Photography Workshop in the Highlands & South Coast of Iceland for 10 Days

Your journey into the heart of Iceland's wild Highlands begins early, with a hearty breakfast to fuel the day ahead. 

Leaving behind the cityscape of Reykjavik, you'll venture into one of the most remote and captivating regions of Iceland. The Icelandic Highlands is a photographer's dream with landscapes that seem untouched by time. 

As you traverse rugged terrain, the scenery transforms dramatically. Vast open plains, jagged mountain ranges, and winding rivers set the stage for a day of breathtaking photography.

The first stop on today's itinerary is the mystical Kerlingarfjoll mountains, a spectacular cluster of rhyolite peaks that shimmer in shades of red, yellow, and orange under the summer sun. Here, vibrant contrasts between the earthy mountains, lush green moss, and the glacial rivers create an ideal playground for experimenting with color and composition. 

Your guides will offer tips on capturing this unique environment, helping you work with natural light, textures, and contrasts. Whether you're shooting with wide angles or zooming in for close-ups, Kerlingarfjoll promises stunning results.

Next, you'll head to Hveravellir, a remote geothermal field that offers both geological wonders and fantastic photo opportunities. As you walk along the steamy paths, you'll encounter fumaroles releasing hot vapor into the air and bubbling mud pots in motion. 

The rising steam creates a beautiful effect, especially when the light filters through it at just the right angle. Hveravellir also gives insight into Iceland's geothermal energy, which powers much of the country sustainably.

As evening draws closer, your final stop will be the charming Gygjarfoss waterfall, where the meltwaters of the Jokulfall river cascade from the nearby Hofsjokull glacier. Though only 16 feet  (5 meters) high and 66 feet (20 meters) wide, this waterfall is a majestic drop in summer.

After an enriching day exploring the Highlands, you'll enjoy a well-deserved meal before settling in at a hotel near Kerlingarfjoll. With your first full day of shooting behind you, you'll already see improvements in your work, eager for what lies ahead.

On the third day of your photography adventure, you’ll journey to Landmannalaugar, a breathtaking highland region nestled within the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. 

From your previous location, the journey takes you on a scenic drive along mountain passes and picturesque landscapes. After a few hours, you’ll reach your destination at Landmannalaugar.

Landmannalaugar is best known for its colorful rhyolite mountains. The landscape here is a mesmerizing blend of vibrant mineral-rich mountains, solidified lava fields, and steaming geothermal hot springs. 

It’s an ever-changing canvas that provides endless inspiration for photographers.

The rhyolite mountains, a signature feature of Landmannalaugar, shimmer in colors ranging from red, pink, and gold to deep green and gray. These mountains have been sculpted by centuries of volcanic activity, and the variety of hues is the result of minerals deposited by ancient eruptions. 

Adding to the scene is the looming presence of Mount Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. Hekla has been erupting for centuries, and in medieval times, it was referred to as the “Gateway to Hell” due to its fiery outbursts. Today, it provides a dramatic backdrop, perfect for wide-angle landscape shots.

As you traverse the area, you’ll encounter lava fields and obsidian deposits, remnants of ancient eruptions that contrast beautifully with the colorful peaks. The patterns formed by cooled lava offer excellent opportunities to practice close-up photography, capturing intricate textures and unique formations. 

The region's numerous geothermal areas, where hot springs bubble and steam escapes from the earth, add an atmospheric element to your compositions. Your guides will help you experiment with various techniques, such as using the rising steam to create depth or framing vibrant colors to highlight contrasts.

After a rewarding day of shooting, you can opt to relax in one of Landmannalaugar’s natural hot springs, where warm geothermal waters offer a soothing end to the day's adventures. 

In the evening, you’ll retire at your accommodation in the Landmannalaugar area under the midnight sun of Iceland.

On your fourth day, you'll continue exploring the wonders of Landmannalaugar, taking advantage of the soft morning light to capture more of the region's diverse landscapes. With its waterfalls, glaciers, expansive lava fields, and serene lakes, this area offers endless opportunities to refine your photography skills.

Whether you're experimenting with long exposures at waterfalls or framing reflections on still waters, the morning shoot will allow you to apply the techniques you've developed under the guidance of your expert instructors.

Later in the day, you'll travel to a trio of stunning crater lakes, Blahylur, Frostastadavatn, and Ljotipollur. 

Ljotipollur, whose name translates to "Ugly Puddle," is anything but ugly. This remarkable sky-blue lake, nestled within the rusty-red slopes of a volcanic crater, presents the perfect opportunity to explore how contrasting colors can make your images pop. 

Your guides will help you work with natural light and angles to capture the vibrant tones and shifting reflections that make these lakes so special.

Next, you'll venture into the Veidivotn area, a remote highland cluster of more than 50 lakes formed by volcanic craters during eruptions in 1477. Each lake has its own character, with dark volcanic shores contrasting against shimmering blue waters. 

This area offers a peaceful and unspoiled environment. Here, you can immerse yourself in natural beauty while honing your wide-angle photography and composition skills.

In the afternoon, you'll shift focus to two waterfalls that embody Iceland's raw power. Haifoss, Iceland's second tallest waterfall, drops from a height of 400 feet (122 meters) into a deep gorge carved by the Thjorsa river. Capturing the force of the water plunging into the canyon provides a thrilling challenge. 

Hjalparfoss, a double cascade framed by basalt formations, offers a more intimate subject for experimenting with flow techniques. Both waterfalls provide fantastic practice for working with shutter speeds and creating silky water effects.

After another rewarding day, you'll return to your accommodation in the Landmannalaugar area, energized for the adventures to come.

On your final day in Landmannalaugar, you'll wrap up your time in the Highlands by visiting a few last must-see spots before departing the area. 

Like in the previous days, you may enjoy a delicious breakfast before leaving the accommodation. This will help you get energized to explore more terrain in the Landmannalaugar area.

One of the highlights will be the ridge above Frostastadavatn, where you can capture panoramic views of the region's many lakes and rivers from a high vantage point. The landscape, with its water bodies scattered across the volcanic terrain, offers an excellent opportunity for landscape photography.

Next, you'll head to the Sigoldugljufur canyon, often called the Valley of Tears. The canyon boasts countless small waterfalls that tumble down its steep cliffs into the river below. 

From the ridge above the canyon, you'll get a spectacular bird's-eye view, with multiple cascades flowing into the shallow river. This site will challenge you to capture both the vastness of the canyon and the intricate details of its waterfalls, making it a perfect exercise in framing and perspective. 

Your guides will be on hand to provide tips on composition and help you make the most of this dramatic setting. They will also share interesting information about the attractions you'll visit.

After several days immersed in photography, today also offers a chance to unwind. You'll have the option to visit Landmannalaugar's natural hot springs, where you can soak in warm waters and relax amid the stunning scenery. 

It's the perfect way to end your time in the nature reserve of Landmannalaugar, reflecting on the images you've captured and the techniques you've learned throughout the workshop. So don't forget to pack your swimsuit and towel for these relaxing opportunities.

In the evening, under the breathtaking midnight sun, you'll enjoy a tasty dinner before retiring to your accommodation.

On day six of your photography adventure in the land of fire and ice, you'll take South Fjallabaksleid, a route through the highlands that leads to the north of Myrdalsjokull glacier. This area also covers Katla, an active volcano sometimes referred to as the mother of Eyjafjallajokull, to the west.

Katla erupts every 40 to 80 years, but some volcanologists believe that it erupted 'secretly' under its glacier several times throughout the last century, most recently in 2011. However, the ice cap atop Katla, Myrdalsjokull, is so enormous that lava couldn't force its way through.

Not only will you have an opportunity to photograph this incredible volcano and its crowning glacier, but you'll also visit Oldufell, a conical and imposing mountain. In the right light, the greenery that runs down its sides seems to be phosphorescent.

Other subjects for the day include the area's black lava sand deserts and impressive lava pillars. These unique geological formations are not just excellent to photograph but also great avenues to learn about Iceland's rich volcanic history.

Axlarfoss waterfall is the next stop on our tour. Axlarfoss' flow pours over hexagonal basalt columns into the Holmsa river, and the waterfall is enclosed by blooming vegetation. Though the waterfall only drops 26 feet (8 meters), it is stunning to behold.

At the end of the day, you'll stop at the world's largest volcanic canyon, Eldgja. Eldgja was formed by an enormous eruption around the year 939, which was allegedly prophesied in the medieval Icelandic poem Voluspa. The poem documents the eruption in menacing clarity.

The canyon system spans approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers), crisscrossing through the rugged terrain of the Icelandic Highlands. You'll be able to capture the beauty of this place with the help of your guides. 

You'll spend the night at Kirkjubaejarklaustur village or a nearby area and wake up fresh to spend day seven in Vatnajokull National Park.

Day seven begins with a visit to the spectacular Fjadrargljufur canyon, an otherworldly gorge carved over thousands of years by the glacial Fjadra river. This narrow, winding canyon stretches about 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) and reaches up to 330 feet (100 meters) in height.

The canyon’s paths and dramatic rock formations offer photographers countless compositions, including panoramic shots of its curves to close-ups of textures along the moss-covered cliffs. 

Fjadrargljufur is not just a beautiful sight but also a famous landscape to explore. It has become a cultural icon, featured in music videos like Justin Bieber’s I’ll Show You and episodes of popular television shows, making it one of Iceland’s most recognizable landmarks. 

After soaking in the beauty of the canyon, you’ll continue east toward the Vatnajokull National Park, a vast wilderness known for its glaciers, volcanoes, and diverse ecosystems. Inside this massive natural park is a nature reserve called Skaftafell, where you’ll have exciting photo opportunities.

The journey to Skaftafell Nature Reserve provides stunning views of glacier-capped volcanoes like Oraefajokull and Hvannadalshnukur, Iceland’s highest peak. These sights alone are photography-worthy, with opportunities to capture the contrast between snow-white ice caps and dark volcanic terrain.

Once at Skaftafell, you’ll follow a scenic trail to Svartifoss, one of Iceland’s most striking waterfalls. Svartifoss, meaning “Black Falls,” is famous for the hexagonal basalt columns that frame it, resembling the pipes of a giant organ. 

These dark volcanic columns inspired Icelandic architecture, including the design of Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik. Photographing Svartifoss presents an exciting challenge: you can experiment with long-exposure techniques to blur the water’s motion or capture the vivid contrast between the dark rock, white water, and lush greenery around the falls.

After a fulfilling day of photography, you’ll relax and recharge at accommodations within Vatnajokull National Park, ready for the next leg of your Icelandic adventure. Exploring the scenic trails of Skaftafell by foot adds a serene end to the day, giving you time to reflect on the stunning images you’ve captured.

Day eight will begin early and will continue to focus on the Vatnajokull National Park. The park is one of Iceland's most photographed sites because of its dense forests, glaciers, geothermal areas, and waterfalls. 

If your group hasn't explored or photographed the wonders of Vatnajokull yesterday, you could all do it today before moving into the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. 

A few things you can photograph are the outlet glaciers of Vatnajokull and its surrounding glacier lagoons. Hvannadalshnjukur, Iceland's highest peak, Skaftafellsjokull, a glacier tongue jutting out of Vatnajokull, and the valley Morsardalur are the top choices.

The Vatnajokull National Park is a paradise of mountain peaks, black sand beaches, and glacial formations, and photography lovers certainly won't run out of interesting subject matter.

In the latter part of the day, you'll turn your camera to the famous Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and the adjacent Diamond Beach. These attractions are often referred to as some of Iceland's "crown jewels" because of their breathtaking features and appearance.

Jokulsarlon is the deepest lake in the country at 814 feet (248 meters). It is best known for its great icebergs cruising through its deep waters from the glacial melt of the Breidamerkurjokull outlet glacier.

With extra luck, you might even photograph the lagoon's colony of seals and nesting birds.

Some icebergs of different sizes from Jokulsarlon wash upon Diamond Beach on their journey to the ocean. These ice chunks against the beach's black volcanic sands are a photographer's dream.

Camera in hand, you'll capture the interplay of light within the ice's crystalline structure, mastering landscape photography techniques that seemed lofty goals at the start of your tour. 

After a visit to the lagoon, you'll head east to Stokksnes beach, where you'll photograph the ominous Mount Vestrahorn from this sandy shore.

You'll conclude your day at Vatnajokull National Park with a restful night's sleep in a nearby hotel.

On day nine, you’ll journey back toward Reykjavik along Iceland’s stunning South Coast, a route filled with lush landscapes, towering volcanoes, and iconic natural attractions. 

The South Coast is known for its sweeping green fields that are often blanketed with purple lupine flowers in the summer, adding vibrant bursts of color to the scenery. Along the way, you’ll explore several must-see locations, each offering unique photography opportunities.

One of the first stops will be Reynisfjara, a world-famous black sand beach with basalt columns, sea stacks, and crashing waves. The stark black sand contrasts beautifully with the ocean’s blues and the greenery in the background, making it an iconic spot for dramatic photography. 

The Reynisdrangar sea stacks, rising from the ocean just offshore, add an extra element of mystery to this already stunning location.

Continuing along the coast, you’ll stop at the dramatic Dyrholaey rock arch, a towering cliff formation that juts into the sea. This area is also a haven for seabirds, including puffins, during the summer months. With the Atlantic Ocean crashing below and birds soaring overhead, this spot is perfect for photographing wildlife and coastal landscapes.

Next, you’ll visit the mighty Skogafoss, one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls. Dropping 200 feet (60 meters) but spanning 82 feet (25 meters) across, its powerful flow sends mist high into the air, often creating rainbows on sunny days. 

Finally, you’ll visit the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. This South Coast cascade has the same height as Skogafoss but has a narrower flow. Unlike most waterfalls in Iceland, Seljalandsfoss boasts the rare perspective behind its misty curtain, framing the tumbling water against the sky or the surrounding landscape. 

With your camera in hand, you can experiment with angles and exposures, capturing the movement of water and the glow of sunlight filtering through the spray.

After an inspiring day exploring the South Coast, you’ll return to Reykjavik in the evening to settle into your hotel and reflect on the incredible images and experiences gathered throughout the day.

On the final day of your photography adventure, you’ll board the bus to Keflavik International Airport, carrying a memory card filled with stunning images and a wealth of new skills. 

If your flight departs later in the afternoon or evening, you’ll have some extra time to explore Reykjavik independently and capture a few last-minute shots of Iceland’s vibrant capital.

Reykjavik offers a variety of subjects for urban landscape and street photography. Start with a visit to Hallgrimskirkja church, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, inspired by Iceland’s basalt landscapes. From the top of the church tower, you’ll have a panoramic view of Reykjavik’s colorful rooftops and the surrounding coastline.

Another must-see is the Harpa Concert Hall by the waterfront. Its glass facade reflects both natural and artificial light, providing interesting opportunities to experiment with reflections and patterns.

For those interested in Iceland’s history and culture, consider visiting the National Museum of Iceland or the Reykjavik Art Museum, where you can learn exhibits that reflect the country’s rich heritage and modern art scene. 

Strolling along Laugavegur, Reykjavik’s main shopping street, also offers great street photography moments. This area features charming storefronts, murals, and locals going about their day.

If time allows, a walk along the waterfront to see the Sun Voyager sculpture is highly recommended. This sleek, steel artwork resembles a Viking ship and looks especially striking when photographed against the backdrop of the ocean or under changing skies. 

Nearby, you can also capture the impressive views of Mount Esja across the bay, a fitting farewell to Iceland’s natural beauty.

Once you’ve explored the city and taken those final shots, you’ll return to your hotel to collect your belongings and head to the airport. As you make your way home, you’ll carry not only a collection of breathtaking photographs but also unforgettable memories of Iceland’s landscapes, wildlife, and culture.