I spent ten days in Iceland earlier this month attending the Annual Convention of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). As a pre-tour, I participated in a Photo Shootout. It was my first time doing so and, in this case, it amounted to nine photographers arriving five days early, being provided rental cars (my VW Tiguan and I became very close) and hotels for our first night in Reykjavik and the following three nights scattered all around Iceland. We were each on our own to photograph what we wanted and, at then end of the shooting period, we each entered 15 images to be judged during the convention. On the final night the results were announced and I’m happy to report that I came away with 2 Golds, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze.

I believe the images in this post are my winners. I can’t be certain because I spent most of the presentation show marveling at the shots the other 8 photographers made during the Shootout. I think this is correct, but I’ll post a correction if I find out that I’ve mislabeled one.

The shot at the top of the post was, I believe, my Bronze in the “scenic-water” category. It’s a waterfall named Gljufurarfoss that falls into a space behind a sort of slot canyon, or natural arch. It’s a fairly tight space to get this shot from the entrance to the falls and it’s a challenge because the spray from the falls is being blown straight toward you — and your lens. I’m glad my effort paid off and I was awarded for this one. I’m also glad I didn’t fall into that water, which I’m pretty sure was fairly cool.

The above shot of Folaldafoss in eastern Iceland is — I think — the shot that took the Silver in in the same “scenic-water” category. I really should have taken notes during the awards show. This fall I visited twice. The first time was on the previous day and I arrived late enough that the falls were backlit and the light was very harsh. I remember thinking at the time that it would really look great in more overcast weather and, the next morning, I was rewarded with just that. I made another stop at the falls and hiked through the brambles to get this shot in much moodier light. I thought the weather conditions fit the scene much better.

I took the Gold in the “scenic-land” category and I’m more confident that it was for this shot (above) of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon near Kirkjubæjarklaustur (what a fantastic language, Icelandic!). This was a spectacular hike that followed the eastern ridge of a canyon with sheer drop-offs to the river below. Fins of land jutted out into the canyon at regular intervals, just wide enough for a footpath. Not a place for those with height issues, but it was spectacular and not easily conveyed through photographs.

My other gold was in the “people” category and I only had one photo entered in that one so this is it. I spotted these two hikers getting out of their car as I was setting up for another shot across the road. As soon as I saw that beard, I knew I needed to see about taking their photo. They were very agreeable to working with me and I hope they enjoyed their hike afterward. I’m sure they also enjoyed a few chuckles as they reminisced about that crazy American that wanted to take their photo.

I’ll post more Iceland shots — and the stories behind them — soon. Stay tuned…