March 20–30, 2017
Luminous-Landscape has been doing workshops in Iceland since 2004. We are one of the oldest if not the oldest workshop provider for photographers in Iceland. It has been our privilege all these years to work with Daniel Bergmann who is an Icelander as well as one of the finest photographers I know. His knowledge of Iceland and his many contacts makes a trip like we offer a cut above others.
Our workshops are all inclusive. We have one of the coolest 4WD vehicles in Iceland and it allows us to go places others can’t. We know where to go and where to be at the right time and for the best light. There are other workshops that are less expensive but none that will assure you of capturing Iceland at its best. More than anything we’ll have a lot of fun photographing this magnificent landscape.
We’ll help you master your camera for the different types of photography we will be doing. Our evening will be times where we download and work on images. Critique sessions will be available too. Prior to the workshop, we’ll help you with tips on gear and how to prepare for the weather for this time of year.
Register early as these are popular workshops and fill fast.
We are going to circumnavigate the island on this 10-day workshop and will be using specially modified 4×4 vehicles with large tires to get us anywhere we want to go, even through deep snow. The highlights will be ice caves in the Vatnajökull region, outlet glaciers and glacial lagoons, icebergs on a black volcanic beach, frozen waterfalls in the north, rugged mountains, coastal features, geothermal areas and the Northern Lights (Aurora borealis). The itinerary will be kept as flexible as possible to ensure that we’ll have clear skies to be able to photograph the Northern Lights. The winter conditions in Iceland can be stunningly beautiful: the smaller glacial lagoons freeze, some of the waterfalls are partially frozen and the glaciers appear more blue at this time of year. At the end of March, the days are also getting longer with about 12 hours of daylight to work with.
The Itinerary
As always in Iceland, the weather will be unpredictable and variable and we’ll have sunshine, snow, rain, and wind. The dramatic weather is an essential part of what makes for fantastic photographic opportunities. But as this is Iceland in winter, the itinerary needs to be kept flexible in case of bad weather.
March 20th is the designated arrival day in Iceland and accommodation in the city of Reykjavik for that night is included in the workshop cost. The group will meet for dinner and an introduction in the evening.
On March 21st we’ll drive east to the Vatnajökull region where we’ll spend 3 nights at Hotel Smyrlabjorg, which is near the famous Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. From our home base we’ll explore the numerous glaciers in the area, make visits to the iceberg graveyard, where ice from the glacial lagoon gets thrown up on the black beach by the waves, and venture into the dreamlike world of ice caves. We will also make time for a visit to the Stokksnes peninsula to photograph Mt. Vestrahorn. The glacier area of the southeast is all about ice and hopefully, we’ll have clear nights and Aurora activity.
After our stay by Vatnajökull glacier, we’ll travel east on a rugged and winding coastline and will overnight in the town of Breiddalsvik. The following day we make our way north to Lake Mývatn, where we’ll be based for 3 nights. From our base at Mývatn we’ll explore geothermal areas and the snow covered landscape around the lake. We’ll also make visits to the major waterfalls up north, such as Godafoss. If snow conditions allow then we might also visit the mighty Dettifoss waterfall.
After our stay in the northeast we’ll head west along and spend a night at north coast in proximity to the famous landmark Hvítserkur. On March 29th we’ll finish the circle, with some detours, and find ourselves on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the evening where we’ll overnight in Keflavik. You can then depart Iceland any time you wish on March 30th.
Accommodation and Food
We will be staying in single en suite rooms at six different hotels. If you are traveling with a partner or a friend and want to share accommodation then the cost will be $700 less per person. Your comfort is taken seriously so all the hotels will offer a good standard of comfort and excellent food. Internet access will be available at all locations. All meals are included. If you have a special dietary requirement you will be accommodated – just be sure and let us know when you make your booking. Lunches will be taken on the road, either at service centers or cafés or as packed lunches.
To register for the workshop click HERE. You’ll be directed to Daniel’s site. Leave your information and he will be in touch with instructions for sending your deposit and reserving a spot on this workshop.
Workshop details
Date: March 20–30, 2017
Duration: 10 days/10 nights
Cost: $7,650 USD – (a $700 discount is available per person for shared accommodation)
Includes: Transportation in modified 4×4 vehicles, single occupancy accommodation, all food and drink (except alcohol), guidance and tuition
Excludes: International flights, insurance, alcoholic beverages
Group size: 14
Leaders: Kevin Raber and Daniel Bergmann
Instructors
Kevin Raber
I see the world through the lens and a frame. Photography for me is an extension of who I am. I have gone through many stages in my career. At one time I was a portrait photographer with many prestigious clients. Over time I grew restless for something else in the field. I truly enjoy my current work as a fine art landscape photographer. There is something special about examining and photographing everything from grand scenes in nature that are there for a moment and then gone to industrial landscapes and focusing on the incredibly minute details of peeling paint and rust. I am most fortunate to be able to travel to many wonderful places.
I have fond memories of nights and weekends spent in the darkroom creating prints. The stereo blasting. It could be fun and it could be tedious. You didn’t always know what you were going to get and, at times, it required extensive hands-on darkroom manipulation. I can still smell the chemicals. I was taught by masters of the darkroom.
Today, that has all changed thanks to the advent of computers, digital cameras and Photoshop. The darkroom is the computer. Some things are still unpredictable, but the tools to achieve the final result allow you to see them immediately on the screen in real time and right in front of you. Digital allows you to capture a range of tonalities and exposures that were impossible with film. Variables such as emulsion, temperature, chemistry and exposure are taken out of the equation. What you see on your computer monitor is what you will get when printed. One thing that hasn’t changed is the music. It goes along with creating and working on images. Thank God for iTunes.
I embraced digital early on. It continues to evolve and provide flexibility to all who embrace it. The digital age is still young and has completely transformed our industry. Never before has a switch from analog to digital been so prevalent as in photography. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next ten years takes us.
My career in photography has evolved since 1972 when I first began making a living with photography. Today I am also CEO of the Luminous-Landscape.com, one of the most visited and prestigious websites for the photographers on the internet, with over 1.5 million visitors a month. I lead photography workshops to edge of the planet locations as well provide instructional videos to photographers on how to improve their craft.
There doesn’t seem to be anything that can dampen my passion and enthusiasm for photography. It has opened doors to the world for me and I am most grateful I can share my experiences with others.
Daniel Bergmann
I was born and raised in Iceland and developed an interest in photography as a teenager. Combined with a strong interest in nature and travel it soon led me into the field of nature photography, which has been my passion ever since. Over the past two decades I’ve build my reputation as a nature and landscape photographer and in 2009 I was invited to participate in the distinguished Wild Wonders of Europe project. I’ve authored four books and the latest one, Iceland Landscapes, is a collection of landscape photographs with text that is written with photographers in mind.
About ten years ago I started guiding photography tours and workshops in Iceland. Due to growing demand it has become my main occupation. While anyone can come to Iceland and travel on his/her own to some of the main photography destinations the experience is more relaxing, rewarding and productive with local guidance. And I enjoy nothing more than introducing travelers to this country that I’m continually so fascinated with.
My photography tours and workshops are run by Natura Travel, a fully licensed travel agency by the Icelandic Tourist Board.
Kevin Raber
August 2016
Author
Elevate Your Vision
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