Tension Vision | 2020-03-04 | 34500

A winter Iceland light-chasing tour, including tips for photographing the aurora borealis and a guide to Iceland's best spots

Preface

The 2020 Spring Festival was destined to be an extraordinary one. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, most people were confined to their homes, anxiously watching the news. Inbound and outbound flights were almost completely canceled. Fortunately, I traveled to Iceland just before the outbreak (two days later, I might not have been able to leave). I led 15 tourists on a winter light-chasing trip. Although the journey back was quite challenging, I was fortunate to finally experience Iceland's ultimate beauty. This guide shares our experiences in Iceland, along with detailed photography tips.

Travel Guide

photography equipment

As a Huawei cooperative photographer, a KASE contracted photographer, and a SIRUI contracted photographer, I would like to show my face to all the sponsors first.

camera:

Dual cameras and three mirrors

sony a7r3

I use the 16-35f2.8GM lens, mainly for shooting large scenes, sunrises, sunsets, auroras, etc.

I use a Tamron 17-28f2.8, mainly for time-lapse photography;

Canon 70-200

With the Sigma mc-11 adapter, it is mainly used to shoot distant scenes and close-ups;

Drones:

DJI Mavic 2 Pro, Hasselblad lens, and three-in-one camera kit. One-inch sensor, excellent image quality, and a must-have for showing off on the road.

Tripod:

This time, in order to shoot time-lapse, I brought two tripods, both of which are made of carbon fiber and are very light.

PTZ:

sunwayfoto, 360-degree panoramic gimbal, very stable.

kase filter:

In addition to the commonly used Wolverine square filter set, there is also the latest 95mm round magnetic filter. I mainly use GND0.9 and ND64.

cell phone:

iPhoneX and Huawei mate30pro, and equipped with a mobile phone gimbal for use with a tripod.

computer:

I carry my Mac BookPro with me, which makes it convenient for processing pictures. I also have a Western Digital 4T hard drive to back up data every day.

Speakers and headphones:

JBL portable Bluetooth speaker, listen to it to refresh yourself during hiking;

Bose QC35 noise-canceling headphones are a must-have for sleeping on long-haul flights.

All of the above equipment can be stuffed into the XiangXiaoYe 35L camera bag. Do you still think photography is easy?

Clothing and equipment

Although the absolute temperature in Iceland is not very low, the wind on the island is very strong, so the equipment should be mainly windproof, such as jackets and down jackets.

It is recommended to wear pure cotton T-shirts, shirts, fleece jackets, cashmere sweaters, hoodies, and jackets from the inside out.

/shoe/

Shoes are the most important thing. Because the snow is very thick, you must buy one-piece high-top shoes with non-slip soles and waterproof uppers. Of course, choosing shoes that can maintain a temperature of around -18° is the most important thing.

When buying shoes, remember to buy a size larger if you plan to wear two pairs of socks.

Note: Many girls choose UGG snow boots. In fact, UGG is not easy to use in real snow, because it is not waterproof and it is easy to leak in from the ankles when encountering thicker snow. It is not recommended to carry them.

/Pants/

It is best to choose windproof ski pants and pair them with warm cotton pants.

/Gloves/

Generally, when buying ski gloves, if necessary, choose double-layer gloves with an inner layer that can extend to wrap around the clothes, so that there is no gap between the clothes and the gloves and it will be warmer.

What is Iceland

In the far north, at the end of the continent, there is a small island. It is located in the westernmost part of Europe, in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, close to the Arctic Circle. Further west is the North American continent, so it is in the middle of the American and European plates. It is the northernmost country on earth, and this is Iceland.

The island of Iceland's Golden Circle, which is located at the dividing line between the American and European plates, is covered with volcanoes, but it does not make people feel hot at all; it is covered by glaciers all year round, but it still breeds countless creatures.

Despite its name, Iceland isn't cold. Even in winter, the temperature is generally around 0°C, and most of the time, there's no ice. This is because Iceland's underground is filled with hot magma and hot water, and is influenced by the North Atlantic Current. However, the island also boasts several thousand-year-old glaciers, earning it the nickname "The Land of Ice and Fire."

The thousand-year-old ice of Vatnajökull glacier has not only created rivers and waterfalls of all sizes, but also spawned the quiet and deep Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

Iceland's numerous geothermal areas have resulted in hot springs scattered across the island. The picture shows Iceland's most famous hot spring, the Blue Lagoon.

The desolate and lonely scenery of Iceland's tundra makes it seem like an alien world. Forests cover only a paltry 1% of Iceland's surface, leaving bare mountains and plains devoid of trees. Frequent volcanoes have led to severe desertification, leaving even grass sparse. For Icelanders, the promise of springtime blossoms and lush greenery is a distant dream.

An aerial view of Skogafoss, one of Iceland's largest and most stunning waterfalls. Iceland is a mountainous country, and waterfalls have become a unique landscape in Iceland, full of energy and beauty.

The Ring Road, Iceland's most important road, is also Iceland's main tourist route. Even so, there are often few cars on it.

Vatnajökull glacier, where many movies have been filmed

Iceland Northern Lights

If I were to rank the world's most romantic things, I think "taking you to see the Northern Lights" would definitely be near the top. Standing beneath the vast sky, watching the Northern Lights, like green elves, transform in a dazzling array of colors, at that moment, I'm afraid you won't be able to find words to describe how wonderful it is. This is a romance you simply can't miss. And Iceland is a place where you can fully experience this romance.

As we all know, the aurora is caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth's magnetic field, generating an electrical discharge in the sky. Auroras are only visible near the poles, with an auroral belt in each hemisphere. The northern lights are most commonly seen within a ring-shaped belt around 67° north magnetic latitude. Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greenland, Canada, Alaska, and Russia are all areas in the Northern Hemisphere where auroras are frequently visible.

Why is Iceland's Northern Lights the most unique?

Firstly, because the entire country of Iceland happens to be located in the aurora belt of the Arctic, Iceland is the only country in the world where the aurora can be seen throughout the country.

Secondly, the most important aspect of photographing the aurora is the foreground. Without a reference point for comparison, even the dazzling and colorful aurora borealis can be hard to grasp. Iceland, with its volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, hot springs, and lakes, offers an excellent backdrop for photographing the aurora. Furthermore, Iceland's low light pollution and sparsely populated land mean that good photo opportunities are readily available.

Third, as mentioned above, compared with the extremely cold weather in other high-temperature areas, the average temperature in Iceland in winter is around 0 degrees Celsius and rarely drops below minus 5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it can be said that Iceland is the most comfortable or warmest country in the world for observing the aurora.

The aurora was captured casually on the roadside in Iceland. Due to the lack of a good foreground, the photo is indeed visually impactful.

Best time to view the Northern Lights in Iceland

Technically speaking, Iceland's aurora season runs from early September to mid-April, but you can often see the lights as early as mid-August.

If you are lucky in winter, you can see the aurora flying outside the window every night, but don’t be happy too soon. You can’t necessarily see the aurora, because to be visible to the naked eye, a series of harsh conditions must be met.

What are the strict conditions to see the aurora?

1 Above 60 degrees north latitude: Come to Iceland!

2 Winter, dark time. Don’t forget that Iceland has midnight sun in summer, so the darkness is very short!

3 When the solar wind is more active

4. Clear Skies

5. Stay away from light pollution

6. And most importantly, the Aurora Index must be high

What is the Aurora Index? The Aurora Index is divided into ten levels (0-9), called KP. The stronger the KP index, the wider the visible range of the aurora.

When KP=0, the aurora is extremely weak and almost impossible to see. KP=9 is the strongest and has the largest range, so the aurora can be seen in many places.

According to experience, it is very likely to see the aurora when KP=3, so some famous aurora capitals are all within the KP value range of 3.

How to predict and query the intensity of the aurora in advance?

Here are some websites I recommend for you to check out the Aurora.

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast?

http://www.softservenews.com/Aurora.htm

And an APP to query the aurora intensity index

What photographic equipment and gear are needed to photograph the aurora, and how do you adjust the parameters?

camera

Ideally, a full-frame camera with good ISO performance is best. This time, I brought the Sony a7r3, a full-frame mirrorless camera, to Iceland. It has ample latitude and high ISO for a wide range of shooting needs. Remember to always shoot in RAW format.

lens

Because we need to consider shooting the foreground, we must prepare an ultra-wide-angle lens. Generally, the wide-angle lenses of the three major manufacturers can basically handle it. The one I brought this time is Sony's 16-35F2.8, which has a wide enough lens and a large enough aperture.

Accessories

Tripod, shutter release cable, headlamp, flashlight... The tripod must be a little heavy. The wind in Iceland is very strong in winter, so the tripod must be stable. You can hang the camera bag on the tripod to enhance stability.

other

Wear warm clothes and a hand warmer. Northern lights photography is usually done at night, and requires a long wait time, limited to three hours. The weather will get increasingly cold, so be sure to wear enough clothing, including windproof outer layers and down jackets underneath. Iceland is windy, so be sure to wear a hat, scarf, and gloves.

Aurora photography techniques and camera parameter settings

Shooting Mode

In M mode, you can adjust the aperture and shutter speed according to actual conditions.

File Format

RAW or RAW+JPG, be sure to choose a shooting format that can retain RAW files, because the environment for taking photos of the aurora will be relatively dark, and post-production adjustments are often required. RAW files can save more information and make lossless adjustments to photos, leaving more room for post-production.

White Balance

The automatic mode is sufficient, and the white balance can be manually adjusted later for photos in RAW format.

Sensitivity (ISO)

Everyone knows that starry sky photography generally uses a sensitivity of more than 2000 in order to capture the gorgeous Milky Way, but aurora photography is different. Because the aurora is not like the starry sky, the brightness remains unchanged throughout the night. Therefore, the ISO must be adjusted at any time according to the brightness of the aurora, generally within the range of 800-2500.

aperture

When shooting in a dark environment, it is generally sufficient to open the aperture to the maximum. However, when the aurora erupts, the aperture can be narrowed down appropriately.

Shutter speed

The shutter speed is a very critical parameter when photographing the aurora, and it needs to be analyzed according to the specific situation. The shutter speed should not be too fast, otherwise it will result in underexposure and fail to obtain the ideal film.

Likewise, the shutter speed shouldn't be too slow, as the background stars might become stretched due to the long exposure time, ruining the beauty of the photo. Furthermore, if the aurora is moving quickly and covering a large area, a slow shutter speed will prevent the formation of auroral bands and result in a single, green sky.

Generally speaking, the shutter speed for photographing the aurora needs to be controlled between 5 and 20 seconds. As for the final shutter speed to choose, you need to keep trying and adjust it according to the actual situation.

The Northern Lights on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, photographed using a Sony a7r3 with a 16-35gm lens, f/2.8, iso1500, 20s

The Aurora at Caomao Mountain was photographed using a Sony a7r3 and Tamron 17-28 lens, f/2.8, iso2500, and 25s. It was slightly overexposed, but fortunately, using RAW gave me more room for post-production adjustments, so I managed to pull it back.

Aurora at Caomao Mountain, Milky Way Aurora and Caomao Mountain in the same frame, Sony a7r3+16-35gm lens, F2.8, ISO3200, 25s

Aurora at Caomao Mountain, Sony a7r3 + Tamron 17-28 lens, F2.8, ISO 2500, 25s

Me under the Aurora, Sony a7r3 + Tamron 17-28 lens, F2.8, ISO2500, 25s

Polar day and polar night

Iceland is located near the Arctic Circle at a very high latitude, so it experiences polar day in the summer and polar night in the winter. Its capital, Reykjavik, is also the highest capital city in the world.

Panoramic view of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. As the northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavik is the only place in Iceland that can be called a city. 80% of Icelanders live in this city.

As a coastal city on the North Atlantic, the air here is very clear and it is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. However, Iceland is not at the poles after all, so although the winter is known as the polar night, there is still sunshine. The day with the shortest daylight hours throughout the year is the winter solstice, with only 4-5 hours of daylight.

Anyone who's into photography knows that early morning and late afternoon are the best times to shoot because the light is softer, more layered, and less intense. Early morning and late evening are particularly good for shooting, as the sky becomes reddish around sunrise and sunset, creating a "fire cloud" effect if there are clouds. Besides fire clouds, there's also a period before and after sunrise when the sky appears uniformly blue, known as the "Blue Hour." Specifically, the "Blue Hour" refers to the period when the sun's altitude is between -4 and -6 degrees Celsius, a very short period in most areas.

Through this diagram, we can clearly understand the so-called blue hour. For photographers, the best times of the day to shoot are the blue hour and the golden hour, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Golden Hour: between +6° and -4°

Blue Hour: between -4° and -6°

Icelandic town, evening blues time

So for photographers, what geographical advantages does Iceland have besides its natural scenery?

This is what I want to focus on, and why Iceland attracts so many photography enthusiasts - the high latitudes bring a unique golden hour. Let's take a look at the following two screenshots:

The two pictures above are screenshots from the famous photography planning software Planit. They are the sunrise and sunset times as well as the golden hour and blue hour on January 25th in Iceland (left) and Hangzhou (right). From the pictures, we can clearly see that although Iceland's sunrise is very late and the sunset is very early, and the daytime is shorter than Hangzhou, its blue hour and golden hour last very long, almost more than 7 hours a day, but the time is suitable for photography, so there is plenty of time for photographic creation. This is completely opposite to most people's concerns that Iceland has little daylight in winter and almost no time for photography.

So in Iceland, after seeing the sunset clouds, you can slowly change the lens and adjust the parameters without worrying about it being fleeting. After taking pictures of the sunset clouds, you can change places and continue to take pictures of the blue sky. You can even take pictures of the sunrise and sunset in several different places in one day.

This was on January 30th. At around 4pm, I took photos of the sunset in Reykjavik and the golden mountain in the sun at the beach.

Then at 17:00 I started taking aerial photos of Reykjavik's night scene in blue tones.

Finally, around 6 p.m., I went to Harpa Concert Hall to shoot the blues reflections. I shot from three angles before and after sunset. This is almost impossible to achieve in low-latitude areas such as Hangzhou because the blues moment and golden hour last for a very short time.

Moreover, in Iceland in winter, even the midday sun does not rise high, just like the sun at eight or nine o'clock here, it is very soft, so apart from these two moments, the whole day is actually very suitable for photography.

Even in Iceland’s midday sun, you can still capture starbursts

In Iceland, as long as the weather is good, there will be sunset clouds, and they will last for a long time, so you can take pictures to your heart's content.

Desolation and loneliness

Beyond all of this, Iceland's unique sense of loneliness is also a significant draw. When you visit Iceland, the scenery before you becomes so captivating that describing it as "spectacular, magnificent, and beautiful" feels understated. Its detached, isolated aura and atmosphere truly embody Iceland's essence. In the world of photography, it's a place of elevated color palettes.

Coldness is no longer enough to define Iceland. It seems more like a country suffering from a terminal illness of loneliness: picturesque waterfalls, aloof and bony icebergs, and a barren land with no grass at all...

For those of us accustomed to hyper-saturated, bright, and sweet landscapes, this melancholic, lonely atmosphere is perfectly suited to our tastes! Almost all of Iceland's awe-inspiring charm stems from its "nothingness." And this dose of loneliness is precisely what most people crave.

Even Iceland's sea exudes a sense of isolation. Iceland has beaches, but they are black sand beaches made of black volcanic rock and karst landforms, making white sand beaches rare.

Iceland on an overcast day barely needs any color adjustment; it's a rich gray. Time and space seem frozen in time. Walking on the streets of Iceland feels like walking on the moon.

Only when you stand alone on the land of Iceland can you feel the true loneliness deep in your heart. No wonder the movie "The Little Mermaid" chose Iceland as the filming location.

Iceland's most popular check-in spots

Iceland has become a popular tourist destination in recent years, consistently appearing on the BBC's list of the world's 50 best places to visit. Iceland also boasts numerous iconic locations perfect for photo opportunities. Below, we'll introduce some of Iceland's most popular photo spots, along with tips for capturing them.

aircraft wreckage

On November 24, 1973, a U.S. Navy C-47 SkyTrain, also known as the Dakota, ran out of fuel due to weather conditions and crashed onto the vast black sand beach of Sólheimasandur on Iceland's south coast. The crew survived, a miracle. The wreckage remained on the black wasteland until it was discovered and soon became one of Iceland's most captivating cultural attractions.

As one of the most popular check-in spots in Iceland, this plane wreckage, coupled with Iceland's unique black sand beach, is full of the atmosphere of "doomsday" and is a must-visit photo-taking and check-in spot for all tourists to Iceland.

Regardless of the weather, this aircraft can produce stunning cinematic footage. Early morning and evening are recommended for optimal photography. If you have an ultra-wide-angle lens, it's best to use it here. The unique distortion effect of wide-angle lenses, coupled with a small aperture, allows for stunning close-up shots. Combined with the sunset, you can capture the starburst of the sun.

Most people are still concerned about the exact location of this photo spot, as it is not a large scenic area and is difficult to find on the map. If you are driving there, you can search for Sólheimasandur Parking on Google Maps and use the navigation to get there normally.

There are plenty of parking spaces, which can accommodate about 50 cars, so there is no need to worry about not being able to park, but it is still recommended to go as early as possible during peak season.

Notice:

In order to avoid damaging the tundra along the way, the road leading to the wreckage has been fenced off and tourist vehicles are prohibited from passing, so people can only go there on foot.

The parking lot is nearly 4 kilometers away from the wreckage of the plane, which is a one-hour walk. It is very windy along the way, so you must keep warm and wear a scarf, mask, and gloves.

If you want to take photos of the Northern Lights, don't try it lightly if you don't have enough physical endurance, as it is indeed very dangerous. Fortunately, there has been a shuttle bus here for the past two years. It only takes less than ten minutes to get there, and the round trip cost is about 150 RMB, so I still recommend taking the bus.

This is the round-trip schedule for the shuttle bus. The ones marked with * below are the summer times, so you can see that the last bus leaving in winter is at 17:15 in the afternoon. If you take the photo too late, you can only walk out.

Finally, here are the specific latitude and longitude coordinates of the plane wreckage on Google Maps. You can see that the plane wreckage can also be clearly seen on Google Maps.

Black Sand Beach

If you've had enough of golden beaches, you might want to visit Iceland's black sand beaches. The sand on these beaches comes from volcanic lava. Carved by wind and waves, the black basalt has been transformed into black sand, creating a surreal, ethereal atmosphere.

The most famous black sand beach is of course Reynisfjara, located near the town of Vik. Film crews often come here to shoot science fiction films such as alien planets. The spectacular Reynisdrangar pillars stand here.

According to legend, these two stone pillars were formed by the night giant who saw the first ray of sunlight in the morning. The hexagonal basalt pillars surround the beach, and seabirds circle among them, showing a magnificent scenery that seems to be from another world.

Black sand beach. The stone pillars in the distance are Reynisdrangar. You can find it by searching Reynisfjara on Google Maps. Be very careful when taking pictures at the black sand towers, as you may be swept away by the waves if you are not careful.

Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Jökulsárlón, also known as Jökulsárlón, is located at the southern end of Vatnajökull glacier. It is Iceland's largest and most famous glacial lagoon. With a depth of 200 meters, it is the second-deepest lake in Iceland. Its waters are azure and clear, with numerous large icebergs of various shapes floating on the surface.

The lake, the teardrop of Vatnajökull, is filled with floating icebergs that broke off during the Ice Age. The icebergs are all blue, the larger the icebergs, the bluer they are. A river connects the lake to the sea, and the icebergs drift toward the ocean, akin to stepping back into time.

A highlight of this glacial lagoon is the opportunity to admire the diverse ice floes from an amphibious boat. Famous Hollywood films such as "Tomb Raider" and "Batman Begins," as well as two James Bond films, "The Rise of the Jet" and "The Last Jedi," were filmed here.

It is best to use a wide-angle lens with a slow shutter speed to shoot the Diamond Beach, so that the water flow near the ice becomes thread-like. The shutter speed should not be too slow or too fast, generally between 0.5s-2s, and a tripod must be used.

Diamond Beach, shot with a Sony a7r3 and 16-35gm, Kase ND8, aperture f16, ISO50, shutter speed 1s

To find the glacier lagoon, just search for Jkulsárlón on Google Earth. There's a large parking lot and a supermarket at the entrance, making it a popular Icelandic attraction. Diamond Beach is just across the street.

Vatnajökull glacier

Vatnajökull is located in the southeast of Iceland, covering an area of ​​8,300 square kilometers, covering about 8% of Iceland's area. It is the largest glacier in Europe and the third largest glacier in the world, second only to the Antarctic glaciers and Greenland glaciers.

The average altitude of Vatnajökull glacier is about 1,500 meters. Its never-still characteristics have become a typical scenery of Iceland. Vatnajökull glacier flows into the warmer valley at a speed of 800 meters per year, and the ice in the glacial lake comes from Vatnajökull glacier.

The beautiful Vatnajökull glacier not only provides a beautiful visual experience, but also allows you to carry out various activities on the glacier, the most popular of which are glacier hiking and ice cave visits.

The glacier hiking spot is near the glacial lake and is led by a professional guide. A full set of safety equipment (helmet, ice axe, crampons and safety belt) is provided.

Iceland's unique geographical location has created the magnificent landscape of ice caves. Due to the melting of glaciers and other reasons, the ice caves are always changing, so the scenery you see in different seasons may be completely different.

When exploring ice caves, it's best to go with a guide who is familiar with the local climate and the caves themselves to ensure safety. Winter is also recommended, as melting glaciers during high temperatures can increase the risk of ice cave exploration. This time, we visited and photographed one of Vatnajökull's ice caves, led by a professional guide.

Fall

Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is a popular waterfall in southern Iceland. This narrow and high waterfall, with a drop of 63 meters, also boasts a rare feature: a path at the base of the cliff leads directly behind the falls, offering a unique vantage point for photographing the spectacular scenery. However, this path is closed in winter. Considered one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls, it's a must-see on any trip to Iceland.

Seljalandsfoss waterfall slow shutter speed

The waterfall is also relatively easy to find. Just search for Seljalandsfoss on Google Maps. It is located next to Highway 1 and is a must-see on the island-circling route.

Skogafoss Waterfall

Skógafoss is just over a dozen kilometers from Seljaland. You can find it by searching "Skógafoss" on Google Maps. It's also just off the road. It's one of Iceland's largest and most impressive waterfalls, measuring 25 meters wide and dropping 60 meters.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss (search for Gullfoss) is Iceland's most beloved waterfall and the largest waterfall in the Icelandic canyon. Gullfoss is 2,500 meters wide and 70 meters high. The Tatra River forms two waterfalls here, with the lower channel narrowing into a rapid.

The magnificent Golden Waterfall. When we went there, the sky was still relatively gray and the wind was very strong. Many places were inaccessible and it was not very convenient to take pictures from the ground. The view would be better with a drone.

Snæfellsnes Waterfall

The most famous attraction on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is Strandbergh Mountain, and the best angle to photograph Strandbergh Mountain is the small waterfall in the foreground.

church

Wick Town Church

This church stands at the highest point in the town of Vik. You can find it by just driving to Vik and looking up on the road. It is a popular attraction when traveling on the south coast of Iceland and is also the meeting point for many tour groups.

Standing at the church in Vík, you can overlook the surrounding Reynisfjara black sand beach, Reynisdrangar stone pillars, Dyrhólaey Cape and other famous attractions on the south coast of Iceland.

The small hill behind the church is the best photo spot, overlooking the church and the entire town of Vik. The black sand beach and Reynisdrangar pillars can also be framed in the same frame.

Shoot in vertical composition, you can use it directly as a mobile phone wallpaper. Because it faces south, it is best to shoot in the evening.

Of course, shooting upwards with a telephoto lens from the bottom of the mountain and using the snow-capped mountains as the background also has a unique flavor. Does this church look familiar? This is the church that everyone sees when having their eyes tested.

The Little Red Church in Hedlisand

This small church is a famous landmark on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It is located on a small hill between the towns of Rif and Hellissandur. It has a red roof and white walls. In summer, the surrounding area is full of lupines. Behind the church are snow-capped mountains, which is an excellent scene for taking photos.

Just search "Ingjaldshólskirkja" on Google Maps to find it.

There is only one path leading to the church, and the best shooting spot is on this path. Using the path as a guide line is an excellent way to compose the picture.

Black Church of Budir

Known as "Iceland in Miniature," the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland boasts a dazzling array of geological wonders and captivating cultural attractions, such as the seaside cottages of Arnarstapi and the ever-changing Black Church of Búðir.

Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral

Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral, designed by the renowned Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson, is the largest church in Iceland. He also designed other renowned and distinctive buildings, including the National Theatre of Iceland and Akureyri Cathedral.

The church was designed in 1937, construction began in 1945, and was not completed until 1986, taking 41 years. The giant organ in the church is composed of more than 5,000 pipes and was not assembled until 1992.

Looking down from the air, Hallgrímskirkja Cathedral is the most prominent city landmark in Reykjavik.

No matter where in the city center, people can see the towering cross on top of the church.

Take the elevator up to the church spire and you can overlook the open panoramic view of the city center. The lovely Nordic colored roofs are in full view, and the mountains and bay in the distance are beautiful.

Even a church on the roadside is quite unique.

Bird Kiss

Of course, in addition to the above, Iceland also has many classic shooting spots that are worth visiting. If time permits, you can check in one by one.

Arnarstapi, this arched rock looks like two kissing birds, hence the name Bird Kiss. ​​It is also a classic destination for slow-motion photography.

The effect of shooting with the light streaming shutter of Huawei mobile phone is also very good. Compared with the Sony a7r3 in the picture above, can you tell which one is taken by the camera and which one is taken by the mobile phone?

The picture above shows the specific coordinates of this place. You only need to search for Arnarstapi and you can find it by the sea.

Conclusion

This trip to Iceland left a deep impression on us. We saw the legendary "Seven Wonders of Iceland": beaches, volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, glaciers, waterfalls, and auroras, except for the volcanoes, and took many photos. Especially during the Spring Festival under the epidemic, I think, many years later, this will also be an unforgettable memory.