Photo Highlights and Tips From an Iceland Road Trip

A road trip is the best way to explore the sheer beauty of Iceland...how else are you going to stop and marvel at Mother Nature's work every five minutes? The Land of Fire and Ice is a photographer's paradise; having a lightweight camera in tow to capture all that eye candy you're seeing along your route is crucial. The Nikon Z fc fits the bill quite nicely, with a cool vintage look, interchangeable lenses (28mm or 16-50mm), the option for manual shooting, and all the modern bells and whistles like an LCD display screen and timer. Its sleek, compact design makes it easy to carry around without sacrificing on quality imagery.

With nonstop flights from New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, and Orlando, getting to Iceland is more accessible than ever. Grab yourself a rental car and venture to lesser-known spots in West Iceland. From the Snaefellsnes Peninsula to the Westfjords, hot springs, stunning landscape, and off-the-beaten-path gems abound. Here are some photo highlights from an adventure around West Iceland, all taken with the Nikon Z fc, as well as tips for photo opportunities and settings to snap top-notch memories of your bucket-list trip.

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Majestic Icelandic horses, with their beautiful flowing manes and regal poses are amongst the top things to photograph in the country. You'll see them hanging around, backed by vast farmland, mountains and sea almost everywhere in Iceland. The uniquely Icelandic breed is well-loved by the Icelandic people and visitors alike, with strong ties to the country's history and culture. The Snaefellsness Peninsula is a great place to spot these amazing creatures and snap a few images of them. You'll find that Icelandic horses are a stellar subject for your photos, with dramatic skies, towering peaks, and overall breathtaking landscape as the setting.

Photo tip: Try to capture some close-up portraits and wider shots with multiple horses in the frame for some variety. When photographing animals, focusing on the eyes is a key technique.

**Always respect wildlife and private property when trying to photograph the horses. Stay a safe distance away and don't make any noises or movements that might disturb them.

Iceland is host to incredibly vast terrain with natural beauty around every corner. You'll uncover a plethora of gorgeous places to pull over while driving the main routes, Road 54 and 56 around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Some highlights include Arnarstapi for the rock formations and iconic church, Snaefellsjokull National Park, and the Kirkjufell Mountain, a natural attraction that became the well-recognized symbol of Iceland. If you'd like to venture off-the-beaten-path and have a four-wheel-drive vehicle that is equipped for gravel roads, there are side roads to choose from that can land you in some secluded spots you wouldn't otherwise get to see.

Photo tip: to capture the full scope of the scene, using a person or other subject (like a building or an animal) can provide scale and more depth to the photograph.

Slumber off the beaten path in West Iceland and be rewarded with views all around. In the region between the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords, the Vogur Country Lodge in Búdardalur offers an authentic stay, sprawling views, an on-site restaurant, a hot tub, and a resident dog that will keep you smiling. Oh, and did we mention the backyard waterfall? Between the adorable dog, thundering waterfall, and the fact that the lodge is cradled by 360 degrees of unbridled beauty, you'll have so much to photograph it'll leave your head spinning (in the best way possible).

In addition to taking the short trek back to the waterfall, make sure to reserve a table for dinner at the lodge. A three-course meal with local fare (think: lamb, fresh fish, and more) will knock your Icelandic socks right off.

Photo tip: stay up late for the midnight "sunset" and if you can manage, wake up early for sunrise. The views and golden hour light is perfect for photography.

The many churches of Iceland make for fantastic photography subjects and with more than 350 of them, you'll have your pick to choose from. They range from ancient turf churches to the modern and famous Hallgrímskirkja, a hexagonal structure in the middle of the capital city of Reykjavik, which is also the largest church in Iceland. When road tripping around, just keep an eye out for either the church building or a sign that says, "kirkja," whichever comes first. They are photogenic in any kind of weather or backdrop, usually having a minimalist design that provides a gorgeous contrast to the scenery. This one pictured is Stadarhólskirkja, found along Road 590, with breathtaking stained glass windows.

Photo tip: try different angles to capture a fresh perspective. Go low, go high, be creative. For low shots, flip the Nikon Z fc's LCD screen out to make things easier.

Another must-see in West Iceland won't just delight history buffs. Head to the eastern part of Stóra-Vatnshorn in the Dalabyggd region of Iceland to visit the Eiriksstadir Viking home. This museum is dedicated to the Viking Era with a replica of Erik the Red and Leif Eiriksson's house, built a few hundred feet from where the original longhouse stood. Learn about the ancient Viking saga and expansion into Iceland and then Greenland from this area of the country, through artifacts such as tools, listening to storytellers, and exploring the old home, dating back to the 10th century. The museum is open for the summer, starting in mid-May until the end of September. It's possible to visit outside of opening hours, wandering the area and viewing the home from the outside as well.

Photo tip: go early in the morning or later in the evening to get photos without any other tourists in them. Also, walk behind the longhouse up the hill a bit for a cool perspective that includes a mountain backdrop.

Combine history with Iceland's geothermal natural wonder at the Guðrúnarlaug hot spring. The country itself uses geothermal energy from the volcanic landscape to its advantage for heat, power, and even cooking; hot spring bathing is a huge perk and a big part of the culture as well. One of these amazing soaking pools is in West Iceland, with rich historical importance tied to it. The spring is named after Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir, one of the most famous heroines in the Icelandic Sagas and the main character in the Laxdaela Saga who spent her life in the Laugar area surrounding the hot spring, more than 1,000 years ago. It was said that she had a special gift of dream interpretation.

This hidden gem is well worth the detour off Road 60 when traveling through West Iceland. A medieval-style hut provides a place to change out of the wind, and the waterfall behind the spring is the perfect Icelandic soundtrack. If you're lucky, you might even have the whole place to yourself.

Photo tip: bring a wide-angle lens to capture all three of this hot spring's incredible photos; hot pool, hut, and waterfall. The Nikon Z fc's 16-50mm lens is perfect for this!

The Westfjords region of Iceland is one of the unspoiled places worth venturing to. Just driving the stretch of road called 'The Westfjords Way' will leave you drooling over the scenery. Weave your way betwixt fjords with towering mountains, find yourself a picnic spot, stop for a hike, take a gazillion photographs, and just savor this lesser-traveled region. If you have limited time and want a taste of the Westfjords, do the southern edge along Road 60, where you'll have plenty to entertain you for days, but it's possible to do in just a couple.

Highlights include Hellulaug hot spring, Rauðisandur beach, and the Látrabjarg Cliffs (to name a few). All that road tripping will work up an appetite; refuel with quite possibly the best fish and chips in the country at Vegamót Bíldudal, a cute, family-run grocery shop with a restaurant in the back, slinging fresh-as-it-gets fish and chips.

Photo tip: try to visit Hellulaug during the very early morning hours as it's a popular spot.

Iceland has a seemingly endless number of waterfalls, from giant thundering cascades to smaller falls that are still enchanting. Some are more well-known, like Dynjandi in the Westfjords, and some, are found just along the road as a little cascading surprise (pictured above). Many of them allow for hiking around and above them, as long as they are not on private property. Other waterfall highlights in West Iceland include Glymur Waterfall, with an incredible hiking trail to the top, and Bjarnafoss or Kerlingarfoss on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, both of which are easily accessed from the road.

Photo tips: to get that dreamy effect with the flowing water, set your camera in manual mode with a slow shutter speed (usually between 1 and 4 seconds).

Take a dip in a seaside hot spring with mountain views and pinch yourself...this is the magic of the Westfjords. The Krosslaug hot spring and Birkimelu Swimming Pool are a relatively unknown duo that are ideal for relaxing after a day spent adventuring in Iceland's unpredictable weather. Your camera will thank you as well -- name a more scenic photo spot, we'll wait.

Pro tip: book an apartment stay at Móra Guesthouse, located perfectly across the street from this amazing hot spring, and full geothermal pool. That way you can go dip as you please and watch for cars in the lot if you'd like to go have the place to yourself (and you probably will). The apartments come with a full kitchen too, so your meals are a breeze and you can just sit back and soak up the scenery...literally.

Photo tip: a tripod and the self-timer option on the Nikon Z fc come in handy to shoot self-portraits.