Summary

If a creator being were responsible for Iceland, they would have turned up the beauty dial to eleven (on a one to ten dial) and broken it off after that so that no one else could mess with it.
Waterfalls that leave the viewer gasping, mountains out of an over-imaginative fantasy writer’s works, turquoise seascapes that defy the natural colour palette along with black sands and volcanic detritus strewn landscapes that murmur of a Viking age past, all beg to be turned into epic poetic sagas. No matter where you look, Iceland throws up landscape and scenes that are incredible to photograph.
Drama doesn’t come without its own hurdles. Iceland has notorious vagaries in its weather system. It is entirely possible to spend two weeks without seeing the sun or so much as a square of blue sky during a visit to the island. Travel can also be expensive, particularly in the peak tourist season during the Icelandic summer. The peak season can also result in droves of tourists at all the iconic photographic locations. The photographic rewards are extensive though. It is almost guaranteed that a photographer would produce some of their best and favourite work while there.

​WHEN
2oth May - 1st June 2020
PRICE
 €6480,00 P/P (approximately USD 7201,00 as of August 2019 Exchange rates)
(Single supplement if available, €1050,00)
FOCUS
Landscape Photography
GROUP SIZE
2 MINIMUM, 6 MAX
INSTRUCTOR GUEST RATIO
1:3
DURATION
13 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Hotels and B&B's
NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS
4

In Detail

Chasing a Midnight Sun
Nature’s Light Workshops are about the photographs and the experience of photography, so we strive to get our participants to great locations in great light without dozens of other people around. To achieve this we have chosen a travel date that brings down certain travel costs (by traveling just prior to the height of the summer). Fortuitously, being so close to the Arctic Circle, the nights are extremely short, with extended ‘golden hour’ shooting conditions at a period where most normal tourists are already bedding down (for the most part, Iceland has visitors to their best known locations throughout the day and night).

This does mean for strange sleep patterns during the workshop, and very few full eight hour nights (the workshop does allow for sufficient rest and sleep, just not in the traditional day/night pattern). This trade-off means photographing waterfalls, mountains, seaside cliffs, glacial edges, floating ice-bergs, volcanic beaches...and even a wrecked DC-3 Aeroplane in the best possible light, with the least possible other visitors.

Read on to see why we are confident that you will want to book this workshop with us! 
Key highlights
           Photograph: 
  • The beguiling Kirkjufell Mountain and Kirkjufellfoss at its base.
  • The extraordinary ice ‘diamonds’ at sunrise on Diamond Beach.
  • Icebergs jostling for space in Jokulsarlon Lagoon.
  • Amazing waterfalls that belie the imagination at Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
  • The eternally dramatic skyline of Vestrahorn Mountain.
  • Fantasy like sea stacks off the dramatic cliffs of Vic.
          
          Enjoy: 
  • Exploring the extraordinary storybook and saga based landscape of Iceland.
  • Probably the world’s best instructor to participant ratio, maximizing your learning.
  • Having highly experienced tutors helping you on the spot as you craft your image.
  • An adventurous holiday that mixes phenomenal locations, excellent tutoring and stunning scenes to photograph.

           Learn about: 
  • Creative Composition: The basics and beyond, such as The Element Approach, Balancing Composition etc. 
  • Basics to advanced techniques in digital landscape photography. There are two instructors (on groups of 4-6 participants) meaning that virtually all levels of photographer can be catered for.
  • Workflow & digital asset management. 
  • Long Exposure photography to create dreamy seascapes and waterfalls.
  • How to create panoramic images. 
  • How to create time lapses (optional).
  • Advanced composition for landscape imagery.
  • Post-production using Lightroom, Capture One and Photo Shop.
Reasons to Join Us
Nature’s Light prides itself on ‘deep-instruction’. This is a term we use to describe how we teach photographers to understand the mechanics of the camera and light as well as the subtle art of photographic composition. The goal is not just to take you to a great location and produce a great image. Our goal is that you understand how to create that image so that you can do it again yourself.

Far too many photography workshops and instructors bark out settings and instruction on how to replicate an image they, the instructor, are creating. We differ in that we strive to get the photographers to create their own works by assisting with the pre-visualization and creation of those images. We firmly believe that this approach improves the skill and work-flow of the photographers that join us.

With a maximum of 6 guests and 2 instructors we offer one of the best instructor-participant ratios available on the market, as others typically take 5 to 8 participants per instructor (or more). Moreover, this allows teaching simultaneously at beginner, intermediate and advanced level, as participants can choose what they would like to learn about, from which tutor and at what level. This ensures the steepest possible learning curve for you, regardless of your level of experience!
For the Iceland Photography workshop we have also chosen to team with the knowledgeable ‘Discover The World’ tour operation. Their approach to the individual aspect of the photographic tour is what prompted us to pair with them in the first place. Their contribution to the workshop will leave you with a truly memorable experience. Enough so, that even without the photographic aspect, this would be an amazing tour to take part in.
What to Expect
Iceland is a large island of just under 40,000 square miles, but with a resident population of less than 350 000 people. A third of these people live in the Capital, Reykjavik. The island sits just below the Arctic Circle in the North Atlantic, meaning that the weather is relatively cold year round with high levels of rain and snow. The economy is relatively strong with a highly educated, well-paid workforce. Iceland is famous for it’s geysers, active volcanoes, hot springs, and increasingly for its tourism. According to the Iceland tourism board 2,195,271 visitors came to the island in 2017!

Due to the proximity of Iceland to the Arctic Circle, summer days are extremely long with ‘night time’ lasting only a few hours and never actually getting dark. Summer lasts from the beginning of June to the end of August with the ‘midnight sun’ occurring around the 21st of June during the solstice. Average daytime summer temperatures are usually between 5.5 and 12.8 degrees Celsius. However summer temperatures drop lower and can also spike as high as 30 degrees Celsius (although this is rare). The relative mildness is due to Iceland sitting on top of an extremely active geothermal area (the European and North American tectonic plates meet below the island). The cold air coming from the North Atlantic means that it is rare that there are more than a few days of sunshine before cold rain comes in from the sea.

Still, the summer months are considered the most stable to travel in, and allow visitors to basically see what they want to based on their sleep schedules rather than actual ‘opening hours’. With such crisp and clear skies coupled to extended golden hour lighting conditions, it is all too tempting to just keep photographing until exhaustion sets in.
Traveling in Iceland is relatively easy with an excellent road system across the country. Depending on the size of the group we either book a large four wheel drive, or a small minivan with trailer. Access to all but one of our locations is easily achieved on foot from parking areas. The locations we use are not particularly strenuous or difficult to reach (with a few small provisos described in the itinerary).

There are no major health issues when traveling on the island. The only health issue we came across on previous workshops was the difficulty in sleeping during the day (bearing in mind that even the night is ‘day time’). Previous participants recommended bringing a sleep mask and potentially mild sleeping medication.

Iceland operates very much like any ‘first-world’ European country (except maybe more laid back). Expect similar levels of service at hotels and restaurants (which are all notoriously expensive by any standards). Some tourists are a little surprised at some of the buildings that are used as hotels. Many look more like prefabricated office blocks than hotels and guest houses. This is a standard building style which obviously suits the Icelanders; a plus is that the buildings have a very low environmental impact.

Electric sockets in Iceland use the Europlug/Schuko-Plug (CEE types), also called “type F,” which has two round prongs and two grounding clips on the side of the plug. Output is 230 Volts. The standard two pin plug used in Europe and the UK fits fine. We have had no problems at any locations charging Macbook, laptops and camera batteries. That said, it is always useful to keep a powerbank in the camera bag.  

This workshop concentrates on landscape and nature photography (with a decided emphasis on landscape photography). There are opportunities to photograph the bird life and other aspects of Iceland, but we do tend to arrange photo shoots around landscape locations.
As with other trips that Nature’s Light run, this is  not a relaxing holiday in the traditional sense. The extraordinary locations, extended day light and late sunset times mean that guests are likely to get tired. That said, there is still time to enjoy the famous hot springs and unwind. In fact, as one guest put it, “I’m looking forward to terrible weather so I don’t feel compelled to go out and photograph.”

Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Hotel Cabin Reykjavic. First night stay in the city
Photographers meet at the Hotel Cabin in Reykjavic (we can assist with airport transfers if required). We recommend booking on either British Airways flight which arrives late morning, or the Icelandic Air Flight which arrives in the afternoon.
Our first night is spent in Reykjavik to give everyone a chance to get over any travel tiredness, and also see a small bit of the island’s Capital City.

Day 2: Travel to the Snaefellsness Peninsula
From Reykjavic we set out straight towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This is about a 4 hour drive not including stops. The scenery is spectacular, so there is a good chance the trip will take longer, although we do try to get to our first accommodation so that the participants can unpack properly.
We are staying at the Fosshotel Hellnar, which is only 6km from the Snæfellsjökull National Park and has quick access to the coastline as well as the famous ‘Black’ Church, Londrangar and the seaside cliffs of Arnanstapi.
All daily itineraries will be dependent on the weather. That said, the plan is to get up for sunrise (3AM) to go and photograph the Kirkjufell Mountain. This beautiful mountain is perfectly reflected in a lagoon nearby and also has the exquisite Kirkjufellfoss waterfall as foreground.
We will be aiming for a sunset shoot at about 11PM, so much of the day will be spent resting. An early dinner will then mean we are out shooting throughout the Golden light.

day 3: Hellnar
Our prime locations mean that we can step out the door and explore the coastline around Hellnar. Here there are some phenomenal rock arches and volcanic rock features to draw the eye.
Besides the coastline, the area around Hellnar offers some extraordinary mountain views, impossibly tall waterfalls and iconic Icelandic churches to photograph. As with the previous day we rest during the bulk of the midday,  but shoot through the best light in the late afternoon and early morning.  

day 4: Kirkjufell
An early morning start finds us on the road to Kirkjufell and its accompanying waterfall. We are usually surprised to find the falls to ourselves for an hour or so after the sun rises. Although this isn’t always the case it’s usual that even the most iconic locations are empty of tourists until at least 6AM. All the better for us!
From Kirkjufell we take a quick visit to the Black Church before heading back to our hotel for a rest and some much needed editing time (by now).
In the afternoon we visit the coastal sea-stacks and cliffs of Arnanstapi. We also potentially take a drive up the four wheel drive to the base of the Snaefellsjokul glacier!

day 5: Hellnar to ViK
This is the first of our long travel days as we make our way to the south of the island. Rather than a quick drive to the South we will go up and over the highlands to the north of Reykjavik, passing through Thingvellir National Park. This area is famous for the fault-line between the European and North American tectonic plates that lie beneath the island at this point. The result is a series of large natural lakes, and fault-lines that create yawning chasms and gullies.
day 6: Thorsmork Valley
Our goal is to get into some of the less visited parts of Iceland and the Thorsmork Valley is one such incredible location. In the four wheel drive vehicle we use, we are able to explore some of the way into this extraordinary valley, as well as visit and photograph some of the narrow gorges with their fairyland like atmosphere.

day 7: Dryholaey and Rynisfjara
The coastal cliffs around Vik are what bring us to this spectacular area. The extraordinary sea-stacks off Rynisfjara beach towards the cliffs and lighthouse Dryholaey are all close by, allowing for multiple visits if necessary. Dryholaey is the site of a lighthouse, but it’s the cliffs and the impressive ‘Cathedral Arch’ as well as the view of the ‘Black Beach’ that we are after (this can be dependent on breeding season). Rynisfjara on the other hand has fantasy like spires jutting from the sea with the foreground of an alabaster coloured pebble beach.
Based on the weather forecast (and tide times) we will draw up a list of the locations and decide where to visit when. Regardless of timing though, expect to shoot the coastline from both the shore level, as well as up on the ramparts of the cliffs. If this isn’t enough there are also several extremely photogenic farmsteads and churches in the area, as well as some historic ‘turf’ houses that were (and continue to be - in the modern equivalent - dug into the ground for protection and warmth).

day 8: Vik to Jokulsarlon
After breakfast at the hotel we set out on the long drive to Jokulsarlon at the base of Vatnajokul glacier on the eastern side of Iceland.  This road crosses some beautiful landscape including endless fields of lupine flowers as well as a vast volcanic plains. The idea is to spend some time photographing scenes as we travel towards the area between Vatnajokul National Park and Hofn.    
Being a travel day there is no urgent location set in to the itinerary. The idea is to simply enjoy the drive and take in some of the epic Icelandic landscape.
The aim is to reach our overnight location, the comfortable Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, for an early dinner and then head out to catch the golden hours by the side of the hauntingly beautiful Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon.
This natural lagoon is  the result of melt-water from the enormous Vatnajokul glacier that makes up 90 percent of the National Park. Calved icebergs float and jostle for space at the mouth of the lagoon, further breaking up and washing out to sea.

Day 9: Diamond Beach and Vestrahorn Mountain
Due to our close proximity to Jokulsarlon, we are able to head out to shoot the lagoon and neighbouring beach in the early morning light.
If the clouds are cooperating, sunrise means for beautiful alpine glow on the background mountains and glacier and the water turns pale pink in its reflection while pale blue icebergs drift by.
We then move down the outflow to the equally extraordinary ‘Diamond Beach’. Here the icebergs are broken apart by the waves and thrown back on to the shore. The contrast of the ice against the black sand is phenomenal to shoot, and it’s added to by the low hanging sun on the horizon. For Diamond Beach in particular this is the best time of day to capture the sun’s rays as they light up the stranded icebergs on the black sand beach.
After breakfast we take a sedate pace to the other side of Vatnajokul National Park. Depending on the weather we can then strike out to Vestrahorn Mountain for an evening shoot (although this can also be skipped as there is another opportunity the following day).

Day 10: Stokksnes and Vestrahorn Mountain
We set off for the amazing shape of Vestrahorn Mountain before dawn (which is around 2:30AM) so that we can hopefully get some colourful warm light basking on the eastern side of the mountain. This incredible location has jet black sands that form beautiful dunes topped by vibrant green grasses. However, even when the light is poor the location is reminiscent of something from J.R.R Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ (and makes for incredible black and white imagery). Since we are staying nearby we can make multiple visits to the area and around this extraordinary mountain.

Day 11: Hofn to Hella
An early morning rise is an option, but by this stage a decent night’s sleep is more likely. After breakfast we then set off back the way we came, heading along Route 1 back past Vic to Hella. As with the journey to the eastern side of the island, we travel back at a sedate pace (actually all travel is done sedately as Iceland has a strictly enforced speed limit of 90 km/h on the highway), stopping to photograph at various points.
This is the longest of the drives during the trip, so we take the day as it comes and decide on an evening shoot based on tiredness levels and the light and weather.

Day 12: Hella
The last part of our stay is to visit the extraordinary Gullfoss and neighbouring Geysir. Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls and is truly awe-inspiring to see (although it can be extremely cold as the waterfall generates it’s own micro-climate).
Nearby is the equally impressive Geysir and Strokkur geysers, which make for a worthwhile visit before heading back to Hellnar. The day is spent reviewing and finishes off with a visit to the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall to capture the last light as it illuminates the shoot of water.   
We start with a midnight visit to the famous wrecked DC-3 monoplane. From there we aim for a dawn shoot at Skogafoss waterfall before heading back to Hella for breakfast. Most of the day is spent resting and catching up on critique sessions and Photoshop. After dinner we set out to catch the last light on the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall (hopefully with sunlight).

Day 13:
The last day is really a travel day to the airport. The earliest flight we are able to take (please note for bookings) is the British airways flight out of Keflavik. This means we leave Hella straight after breakfast and head straight to the airport in order to catch the flight. Photographers can book flights to leave on the 1st June, or we can also help arrange a longer stay on the island.

Dates
 This is an annual workshop.
The 2020 tour starts on the 20th of May and ends the 1st of June 2020.

prices
€6480,00 - Per person (approximately USD 7201,00 as of August 2019 Exchange rates)
Minimum 2 participants, maximum 6 participants.

(If 2-3 participants, one photographic leader)
(If 4-6 participants, two photographic leaders will conduct the tour)

Single Supplement: €1050,00 - subject to availability

Guided Tour Includes: 
  • All food
  • All lodging
  • All transport within Iceland
  • Tuition and workshop fees
  • Park entrance fee

Guided Tour Excludes: 
  • Airfares to and from Iceland
  • Drinks and non-meal time snacks
  • Tips, souvenirs, and items of a personal nature
  • Possible extra excursions/activities and/or additional days
  • Travel insurances (mandatory!)
  • Photographic gear rental (if required)

Extensions: Please talk to us for possible extensions.

Please note: Accommodation can potentially differ from the establishments mentioned in this itinerary (if fully booked). In such cases we will look for suitable and similar accommodation, without charging an extra admin fee. Any changes will be discussed with you. 

​The Nature's Light Terms and Conditions apply to your booking with us. For more information see: 
Nature's Light Terms and Condition
Iceland Dawn