergs making for a truly enchanting foreground. You’ll retire for the night to your accommodation in the vicinity.

Day 3

Ice bergs rest on the surface of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Day 3 - Vatnajokull National Park / Ice Cave

The tour is always dependent on the conditions, as the Icelandic weather can be highly unpredictable. Therefore, the itinerary on days 3 and 4 will remain flexible to allow our guides to ensure that you will be in the right place at the right time for stunning landscape photography in Iceland. Generally speaking, the third day of your adventure will begin with a thrilling sunrise shoot at the Diamond Ice Beach. With our specially-provided rubber boots, you’ll be ready to capture the movement of the waves as they circle the icebergs on the beach, making for wonderful drawn-out long exposure effects. Each iceberg brings with it a myriad of different compositions, so you’ll spend a good part of the morning perfecting your technique. The highlight of the afternoon will be when you take a super-jeep ride closer to the largest glacier in Europe, where you’ll disembark and walk upon the glacier to a stunning ice cave. Ice caves are dynamic, constantly melting and reshaping over time, so what you photograph now might not be entirely the same in the future. Be prepared to practice your low-light photography skills as you make the most of the available light bouncing off the crystal blue walls, capturing memories of a lifetime. After all this excitement, the only way to top it off is to get off the beaten track on the southern end of the Vatnajökull glacier. You’ll have the chance to explore the lesser-known Fjallsárlón glacier lagoon, which is just as beautiful as its larger counterpart. Filled with icebergs and hidden away from the crowds, it’s a wonderful place to further hone your skills as the sun begins to set. Once again in the evening, you’ll set out on a search for the elusive Northern Lights, before returning for the night to your accommodation in the vicinity.

Day 4

Day 4 - Vatnajokull National Park / Skaftafell Nature Reserve

On this day, you’ll revisit the Diamond Ice Beach and the adjacent Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon for another exciting sunrise shoot. There’s no doubt that many of you will relish in the possibility of honing your skills and trying out different compositions beneath the ever-changing light. In the afternoon, you’ll head further east into the wilderness of Skaftafell Nature Reserve, well-known for its rugged landscape and inspiring views. It is home to Svínafellsjökull glacier, a sight not to be missed. Your sunset location will be at the foot of the mighty peaks of Vestrahorn, where undulating black sand dunes hide a number of frozen pools that make for endlessly compelling compositions. This mountain makes for an enchanting backdrop, particularly at night, when the Northern Lights swirl across the starry sky overhead. You’ll retire for the night in the vicinity of the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Day 5

Strokkur geyser erupts at Haukadalur Geothermal Valley.

Day 5 - Golden Circle, back to Reykjavik

This will be your final day of photography and you’ll have one last chance to capture the beauty of the Diamond Ice Beach and the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, before heading towards the west. It will be a long drive back to Reykjavík but there will be a lot to photograph along the way. Depending on the conditions, you may stop at the Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, made famous by a Justin Bieber music clip! Carved out by glaciers, this canyon takes on the form of a feather when seen from above. On foot, the scenery is just as astounding, seeming like an adventure back in time to when nature ruled supreme. As you get nearer to the country’s capital, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Iceland’s most famous route – the Golden Circle. Here, you’ll get a taste for why this country is sometimes described as the “Land of Fire and Ice”! Geothermal features such as the exploding fountain geyser of Strokkur at Geysir will have you sweating with surprise, while the frozen cascades of the glorious waterfall Gullfoss will cool you down as they plunge into the snowy canyon beneath your feet. Your final shooting location on the Golden Circle will be at Þingvellir, an impressive area marked by the remnants of volcanic activity. Here, you may witness the effects of the continental drift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You’ll have the opportunity to capture your final sunset at the small waterfall Oxararfoss, with its bright blue water surrounded by layers of ice and snow. You’ll reach Reykjavík in the evening, no doubt with a treasure trove of stunning photos, fantastic new landscape photography skills and memories to last a lifetime. Please note that your hotel in Reykjavík is not included in the price of this tour and you will need to arrange this yourself.

Good to know

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

- We offer small group tours with a maximum group size of 10-14. 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.

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

19-23 Nov 2023 - Guided by Siggi the Viking

16-20 Jan 2024 - Guided by Vincenzo Mazza

13-17 Feb 2024

12-16 Mar 2024 - Guided by Vincenzo Mazza

19-23 Nov 2024

16-20 Jan 2025

13-17 Feb 2025

12-16 Mar 2025

Video

Guides

Siggi the Viking

English, Icelandic

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Siggi was born in Iceland and has spent most of his photography career in this paradise.During his time as a photographer, he early on found that his passion lies with photographing the beautiful landscapes and nightscapes of Iceland. One of his favorite activities is being out, chasing the northern lights and thinking of new ways to top his shots.

He has won multiple awards for his work, both locally and internationally, especially for his photos of the Aurora Borealis. Sigurdur has also written a book on the subject to aid everyone in getting the perfect shots of Lady Aurora and held nightscape photography workshops in Iceland since the beginning of 2012 with great success.

When the days get longer and the northern lights fade into the daylight, he turns his eyes towards the sun and the amazing midnight sun that Iceland has to offer with the golden hours that seem to stretch on forever.

Vincenzo Mazza

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Vincenzo is a nature and landscape photographer. He has been doing landscape photography since 2010, mostly between Italy and Iceland. Born in Italy he moved to Iceland in 2015, after spending many months in that country during the years before to practice landscape photography.

He has been teaching photography and running photo tours since 2011, mostly in Iceland and in Italy. In 2015 he was among the winner photographers of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year international nature photography competition.

In Iceland he become a mountain and a glacier guide, and he is now an official member of the association of the Icelandic mountain guides.

Regarding his approach to photography, he like to consider himself a storyteller. He believes that his pictures are the result of diligence, creativity and technical skills in the field but most of all unconditional love for nature landscapes.

He would define his pictures as “authentic”, they are a faithful representation of the reality at the moment of the photo shooting, prior to all the obvious adjustments which are essential to the optimization of the picture.

Regarding that aspect, he said: “Nature is so impressive, inspiring and magnificent! if I created pictures with Photoshop, mixing up places and different moments I wouldn’t be the storyteller I want to be. Photography is an interpretation of an evanescent moment. Intuition and passion are needed on the playground of nature”.