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Iceland photo tour 2026
After the pictures of our last trip to Iceland A few people asked if we would take them to the Island of Fire and Ice sometime. And so this year we set off with a group of seven friends…
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.
A special picture by airbrush artist Dani Bürgin
When an airbrush artist brushes a photo of me – and a very special photo at that…
For seven years we have been designing for the SAH Schaffhausen the annual magazine, which reflects the work of the SAH and is also an annual report. In the penultimate magazine, Elisa Frey from SAH and I Boxing Club Schaffhausen visited, where ten students from SAH train. This visit resulted in a report, which was then published in the annual magazine. Here are the six pages from the magazine as screenshots. You can also read the article Download as PDF:
Sport as a school of life
It deeply touched me at the time how the young men who came to Switzerland as refugees found a father figure in coach René Schäppi. René simply took the boys as they are and teaches them in training the values that make the sport so valuable and important in life, such as perseverance, respect, correct behavior towards the opponent, and discipline. The report's opening image shows Naseeb Rahman. He was the first from the SAH classes to start training, and then he infected other boys.
A special cover image
I had a pretty accurate idea of the cover image of the report: I wanted to light Naseeb up from behind while he was training on the punching bag, so that you could see his sweat droplets flying away. I achieved this by stretching a black fabric behind Naseeb and lighting it with a flash from behind:
The picture fascinates Dani Bürgin
Dani Bürgin, A great painter and airbrush artist, he was so impressed by the photograph that he realized it as a new work of art using the airbrush pistol. The details that Dani conjures up on paper using airbrush technology are fascinating. To make Naseeb happy, Dani photographed his artwork for us. From the photo onwards, I created a print which I was allowed to hand over to Naseeb together with Elisa Frey.
The surprise was a success
Naseeb unpacked the picture and was initially speechless. He greatly appreciates that an artist has chosen to airbrush his photograph. After the handover, we took a few more souvenir photos, and I said goodbye. Once home, I received a WhatsApp message from Naseeb that deeply touched me:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this beautiful gift. ❤️ It really touched me deeply. I've wanted something like this for a long time, and the fact that this wish has now come true means an incredible amount to me.
When I saw the picture, I was simply speechless. It's something very special and shows how much love, time and effort you and Daniel have put into it. I greatly appreciate this loving gesture, as it is anything but a given.
This gift will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you from the bottom of your hearts for this wonderful surprise and the great joy you have given me with it.
Photos: Shania Schneider
Magnolia 2026
My long-term photography experiment with the magnolia tree in our garden is entering its 13th round.
This year I deliberately decided to shoot with two very different cameras – on the one hand with the Sony a1 and long focal lengths (70 – 640mm) and on the other hand with the Leica M EV1 with the Light Lens Lab 1.2/50mm «1966» – a kind of re-edition of the legendary M Noctilux 1.2/50mm from 1966
Sony a1 with long focal lengths
Leica M EV1 with the Light Lens Lab 1.2/50mm «1966»
2025
Leica SL3
2024
iPhone 15 Pro max
2023
Leica SL2 with the two prime lenses SL 35 mm and SL 90 mm
I limited myself to two prime lenses.
2022
Leica S3, Leica SL2, Sony a1
For the first time, I took photos with more than one camera. Variety is the spice of life;-).
2021
Leica SL2
I missed the peak of 2021. Therefore, the yield was relatively meager.
2020
Leica SL2
2019
Fujfilm GFX100
2018
Leica CL
2017
Panasonic GH5
2016
Leica SL
The Leica SL was definitely a boost for my photography. Mirrorless photography with targeted over- and underexposure was (and still is) an ingenious experience. Furthermore, the only lens available at the beginning – the SL 24-90mm – has a quality that I previously only knew from prime lenses in the 35mm DSLR range.
2015
Nikon D810
2014
Nikon D810
My picture in the Himalayan Museum
One of my pictures made it to the Himalayan Museum and Sustainable Park near Everest Base Camp
I have already taken photographs several times at Nepal's first and for a long time only PET recycling plant. The symbolic image above is one of my favorite photos because it tells a story in one frame: the starting material, the gloves that symbolize the recycling work, and the finished recycled granules.
Prakash Barati, the head of Himalayan Life Plastics, has now sent me two pictures showing that this picture is in Himalayan Museum and Sustainable Park in Syangboche was used to illustrate the recycling process on the way to Everest Base Camp. In addition, Himalayan Life has placed the photo on a booklet that they are handing over to the staff. It's cool that one of my pictures is taking such a trip.
A small note for those interested in photography: I took the picture with the Leica SL and the Vario Elmarit 2.8-4.0/24-90 mm.
You can learn more about Nepal's first PET recycling plant in this short video:
Feedback from the portrait photography course
Enthusiastic participants in the portrait photography course in Ticino. Maybe you'll be there next time too?
For the first time, I conducted a weekend course on portrait photography at Casa Moscia in the canton of Ticino. And I am overwhelmed by the great feedback from the participants.
«The courses at Peter's will immerse you in the world of photography. Content is conveyed in an understandable, lively and diverse way. The participants' different backgrounds of experience are skillfully addressed, and in an appreciative atmosphere, every question can be asked and everything can be tried out. Warning: Expect to be infected by the enthusiasm for photography!»
Rachel
Photo: Michael Brunner
Photo: Timna Kieser
Photo: Pavel Kraus
The courses are not only about diving deeper into photography, but also about having a good time together as a group and inspiring each other. Michael sums this up in his feedback:
«The portrait photography course in a completely new location is extremely inspiring. The unknown environment and a new environment make it special. Collaboration and exchange with the committed and interested course participants is also stimulating. Not only does the course take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but you are also in conversation outside the course room, making the course an experience. I was able to take a lot of the talent for photographing all participants and bring it into my perspective of photography.»
Michael
Each person stood in front of and behind the camera – this also gave all participants the feeling of what it was like to stand in front of the camera. I was particularly pleased with Timna's feedback in this regard:
Thanks to Peter Schäublin's leadership, you could try it out and step out of your usual comfort zone – be it when taking photos yourself, editing images or even testing yourself as a model in front of the camera. Peter's calm and open manner automatically encouraged one to try new things and thus significantly expanded one's repertoire.
Timna
To ensure that the content taught is not simply developed in gray theory, we try out what we have learned in practice. We experimented with different light sources – from daylight with and without brighteners to artificial light and lightning, and we also used different backgrounds. This diversity is appreciated and gives all participants the opportunity to experiment.
Your instructions, the lighting and background material opened a new window for me.
Rolf
Here is a small picture gallery with photos that the participants have taken – from classical to experimental, with and without additional light sources. All photos © by Beat, Daniel, Helene, Michael, Pascal, Pavel, Rolf, Timna and Rahel, who also created the large introductory picture in the article.
Would you also like to discover or deepen photography?
I regularly conduct photography courses and individual training courses in Ticino, Schaffhausen or –for individual training courses– at the location of your choice. You can find information about this in the chapter «Training».