On this route participants will be exposed to some of Icelands most incredible landscapes as we are treated to both areas of the country: the rugged and gorgeous Snæfellsnes Peninsula as well as the interior Highlands of Iceland many people never get to see. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to Snæfellsjökull Glacier and known for several of Icelands most iconic landmarks: the Mount Kirkjufjell and the rugged coastline where the waves crash against them. We will be spending a few days photographing on the peninsula before we make our way to the entirely opposite landscape of geothermal steam, tundra and the highest peaks in the country: Kerlingarföll.

We utilize off-road capable Land Rover’s to safely navigate the rugged and barren Highlands landscape where participants will see some of the most incredible landscapes - they look otherworldly with glaciers juxtaposed next to green mossy tundra and reddish-orange hills: this is an adventure of a lifetime. We limit our group size to 10 participants with 2 professional photographers who are both familiar with these areas and the terrain. When locations dictate for us to spread out each participant and instructor will also be working with two-way radios so everyone remains in contact at all times. This route has been carefully designed and selected as one that will give each participant ample time and space to capture some of the most visually captivating images adding them to their portfolio. We will also be spending several hours during the trip working on post processing techniques and final image output - overall workflow. Each participant will receive one 16”x20” fine art print of their favorite image generously donated to GoPhoto Workshops for you to take home with you. Please keep in mind that due to the Arctics erratic weather, this itinerary may be subject to change.

Physical Fitness: There is moderate hiking involved with this workshop. If you are comfortable hiking a mile or two you will be fine on this trip. Our goal is to help each participant come away with the most unique and strong imagery therefor we may hike a bit if light seems better in an area such as atop a hill.

What to Bring: A complete Field Guide to Supplies & Clothing pdf will be sent with links to all recommended clothing and camera gear as well. You can purchase anything you do not already have with links from this document.

What is Included: Two professional photography guides, Transportation to and from Keflavik International Airport, Transportation around Iceland in Land Rover Defenders that are capable of getting off-road comfortably and safely, Accommodation with private bathrooms with exception of the Highlands area where participants will share with one other person max yet still have private bathroom, Three meals per day from day 1 to 8.

What is NOT included: Airfare to/from Iceland, Alcoholic Beverages of any kind nor Snacks.

Price: $7,400 per participant.

Itinerary:

August -

17 Participants arrive at Keflavik International Airport this day where transport will be arranged to their hotel in Reykjavik. This afternoon and evening will be one dedicated to resting up before we head out on our adventure the following morning and getting hands-on familiarity with the Hasselblad system. We will go over gear, lenses, systems and settings so we are all familiar with this incredibly small and powerful image creating tool. We will have a group dinner this evening where everyone will meet and greet each other building new friendships and head to bed early. This will be a great time to charge any last minute camera batteries, re-pack gear and ask any questions you might have.

Sleep: Fosshotel Reykjavik

18 Snæfellsnes Peninsula

We will rise early this morning and head out from Reykjavik heading towards the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where we will begin our photographic tour amidst these rugged and gorgeous coastlines. We will first stop at one of Snæfellsnes’ most iconic locations: 1 of 3 black churches in the entire country, the Black Church of Búdir. This first stop provides a spacious area for everyone to spread out and begin working with the Hasselblad systems. We will go over all of the camera’s settings and shooting modes. This will help lay the groundwork for the next week while working in the field. At this point we will break for lunch in one of the areas cafes or restaurants overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and recap some of the morning’s lessons and concepts to really help begin bringing the learning process to life.

After lunch we will make our way to the easternmost coastline where we will enter Snæfellsjökull national park where we can explore these rugged coastlines and prep for an incredible sunset this first evening.

Sleep: Fosshotel Hellnar

19 Snæfellsnes Peninsula

We will awake early this first real morning of our trip and make our way over the highest mountain pass going over mount Snæfellsjökull to arrive to our first location for sunrise: Mount Kirkjufell and neighboring Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. This incredible peak resembles a perfect pyramid when viewed from the proper location and when combined with the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall this creates for an incredible image. After we photograph sunrise we will return to our accommodation to have a hot breakfast that the four star Fosshotel’s are known for. We can rest up a bit before re-convening for sunset where we will aim to be setup and awaiting a phenomenal light show in the small town, Arnartsapi set afoot the majestic and snowcapped mount Snæfellsjökul.

Sleep: Fosshotel Hellnar

20 Haífoss and Interior

Light is always changing in Iceland as are conditions. We will return to either mount Kirkjufell or another location on this second morning seeking the best light before we make our way to the rugged landscape of the highlands. Along our way we will see lava fields and rolling peaks as we make our way back towards Reykjavik. As we skirt the city leaving it behind us we will begin to enter another world of a landscape with reddish brown rolling hills and peaks combined with waterfalls and rivers: this is a true photographers playground and paradise. This first day we will check into our accommodations early and convene to have our first post-processing course. We will be focusing on organizing, culling and readying our images to be edited. Understanding how to read our work and place emphasis on the images that stand out versus those we are emotionally attached to is important for everyone. This exercise will help with being discerning in our pre-editing workflow.

After our session we will have an early dinner and make our way to one of Iceland’s most incredible double waterfall, Haīfoss and neighboring, Grinni as well as exploring a bit of the highlands area. Both of these falls combine to make an earth roaring grumble as wind and spray hit you before settling down. This area is a perfect location to practice several advanced photographic techniques with the goal of creating a panorama in print. When we are finished photographing here we will make our way back to our new accommodation.

Sleep: Brautarholt

21 Landmannlugar & Eldja

This morning we will take advantage of an early breakfast and start with a gusto! We will have a fully packed day of off-roading adventure this entire day. After we eat an early breakfast we will load up the vehicles, gas up and make our way into the true interior of the county witnessing the black lava earth and green covered hillsides - it is a truly unique sight. We will make our way towards the incredible landscape of Landmannlugar where we will hike around on these hills and photograph this incredible wilderness where water meets these amazing rhyolite mountains of red and orange. As we continue on this afternoon we will set our sights on another beautiful waterfall, Eldjá. We will be fording more rivers to get to this overlook where we can capture this under a colorful sky.

We will make our drive to Vík where we will get a good night’s rest and be ready for another days adventure.

Sleep: Black Beach Suites, Vík

22 Mount Maelifell & Secret Waterfalls of the South

We will have another charged day of fording rivers and streams today heading into the Highlands once again with our destination being Mount Maelifell, an 800ft perfect cone set amidst a completely black lava landscape and covered in green, it is an incredible sight to see and photograph. With any luck we will have a slightly overcast or cloudy day to make these colors vibrant and pop amidst the landscape. After we explore this rugged and beautiful landscape will either make our way to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon where we will photograph amidst these 100 meter cliffs or to a secret area where few people venture and is not far from Vík with dramatic and lush green peaks and waterfalls cascading down.

Depending on timing this day we amy return to Vík a little early so we can go over post-processing techniques and have a bit of a quieter evening. This can all change as well depending on the groups energy level. What we will really aim to do this day is aim to capture as much of this incredible landscape as possible.

Sleep: Black Beach Suites, Vík

23 Kerlingarfjöll

We will take this morning to go over several post processing techniques we can employ in our post-processing workflow moving forward. After a nice breakfast at our accommodation we will gather and discuss how to best organize, cull and begin the setup to edit our images. Understanding how to read our work and place emphasis on the images that stand out versus those we are emotionally attached to is important for everyone. This exercise will help with being discerning in our pre-editing workflow.

After our editing session we will load our gear and make our way from the southern coast to the interior highlands making our way to a remote location where geothermal steam rises out of the earth and glaciers meet moss; you will be in awe. We will dine in the countries highest restaurant before we head out to photograph sunset. The following morning will be our last morning together and will be a perfect time to go over a second run of post process as this point in time we will have had an entire trip to collect images.

Sleep: Kerlingarfjöll Mountain Resort

24 This is our last morning in Iceland as a group. We will eat a wonderful breakfast at our hotel and head back to Reykjavik where we will check into our accommodations for the night. Arrangements have been made this afternoon for all participants to soak in the Blue Lagoon saying goodbye to sore muscles and rejuvenating us for our last night in the quaint city for a delicious farewell dinner out. We will say goodbye to our newfound friends and look forward to returning home where we can begin the exciting process or editing all of our incredible images collected throughout the trip.

Sleep: Fosshotel Reykjavik*

25 Workshop ends and participants are free to do as they wish.

Route Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/MzMtALh2wXm