winter Archives - Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens

Iceland Photography Locations on the South Coast

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 13:00:52 +0000

Iceland Photography Location Guide – Reykjavik to Hofn It’s a country where waterfalls, icebergs and volcanoes converge to create otherworldly landscapes. Iceland will take your breath away with natural beauty from the moment you arrive to the moment you fly over its dramatic coastline on your way home. It’s no wonder Iceland photography locations are high on any photographer’s wish list! Before we get started while this guide is titled from Reykjavik to Hofn, it actually includes a section a little further east to Djúpavogshreppur…that fabulous name is just a little too long for the heading! Exploring Iceland photography locations by car is the best way to see as much as possible and the southern coast is full of places to visit. You can snorkel between continents before driving east to experience endless waterfalls and glaciers, it’s the ideal destination for adventure travellers. The Ring Road from Reykjavik to Hofn is filled with photo stops, if you drove straight it would take about 6hrs to cover the odd 545kms however with so many places to see along the way, it’s possible to take 2-3 days…or much longer if you add on activities and hikes and want to take it slow!...

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Perspectives: The Magic of Jökulsárlón Lagoon, Iceland

Lisa Michele Burns — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 04:52:54 +0000

Iceland Travel Inspiration – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Jökulsárlón is the type of place that’s hard to leave. It draws you in with its natural beauty, tranquil silence and overwhelming frozen figures that float throughout the chilly lagoon. Formed by melted glacial water coming from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, the Jökulsárlón lagoon is also open to the sea and meets the equally photogenic Diamond Beach. It rests at the start of the Vatnajokull National Park, one of only three national parks in Iceland which is also home to Europe’s largest glacier! When travelling to Iceland, I’m going to say it’s almost essential that you make the time to visit Jökulsárlón. To describe its charm would take all of the descriptive words I can think of so I’ll just go with one. It’s spectacular. Not to mention there are seals splashing about and sunbathing on icebergs…need I say more!? While some people might get so distracted by the scenery they don’t notice the crowds, others might feel a little overwhelmed by the number of people who visit Jökulsárlón. As one of the most popular locations in Iceland, timing your visit will be the difference so I wanted to share a few tips for...

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How to Photograph in Freezing Conditions

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 09:22:33 +0000

Photographing in Cold Climates It might be tad chilly outside but photographing in crazy conditions like this can result in some of the best images you’ll ever take – so get out there…after reading this article! Spoiler alert – your hands will get cold, BUT, there are ways to manage just how cold and ensure your fingers and camera remain in full functioning mode. As an Australian, the extreme chill of an Arctic winter is totally foreign to me. It’s a cold that still, after countless photoshoots in this environment never fails to shock me, give me a dose of reality and remind me that stepping outside without gloves on is not okay. It only takes one episode of frozen fingers to remember the pain. When photographing in temperatures not only below zero but below -20 degrees Celsius, it’s essential to be prepared and plan ahead to make your experience outdoors successful and pleasant because cold hands will quickly ruin any photo mission! Not only of course do you need to manage your own warmth, you need to look out for your camera. Anything you’ve read about battery life can be thrown out the window and depending on what camera...

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The Best Photography Locations in the Lofoten Islands

Lisa Michele Burns — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 20:39:59 +0000

A Guide to Photo Spots in the Lofoten Islands, Norway They’re rugged, wild and oh so beautiful. The Lofoten Islands are fast becoming one of the most popular destinations for photographers and this guide will show you all the best locations to capture the scenery from all angles. Whether you’re visiting for an adventure packed trip, hiking mountain peaks and kayaking fjords, or if you’re keen for a road trip exploring at your own pace, you’ll be wowed by all that Lofoten offers. Located in Northern Norway above the Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands are a snow covered wonderland in winter and a sparkling lush outdoor dream in summer. Ever changing weather will keep you and your camera occupied with bright blue skies, moody clouds and striking storms that show the full force of nature’s power. Some days you’ll have calm winds creating picture perfect reflections from every angle, others fierce winds will bring giant waves that are equally as photogenic. Be prepared for anything and you’ll love Lofoten. All of the images you see below in this guide were taken in March so expect to replace the snowy scenes with a lot more green in summer! As with all...

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10 Photography Experiences to Have in Iceland

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 06:19:47 +0000

Iceland Photography Experiences – Where to go + What to Photograph in Iceland. Iceland and photography are like peanut butter and toast, they go together. It’s where glaciers, waterfalls and other-worldly landscapes await you and your camera, ready to provide the adventure of a lifetime. I’ve previously written a guide to Iceland’s South Coast photography locations and also the Snæfellsnes Peninsula but this time it’s a little different. I wanted to put together a list of the best photography experiences you can have in Iceland. From reflection hunting to photographing the northern lights and underwater photography in two degree water. Take a peek at my top 10 photography experiences below and if you like them, or have your own recommendations, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom! If you’ve got a wide-angle lens in your kit this is the perfect place to use it. #1 Vatnajökull Glacier – Explore Inside an Ice Cave Few things compare to standing beneath an iced ceiling that’s centuries old, crackling and dripping, an ever-changing natural phenomenon. You’ll witness every shade of blue as it cascades up a wall of frozen bubbles deep inside Vatnajökull Glacier, Europe’s largest glacier mass. Photographing inside an...

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14 Photogenic Winter Destinations in Europe

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 06:10:11 +0000

Where to go in Europe for amazing winter photos! There’s a chill in the air, snow in the mountains and magic in the sky. Winter is perhaps the most photogenic season in Europe and by far my personal favourite, offering a variety of landscapes formed by dramatic weather conditions. Photographing winter scenery is a constant buzz of excitement, anticipation and fleeting opportunities filled with total photo perfection. Once you’ve experienced an Aurora hunt, snow storm and editing session by the fire after a long day outdoors it becomes an addiction. A never ending adventure to photograph the perfect northern lights display, a charming village square at Christmas filled with twinkly lights or an alpine wilderness that feels like you’re a million miles from anywhere. There’s something about gearing up to face the elements, heading out to photograph the unknown and waiting for the conditions to line up. Summer can be a little predictable but winter is most certainly a total contrast, not just where temperatures are concerned. With castles, volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and the Alps; Europe over delivers when it comes to winter photography locations. Below I’ve put together a guide to some of my favourite destinations that I’ve been...

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I know a place…Where magic happens

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 00:00:55 +0000

I know a place… Where frozen landscapes blend with sunset skies… Where reindeer forage in snow covered forests… Where the darkness is illuminated by dancing waves of green magic… Lapland is a paradise of another kind. The type of place where beauty exists in a form that’s so unlike what we know or where we’ve been before. It’s the shocking kind of beauty; the kind where your face, fingers and toes don’t know what’s hit them but your eyes are so mesmerised by the surroundings you don’t dare to go indoors and warm up. Lapland in winter is simply magic. You know all the Christmas carols about walking in a winter wonderland and reindeers prancing? This is surely the place they all talk about. Landing in Sweden’s northern most city of Kiruna, way up above the Arctic Circle, you’re treated to a blanket of white from the plane window. Exiting the plane provides you with your first hit of -30 degree temperatures but it’s so overwhelmingly cold that you’ll find it hard to wipe the smile from your face. Or, it could just be stuck there, frozen solid. Mid-winter in Lapland is dark, really dark. The sun doesn’t rise above...

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Weather Forecasting for Landscape Photographers

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 17 May 2017 15:28:44 +0000

As a weather geek, photography for me is about so much more than just clicking the shutter. It’s about reading the conditions, knowing the forecast and experiencing nature in all of its glory. From snow storms to gleaming sunshine, predicting the weather forecast will allow you to prepare to a certain extent for what type of shots you can take and where to go to make the most of the conditions. I actually hesitated about writing this post as it’s letting you in on a pretty big obsession of mine and frankly, I’m not so sure people watch the sky this closely? Surely it’s not just me that gets excited by a line of clouds building in the distance? Or gets a kick out of tracking wind speeds during a storm? Yikes. I hope there’s at least someone else still reading to this point! If you’ve got this far, hooray! Let’s talk all things weather and photography. Clouds might ruin the day if you plan on lying by the pool but if you’re out to capture long exposures at sunset, they’ll be on the top of your wish list. The information below is especially relevant if you’re looking to capture...

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Photography Locations of Iceland’s Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 15:41:09 +0000

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland Where waterfalls spread their glistening trails over wild landscapes and rugged coastlines weave beneath volcanic craters…Welcome to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Venturing off the Ring Road and driving to the west coast of Iceland reveals a quieter side of the country. The crowds disperse, landscapes appear increasingly vast and little pockets of magic appear when you least expect them. When it comes to photographic opportunities, you’re spoilt for choice. Tucked in behind the shores of Grundarfjörður you’ll find Kirkjufellsfoss, one of the most popular locations for landscape photographers visiting Iceland. From there it’s a combination of rocky shores, mountain peaks, volcanoes and quaint seaside villages. Map of Snaefellsnes Peninsula Photography Locations As always, here is a little map to the locations noted below to get started… Take a peek below at some of my favourite photography locations around the Snaefellsness Peninsula… Saxhóll Crater Visible from the drive along western tip of the peninsula, the Saxhóll Crater rises above a pancake flat section of land near Snaefellsjökull glacier. An out of use quarry at the base of the crater is now a car park and you can take a steep but quick climb to the top for views inside...

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Snow Photography: How To Take Photos in Snow

Lisa Michele Burns — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 21:05:34 +0000

Photographing in the Snow Your Quick Guide to Taking Snow Photos Photographing in the snow should be pretty easy because typically you’re just working with one colour tone, white. Right? While white landscapes might sound simple, it’s actually quite tricky and it’s important to have the correct settings to ensure the tones are correct and your image doesn’t end up washed out and grey. White means bright even on a dull day so you won’t need to worry too much about low light settings or shooting with a tripod unless you’re shooting long exposures or in the evening. Most of the time the landscape will be lit up by the snow, allowing you to focus more on composition once you’ve got your settings spot on. Keep scrolling to read about – – Camera Settings for Snowy Scenes – Snow Composition Tips – Gear you need for snowy conditions and tips on planning the location and also how to focus on a subject that’s lacking contrast. Snow Photography – Planning the Location Photographing snow doesn’t require as much location planning as sunrise or sunset however you will find you get shadows so keep an eye out for the position of the...

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Landscapes of The Lofoten Islands, Norway

Lisa Michele Burns — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 21:42:10 +0000

The Lofoten Islands and their mighty mountain ridges rise from the Arctic Sea forming one of the most impressive landscapes on earth. For photographers, Lofoten is becoming quite the bucket list destination and it’s really not hard to see why. Every fjord offers an alternate perspective of epic cliffs reflecting in the chilly yet clear water below. The contrasting colours of aquatic hues blending with the striking shades of rock and snow create a canvas that’s hard to ignore. With the weather conditions changing every few minutes, the Lofoten Islands are an ever-changing subject. One minute you’ll have blue skies and sunshine glowing across the ice covered beaches, the next a storm will roll in producing moody skies and dramatic scenes. I’ll be sharing a guide to some of the best photography locations shortly along with a visual review of the best place to base yourself on a trip to the region. For now though, I just wanted to share the landscapes of Lofoten in all their snowy, moody and rugged goodness. A collection of images without the cute cabins, the fishing villages or the roads leading into the distance, just landscapes of Norway’s photogenic coastline. All images photographed with...

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Iceland: Photographing Skógafoss Waterfall

Lisa Michele Burns — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:01:39 +0000

Iceland Photo Locations: Skógafoss Waterfall Skógafoss is one of those places you instantly become fixated with. The gushing waterfall dazzles with rainbows dancing in its mist, sea birds and their white wings soaring through watery curtains and the powerful sound of the Skógar River dropping over a 60m cliff. Originally the coastline of Iceland, Skógafoss now rests about 4-5km from the ocean and its location right next to the Ring Road makes it one of, if not the most popular waterfall in Iceland. To photograph this beauty it’s best to arrive at sunrise in order to capture the landscape without busloads of tourists in your shot. Staying nearby in Skógar will enable you to visit at sunrise or even under the stars while you cross your fingers for the illusive aurora to glow above. One reason Skógafoss is my favourite waterfall is the legend of Þrasi Þórólfsson, a Viking settler who buried a chest of treasure beneath the falls in the year 900. Apparently three local men tried to retrieve the chest however when gripping a ring on the side of the chest, it snapped off and the chest was left behind. Riches still await anyone daring enough to venture...

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