Zeiss Infinity Tour - Iceland
/
Iceland was a destination I kept returning to. By the time I visited as part of the ZEISS Infinity Tour, it was my fourth trip in three years. Each journey brought different conditions, new challenges and another reason to come back.
What draws me to Iceland is the variety of its landscapes and the way they change with the weather. Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic terrain and ice-covered shores offer extraordinary subjects, but the experience of photographing them depends on patience, preparation and a willingness to adapt.
Preparing for Iceland
Before my first visit, one of my biggest questions was what to wear. Living in Dubai, I was accustomed to a very different climate, and preparing for cold, wind and rain required some thought.
I went shopping for outdoor clothing and found other travellers making similar preparations. Iceland was clearly on more people’s travel lists than mine.
Layers became essential during my trips. They allowed me to adjust to changing conditions while moving between locations or waiting for the light. Staying warm and dry made it easier to concentrate on photography, especially during long periods outdoors.
Rain and spray were part of the experience. Around waterfalls and along the coast, protecting both myself and my equipment became a regular part of working in the field.
Choosing What to Carry
Packing camera equipment has always been one of my biggest travel challenges. I want the flexibility to explore different subjects, but I also need a manageable kit that I can carry between locations and take on a flight.
It took a couple of visits to Iceland to understand what I used most and what I could leave behind. Those experiences helped me pack with a clearer purpose.
During this trip, the ZEISS Milvus 2.8/15 was my most-used lens, accounting for around 80 per cent of my photographs. Its wide field of view suited the expansive landscapes and allowed me to work with foreground detail while keeping the surrounding scenery in the composition.
Neutral-density filters gave me options for exploring movement in water. Spare batteries were also important, particularly when working for extended periods in the cold.
A Lesson About Tripod Stability
A sturdy tripod was an essential part of my kit, but this trip also brought a difficult reminder about keeping watch over equipment.
At one point, I turned away from my tripod-mounted camera, and within seconds it had fallen. It was a moment that stayed with me.
In exposed conditions, setting up the tripod is only the beginning. I learned to pay closer attention to its position, the ground beneath it and the changing wind, and to remain close to the camera while working.
Planning Around the Weather
In Iceland, a carefully planned route can change quickly. A storm may interrupt the journey or make a location unsuitable for photography, so I learned to keep alternatives in mind.
Planning gave me a starting point. Once on location, I had to respond to what was happening around me.
That uncertainty became part of the attraction. The same landscape could feel entirely different as clouds moved through, rain arrived or a brief opening in the sky changed the light. Returning to a place never guaranteed the same photograph.
For me, landscape photography involves observing those changes and deciding when the conditions and composition work together.
Life Between Locations
Much of the journey happened between photographic stops. Travelling from one location to another meant adapting to different places to stay and keeping the daily routine simple.
On my trips, I often stayed in guesthouses outside Reykjavík. The welcome I received became part of my experience of Iceland, with people who were helpful and accommodating as I travelled.
These quieter moments mattered too. A photography trip is shaped by the conversations, meals and places to rest between long hours outdoors.
Finding Infinity in the Landscape
During the ZEISS Infinity Tour, I asked workshop participants what infinity meant to them. Sabah described it as a space for happiness and dreams, for living, laughing and loving without end.
Her answer offered a personal interpretation of the theme. My own thoughts kept returning to the ice along the shore.
Watching fragments of ice melt on the beach, I saw a connection to the continuous movement of water. What had once formed part of a much larger mass was gradually returning to the ocean.
The scene offered more than a photographic subject. It became a way to reflect on change, time and the natural cycles that continue beyond the moment we record.
Why I Kept Returning
After days of travelling, photographing and sleeping very little, a visit to the Blue Lagoon offered a welcome opportunity to slow down.
Looking back, Iceland gave me much more than a collection of images. It taught me to prepare carefully, carry equipment with purpose and accept that the conditions would often decide the direction of the day.
Each visit deepened my understanding of the landscape while reminding me how much remained to discover. That combination kept bringing me back.