Seven Days In Iceland

Seven Days in Iceland…twenty-five years in the making.

This year marked my 25th year at my employer and they recently added Sabbaticals as a benefit to long time associates - anyone with a tenture over 15 years.  This was the first year I was eligible and while it may be a slight exaggeration to say my trip was 25 years in the making, I’ve known for quite some time Iceland is exactly where I was heading first to spend some time on a hobby I really enjoy - photography!  There may be no better place in the world to visit with a camera.    

Iceland’s landscape is a study in contrasts—braided rivers, volcanic peaks, hidden canyons, waterfalls, highland lakes and black‑sand beaches—all captured through a combination of drone and handheld camera work. Over seven days with Andrea Livieri’s workshop, I learned to balance aerial perspectives with ground‑level compositions, revealing textures and patterns that are otherwise hard to see. From stark river braids to molten‑hued mountains, each location offered unique framing opportunities. The mix of sweeping bird’s‑eye views and intimate close‑ups created a versatile portfolio that highlights Iceland’s raw beauty. This itinerary delivered a comprehensive photography experience, blending technical skills with creative exploration.

Day 1: Blue River Braids, Gullfoss & Kerlingarfjöll

At the Blue River near Selfoss, I used drone shots to map the silvery channels crisscrossing dark gravel, then switched to a wide‑angle lens to capture the same patterns from ground level. Gullfoss waterfall revealed its multi‑tiered drop through both aerial overviews and long‑exposure tripod shots, teaching me how motion blur and perspective can work together. At Kerlingarfjöll, the steaming vents rising from rhyolite slopes were ideal for alternating between sweeping drone pans and tighter lens compositions, highlighting both scale and detail.

Day 2: Blue Crater & Sigöldugljúfur Canyon

From directly above the Blue Crater, drone footage emphasized the vibrant turquoise water against muted surroundings, while handheld shots along the rim captured the crater’s texture. In Sigöldugljúfur canyon, I alternated between vertical drone passes down the gorge and ground‑level compositions of waterfalls framed by moss‑covered walls, learning how to blend elevation changes and lines for dramatic effect.

Day 3: Brown River Braids, Landmannalaugar & Ljótipollur

Near Landmannalaugar, aerial views of the Brown River braided through volcanic sands contrasted sharply with handheld shots of the sulfur‑streaked hills. Hiking to Brennisteinsalda, I used a mix of drone flyovers and conventional shots to capture the pastel‑toned slopes. At Ljótipollur crater lake, combining low‑angle reflections and top‑down drone images showcased the crater’s vivid green water rimmed by red earth.

Day 4: Sigoldufoss & Haifoss

Sigoldufoss waterfall’s slim veil was mapped by a precise drone approach and complemented by close‑range shots isolating water droplets on basalt. At Haifoss, drone imagery captured the immense drop and surrounding canyon, while a long‑range lens froze the water’s descent against rugged cliffs, emphasizing the waterfall’s height and power.

Day 5: Langisjór’s Expansive Waters

Langisjór’s broad, glass‑like surface was ideal for drone panoramas that revealed its full width, and shore‑level shots highlighted quartzite‑studded beaches. In a secluded inlet—our “secret place”—I juxtaposed low‑ground compositions of smooth stones with overhead drone perspectives, drawing out the lake’s remote character.

Day 6: Bláfjallafoss, Mælifell & Reynisfjara

Bláfjallafoss’s tiered cascades were captured through steady handheld panning and precise drone positioning above the falls. At Mælifell, the moss‑clad cone emerged crisply in both aerial framing and minimalist ground shots. On Reynisfjara’s black‑sand beach, drone passes over basalt columns and surf contrasted with handheld silhouettes of sea stacks, showcasing the beach’s stark drama.

Day 7: Þakgil Canyon & Flói’s Blue River Braids

In Þakgil canyon, I blended bird’s‑eye drone views of winding trails with close‑up compositions of birch‑lined slopes. Back at the Blue River braids in Flói Nature Reserve, high‑altitude drone shots revealed expansive wetlands dotted with birds, while telephoto ground shots compressed the scene to capture wildlife interacting with the braided channels.

Mahalo, Hawaii

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