Iceland Summer Photo Tours 2011 – Part 1

 

South and East Iceland

In July 2011 I ran along with Johnathan Esper from www.wildernessphotographs.com two 12 day long photo tours around Iceland. Each group had 9 clients plus us two photographers. Our ambitious plan was to go around the island including selected highland locations during these twelve days and see all the main attractions in Iceland from a photographers perspective. We circled the Island counter clockwise on both tours.

This first part I will focus on the south and eastern part of Iceland. Here is a short photo essay of the locations we visited:

 

Golden Circle Area

First stop on both tours was the infamous Golden Circle area in Iceland. Although very popular and sometimes crowded we also visited some less know locations along the way.

 

Landmannalaugar Area

Landmannalaugar area is known for its colorful mountains and plentiful patterns. This contrasty landscape is also known for being very rainy as your first tour got to experience. The 2nd tour was more fortunate though.

 

Eyjafjöll Waterfalls

The beautiful waterfalls on the side of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano are easy to spot and a must place to visit. After the disappointment of rainy Landmannalaugar the 1st tour luck turned as heard of horses stopped by Seljalandsfoss waterfall. The 2nd your continued to have the good weather on their side.

 

Vík Area

The Vík area is known for the coastal area of rock pinnacles and sea arches. Both groups enjoyed shooting seascapes here along with lupins and the church in Vík.

 

On Route to Jökulsárlón

The route from Vík to Jökulsárlón goes through wast floodplanes from the Vatnajökull glacier. Alot of small interesting places are where these plains meet the mountains. Old farm houses, lava fields and waterfalls where both groups enjoyed add hoc stops.

 

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

If there is a single location that one must visit in Iceland for photography it must be the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Lucky enough both groups experienced beautiful light here but the winner must be our first group as the sunset and sunrise was the most spectacular I have ever seen on my multiple trips there. This location deserves two rows of images.

 

The South East

East of Jökulsárlón is where heads into less touristy areas first going over the floodplains of Vatnajökull and later into the southern part of the Eastfjords. The landscape here is varied with glaciers, jagged mountain peaks and deep green fjords. Both groups enjoyed fairly good weather here with interesting ad-hoc photo sessions along the way.

 

East Iceland

Of the two main fjord areas of Iceland the East Fjords are the more easily accessible although quite far from Reykajvík. Idyllic small towns in deep fjords are the subject here where Seydisfjörður is the one we visited.

 

To be continued…