Workshop Leader: Barry Benton and a local experienced photography guide
Join us in August 2026 for a once-in-a-lifetime Iceland photography workshop and guided photo tour, where you’ll capture dramatic landscapes, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the rare solar eclipse over Iceland’s northwest coast.
In August 2026, a rare and breathtaking phenomenon will cast a shadow across the land of fire and ice — a Total Solar Eclipse, visible from the rugged wilderness of Iceland. This is your invitation to witness it not just as a traveler, but as an artist behind the lens.
Over six unforgettable days, we’ll explore Iceland’s most photogenic and otherworldly locations — from the dramatic cliffs and glacier-carved fjords of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the windswept black sand beaches of Vík and the luminous ice shards of Diamond Beach. We’ll wander through the Golden Circle, chase waterfalls that defy gravity, and frame landscapes that seem torn from the edge of a dream.
But the crown jewel of this journey will be the eclipse itself. In a land where day and night already blur in magical ways, you will capture the celestial moment when the sun disappears — framed by Iceland’s surreal terrain. Few have seen this. Fewer still have photographed it.
This is not just a workshop. It’s a pilgrimage for the soul. A masterclass in seeing light — and shadows — in their most transcendent forms.
This workshop is limited, premium, and designed for passionate photographers ready to experience something truly rare.
What’s Included:
- Hands-On Field Instruction: Learn directly from professional photographer Barry Benton and a photographer guide in a small-group, in-the-field setting. Receive one-on-one guidance on exposure, composition, and creative use of light.
- Solar Eclipse Photography Session: Capture the rare 2026 total solar eclipse with expert coaching on eclipse exposure settings, safety, and composition techniques.
- Small Group Experience: Limited to a small number of participants to ensure personal attention, flexible pacing, and a collaborative learning environment.
- Guided Photo Tour of Iceland’s Landscapes: Photograph Iceland’s most stunning scenes — waterfalls, black sand beaches, glacial lagoons, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
- Pre-Workshop Planning Call: Join a live session before your trip to prepare your gear, discuss itinerary details, and set photography goals.
- Post-Workshop Editing & Critique Session: After the trip, participate in an online session to review your images, refine edits, and get feedback from instructors and peers.
- Transportation & Lodging Included: Comfortable accommodations and ground transportation throughout Iceland. (You are responsible for getting to Reykjavik. We’ll take care of you from there.)
- Community Access: Continue your learning journey with our alumni community, monthly photography challenges, and ongoing creative support.
What’s NOT Included:
- Attendees are responsible for flights to/from Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
- Pre- and post-workshop lodging, transportation, and meals during the workshop (other than the meals indicated above)
- Any medical costs during the workshop
- Travel Insurance
Workshop dates
Saturday, August 8 - Friday, August 14, 2026
Arrive in Reykjavik on or before Saturday, August 8. We will gather that afternoon for a photo walkabout in Reykjavik and have dinner together.
Arrange your departure on or after Saturday, August 15.
Location
We will be staying in Reykjavik the evening of August 8 and departing very early the next morning to begin exploring Iceland. We will end the workshop late in the evening on August 14. We will be staying back in Reykjavik, and departures can be scheduled for August 15 or later if you would like to spend time exploring Reykjavik.
Workshop topics
- Total solar eclipse, waterfalls, landscapes, panoramas.
Please carefully read the additional workshop details below:
Physical Requirements
For the most part, very little strenuous activity is required on this workshop. However, there will be at least one optional hike that will take us to numerous waterfalls. Those that do not want to go on this hike, or do the hike in its entirety, will find plenty to photograph while some go on this adventure.
Agenda
The agenda is subject to change based on weather conditions. I'm sure you've heard the old adage: "If you don't like the weather here just wait five minutes." I'm convinced that the people of Iceland invented that phrase. There may be times that we change course due to weather. Among the wide variety of clothing you must pack, please remember to bring your flexibility and patience as we craft the best possible Iceland experience.
Day 0
8/8/26: Last day to Fly into Keflavik International Airport (KEF). We have transportation arranged to get you to the Reykjavik hotel for the evening.
Day 1
8/9/26: Head east to explore waterfalls on the way to Vik.
Day 2
8/10/26: Continue east to explore Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón, the famous glacial lake. Depending on time, we may continue further east to some surprise special spots. At some point, we'll turn around and drive west to our hotel in Hveragerði, our home for four nights.
Day 3
8/11/26: Explore the wonderful Golden Circle destinations
Day 4
8/12/26: ECLIPSE DAY! We'll get an early start that morning to one of two planned shooting locations depending on weather.
Day 5
8/13/26: Where we go this day depends on where we photographed the eclipse and what we have left on our Iceland shooting list. Whatever it will be, it will be beautiful. That evening we will end up back our our hotel in Hveragerði for our final night there.
Day 6
8/14/26: Our final day of shooting in the beautiful Golden Circle area before heading back to Reykjavik. We'll have one more meal together this evening and wrap up the workshop.
Day 7
8/15/26: Depart Iceland or stay and explore on your own.
Transportation
Attendees are responsible for flights to Keflavík International Airport (KEF) on August 8th or earlier and departure from KEF on August 15th or later.
Transportation during the workshop will be as a group in a multi-passenger van.
Recommended photography gear
| DSLR or Mirrorless Camera (Full frame or Crop Sensor) with a wide-angle/large aperture (f2.8) lens, an intermediate zoom (24mm-70mm) lens (f4 is sufficient), and a long telephoto of at least 70-300 (longer would be even better). A sturdy, lightweight tripod with a ball head and level indicator. A remote shutter trigger or cable release. An extra battery, charger and extra memory cards. A Circular Polarizer Filter. Neutral Density Filters. |
Reserve your spot
Important info! We encourage you to create an account when you register so future workshop forms will be prepopulated with your data. Shortly after registering you will receive a confirmation e-mail and a separate email allowing you to pay your registration online. You are not fully registered until your payment is received.
All payments are subject to our regular cancellation policy.
FAQ
Who is this Iceland Photography Workshop designed for?
This workshop is ideal for hobbyist and passionate photographers who want to improve their landscape and travel photography skills in the field. Whether you’re new to manual settings or experienced in capturing the night sky, you’ll receive personalized, hands-on instruction throughout the trip.
Do I need to be an advanced photographer to join?
Not at all. Benton Downs workshops are built around small groups and one-on-one guidance, so we meet every participant where they are. You’ll grow your confidence behind the camera, refine your technique, and learn at your own pace during this Iceland photography tour.
What kind of photography will we focus on?
You’ll photograph waterfalls, glaciers, seascapes, and Iceland’s dramatic volcanic terrain — culminating in the 2026 solar eclipse photography session. This is a landscape and travel photography experience, designed to help you master light, timing, and storytelling through your images.
What’s included in the workshop price?
Your workshop fee includes in-country transportation, lodging, daily instruction, and both pre- and post-workshop learning sessions. Meals and airfare to Iceland are not included.
What makes this Iceland workshop different from other photography tours?
Benton Downs workshops combine hands-on field instruction with a full-circle learning journey: a pre-workshop planning call, in-the-field training, a post-workshop editing discussion, and access to a supportive alumni community with monthly challenges. Few photography tours offer this level of ongoing mentorship.
What happens if the weather affects eclipse visibility?
Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable, but it’s part of what makes it so photogenic. Our itinerary is flexible — if the weather changes, we’ll adjust to new locations and focus on dramatic skies, waterfalls, and coastal scenes. Either way, it will be an unforgettable photographic adventure.
