Tour description:

Westman Islands is a small archipelago off the south coast of Iceland. These islands are full of life especially in the air.

We’ll travel by small boat to Bear islands to document egg gathering of the local people. There are birds by the thousands in 120 meter high cliffs (400feet). The egg gathering is an ancient way of living and very dangerous. We’ll also cruise the islands and islets to photograph birds in the air, orcas and whales in the ocean and splendid sea caves. Lunch is served on board. Fresh seafood of course.

Westman Islands consist of a large offshore island surrounded by several small islets, 15 in all. There is abundance of food in the ocean to support this diverse ecosystem. Fish, whales, orcas and birds. The largest island, Heimaey, has a population of just over 4,000. The other islands are uninhabited, though two have single hunting cabins. There were two major eruptions in the 20th century: the Eldfell eruption of January 1973 which created a 200 meter high mountain where a meadow had been, and caused the island’s inhabitants to be temporarily evacuated to the mainland, and an eruption in 1963 created the new island of Surtsey. 

The locals are merry and we’ll get acquainted to some of them in our short stay. Perhaps we may have time for a pint at the local pub!

Highlights of the experience:

• Largest puffin colony in Europe
• 200m high sea cliffs (600 feet)
• A boat trip to neighboring islets
• Egg gathering in Bear island
• Lava from 1973 eruption.
• Friendly fishing culture

Included: A boat tour around the islands and a boat trip to Bear Island.

RAW NATURE

Fast flying birds call for specific techniques and longer lenses. Putting up camera close to a bird’s nest with remote triggering. Shooting from a moving boat and scrambling up steep hills with your gear is also demanding. We teach numerous techniques both simple and advanced. 

Aesthetics are of great importance of course. We spend some time improving your eye and honing your style. Digital transfer of raw files is essential and editing in proper software is a skill one can never fully master. We’ll get you up to date and up to speed with the whole digital workflow.

Workshop agenda:

Bird photography:

• Using very long lenses
• Wide angle tricks
• Freezing exposure
• Pan and longer exposures
• Intro to documentary photography
• Safety first

Composition:

• Composition out of chaos
• Rule of thirds/KISS/Fibonacci
• Choosing your palette

Creative techniques:

• Remote triggering
• Using flash fill
• Camera extention
• Patience is a virtue

Post production:

• Color calibration
• From screen to print
• Lightroom/Aperture adjustments
• Intro to digital workflow
• Presentation

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Thursday. Transfer to Westman islands.

As soon as all parties have shown up in Iceland we head for Westman islands. As we approach the ferry to WI we have a great view of Eyjafjallajökull volcano. We should be there early enough to get some photos of the fishing village in Westman islands by sunset. Workshop in the evening.

Three nights at *** hotel in Westman islands.

Day 2 - Friday. Boat trip around the islands. 

Today you’ll explore the neighboring islands and islets. See millions of sea-birds in all shapes, color and sizes. There is abundance of food in the ocean to support this diverse ecosystem. Fish, whales, orcas and birds. Lunch is served on board. Fresh seafood of course. There are puffins and other birds by the millions in the sea cliffs. We’ll visit a sea-cave on the way back.

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Day 3 - Saturday. Egg gathering in Bear island.

We go on a boat trip to a close islet, Bjarnarey, to view the magnificent birdlife in the towering cliffs. The plan is to photograph the men working in the cliffs from below and from above (weather depending). We’ll walk up to the top of Bjarnarey. There is incredible view of Westman islands, the birds, the cliffs and the men working in extreme conditions. We go for a dinner in the evening and perhaps we find a glass of beer or wine within reach at the local pub.

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Day 4 - Sunday. Pompei of the north.

The picturesque town of Westman islands is worth the visit just by it self. A local guide shows us around town and tells tales of 1973 eruption. The heroic efforts of men who battled the flow of lava that threatened the existence of the whole population. We photograph the excavation from the 1973 eruption. It’s been called Pompei of the north. After a fine dinner at a local restaurant we head back to Reykjavík.

Drop off at your hotel - End of tour.

NOTE: Since birdlife, weather and the egg gatherers themselves throw a bit of unpredictability into the plan we’ll work out exact details of this tour just a few days before departure.

Details:

Accommodation:

3 nights in *** hotel in Westman islands. 

Cuisine:

Supper at restaurant on the day of arrival. Light lunch and dinner at hotel. We‘ll introduce you to local cuisine. Dine at good restaurant in Westman islands on the last day. Breakfast included.

Transportation:

Transport on a minibus. Ferry to Westman islands. A boat trip for two days.

Weather:

Weather in Westman islands is usually mild due to vicinity to the ocean. Even in spring the weather is calm and warm most of the time. However it can change suddenly with wind picking up and pouring rain. Bring rain gear and warm clothing. 

Note:

Since birdlife, weather and the egg gatherers themselves throw a bit of unpredictability into the plan we’ll work out exact details of this tour just a few days before departure.

Summary:

Tour dates:

Price:  €1.950 / £1.700 / $2.700 - all inclusive land only.