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Iceland Photography Tips
Iceland is an amazing country with many wonderful sights. If you are traveling to Iceland, it would be great if you can experience some of the following Iceland photography tips to inspire you for the great photographs.
Use natural light.
Most Iceland scenery can be photographed during the day, especially the Northern Lights (aurora borealis). As Iceland is located close to both the North Pole and the South Pole, it gets the sun at the right time of the year. In addition, there is plenty of natural light to capture the landscapes and seascapes of Iceland. The weather in Iceland is unpredictable, but when it is cloudy, the light is more dramatic.
Use wide-angle lenses.
The wide-angle lens allows you to include a greater area in your picture than if you used a standard camera. In fact, the wider the lens, the closer you will be to your subject. The best choice for Iceland landscape photography is a lens with a focal length of 40mm or 50mm. This will make you feel as if you are very close to your subject.
Use a tripod.
A tripod allows you to take long exposures without worrying about camera shake. When you use a tripod, you can take many long exposure photos. It will also keep your camera steady so you can avoid blurry pictures. When it comes to Iceland landscape photography, it is helpful to use a tripod with an extended head so that you can get a good grip on the camera.
Choose the right aperture.
The aperture is the opening in front of the lens, which lets light in and determines how much of the scene will be in focus. The f-number is a number between 1 and 20, where a lower number indicates a larger aperture. When you use a smaller f-number, you will have less depth of field, so everything in the picture will be in focus. Therefore, the focus will be sharpest at the edges and out of focus in the middle. A smaller f-number means that there is more light, which makes it easier to capture the details of your scene.
Use a flash.
When shooting Iceland landscapes, a flash is very useful. It will help lighten your picture, making it less dark. You can also use the flash to create a dramatic effect. The best time to use a flash is when you are capturing landscapes with a very clear sky. This is because the light from the sun will be reflected by the clouds. However, if you are taking pictures of landscapes with a cloudy sky, then you should not use the flash.
Adjust the white balance.
The white balance determines how colors will look in a photo. For Iceland landscape photography, it is best to use an automatic setting. This will adjust the color temperature automatically and make the pictures look natural. If you use the manual setting, then you need to select a color temperature that looks good to you. It’s helpful to use the daylight setting for daytime shots and tungsten for night shots.
Have fun.
There are so many beautiful places to visit in Iceland that you can spend many days taking pictures and just enjoying the scenery. Therefore, when you travel to Iceland, it is important to enjoy your trip and relax. Take your time, explore each place, and have lots of fun.
Make sure you have plenty of memory cards and batteries for your camera
This is a must, as many cameras are very dependent on memory cards and batteries. Make sure you always have plenty on you when you go out to shoot. Also make sure that you have enough batteries and memory cards, as some are very expensive.
Get some new lenses to improve the quality of your photos
Newer lenses are often much better than the old ones. This is because the newer lenses will not have any problems like the older ones. Many of the older lenses are very poor quality, but you will only find out this once you get them home. It is good to get a few lenses in case you want to try different types. Some people prefer using zoom lenses, others just take pictures from a distance.
Shoot in RAW format
RAW files give you a lot more control over the end result than JPEG files. You can change the brightness, contrast and color of your pictures if they need it, and you can also adjust the settings on the camera and post-processing to get the exact results you want.
Make sure you bring your camera everywhere you go
A lot of people like to take their cameras with them on holiday, so it is best to make sure that you bring your camera wherever you are going. You never know what is going to happen so you may want to capture it all. Take your memory cards and batteries with you too, in case your camera dies.
Be prepared for low light situations
Low light is a great opportunity to capture some awesome pictures of Iceland. Low light is when there is very little light around, such as at night. This is often when the best pictures are captured, but you will need a tripod for some of the longer shots. You could also use flash photography, but this will not last as long as the low light does. A wide-angle lens is a great idea for capturing some amazing images of Iceland.
Try to visit some of the places on your own before you go with a group
When you are on holiday with your friends and family, they may take the best pictures. When you go on holiday, it is always good to take some time to relax and find the best spots yourself. You will then know what you are going to capture better, and will be able to take some of the best photos of Iceland.
Take a guide book
If you are traveling to Iceland and you want to take some amazing photos, then you should definitely take a guide book. This will help you find some of the best spots in the country. They also give you information about the history of the different places, as well as some great tips for capturing the best pictures.
Get a polarizing filter
The polarizing filter is a must for any photographer who loves to shoot in Iceland. Polarizers are used to cut down reflections from windows, such as water or glass. This can be very useful when photographing the glaciers or the mountains. You could even use one in the middle of the night, when there is no light around. This will really help you capture some amazing photos of Iceland.
Bring some snacks and plenty of water
You will need to make sure that you have plenty of food and water with you. If you are going to be out for a long time, then you should make sure that you have enough to last you. There may be a few people who are not as careful as you are and they may leave their snacks behind.
Go somewhere new
If you are tired of the same old places, then why not try something different? You could go on an adventure and visit some of the other beautiful spots of Iceland. You can also go hiking and explore the country from a different perspective. You could go to some places that you don’t usually see, and find some new spots. It is good to do a little research beforehand, so that you know what you are looking at.
Wear Warm and Comfortable Clothes
Wearing uncomfortable clothes can really ruin the experience of photographing Iceland. It is better to wear something that is comfortable, so that you can stay more relaxed and enjoy the experience. If you have a lot of walking to do, then you should try to get some nice hiking boots for your trip. This will ensure that you don’t fall over and get blisters, which can ruin the fun.
Top Locations to Shoot in Iceland
1.For a completely different experience, check out the Laugavegur trail – this is a hiking trail that follows the longest lava flow in the world (about 200km).
2.The Blue Lagoon is one of the most famous hot springs in Iceland, and it is a perfect location for your film. The spa is located just 20 minutes from the capital city of Reykjavik, so it’s a perfect base for filming.
3.The interior of Thorshöfn Church is also worth checking out – we shot there for the documentary “Icelandic Wilderness” which was about Icelandic people and nature.
4.If you want to be immersed in the beautiful scenery, then the West Fjords are amazing. You can visit the spectacular ice caves (also featured in our documentary) as well as beautiful islands and cliffs.
5.The East Fjords are another area you could film, although they are not as accele as the West Fjords. The landscape here is incredible with rocky cliffs and mountains – and you can even see puffins on some of the islands!
6.I would definitely recommend visiting the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon – if you’re lucky enough to be there when the water is still frozen, you will be amazed by the surreal sight of icebergs floating in the middle of the lagoon.
7.For something a little different, visit the Snæfellsjökull volcano (the largest active volcano in Iceland) – it is located near the south west corner of the country and offers an amazing view of the ocean and surrounding land.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Iceland is a photographer’s paradise. It has a great variety of landscapes, including waterfalls, volcanoes, fjords, glaciers, geysers, mountains, deserts and much more. There are also many places to visit and explore, so if you want to take some great pictures, this is the place to do it!