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Where to do Photography in Iceland
Our journey took us to the southern expanse of Iceland, where we visited some of the country’s best photography locations and immersed ourselves in photographing its ethereal beauty again and again. The omnipresent midnight sun was our constant companion, illuminating our path and enabling us to pursue our craft into the early morning hours. The notion of time became fluid as the absence of nightfall dissolved the boundaries of day and night, untethered by the conventional constraints of time zones.
The southern coast of Iceland presents a mesmerizing tapestry of dramatic waterfalls, black sand beaches, and glaciers that stand like ancient guardians. Geothermal fields glisten with ethereal colors, creating a photographer’s paradise. Here, lighthouses stand watch over the landscape, puffins add a heavenly touch, and some of our most cherished locations come to life.
Vestmannaeyjar Island – Iceland Photography
Vestmannaeyjar Island, with its dramatic volcanic cliffs rising from sapphire waters and puffins wheeling against moody skies, stands as our favorite spot in Southern Iceland so far—a photographer’s paradise where nature’s raw power meets ethereal beauty.
For photographers, the journey to Vestmannaeyjar involves a 35-minute ferry crossing from Landeyjahöfn, offering seascapes and often diving seabirds worth keeping your telephoto lens handy for. We recommend arriving early, before departure, to spend about an hour and a half photographing the beach area by the boat. And stop at the puffin statue on the way in! Plus, the panoramic approach to the volcanic island creates frame-worthy shots.
HIGHLIGHTS: Photograph the millennium-old church ruins, where Iceland’s earliest Christians worshipped under volcanic skies, then head to the lighthouse—nature’s amphitheater where thousands of puffins gather in the world’s largest colony, creating unparalleled wildlife photography opportunities against dramatic sea cliffs.
Dryholaey – Iceland Photography
Dyrholaey Peninsula rewards photographers with its dramatic coastline, dominated by a massive stone arch—large enough for boats to pass through and once famously traversed by a daring pilot. The peninsula offers diverse shooting opportunities year-round: summer brings the chance to photograph our favorite bird of all time — colorful puffins against black volcanic cliffs — and winter gives photographers the cha I. nce to frame the arch beneath dancing northern lights. After shooting, rest in nearby Vik or at one of the coastal farmhouse accommodations that dot this captivating corner of Iceland.
For the ultimate photographic experience, visit in July when puffins nest on the cliffs and the midnight sun bathes the landscape in golden light, allowing for serene, crowd-free shooting sessions during hours when most tourists have retreated to their accommodations.
Pair this location up with Hálsanefshellir Cave and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, seen below, which are very close by.
Skogafoss Waterfall
Bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots to wade into the crystal-clear glacial meltwater at the base of this thundering 60-meter cascade. Position your tripod on the smooth pebbles. From this vantage point, you’ll get a better angle of the full majesty of Skogafoss as it plunges from the ancient sea cliff, creating rainbows that dance through the spray on sunny days.
Before traveling to Iceland, master long exposure techniques (2-4 seconds at f/16 works beautifully) to transform the plummeting water into ethereal, silky ribbons that contrast dramatically with the moss-covered volcanic rock formations. See our How to shoot waterfalls page if you need assistance. It’s one of the easier things to learn, but you MUST have a tripod and a neutral density filter. Go to our store to see the ones we recommend.
When you’re finished here, head straight next door to the next waterfall. See below. There is a really great restaurant here so you might want to plan this around breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Kvernufoss Waterfall – HIDDEN Iceland Photography
While tourists crowd Skogafoss’s viewing platforms, photographers in-the-know slip away to Kvernufoss—just a twenty-minute hike through a farmer’s gate east of the Skógar Museum. If you get lucky, you can create rainbow prisms perfect for dramatic long exposures. Pack waterproof gear and approach from the eastern path for the rare opportunity to photograph from behind the falls—a perspective that transforms ordinary waterfall shots into immersive visual stories. The basalt amphitheater surrounding the falls provides natural framing elements, while the relative solitude allows for thoughtful composition without jostling for tripod space.
As we mentioned earlier, make sure to bring your tripod and neutral density filter. Don’t miss the opportunity to create long-exposure shots; it’s essential for dynamic photography. Whenever you travel, you want to get the perfect shot, especially since you may be thousands of miles from home and visiting a place you might never return to. This location is definitely on our list to visit again and again!
Hálsanefshellir Cave & Sea Stacks
Just west of Vík, where the Atlantic hurls itself against Iceland’s southernmost point, Hálsanefshellir’s hexagonal columns rise like a pipe organ carved by giants. This sea cave—hidden beneath Reynisfjall mountain’s brooding shadow—reveals itself only at low tide, when the ocean temporarily surrenders access to its geometric marvel. Photographers can photograph both the mathematical precision of cooling lava and the sea stacks out n the water with long exposure photography.
Seltun Geothermal
Seltun Geothermal is a dynamic hot springs area in Iceland featuring yellow-orange colored pools rich in sulfur. You can put this on your list to photograph. The site contains bubbling mud pools and various types of springs. The area is accessible via boardwalks and viewing platforms. Geologically, it sits on volcanic terrain formed after the last ice age. The colorful mud pits contain various minerals, with red areas indicating iron oxide and blue sections containing pyrite.
Gunnuhver Hot Springg
Iceland’s largest mud pool dominates the foreground, framed perfectly by the surrounding Gunnuhver group. Its 20-meter expanse creates a dramatic contrast against the sky, with steam providing natural contrast if you are lucking enough to go when there is a deep blue sky.
Reykjanesviti-lighthouse
The staff is tired today. We’ve run out of steam. Can’t you look at the beautiful pictures and figure it all out for yourself? We’re kidding. We’re going on break now. We made the article live so you can least enjoy the rest of what we’ve already done Does anybody have any coffee?
The Blue Lagoon
Please take a look at the lighthouse above…
AND WE DON’T USE AI, AND WE VERIFY ALL THE FACTS to go along with our experience at each location. It is very time-consuming. AI IS NOT ACCURATE AT ALL.
SOUTHERN ICELAND’S BEST PHOTOGRAPHY SPOTS
The southern coast of Iceland presents a mesmerizing tapestry of dramatic waterfalls, black sand beaches, and glaciers that stand like ancient guardians. Geothermal fields glisten with ethereal colors, creating a photographer’s paradise. Here, puffins add a heavenly touch, and some of our most cherished locations come to life.
The Golden Circle
The Golden Loop covers 300 kilometers or 190 miles and guides you through some of the most celebrated natural wonders in Southwest Iceland. As photographers, we know that the average tourist would accomplish this in two days, but documenting the beauty took us a week. When you stand before some of Iceland’s most magnificent photography locations, to photograph them correctly, you may spend hours at each location.
Here is a list of the highlights of the Golden Circle:
- Thingvellir National Park.
- Haukadalur Geothermal Field
- Gullfoss Waterfall
- Secret Lagoon Hot Spring
- Kerið Crater
- Reykjadalur Hot Spring
- Faxi waterfall
- Geysir Hot Springs
Among Iceland’s best photography locations, the rugged landscapes of the highlands stand out, offering a raw and untamed beauty. The black sand beaches of Reynisfjara stretch endlessly, their volcanic grit crunching underfoot as the Atlantic waves crash violently against the shore.
Dryholaey, a sheer cliff rising from the ocean, offers a vantage point where the horizon seems to stretch forever. The air carries the sharp tang of sea salt, mingling with the faint cries of seabirds circling above. Below, the waves carve intricate patterns into the rock, their relentless rhythm a reminder of nature’s enduring force. For those drawn to Vestmannaeyjar Photography, this spot is a gateway to capturing the interplay of light and shadow against the rugged coastline, especially during the golden hours when the sun dips low.
Skógafoss, a thundering cascade of water, demands attention with its sheer power and beauty, and offers one of Iceland’s best photography spots.
The mist from Skógafoss clings to the air, dampening skin and lenses alike, as the roar of the falls drowns out all other sounds. The cascading water splits the sunlight into fleeting rainbows that dance across the spray, ephemeral and impossible to hold. To the right, a narrow path leads to Kvernufoss Waterfall, a quieter but no less mesmerizing sight. Its secluded charm feels like a secret, the moss-covered rocks framing the water as it tumbles gracefully into a shallow pool.
Further along the coastline, Vestmannaeyjar’s archipelago emerges, a cluster of islands where puffin photography thrives and another one of Iceland’s best photography locations.
The cliffs of Vestmannaeyjar rise sharply from the sea, their jagged edges softened by tufts of grass clinging stubbornly to the rock. The air here is alive with the chatter of puffins, their vibrant orange beaks and white faces stark against the deep blue of the ocean. The birds dart in and out of crevices, their wings slicing through the crisp air with precision. It’s a chaotic ballet, one that feels impossible to predict yet endlessly captivating. The faint scent of seaweed mingles with the briny breeze, grounding the moment in the raw, unfiltered essence of the island.
Þingvellir National Park
One stop on this legendary route was Þingvellir National Park, a site of geological wonder and historical significance. Here, the rift valley exposes the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, creating a landscape that seems to pulsate with Earth’s ancient energy. The rugged fissures and moss-covered rocks offered a stark contrast against the lush greenery and shimmering waters that weave through the valley. The play of light and shadow across the jagged edges of the fissures provided a dynamic tableau, inviting us to explore every crevice and contour.
As we moved deeper into the park, we felt overwhelmed with stress. If you remember, Pamela is psychic. We had no idea where the anxiety about the location was coming from.
Later that night, when we discussed our journey with the owner of our bed and breakfast, he instantly understood when we asked him what we could be sensing. This is the location of a former horror story!! We listened very intently as he explained.
He spoke softly, eyes darkening with a hint of foreboding. “Many years ago, Þingvellir was the site of a tragic event—an ancient conflict that left whispers lingering in the air, even now. Some say the land holds onto those memories; perhaps your psychic senses picked up on them.” Pamela nodded subtly.
He described the Drowning Pool as the place where women accused of infanticide or adultery were executed. Tied up and immersed in the frigid waters, their sorrowful destinies contribute a ghostly element to the park’s allure.
As we stood silently, the weight of history seemed to settle over us like a thick fog. The moss-clad rocks and the lake’s placid waters reflected an unnatural stillness, as if even nature hesitated to disturb the memories embedded here. Pamela responded, “That was the first time in the history of my photography that an overwhelming feeling of dread like this made me not finish photographing the area.”
During the heart of the 16th century, changes cast its transformative shadow over Iceland, bringing with it stringent edicts on morality. In truth, however, it was a period where affluent patriarchs imposed their stringent will upon the impoverished youth, with a particular severity directed towards women.
The introduction of executive authority in Iceland brought with it the practice of public executions and corporal punishments. There were four main methods of execution: women accused of “immoral behavior” were typically drowned, thieves faced hanging, murderers and male adulterers were beheaded with a dull ax by an often inebriated and unwilling amateur, and those found guilty of practicing magic were burned. Corporal punishments commonly included whipping, branding, amputation of limbs or fingers, or infliction of bruises. In later centuries, Thingvellir primarily served as a site for trials and severe penalties until it was abolished in 1800.
From the 1600s onward, Thingvellir witnessed between 70 and 80 executions. Among these, historical records note 15 hangings, 30 beheadings, and 18 women who met their fate by drowning in what is now known as the “Drowning Pool,” located where the river’s bridge stands today. This site remains the sole execution location commemorated with a memorial plaque.
PAMELA GOODYER’S NARRATIVE POEM
The islands rest in the Southern Icelandic Volcanic Zone, where the Earth breathes fire and cries tales of old. Forged by the molten heart of the planet, they have risen, sculpted by eruptions for thousands of years, standing as timeworn sentinels in a sea of time. Spanning sixteen square kilometers, this realm of land and sea is interwoven, and eighteen islands soar like ancient guardians. Rock stacks and skerries are silent witnesses to the history of the tides.
Upon my arrival on the island, standing on the boat, I was enveloped in profound awe. I sensed old agony and despair, each reflecting the stories of the past into the salt-tinged air. As I stepped onto the ground, sensing the sagas of former warriors, I raised my camera to document the scene, noting the echoes of time.
Energy danced on the wind, caressing my skin like a delicate breeze that brushed away the weight of the world. My overwhelming admiration was a testament to the profound beauty unfolding before my eyes, enchanting me with its exquisite allure. My spirit soared, resonating with the sublime symphony of the divine.
I felt the pulse of the Earth—warm and alive. It was as if each rock held a piece of history waiting to be uncovered. I felt deeply connected to this place as if I were part of its story. My lens became an extension of my eyes, eager to drink in the colors and textures dancing before me. My heart soared as I remembered my existence and purpose on this planet: to discover and document the most incredible places on Earth. I’ve found my top ten—a treasure trove of splendor that sings to my soul. The magic within me crafts a mosaic from countless cosmos, and I grasp that momentous place.
I stand where this was once in the crosshairs of warriors. Many have fought fiercely to possess a realm of such allure; I am drawn to Heimaey Stave Church, known as Stafkirkjan. It is a replica bestowed by Norway, a treasure from the past. As I walk into the sanctuary, I see three women standing, their eyes wide with reverence.
Overwhelmed by forces beyond my grasp, I retreat into the shadows, tears brimming, swept up by a tide of emotion—a surge as relentless as the waves that trailed behind the boat on our passage here. I ponder the source of this flood of feelings—perhaps it is the sacred space itself.
Transcendent majesty and the touch of celestial energy often envelop me in their embrace. As an empath, I absorb every intricate thread of anguish, both luminous and shadowed. The radiance of this incredible location eclipses the darkness, yet the suffering persistently seeps through. What has unfolded here, I ponder to myself?
I gather the fragments of my being, drawing in deep and deliberate breaths. Each one links me to an ineffable beyond, yet I wonder if I am not already woven into this transcendent state.
I wander through the terrain, led by hallowed murmurs. With each step, divine guidance leads me, and I begin to document the magnificence in each photograph. I am not just recording an image; I am translating the ethereal energy of the place into something tangible.
This island, once a battleground for warriors, now hints at secrets of love, loss, and beauty that I long to share with the world. Thus, the images and this article emerge. May you, too, find the symphony of energies I once discovered through the dance of my pictures and the vibration of my words.
Here are some additional photography locations worldwide that you might want to explore and photograph, inspired by some of Pamela Goodyer’s favorite spots.
STAY TUNED!! We plan to return for more photography!