Steve LeVahn, an entrepreneur from Minnesota, and Dennys Bisogno, co-founder of Calypso Systems, Inc., in Wisconsin, both returned from an 11-day photography trip to Iceland. We asked them for tips on capturing the country’s scenic beauty.
Dennys writes, “We wanted to cover as much of Iceland as possible so we drove the Ring Road and other paved roads and made planned incursions on unpaved roads to reach scenic spots. We would drive for hours in heavy rain and fog without deviation. The good news is that Iceland weather changes rapidly so once you reach your destination, opportunities to photograph with the sun came frequently - although in short periods of time. With that said, my best photos on this trip occurred on cloudy days.”
Read their photography tips here: http://dennysphoto.com
Dennys suggests:
• Travel with at least one another person to read maps and scout locations.
• Buy food and drinks to keep in the car. This way you don’t have to stop to eat when the light is best.
• Even though camping is an option, with a hotel room you can better review the day’s work and decide what changes are needed for the next day’s shooting.
• As with all wildlife photography, allow time and have patience for the magical moment to happen. Spend time in some farms when work is being done (i.e. shearing sheep, picking up hay) and capture images of the life of farmers.
“All in all, this was the most rewarding photography trip I have made in my life - I experienced some of the most incredible natural landscapes and for that I feel very lucky!” says Dennys. You can see images from Dennys and Stephen’s Iceland trip on the Web at: http://www.blurb.com/books/924654
Hellnar is a small town located at the far end of a Snaefellsnes peninsula, facing a large glacier called Snaefellsjokull and surrounded by a big ocean about 120 miles from Reykjavik. It is a town truly in the middle of nowhere and seems untouched by time, probably because of its remoteness. The town hasn’t changed much at all since the time that Iceland was settled, except for the Jeepzillas that prowl the nearby Snaefellsnes National Park offering visitors the chance to go snowmobiling, glacier walking, ice climbing, and ice caving. These are Jeeps on steroids with giant knobby tires and tricked-out navigation gear.
They come right to your hotel in super big trucks capable of navigating remote corners of Langjokull, Snaefellsjokull and other Icelandic glaciers not for from Reykjavik. When you get there, off you go on snowmobiles, with guides leading the way. Snowmobile excursions are arranged by experienced agents who also provide all the warm gear needed.
Few cruise destinations offer such a range of adventurous side trips than this island nation in the North Atlantic. In 2008, the country experienced near record cruise calls as thousands of adventurous cruise ship passengers were attracted to Iceland’s spectacular fjords, mountain vistas, waterfalls, glacier hiking and Jeep touring, and horseback riding.
If it’s one thing the folks at REI do well, it’s have a good time outdoors, especially in Iceland. The company offers various nine-day Fire & Ice adventure trips in June, July and August that feature lots of hiking and camping. They fill up fast, so grab your calendar and make this the summer Iceland moves to the top of your bucket list. Another nice touch: each year REI donates millions of dollars to support conservation efforts in the U.S., and sends scores of volunteers to build trails, clean up beaches, and teach outdoor ethics to kids. In fact, all their adventure trips are carbon neutral.
Some of the best photography ever to come out of Iceland is displayed in the Tourist Board’s new 2009 travel brochure. From the country’s iconic Iceland horse on the cover, to scenes of non-stop fun under the Midnight Sun, plus puffins, snowmobiling, waterfalls and jeep touring, you’ll be spellbound, quite possibly overcome with an irresistible urge to start packing your bags. The 42-page brochure also includes information on the weather (of which we have plenty), accommodations, shopping, and a comprehensive list of outdoor activities. Order your free copy of this brochure, specially written for North American visitors, at 