Iceland photo tour 2026
At Zurich Airport with a lot of luggage
After the pictures, which we realized last year in Iceland, friends asked if we would take them to Iceland “sometime". After some reflection, we decided to put together a journey that will lead to some of the highlights of this special island. Preparing for this was not entirely easy, as suitable vehicles are needed, and the selection of accommodations in the interior of the country is small. But the planning works out, and on July 16th Ursula and I are flying to Reykjavik to prepare everything for the group, which lands in Keflavik two days later.
Here we go
We check into Zurich with four large pieces of luggage. Despite the heat wave in Switzerland, we packed our winter clothes because in the highlands the temperature can drop to zero even in July. Ursula also takes a lot of cookware with her – then she knows what she has with her…
Traveling with two Land Rover Defenders
In the highlands there are only natural roads and in some places no bridges. Therefore, you must travel with suitable vehicles. As old «Landy bunnies», we decided to rent two Land Rover Defenders. We know this vehicle with its strengths and limitations. Here is a short slow-motion study of one of our Defenders during a water passage:
A great group
We are not a tour operator. This has the advantage that we know all participants personally. Nevertheless, it is a challenge to travel so closely together for 15 days. Each person contributes their strengths to the team, and so this journey becomes an unforgettable experience for everyone –in a positive sense–.
Our group after 15 days of traveling together
Photooooh
The simplicity of conscious photography captivates everyone…
In this way, everyone has created their own images in their personal visual language. Here are a few favorite pictures I took:
The true travel heroes
My personal «travel heroes» are the cyclists. On gravel tracks in all kinds of weather, barefoot through rivers, pitching a tent in freezing temperatures –you'd have to be really annoyed and a little crazy to do that. But all the cyclists we meet radiate a lot of joy – and they don't mind if we take some photos of you…
We also see other two-wheelers – no less spectacularly on the road, but not quite as «basic» as the cyclists…
Think in other formats
The sensor usually gives us an aspect ratio of 3:2, in rare cases 4:3. I encourage the group to move away from this format and think in other formats. Here in Iceland, the panorama format is particularly suitable, which can be achieved with a wide-angle lens and cropping or with a stitch. Stitching involves photographing the landscape in sections –preferably in portrait format– and then combining these images into a panorama using software such as Adobe Lightroom. This results in a landscape-format image in very high resolution. Here are some examples from my camera:
With a delicious meal at the Apotek restaurant, we conclude our time on the island of fire and ice. After two weeks, it is quite unusual to return to everyday life. Everyone agrees: The trip was a hit, and Iceland is always worth a trip. Finally, a few impressions of our photography and camp life:
The real heroine of our journey is my wife Ursula. She cooks for everyone, shops on the go, and also manages one of the two Landys on the side. Without her, this journey would not have been possible.
Hjartans þakkir, kæra Úrsula.
