Iceland Workshop

January 13, 2009 ·

Michael Reichmann

Workshop #1 — June 29 – July 5, 2004

Workshop #2 — July 10 – July 16, 2004

These workshops are identical in terms of itinerary.

Each workshop is limited to 12 people.

Sorry — Sold Out

Rainbow Lake. Iceland — July, 2003

Canon 1Ds with 70-200mm f/2.8L IS @ ISO 100

About The Workshop

TheLuminous Landscape Inc. is pleased to announce its much-anticipated2004 Iceland Expedition and Photography Workshop. Because of the overwhelming demand there will in fact be two separate workshops, one fromJune 29 — July 5thand the second fromJuly 10th to 16th. They are identical in terms of itinerary, with the only difference being that during the first workshop there will be a full moon. The weather may be a bit warmer during the second workshop. Both workshops are during the Arctic summer and therefore have 20 hours a day of daylight. You should choose which one to join based on your personal schedule and availability.

Each of the two workshops is open to just 12 participants. Leading the workshop will beMichael Reichmann, the publisher of this site. Michael is a renowned nature and landscape photographer, and teacher.Daniel Bergman, one of Iceland’s leading nature photographers will be working closely with Michael in organizing and conducting the trip.Steve Kossack, well known landscape photographer and guide will be assisting, andChris Sandersonwill be filming the workshop forThe Video Journaland will act as an additional photographic resource. The ratio of workshop members to instructors and guides is just 3:1.

Each workshop and expedition will last for 7 days. We will be traveling in three 4WD minivans, with 5 people per vehicle (including driver / guide). Since these are 9 passanger vehicles there will be lots of room for comfort and equipment. All of our luggage, except for camera gear, will be carried in a separate vehicle.

Iceland in summer has 20 hours a day of sunlight. When the sun sets at midnight it sits just on the horizon for a few hours, and then rises again. It never gets so dark that you can’t read a newspaper outdoors. This of course means that the best light for photography is from about 8 pm till 8 am. This makes staying in hotels problematic, if there were hotels — and there usually aren’t, at least not where we’ll be going. Camping is one solution, but it’s not for everyone — especially when it’s raining.

So the solution is to stay in "guest houses" These are modest facilities which have a roof overhead and bunk beds. We will each bring our own sleeping bag. Given the vagaries of the weather in Iceland, this is a preferable solution to camping. We will be eating in restaurants when possible though some meals will be sandwiches on the go, as we will often be in some quite remote locations. We will stay in a proper hotel on at least one night. (This trip is about photography, not sleep. You can sleep before and after the workshop).

Our schedule will be to shoot and travel during the "night" when photographic light and opportunities are best and then arrive at our destination guesthouse in the early morning, sleeping from about 5 am till noon. Afternoons will see us driving to our next location and also shooting along the way.

There will be some hiking. None of it will be too strenuous; nothing that a middle aged or younger person in reasonable shape can’t handle comfortably.

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Wildflower Hillside. Iceland — July, 2003

Canon 1Ds with 24mm f/3.5L T/S lens at ISO 100

What To Expect

The first thing to do is to read the articles on this site about my two recent shoots in Iceland, the first in2002and the second in2003. These will give you an idea of what to expect.

This is a workshop for photographers who are passionate about their work. Iceland is a country of extremes. It has glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, fiords — every ingredient you could imagine for producing awesome photography. But don’t imagine that this will be a relaxing trip. We will be working hard long days. But they will be very rewarding and a great deal of fun.

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It’s About Photography — Lots of it!

This is not a workshop for absolute beginners. There will be no photographic instruction per-se, unless requested. But, the workshop leaders will be shooting alongside you at all times. They will provide discussion and assistance on specialized topics. Advanced techniques will be constantly discussed, demonstrated and put into practice.

This workshop is about shooting — lots of shooting. There will be no classroom sessions, no lectures, no slide shows, and most importantly — no unnecessary egos. Participants and group leaders will work closely together, sharing their knowledge and experience. (Actually, on the last night there will be an opportunity for those shooting digital to look at their work and the work of others on a large screen video projector in our hotel).

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Itinerary

We will be shooting for 7 days. Here is a draft itinerary…Numbers on map indicate each night’s accomodations

June 29 or July 10— Workshop begins in early AM with pickup of members at Reykjavik airport. Drive to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Dinner and indoor sleeping bag accommodation at Arnarstapi. #1

June 30 or July 11— Morning ferry across Breidafjordur Bay and head to Latrabjarg (Puffin cliffs). Dinner and sleeping bag accommodation at Breidavik Guesthouse. #2

July 1 or July 12— Drive around the Western Fjords. Dinner and indoor sleeping bag accommodation at Flokalundur (Breidafjordur). #3

July 2 or July 13— Drive down to Kerlingafjoll (Mountain thermal area). Dinner and sleeping bag accommodation at Kerlingafjoll mountain huts. #4

July 3 or July 14— Drive across the highland. Dinner and indoor sleeping bag accommodation at Hof in Oraefi (close to the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon). #5

July 4 or July 15— Drive the south coast towards Skogar. Quality hotel at Skogar. Closing dinner & video review opportunity. #6

July 5 or July 16— Drive to the airport, shooting along the way. Flights out are mid-afternoon.

If you wish you may arrive in Iceland before the commencement of the workshop or stay on afterward to continue a vacation.

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The Weather

Weather in Iceland in late June and early July is cool to mild. Expect temperatures from the 40’s to the 60’s. (mid-teens Celsius). It could be sunny. It could rain. It could do almost anything. But regardless of the weather we’ll be traveling and shooting.

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About Equipment & Extras

Workshop participants will be provided with comprehensive equipment suggestions. You may shoot film or digital. There will be little availability of AC power for charging camera batteries and laptops. Instead we will be providing power inverters in each of the vehicles for this purpose.

Members will also be provided with access to a private Discussion Forum, and the opportunity to have their work exhibited on this site after the Workshop. This Forum will be used leading up to the workshops to discuss appropriate equipment and clothing.

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The Price

Iceland is expensive. Vehicle rentals, gas, food, accommodations (even modest ones) — everything costs 3X what it would cost in the U.S. and typically 2X the cost in Europe. For this reason the price of this workshop is relatively high.

The cost for eitherWorkshop #1orWorkshop #2are the same — U.S. $4,495. This is an all-inclusive price, but excluding your airfare to Reykjavik, Iceland. From the moment you land until you depart a week later all costs are included — transportation, food, guest houses, hotels, even alcohol if desired. No tipping is required.

Payments are made in two installments. Your deposit of $2,495 must be made within 10 days of registration. The balance of $2,000 is due by January 30th, 2004. If you need to cancel before January 30th, you’ll get a full refund (less $500). After January 30th if you need to cancel you’ll receive all of your money back except $1000, but the refund will be possible only if a replacement for you can be found.

If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund.

We have made arrangements withIcelandairfor discounted fares from the U.S. Details will be available after registration.

Please note that while spouses are welcome, this really is a trip devoted to photography, and non-photographers are likely not to appreciate the pace and timetable that we’ll be keeping. Spouses attending will pay full price regardless of their level of participation.

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Liability Limitation

The Luminous Landscape Inc., Michael Reichmann, our instructors, guides, and cooperating agents aim to provide every participant a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. We act solely as agents for you regarding accommodations, special activities, and travel, by any means, and assume no liability for any act, error, omission, injury, loss, delay, mishap, or damage to persons or property arising from any cause during the course of the workshop or in transit thereto. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances. In the event that we deem it necessary to cancel the workshop we will provide a full refund which the participant acknowledges as full and final settlement.

As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read this form carefully. This liability release will certify that the participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.

By joining this workshop I acknowledge that I have read the above information concerning responsibility and release The Luminous Landscape Inc., Michael Reichmann, their guides, instructors and any cooperating agent from any liability. The Luminous Landscape Inc., and Michael Reichmann will assume no liability for injury, illness, or loss of personal property or expenses thereof associated with workshop participation.

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What Do I Do Next?

If this workshop has your name on it; if you’re excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register.

Registrations are on a first come, first served basis and I expect it to sell out quickly.

Remember, there are two workshops with 12 places available in each. They will each be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Please register for the workshop of your choice. If your workshop of choice is full you will be notified and given an opportunity to register for the other one if space is still available.

If you have any questions before registering,click hereto send me an e-mail inquiry.

REGISTER for
Iceland Workshop #1
June 29 — July 5, 2004

Sorry — Sold Out

REGISTER for
Iceland Workshop #2
July 10 — July 16, 2004

Sorry — Sold Out

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Michael Reichmann is the founder of the Luminous Landscape. Michael passed away in May 2016. Since its inception in 1999 LuLa has become the world's largest site devoted to the art, craft, and technology of photography. Each month more than one million people from every country on the globe visit LuLa.

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