Collection of stunning Iceland images: A photo journey with Eyrún Lydía

The reputation of social media has suffered recently for many good reasons. But it is still great for one thing: helping me find beautiful photographs from Iceland. I love seeing great photographers who give new perspectives on Icelandic landscapes and nature. For me, it is like treasure hunting. I meticulously collect all these Iceland-focused photography accounts, and they enrich my social media feeds. One great photographer with a delightful collection of Iceland images is Icelander Eyrún Lydía. She has excellent photo accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and on Opensea.

A delightful collection of Iceland images

Eyrún’s images are a delightful collection of epic ice caves, black beaches, volcanic eruptions, glacial lagoons, reindeer, and the list continues. Some of her photography is done on the ground, but she is also a very skilled drone photographer. I love that many of her photographs are from Iceland in winter. For me, Iceland is often at its most impressive in the wintertime. Eyrún is also a glacier guide and an entrepreneur who runs her online store on www.lydia.is.

I decided to see if Eyrún was up for an interview, and she was.

Hey Eyrún, thank you so much for taking the time for this interview. Can you give my readers a little background information on yourself?

Hey, thanks for reaching out!
I’m a landscape, lifestyle, and adventure photographer born and raised in Iceland. I love showing people the joy of exploring nature while also being myself. I love being humorous and showing people how ungraceful I can be.

When I was little, I loved making things with my hands; painting, sewing, building, etc. I’ve always been quite the adventure seeker, and now owning a camera gives me an excuse to go out and explore the outdoors and create something. So I guess it combines everything I am.

As you’ve said, I also run my online store, Lydia. I started it almost two years ago. I’ve always wanted to run my own company, and I finally did during the pandemic. It currently sells Beauty Fridges and makeup, but I plan to make it into a gift store and sell my prints there.

What got you started creating your beautiful collection of Iceland images?

I started guiding in 2016, and soon after, I had the chance to learn how to become a glacier guide. That was the first time I got the opportunity to explore Iceland properly. I’d only been back and forth from Reykjavik to the North since my family is from there, and then once or twice around the ring road for summer holidays, but I didn’t remember it all that much; I was very young. So traveling around Iceland almost every day and seeing it from a different perspective was a new experience.

People say that you explore the world more than your home, which was so true for me then! I’d traveled all over the world, but until I started guiding, I didn’t know how beautiful my home country was.

I was amazed by all the new places I was visiting; unfamiliar landscapes, different weather, and fresh adventures. I had to do something to seize the moment. This inspired me to buy my first DSLR camera. Since then, there’s been no turning back. I’m hooked!

What equipment do you use for your photography?

I have a Sony A7IV camera and a few lenses.

My favorite ones are my Sony 16-35 f2.8 GM (a wide-angle lens) and my Sony 70-200 f4 (a telephoto lens), so I can get pretty close to a subject. I recently got the Sony 200-600 f5.6-6.3, so I can get closer. It’s a big tank of a lens, but I love it. It gives me endless possibilities.

Then I have my precious DJI Mavic Air 2 drone. Lately, it’s the camera I’ve been using most. It’s so easy and fun, and if I’m ever stuck in an artistic rut, I just go out of town and fly my drone over something that looks interesting. You’re always going to find something to photograph!

What are the dos and don’ts of photographing in Iceland?

Good question, I guess there’s no right or wrong with photographing in Iceland, but I can give some pointers.

Do’s

Iceland photographing tip no. 1

A zoom lens is always your friend when visiting Iceland. I prefer my Sony 16-35 and taking multiple shots and merging them on my computer. By doing that, you have more information and, therefore a more extensive photo and can crop it any way you want.

Iceland photographing tip no. 2

Visit all the classic tourist spots; Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Jökulsárlón, Reynisfjara, etc. They’re worth it, but also remember to explore everything around you! Some of my favorite locations are just next to these tourist spots. For example, the neighboring waterfall to Seljalandsfoss is an adventure to visit. You have to jump on rocks in a river to get to it. Right next to Jökulsárlón, you have a Diamond beach, and if you hike further than Skógafoss, you have endless waterfalls. The list goes on.

Iceland photographing tip no. 3

Common sense is not that common. Respect nature, the trails, and the animals. Don’t litter. Stay on the trails, and don’t feed the animals. And please: don’t take a shit outside. You might be surprised how many tourists do.

Iceland photographing tip no. 4

Use Google Maps to plan your shooting locations. My Google Maps account is full of pinned sites.

Iceland photographing tip no. 5

Protect your camera from the elements. I have this camera/lens raincoat from Amazon that works perfectly for me, but a plastic bag can also work wonders; it’s better than nothing. ou might be surprised by the outcome.

Iceland photographing tip no. 6

This might be a random tip, but it happened to me and was terrible.  Once, I was shooting an ice cave for a tour company. Somehow I switched the White Balance on my camera from Auto to Fluorescent. I was making all the photos incredibly blue! I, being very nervous at the time because I wanted everything to be perfect for the client, didn’t even check my settings until I was back on my computer and editing the photos. Never did I notice while shooting that the ice was unnaturally blue. So my advice is to take a deep breath and check your camera settings and everything around you. If you’re ready, then have fun!

Don’ts

Iceland photographing tip no. 7

Don’t fly your drone where you’re not supposed to, especially over people and animals. It might look cool to have a drone video of horses running, but they think your drone is a predator and are scared to death!
Don’t let the weather stop you! We Icelanders have a saying, ‘If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes,’ and it’s true.

Iceland photographing tip no. 8

Don’t be upset if the photo didn’t come out exactly the way you wanted. Think of it as an opportunity! I’m guilty of planning a picture in my head and getting upset when I go to the location, and it’s nothing like I imagined. For example, Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be relied on.

In other words, Iceland is one of the world’s best destinations for photography. With incredible landscapes, wildlife, and diverse and ever-changing light conditions, you will find subjects worth capturing everywhere you look. Be open to what you see in front of you!

What are your favorite destinations or activities here in Iceland?

I have so many favorite destinations in Iceland! How can I choose?

The glaciers are definitely on top of my list. I love going out and exploring them. They all have different personalities and uniqueness. You can always find something new to photograph. Skaftafell National Park has, beyond any doubt, a place in my heart.

Then there are the waterfalls. I have this personal mission to photograph all the waterfalls in Iceland, but I found out there are like 10.000, so that will take a while. My favorite waterfall is Dynjandi in the West of Iceland. After a difficult drive to get there, you’re rewarded with around eight other waterfalls! It’s such a special place, especially at sunset, when all the waterfalls are lit with this pinky/orange color.

On top of that, there are the highlands of Iceland which I would love to have the opportunity to explore more. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, and there is always something new to see. I was fortunate to visit Landmannalaugar for the first time this summer and had the best time ever! My favorite place to photograph was Ljótipollur (which translates to Ugly-Puddle, but honestly, there’s nothing ugly about it. It must be a joke!)

What advice do you have for those visiting Iceland for the first time?

With the ever-changing weather in Iceland, it’s essential to dress appropriately. Layers are your best friend. As a guide, I can’t stand seeing people joining tours wearing jeans or even heels. I recommend having wool underlayers, a rain jacket, a puffy down jacket, and hiking shoes. There’s nothing worse than missing out on locations in Iceland because you didn’t wear the right shoes.

Check Safetravel.is regularly, or even better, get notifications from them. Then you can always be notified of what’s happening around you.

Before renting a car in Iceland, read over the rules of driving in Iceland. I promise they’re not many, and they mainly consist of not being an asshole. It’s frustrating and dangerous to share the road with people who do not follow the most basic driving rules.

Also, Iceland seems very small, but it actually isn’t. If you want to see everything, be prepared for a lot of driving! I recommend staying for the few days you have just on the South Coast. There’s such a diversity of locations there that you get to see and experience a bit of everything.