Two years ago I decided to finally take my driver's license, and as a treat when it'd be all done, I would move to Iceland. This month, I've been living on this little island for one year now. Having previously visited and fallen completely in love with nature, I knew that it wouldn't be possible to live here without a car.
So, after six months, I finally found the right fit and bought my first little four-wheel drive to explore this country properly. I've now circled Iceland three times, driven over 20 000 kilometers and experienced a whole lot of sightseeing. Throughout this period, I've come to discover that each side of this island is incredibly different, not only nature-wise but also weather-wise. For example, driving from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón during springtime will let you experience all the four seasons in just a matter of hours. This can be quite daunting if you're not used to snowstorms combined with heavy wind, threatening to push you off the road. Though, as long as you lower the speed limit to walking pace, there is no need to worry and you'll find the extreme changes pretty amusing.
Anyway, this article is not about Icelandic driving conditions, but the Icelandic natural beauty. It's no wonder Instagram is packed with photos of this gorgeous country, as it's basically any photographer's heaven. Wherever you go, there is an amazing motif just around the corner. You'll come across places that don't look like they are from this planet, whether this be boiling mud pools, multicolored mountains, black beaches covered with ice chunks, or "just" thousands of breathtaking waterfalls. I like to think that I've seen my fair share of Iceland during my one year here, but I know that there is so much more to discover. Currently, my favorite places are the lesser-known locations, though giving the growing popularity of this place, I'm sure they'll be generously visited sooner or later.
So, I'm sharing a selection of my more preferred photos from my time here. It's difficult to make this crazy photogenic country justice on photo, but hopefully, I managed to capture at least a part of it. If anyone reading this considers visiting Iceland, then all I can say is do it! It's not cheap, but it's so worth it.
Snæfellsnes. Finally met one of Iceland's tiny foxes.
Somewhere in the south. Considered a weed by some, but they'll improve any photograph with their presence.
Reykjavik (it's a bike path, so no need to worry about him). This is the Icelandic spring.
Gljúfrafoss. Hot water cave, a different view.
Diamond beach. May not look like it, but this was an insane wave that managed to hit me all the way up to my waist.
Ytri Tunga. Definition of puppy dog eyes.
2 of many Icelandic horses. Despite my dislike for the flies, they do look good on photo.
Grjótagjá. Hot water cave.
Vestrahorn. A different perspective of this very famous mountain.
Skógafoss. The power of this waterfall is so impressive, that I had to clean the lens of my camera after every shot.
Snæfellsnes. Nighttime photography during the summer is my favorite time of the year here.
Kirkjufell. You've not had the full tourist experience when visiting Snæfellsnes, unless you photograph this mountain from this exact angle.
Hvitserkur. During my stay here, I've come across more seals than any other animal.
Reykjavik. Taken at 2 am.
Hraunfossar. A fraction of a gorgeous waterfall.
Háifoss. Probably one of my favorite waterfalls, with an impressive drop of 122 meters.
Strokkur. Smaller eruption.
Goðafoss. Another one of my more preferred waterfalls.
Westfjords. The popular puffin.
Snæfellsnes. This little one was completely nonchalant to my presence, only focusing on finding food.
Reynisfjara. Black sand beach colored back to a regular beach during sunset.
Gljúfrafoss. Sometimes unplanned models will complete your photo.
Vestrahorn. The perk of the high winds here is the quick removal of clouds when they are unwanted.
Reynisfjara. Another angle of this black sand beach, though this time during sunrise at 11 am.
Jökulsárlón. Incredible glacier lagoon filled with ice and seals.
Arnarstapi. Probably one of the most photographed houses in Iceland.
Stuðlagil. They couldn't have chosen a much better spot than this.
Seljalandsfoss. Visit this very famous waterfall at 00:57am to actually get a photo without people in it.
