wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

Now that I've been "retired", and have more time to travel, I want to do a photo tour in Iceland. I'm in love with the landscape I see there, but would also like to do fishing villages, or other things that are representative of the culture.

Now, any recommendations for a tour group/guide? They all post wonderful photos, but I'd like to know I'm going with somebody competent. For instance, one outfit offers a nice aurora package, but I also noticed they are doing a Milky Way/Perseids shoot TONIGHT -- when there's a moon 4 days past full, rising around midnight, so I wouldn't expect star visibility to be very good, which makes me think they don't know what they are doing.

Any favorites to praise in public, or warnings to stay away from others?

I appreciate your help.
Wes

mjmoore17 Loc: Philadelphia, PA area

Highly recommend Enlighten Photography Excursions out of Zion, Utah. They offer a photo workshop in Iceland. I have done several of their workshops and appreciate their ability to adapt to varying photography skill levels. Contact them at "zion-photography.com".

Michael

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

You will need a camera and a lens of your chos.e

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

I was there last year and worked with Grete, a licensed tour guide and photographer. She's knowledgeable and fun to work with. You can email her at greta@greta.is.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Very helpful. Thanks for wasting everyone's time and space.

Robeng Loc: California

Hi Wesm,

I was in Iceland in 2015, my regret is I did not have enough time there. I was there for 4 days in September, which isn't enough time to get all the photography I wanted.
I did not use a tour group. I flew into Reykjavik, walked across the street and rented a car and drove to the other side of the island to Akureyri where I was based out of for 2 days. Driving in Iceland is very convenient and everyone speaks English if you need any assistance.

My recommendation is if you want a guide I would first decide on what you want to photograph because Iceland has seasons. For example, if you are interested in photographing Puffins you have until August before the Puffins migrate out of Iceland. If you're interested in photographing the Aurora you have to be there at the end of September to February. So figure out what you want to photograph first then go from there.

Since you live in Los Altos, there is a local photography tour group / guide group call the Aperture Academy based out of San Jose on First Street. I have never use them but I know the owner Stephen who is an National Geographic award winning photographer. The Aperture Academy is well respected and I hear their tours are really good and recommended. You might want to check them out.

I added a few images from my 2015 Iceland trip.

If you're interested, the Sunnyvale Photography Club has a free Solar Eclipse class this coming Monday the 14th, send me a message for info.

Rob

wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

Spawn of cthahn. (carl_hervol, that is, not you)

TheDman Loc: USA

Don't think you can go wrong with Iurie Belegurschi, he probably knows the island as well as anyone.

wesm Loc: Los Altos CA

Wow. Very helpful, indeed. And great photos!
Mostly I'm interested in landscapes/seascapes. I would like to experience the Aurora, so I'm thinking of going in February. The black sand beaches with the chunks of ice look really "cool" also.
Wes

repleo Loc: Boston

There has been an explosion in photo tourism to Iceland in just the last four or five years. I have hear that finding any sort of accommodation near any of the popular locations is very difficult. You may want to start there with your trip planning. Let us know what you worked out and post some pics when you get back. Iceland is definitely on my bucket list.