Iceland goes down in my book as one of my favorite countries to photograph. The landscapes are so out of this world, that even astronauts come here to practice for moon excursions. The terrain resembles a mix of the Big Island of Hawaii mixed with Death Valley, plus snow (lots of it). It is a geological treasure trove of volcanoes, black sand beaches, geysers, glaciers, waterfalls, and more. Check out the photography from this trip here.
We had four days and three nights to visit this country, which is hardly enough time to enjoy the splendor of this island. However, Iceland Air makes is easy to visit, even if it is just for a stopover. Also, the sights and excursions change with the seasons, so it is worth a trip to visit during different times of the year. The winter time is quite spectacular, especially for once-in-a-lifetime activities like glacier trekking and northern lights sightings. Here are our suggestions on the best sights to photograph in Iceland in the winter time: Check out the behind the scenes video:
All videos shot with iPhone 6 | Editing: iMovie
Golden Circle If you have just one day in Iceland and want to get a good overview of the natural wonders, visit the Golden Circle. This is the prerequisite tour of Iceland and can be done via Reykjavik Excursions or rental car. We opted for the rental car option because we missed our tour, but it worked out because we could stop off where we wanted and spend more time at the sights. The roads are easy to navigate in Iceland, so long as it's not snowing profusely. The Golden Circle is a volcanic and arctic nature area in Iceland about a two hour's drive from Reykjavik. We saw natural wonders like the Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall. The volcanic landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park make you feel like you stepped into the Game of Thrones (which was filmed in Iceland). This area sits on two tectonic plates and visitors can view the continental drift.
Eyjafjallajökull
From Reykjavik we took the road east towards the volcano Eyjafjallajökull - where you may have heard of because it erupted in 2010 causing major disruption in air travel. There we turned inland in the direction of Þórsmörk and headed all the way up to Gígjökull, an outlet glacier that falls down from the Eyjafjallajökull crater. Continuing east we reach Sólheimajökull glacier where we went for a Blue Ice Glacier Walk. On the glacier, we discovered all kinds of ice formations and the different colors of the glacier ice.
Skógafoss and Seljlandsfoss
On the way back we visited the impressive waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss where we ventured behind the cascading water!
Vik
Not to be missed is Vik - an expansive black sand beach that stretches to the horizon. The black sand is from the volcanic ash. Getting to Vik requires an off-roading vehicle so be sure to book with Reykjavik Excursions. Icelandic Horses On your way to the Golden Circle, you will pass by many Icelandic horse ranches. These horses are unique to the island, and resemble more of a pony-sized horse with long hair. Many of the ranches offer horseback riding excursions and performances, but we opted for a quick do-it-yourself photo shoot with the horses.
Northern Lights
Winter time is prime time for viewing the aurora borealis. Check the forecast before your excursion to see which day during your trip will be best for viewing. You can book a boat tour via Special Tours which departs from Reykjavik harbor and sails away from the city lights in search for the northern lights. The northern lights require cold weather, dark skies, and clear conditions for the best viewing. The boat provides overalls to wear in the cold nighttime weather so you can watch the lights from the top deck. The boat departed promptly at 9:45, and there was still a bit of light in the sky. Once the sky got darker, a faint glow of green started to appear and stretched across the sky like a rainbow. It was truly one of the greatest wonders I have ever seen. Photographing the northern lights is tricky and takes practice. I recommend trying out your settings on the night sky before heading out to the northern lights. Not only are you photographing the night but the subject is in motion, and sometimes only lasts at its brightest for a few minutes. Set your DSLR to manual and keep the ISO as low as possible and aperture as wide as possible (ie. f/2.8). Turn off the flash. Focus on something still, such as a mountain in the horizon. There were moments when the northern lights appeared so bright that I could photograph them from my iPhone. During editing, I bumped up the exposure to bring out the lights.
Blue Lagoon
For those who want a more relaxing Icelandic vacation, the Blue Lagoon is the top destination. Be sure to book in advance, as this destination fills up quickly. If you wait until the week of your trip, chances are it will already be sold out. The lagoon is a 15 minute ride from the airport, and you can book transfers directly from the airport and stash your bags (at a high cost) while you dip in the lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is man made from a nearby geothermal power plant which supplies the warm water and the silica in the water turns it blue. The Blue Lagoon was one of the most organized and cleanest facilities I have even seen. At check in, they provide you with an electronic wristband that controls everything from all your spa purchases to your locker room access. Before entering the pool, all visitors must shower in the locker rooms (which are really stylish and nice). They provide shampoo and shower gel. Then, you make your way through the locker room to the pool on the other side. The water can be accessed either indoors or outdoors. It is jacuzzi-warm and about shoulder high. There are areas where you can get the algae and silica masks, as well as drinks that range from indulgent such as prosecco to healthy such as green juice or skyr smoothies. For those who want to photograph, there are nearby walking paths that wind around the blue waters. You can also bring your GoPro or iPhone (with waterproof case) in the water with you to take photos. Downtown Reykjavik is a whole 'nother sight to see... more to come, stay tuned.
One of the best day trips in Southern California is Catalina Island. The island is part of the Channel Islands and is a popular stay-cation destination since it is only 45 minutes off the coast of California. While most tourists visit Avalon, we decided to visit one of the more untouched parts of the island: Two Harbors.
Two Harbors is an isthmus that features one restaurant, one one-room schoolhouse, one general store, and you guessed it... two harbors that are separated by about a half mile distance. The city is quaint and uninterrupted by the hustle and bustle of daily life. Two Harbors was so peaceful that it made Avalon seem hectic. There's not much to do here besides water sports, camping, hiking, and photographing of course. And that's what makes it such an attraction.
Avalon Casino, Catalina Island.
Clear turquoise waters in Two Harbors.
Panorama of Two Harbors.
Aerial shot of the Two Harbors Isthmus.
On this trip to New York City, it was all about expecting the unexpected: rain in May, Obama in town for a day, and impromptu tickets to the ballet. While I was only in town for a weekend, I was still able to fit many sights into my trip. Here's what to see in New York on a weekend trip.
Day 1:
The first few days in the city, there was a rainstorm. I carefully dodged sudden downpours in the city. The low light and wet weather presented some challenges for shooting photos. However, I soon discovered that shooting before or after a rainstorm is one of my favorite photo opportunities besides magic hour. The clouds add drama to photos, the puddles add reflection to buildings, and the the slick water on the ground adds interest to the picture. Also, it tends to be less crowded outside which allows for prime views of buildings and other points of interest. Day 2: The second day I was in the city, Obama made a visit to the World Trade Center Memorial which was opening the museum that week to all families of victims and first responders. I decided to avoid the traffic in downtown and explore the uptown areas first. Here are the main points of interest: 1. Central Park - Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace The first time I tried to visit mid-Central Park was last year when I got thwarted by 100 degree weather. This time, I tried again and I got caught in a downpour. The third time, I waited until the rainstorm blew over and hurried over to the Bow Bridge just in time for the last glimpses of magic hour. The Bow Bridge and the Bethesda Terrace turned out to be some of my favorite places to shoot in the city. 2. Lincoln Center After visiting Central Park, I walked south when I noticed the streets change. The restaurants became increasingly nicer, when all of a sudden the next block revealed the Lincoln Center. The building is famous for its architecture and the open fountain terrace. While shooting photos outside of the Lincoln Center, a stranger came up and offered tickets to the ballet that was currently in intermission. I had always wanted to attend a show at the legendary Lincoln Center. Hats off to whoever gave me those tickets!
3. Mandarin Oriental
The Mandarin Oriental stands tall at the corner of Central Park West, with a bird's eye view of Columbus Circle. Here is the view from the 35th lobby floor. It can be tricky to get shots of the view if you are not a patron of the restaurant. Luckily, with a little chutzpah I was able to find a spot in the restaurant where I could shoot photos.
4. Stone Street, Financial District
The Financial District may be the business and financial epicenter, but there are some historic streets that will take you back in time. Stone Street is lined with Irish pubs and cobblestone streets that will make you feel like you stepped in the movie Gangs of New York.
For an extended guide to New York City sights, visit here.
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Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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