Autumn Iceland 2024

Highlands & Highlights

9th October - 17th October 2024

Photography expedition focused on exploring the beauty of Iceland, panoramic landscape and star photography, photographing the Northern Lights.

I am excited to extend an invitation to you for a photographic journey to Iceland, a haven for landscape photographers. Join us for a photo expedition that delves into both daytime and nighttime landscape photography, along with capturing the mesmerizing Northern Lights.

The objective of this photo expedition is to capture Iceland's most stunning landscapes while providing participants with the expertise required to excel in both day and night photography, including panoramic and standard single shots, according to their preferences.

We will focus especially on the Highlands area, that is, the interior and the most beautiful sights Iceland has to offer. But, of course, we will also not miss some of the most famous places, where stopping is almost obligatory.

Iceland is a land of stark contrasts and natural wonders, where fiery volcanoes coexist with icy glaciers, creating a landscape that is as diverse as it is breathtaking. Its dramatic terrain boasts geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and rugged fjords, offering visitors an array of outdoor activities and unparalleled photographic opportunities. The opportunity to witness the ethereal Northern Lights dancing across the Icelandic sky provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Iceland's unique wildlife, including puffins and Icelandic horses, adds a charming dimension to its wild landscapes.

We will set out for Iceland in the first half of October (October 9 - 17, 2024). Why this date? The weather in Iceland is most interesting in October. There are vivid late autumn colors, the mountains may already have their first snow in places, glaciers once again resemble glaciers, and last but not least, we avoid the crowds of gawking tourists that overrun Iceland in September.

October is also the perfect month for capturing the Northern Lights in Iceland. Additionally, even when the weather turns foul, Iceland abounds with photogenic subjects. Concerns about harsh cold are unnecessary, as autumn in Iceland tends to be warmer than in the Czech Republic.

  • Location: Iceland

  • Date: 9th October - 17th October 2024

  • Number of participants: min. 5, max. 8 photographers

  • Number of lecturers: 3 (!)

  • Air transport

  • Price per photo expedition: 77 990,- CZK

Characteristics of the expedition

This will be an uncompromising expedition. Thus, we will be driving modified 4x4 jeeps that can practically go anywhere. So, no boring circuits around the ring road. While we will visit some easily accessible classics, we will primarily head into the interior, into the mountains (e.g., Thorsmork), etc. Do not expect a fixed itinerary; we are not organizing a sightseeing tour but a photo expedition. Our program will be guided by forecast models, and we will go where there is currently the best chance for photos according to our expectations. And, of course, do not fear sleeping in tents. Accommodation will be of a higher standard in double rooms, with the possibility of paying an extra charge for single occupancy in a double room.

For whom the course is intended

The photography expedition is designed for photographers interested in landscape photography. It doesn't matter whether you are advanced landscapers or beginners. On the photo expedition, you will learn new techniques and approaches to photographing landscapes with a focus on creating multi-row panoramic photos and night landscapes with stars (both static and dynamic stars). This will be complemented by the method of exposure bracketing, you will learn advanced exposure metering and the rules of focusing for panoramic photos. Last but not least, we will learn how to capture the Northern Lights so that we are able to print it in the best possible quality and in large sizes.

Advantages of Photography Expedition

  • Participants will gain the know-how of landscape, star and the Northern Lights photography. There are no "production secrets" or secret procedures for taking photos.

  • Getting to know the most interesting locations of Iceland.

  • We shoot at well-known places, but primarily focus on locations where other photographers rarely or never visit... experience shooting with us at familiar, but also at undiscovered locations.

  • Photo locations for everyone. Are you physically fit and want to shoot mainly from the peaks of the mountains? Or, on the contrary, do you have health issues or simply running out of stamina? No problem. Thanks to the high number of instructors and cars, we tailor the program individually for each expedition participant according to their physical capabilities. On our expeditions, no one is ever "the last one lagging behind."

  • Variable photographic spots in a good and also bad weather.

  • Friendly atmosphere and small number of participants.

  • Above-standard number of lecturers (3!), thanks to which a very individual approach to each participant is guaranteed.

Recommended Equipment

Ideally a Digital SLR or mirrorless camera with one or more lenses and tripod. Do you only shoot with a mobile phone? That doesn't have to be an obstacle, and you can confidently join us. In a limited number and under certain conditions, we are able to arrange photographic equipment for those of you who may still be deciding which brand of cameras and lenses to purchase. Detailed information about the recommended equipment will be provided to each participant after a binding registration.

Are you thinking about new photography equipment or maybe just want to optimize your lenses, need advice on purchasing suitable clothing, or are unsure about choosing a new tripod etc.? No problem. As part of the pre-expedition preparation, we offer and routinely conduct a wide range of consultation services, which are included in the price of the expedition.

Price includes

  • Lecturers guidance throughout the expedition.

  • Dealing with the individual requirements of each participant, lectures and moderated discussions.

  • Complete know-how for photographic work, shooting single shots and panoramic photos, shooting night landscapes and stars (Aurora Borealis), compositional rules, focusing, knowledge of exposure bracketing, antireflective shots, focus bracketing, exposure averaging, complete post process.

  • Approximately 200 pages of study materials for each participant.

  • Complete transportation during the expedition, day and night.

  • Assistance with group flight tickets purchases.

  • Lodging.

Lodging includes double rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a living room complete with TV and other essentials. Comprehensive service is provided throughout the entire expedition.

Furthermore, facilities feature a washing machine, tumble dryer, coffee machine, toaster, hairdryer, among other conveniences.

Price does not include

Dining options (the accommodations feature a kitchen for self-catering), any admission fees or tickets, and air travel (the cost for a round-trip ticket is approximately 10-15 000 CZK). The price does not include optional programs requiring a guide (such as glacier treks, etc.).

Detailed itinerary of the photo expedition

Are you interested in the detailed itinerary of the photo expedition? Do you want to know where we will be shooting on the third day, what we will have for dinner on the fourth day, where we will be shooting on the fifth day, or what time we will have breakfast on the seventh day? Then you won't find that with us.

We fundamentally reject this type of sightseeing tours! We adapt our program to current weather forecast models. Based on the knowledge and experience of the lecturers, we select for shooting those locations where there are currently the greatest chances of successfully taking photos. From an organizational standpoint, this type of photo expedition is significantly more demanding than a preset "prefabricated" model of travel agencies, regardless of weather and photographers' needs. However, we organize a real photo expedition. Our goal is for each participant to take as many photos as they expect and envision.