ICELAND SUMMER WORKSHOP TRIP REPORT
Earlier this summer I spent a week or so in Iceland leading a summer workshop there with fellow photographer Andrea Livieri and we had some spectacular conditions. We had a fantastic group of six people, none of whom had visited Iceland before and spent our first evening in Reykjavik getting to know everyone over dinner. At this time of year though the days are so long that we till had time to head out to the Reykjanes peninsula and capture some shots over the ocean with beautiful sunset light around midnight.
Sunset at Valahnúkamöl
The next morning we headed west into the Highlands, my favourite part of Iceland. The landscape there is incredible, ranging from the stunning high waterfall of Haifoss to the colourful rhyolite hills of Landammanlaugar. We spent two nights in the area, and on the second evening spent around 7 hours shooting from the golden hour around 19h right up until 2h when the blue hour still had lots of colour in the sky after a fantastic sunset. We covered various locations and it was one of the best photography sessions I’ve ever had with such a range of lighting conditions. By the end of it we were all exhausted but extremely happy
Haifoss waterfall
Haifoss waterfall
The incredible rhyolite hills of Landmannalaugar
An aerial view of Landmannalaugar captured with a drone.
Below are various abstract images taken in the area and some images from around Hnausapollur crater lake.
The multiple waterfalls of Sigöldugljufur, captured with a drone.
After our two nights in the Highlands we headed to the south coast to stay in the area around the town of Vík. There’s a lot to see in this area with the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara and cliffs of Dyrhólaey close by, as well as some lesser known locations like the cascades at Þakgil and the waterfall at Kvernufoss. We spent two nights here at a wonderful hotel we use on every workshop and eating at one of our favourite places in Iceland, Restaurant Sudur in Vík
Þakgil cascades
Below is the waterfall at Kvernufoss.
The rock arch of Dyrhólaey in the blue hour
The view across Reynisfjara beach from the cliffs of Dyrhólaey.
Below are some more captures from the area.
After another two nights we followed the coast east to Hofn near the south eastern tip of Iceland. On our way there we stopped off to do some exploring and make a hike out to one of Iceland’s most impressive, and at the moment still relatively little-known, canyons. The heavy weather was ideal for a location which literally took the breath away.
By the time we reached Hofn the weather had completely closed in making any more shooting impossible for the day, so after a fantastic meal at Pakkhus, another of our favourite restaurants in Iceland, we had our first early night of the trip. The following day we fit in a huge amount of shooting, starting at Jokulsarlon, the famous iceberg lagoon with neighbouring Breiðamerkursandur, the so-called “diamond beach” and finishing the night off in the blue hour at Stokksnes with it’s views over the Vestrahorn.
A wide angle capture of one of Iceland’s hidden canyons
A telephoto view of the same canyon which really emphasises the incredibly natural symmetry of the place.
Below are a few captures of the light breaking through the heavy clouds along the south coast
A long exposure blurs the smaller icebergs as the flow the the sea while the larger pieces remain caught on the bottom of the lagoon.
Icebergs washed up on the black sand beach of Breiðamerkursandur.
Below are captures from Stokksnes, on Iceland’s south eastern tip.
With that the workshop was almost finished, but we still had time as we headed back to Reykjavik to stop off at Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. Then it was back to Reykjavik for a final dinner together before everyone departed the next day. It was a fantastic week spent with a wonderful group, so thanks to Hamish, Philip, Odile, Terry, Terry and Rodney for making it such a fun trip for myself and Andrea to run.
