'Islands of the North Atlantic' photography workshop, summer 2016
Dates: 08-22 July 2016 (15 days, 14 nights)
Price: $5500 USD or € or ISK equivalent (all-inclusive, incl. round-trip airfare to the Faroe Islands)
Single Country Option: You may elect to join the trip for just the Faroe Islands segment, or just the Iceland week segment, for an abridged price of $2300 (Faroe Islands) or $3000 (Iceland) which does not include any flights. Flights are only $300 round trip from Reykjavik! Contact the trip leader directly if interested!
Availability: limited spaces available. Signup deadline: May 7, 2016.
Special offer: $300 total discount for two persons signing up together!
Iceland + Faroe Islands: Featuring the classic itinerary of the south coast, Vatnajökull glacier regions including Jokulsarlon, then through the remote Eastfjords, and finishing with an extension in the Faroe Islands of the North Atlantic Ocean.
This unforgettable 15 day itinerary covers ~2400km across two iconic North Atlantic islands: Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Both Iceland the Faroes have recently been listed as some of the top 10 travel destinations by leading travel guides. Iceland, the legendary land of fire and ice, is top of every photographer's list to go to, proven by the current exponential growth in tourism in the country. Summertime in Iceland, with long midnight sunsets, is a special time of year. This is also one of the few opportunities to go with a photography group to the Faroes, and the only Iceland/Faroe combo photo trip in the world. Our photography tour and workshop is meant for outdoor photographers and nature-goers who desire to see and photograph North Atlantic landscapes in the middle of wildflower season. Highlights include glacier and ocean landscapes, waterfalls, icebergs and glacial lagoons, and above all, idyllic pastoral and country rural scenes nestled along spectacular ocean cliffs and green mountains.
For the first week of the trip, we drive through Iceland, first along the south coast classic and popular locations including national parks and waterfalls. We'll then spend a few days in the Skaftafell glacier area and Jokulsarlon lagoon area, and finally a couple more days in the oft-bypassed verdant Eastfjords region featuring secret waterfalls, old bridges, and fjord valleys. We'll enjoy Iceland's long summer daylight hours as we photograph highlights including erupting geysers and geothermal areas, nuzzle with Icelandic horses in idyllic green pastures, peer over sea cliffs alive with hundreds of thousands of birds including puffins, swim in warm volcanic springs, feel Europe's most powerful waterfall, hike up mountains for panoramic vistas of Iceland's green mountains, explore some of Iceland's stark highland regions, and photograph and walk on Iceland's glaciers.
We then fly over to the Faroe Islands, an independent-spirited archipeligo of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, interconnected by a world-class level of undersea highway tunnels. Springtime in the Faroes is special, with lush green fields and wildflowers, turf-roofed traditional houses, and steep pyramidal-shaped mountains dropping into ocean channels among the islands. The small towns nested at the base of these mountains are idyllically situated and very photogenic. Of course, there are also puffins and millions of other seabirds with roost on the ocean cliffs -- and great traditional mountain landscapes with spectacular ocean backdrops.
Day 1 - Reykjavik
July 8, 2016
After arrival in Reykjavik, the trip begins with an afternoon or sunset shoot on Reykjanes Peninsula or Thingvellir. We'll have a possible shoot with award-winning Icelandic special guest photographer Örvar Þorgeirsson. Accomodation in Reykjavik, Iceland is included.
Day 2 - Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Vik & Dyroleay
July 9, 2016
We depart from Reykjavik and visit Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, and additional farm scenics. We'll photograph the Vik seastacks and Dyroleay headland area for sunset, including a puffin colony on Dyroleay. Accommodations will be in Vik, Iceland.
Day 3 - Skaftafell
July 10, 2016
On day 3, we'll stop at farm and rural scenes along the way to Skaftafell National Park, photographing sunset over the glaciers of the Skaftafell region. Accommodations for the night will be in Skaftafell, Iceland.
Day 4 - Glacier Lagoons, Stokksnes Mountain & Vestrahorn
July 11, 2016
Day 4 will be spent at remote glacier lagoons, including Heinabergsjokull and Hoffellsjokull. We'll then visit Stokksnes Mountain and the Vestrahorn area around Hofn for sunset. Overnight in Hofn, Iceland.
Day 5 - Eastfjords
July 12, 2016
We'll visit Eastfjords scenery all day, including old bridges, secret waterfalls, and spectacular mountain coastlines. Accommodations in Djupivogur.
Day 6 - Eastfjords & Joksulsarlon
July 13, 2016
In the beginning of the day, we'll wrap up our travels in the Eastfjords region, then returning to the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon area, where we'll have a sunset/sunrise all night shoot if weather permits. Accommodations will be in Jokulsarlon, Iceland.
Day 7 - Jokulsarlon
July 14, 2016
Today we will spend a full day at Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and iceberg beach areas, as well as other nearby glacial lagoons. We'll have a sunset/sunrise all night shoot if weather permits. Accommodations will be in Jokulsarlon, Iceland.
Day 8 - Landmannalaugar Highlands
July 15, 2016
We'll wrap up rural scenes on our way back west, with the afternoon and evening through sunset spent in the Icelandic Highlands around Landmannalaugar. We'll spend the night in a Highland cabin in Fludir, Iceland, with sleeping bag provided.
Day 9 - Highlands & Golden Circle
July 16, 2016
We'll spend the morning in the Landmannalaugar Highland region, and then the afternoon at the impressive Haifoss, and the Golden Circle sights of Gullfoss, Geysir, and Bruarfoss. Accommodations will be in Fludir, Iceland.
Day 10 - Depart from Iceland, Arrive in Faroes
July 17, 2016
On our morning drive back to Reykjavik, we'll stop for photo opportunities around Thingvellir. We'll then fly to Torshavin, Faroe Islands. We'll spend the evening getting settled in, and go out for an evening/sunset photo shoot in the vicinity of Torshavn, where accommodations will be.
Day 11 - Streymoy Island & Klaksvik
July 18, 2016
On our first full day in the Faroes, we'll explore Streymoy Island scenics, including Saksun church. We'll then continue on to Klaksvik for the evening. Accommodations will be in Klaksvik, Faroes.
Day 12 - Klaksvik
July 19, 2016
We'll spend the entire day around Klaksvik, including around the Faroese highest mountain of Slættaratindur. Accommodations will be in Klaksvik, Faroes.
Day 13 - Various Faroe Islands & Tindholmur Point
July 20, 2016
On day 13, we'll take a scenic drive among the islands and through the under-sea tunnels, with many stops along the way. After dinner, we'll take a sunset hike to Tindholmur Point. Accommodations will be in Vagar Island, Faroes.
Day 14 - Mykinos Island, Vagar Island & Gasadalur
July 21, 2016
We'll take a boat trip out to Mykinos Island and lighthouse, also visiting some Vagar Island sights. Later, we'll visit and photograph Gasadalur village and waterfall. Accommodations will be in Vagar Island, Faroes.
Day 15 - Faroe Islands
July 22, 2016
On our last morning, we'll wrap up photography in the Faroe Islands. Afterwards, you will depart on flights in the afternoon, or spend extra time on your own. Accommodations are not included on day 15.
General Trip Information
Group Size: Maximum size of 8; minimum size of 3.
Start/End: The trip begins in Reykjavik, Iceland on the evening of July 8th, and concludes on July 22nd in Torshavn, Faroe Islands, from where you will return to Europe directly or North America via Iceland. We'll be so immersed in the Icelandic and Faroese countryside for our entire time as a group, that we have left no time to enjoy the sights of Reykjavik or Torshavin, so we encourage you to stay in Reykjavik/Torshavn for a couple days on your own, before and after the tour.
Optional Abridged Trip: You may elect to join the trip for just the Faroe Islands segment, or just the Iceland week segment for an abridged price of $2500 (Faroe Islands) or $2800 (Iceland). This price does not include any flights. Contact the trip leader directly if interested.
Included:
- All photographic opportunities and professional instruction
- All ground transportation and guiding
- A 1-way flight from Iceland to Torshavin, Faroes during the trip
- All fees for activities listed in this itinerary
- All meals and food (breakfasts provided by our guesthouses; picnic-style lunches and snacks, and hot dinners at our places of accommodation and/or restaurants)
- Accommodation for 14 nights. Accommodation will be chosen based on optimal locations to photograph, and will vary including authentic Icelandic and Faroese farm guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and hotels. Prices are based on double occupancy -- optional single supplement may be available for an added $900.
Not Included:
- Trip insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Extra ordering beyond standard 2-3 course dinners
- Souvenirs
Experience Level: This tour is open to digital photographers of all skill levels. A packing list will be provided. If you have additional questions, the trip leader will be happy to answer them over the phone or by email.
Photography Instruction
This photo workshop is all about in-the-field field photography and situational instruction, working alongside your trip leader, and there will be no classroom workshops or presentations, unless there is extra downtime from rainy weather. Photographic topics that will be covered while shooting include classic landscape photography composition and technique, HDR (High Dynamic Range) imagery, panoramic photography, adventure and travel photography, tilt/shift focusing, slow shutter speed effects, and exhaustive use of filters. We will also be going on some shorter hikes (2-5 hours) to truly experience the land. Group participants may wander on their own occasionally if they wish to pursue individual photographic objectives, enabling each participant to get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime trip. A maximum group size of 8 photographers ensures you will receive ample personal photographic coaching in teh field from a full time working pro, maximizing the group's flexibility and ability to shoot more places, more spontaneously based on light and weather, and provide an intimate small group adventure experience.
Johnathan Esper of Wildernesscapes Photography LLC, based in the USA, will be leading the trip. Johnathan is a full time photographer and experienced international photo trip leader, and this will be his 49th+ trip he's led to Iceland since beginning trips to the destination in 2011, and his 3rd time in the Faroes. Every trip so far has been an incredible experience for the participants. Johnathan has a unique background and an intimate knowledge of Iceland from living out of a car, exploring and photographing Iceland intensively for months at a time. He specializes in wide panoramic landscapes and adventure photography in Iceland and the Adirondack region in the USA.
Award-winning Icelandic special guest photographer Örvar Þorgeirsson will also join us for an outing session sometime during the trip, for added instructional and cultural diversity. Örvar and his wife Mai run a fine art gallery in downtown Reykjavik, and he is one of the top photographers in the country. Clients always appreciate his patient come-alongside teaching style, and his exclusive private outings with clients are always in high demand. His images can be seen on arcticphoto.is.
Trip Terms
Deposit: A $1000 deposit is due at the time of registration, and the remaining balance is due by the trip start. Until payment is sent, your place is not guaranteed. You may conveniently pay your deposit here (near bottom of page) securely with your credit card, processed by Paypal payment processor. The deposit portion may also be paid via personal or bank check for USA and Canadian clients. Please contact me if you need any assistance in signing up!
Final Payment: The final payment for the balance due on the trip (after your paid deposit), is due one week prior to the trip start. Payment options include bank transfer to my Icelandic bank account (details on request), cash in person at the trip start (with prior permissin), personal or bank checks (preferred for USA and Canada clients), and credit cards (a 2% credit card fee will be added for final payments with card).
Cancellation Policy: In the unfortunate case if you need to cancel, cancellation policy is: Deposit payments are refundable as 100% future scheduled trip credit up to 120 days before trip start, 50% future scheduled trip credit if cancellation is 120-60 days before trip start, and non-refundable less than 60 days before start. Final payments for the full trip balance are 100% refundable as cash until the trip start, and non-refundable after the trip start. If I am able to fill your empty spot on the trip, half of what you'd lose will additionally be returned to you, for all the above situations. If I cancel the trip for some major reason, such as overwhelming volcanic activity, trip leader health crisis, etc, then I fully refund everything in cash or Paypal, or a pro-rated amount if the trip must end early for the same reasons. I am not responsible for reimbursing you for travel or other ancillary expenses you incur in prep for the trip.
For more information, contact:
Johnathan A. Esper
Wildernesscapes Photography LLC
PO Box 326, Long Lake, NY
United States
johnathanesper@gmail.com
phone: 001 518 241 3363 (USA) or +354 844 5033 (Iceland)
www.IcelandPhotography.com