The Warmup Round
The first day we landed around 10 AM after a long red-eye flight from Boston. We had both flown into Boston the day prior so we’d been doing a lot of traveling to reach this destination, and were both wiped. Luckily our first hotel let us check in early and after a quick power nap we went into Reykjavik.
The city was gorgeous and our weather that evening didn’t disappoint. We spent a long time just walking around exploring the city and seeing the new surroundings.
If we’d had more energy we probably would have gone out for sunset but as it was we were both wiped and we had a 02:50 wake-up for sunrise the next day; so we quickly decided it would be best to hit the hay.
Day One
Sunrise • Skogafoss • Seljalandsfoss
The first morning was a sunrise, and it would end up being our best one of the trip weather-wise.
Miraculously we both woke up and were ready to rock, and we were not disappointed. The spring / summer in Iceland is known for how little “true dark” you get, and this could not have been more real for us.
Even waking up as early as we did, the sun was already beginning to illuminate the sky, and we were driving to our destination when it was bright enough that we really didn’t even need our headlights.
We took our time stopping along the way at a variety of pull-offs in order to photograph this gorgeous countryside as I told Liam, “the journey is the goal not the destination”. In photography terms, I knew that these conditions might not last and I’d be damned if I missed photographing them while they were good.
I was right and they didn’t last – by the time we made it to Skogafoss, we were in gray clouds and didn’t have high hopes for the weather that day, but it’d pick back up. We just had to give it time.
The continual joke while hiking above the falls was that at every bend we’d say “now this is going to be an even better view than the last one” and every time it felt that this turned out to be true.
This one in particular, Liam said, “this is hands down the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen”.
On the walk back towards our car I got this lovely shot of the light illuminating the hillside. I enjoy the way the rock anchors the viewer’s eye on the lower left third of the frame. It brings balance to the scene that I don’t think would be as prominent otherwise.
Afterwards, we went to one more fall that was near Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss. This one in particular was unique in that it allowed you to walk directly behind the fall, and my lord was the water falling from that fall intense.
The left-hand most side was not too bad of a walk behind however around the other side the water was falling down in solid sheets, and you didn’t really have a choice but to get wet.
From there we went to a secret waterfall nearby that our cousin had told us about where you get to walk up a river through a canyon and find a waterfall tucked far away near the mouth of the river. It was an incredibly unique experience.
Afterwards we went home, took a much needed nap and then we’d be heading to the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon ended up being a highlight of the trip for both of us. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it – but the water really was incredibly relaxing, and it was a wonderful way to recharge after all the travel we’d been doing recently.
Day Two
Kvernufoss • Reynisfjara • Dyrhólaey
The following day we realized there was a fall right near the route we’d be taking to our next destination where we took a pit stop. This one we were able to once again walk behind (though it wasn’t as intense as the one from the day prior).
I like this composition a lot – I think the framing of the shaded cave and the bright white falls and sky behind it are wonderful. The favorite shot of the day though was taken on our way back towards the car. I like the balance in this scene a lot, and I think the flowing water through the scene tells a nice story.
After an expensive (but good) lunch we decided to explore some of the nearby sea stacks as well as some of the cliff sides. They were both gorgeous and the black sand beach did not disappoint. We’d be seeing more later, but for now we were satisfied with what we explored.
Day Three
Mulagljufur Canyon • Diamond Beach • Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The third day is probably where I got my favorite set of photos from the trip. Those from the stunning Glacier Lagoon. But before we reached there we had a hike to do.
Once we reached the top of the canyon and the overlook, we saw this gorgeous game bird resting and overlooking the river below. We did some research, and I believe this is the Rock Ptarmigan which is the only native game species to Iceland.
From there, it was time to head to our next destination, Glacier Lagoon. These photos are my favorite from the trip. The gray and overcast sky allowed the colors of the glacier to truly pop. There was no glare on the water or ice – and it was just us enjoying the crystal-blue.
The lagoon was quiet and rainy. There were a few other people who were slowly trickling in, but largely we had the place to ourselves because of how early in the day it was.
After visiting Diamond Beach we came over and walked around. We even heard one of the nearby icebergs crack and separate as the current wore away at it. It kicked up waves that reached the shore near where we stood.
After the main viewpoint, I went for a walk at a location a little bit ways away where I got some wonderful views of the far-side of the lagoon. There I only saw one other person – it was true tranquility under the carpet of cloud and rainfall.
That is where I got the final image in this section showcasing the wrapping shoreline and glaciers waiting to be carried away towards the ocean by the ever flowing current.
Day Four
Stjórnarfoss • Fossálar
The next day was to be a large travel day, but we still made sure to make time for the little things. We started our day with a little walk near a waterfall close to the cabin we’d been staying at before heading back and packing up. From there we hit the road and along the way we stopped – exploring places along the way such as this other horseshoe waterfall on the way.
Further out we found a black sand beach that was completely uncrowded – and decided what better place to stop and stretch our legs at. We walked down to the shore and it was gorgeous and truly pristine. I love the way that the wind caused ripples in these sand dunes. The monochromatic color palette of the whole scene works in its favor as well.
Day Five
Vestrahorn
Our fifth and final full-day in Iceland was spent with a lazy start – going to a nearby mountain range. The weather was grim, but the low-tide when we reached the beach offered stunning reflections of the titular mountain range.
While walking around the beach, I found this scene of cracked seashells, and their distribution was quite nice. I like the way that the subjects flow through the scene on the bottom left to top right diagonal.
That evening, I went back to the same area and photographed some of the rain and light on the clouds. It was a wonderful evening, and the rainbows were surprisingly prevalent. All told I saw four wholly separate rainbows on my way to the beach that night.
Day Six
Ring Road
All good things must end. So must this trip. With a 6.5 hour drive to the airport, we didn’t waste much time that final morning before hitting the road.
The primary stop was a quick drop-in near the Glacier Lagoon area where we saw this stunning view of the far off Glacier. The sheet of clouds in the sky was hovering high enough to allow in some light over the mountain peaks. It was a wonderful final view to be granted on our way back home.
Summary
The land of fire and ice did not disappoint. We saw some of the most beautiful scenery that anywhere on Earth has on offer, and I don’t regret a second of how we spent our time over there.
The sunrises were brutal, but worth every ounce of sleep deprivation to get the landscapes to ourselves. I hope I get to go back again in the summer time and see this landscape in a new coat of paint. But until then, I’ll be looking fondly back at these images from the trip.