17th-22nd April 2023. [Update Nov 22, 4 spaces now available]. Please contact Caroline@scubatravel.com for reservations.
Iceland is one of the world’s must see destinations, with a varied volcanic landscape like nowhere else. It is known as the land of fire and ice, although this workshop concentrates on what happens when those combine – water! The focus of this workshop is photographic diving at the world famous dive site at Silfra, perhaps better known as the dive between the continents. Silfra is a split in the Earth’s crust that marks the boundary between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. The chasm is filled with pure, mineral water (you can drink it during the dive) and the visibility is so good, that many have declared it the clearest water in the world. It is cold too, just a few degrees above freezing. But the reward is one of the greatest views in underwater photography.
Alex says “The wow moment at Silfra comes right at the start. It is the process of dipping your mask beneath the surface that blows your mind.“Silver” canyon gets its name because the dark waters, shaded by the narrow walls of the canyon, conspire with the smooth surface to reflect the clouds above. The mirror-like surface reveals very little of what lies beneath. It’s only at the moment of submergence that you pass through the looking glass. Only then is the scale of the place revealed, and because you can see so much more than you could from above the surface, you get the feeling that the water is even clearer than the air. The visuals, combined with the cold, scramble the brain – this is a place to be fully prepared before the dive, so you make the most of the opportunities. The workshop is focused on Silfra, and we’ve even scheduled a night dive with off-camera lighting, but I plan to visit other (less famous, but equally photogenic) sites sites once everyone has bagged their Silfra shots. Diving will be in groups of 3 with a guide, who will also act as a model. The group size is limited to 12, and I am happy for either photographers as well as non-photographers (should you want to bring your own model) to fill the spaces on this trip.”
The trip is timed for April, because this is before the unattractive stringy green algae starts to grow on the rocks within Silfra. April also means that the strongest light, in the middle of the day, is aligned with Silfra’s famous cathedral formation (see top photo – taken in April). Also, this time of year has less tourists, so it is easier to get clean compositions in Silfra. Alex adds “my goal is to make sure that everyone is perfectly prepared for these dives, so we all get excellent shots of Silfra, so we can move on and visit a couple of other amazing and unique dive sites in Iceland!” The final day of this workshop, when we cannot dive before flying, will take in a land tour, visiting spectacular waterfalls and the amazing black volcanic sand beaches of the south coast. Although, currently there is an amazing volcanic eruption taking place on Iceland and if this is still ongoing we will visit this instead (this is lava eruption – so spectacular, and without the ash that can close airspace)!
The workshop is based from Reykavik with full day excursions each day, organised by local experts Arctic Adventures. The itinerary has been carefully planned by Alex, Scuba Travel and Iceland-based underwater photographer Byron Conroy, who works for Arctic Adventures. The dives will be carefully timed for the optimum lighting conditions. We will use the Arctic Adventures base for our gear and Alex will run both his presentations and image review sessions there, to set you up to make the most of every minute in the cold water. Teaching on the workshop will focus on the unique photographic challenges of the spectacular diving on this trip. The staff at Arctic Adventures will look after our gear post diving, when we return to the hotel (with hydrothermal heating, everything will be warm and dry for each day). The hotel is on B&B basis, we will stop for snacks for lunch en route to diving (hot chocolate and cookies are provided), for dinner the hotel is close to a popular restaurant complex for a variety of evening meals. Also single supplements for rooms are easily arranged.
Please note that diving in Silfra is physical, both for the extreme cold and because there is a reasonable walk back, in gear after the dive. It is not difficult diving, but this isn’t a trip for everyone. Legally, to dive Silfra you must either be a qualified drysuit diver or have logged 10 drysuit dives the preceding 2 years. Strobes are not really needed for shooting Silfra, although I suggest bringing them to Iceland, even if you end up not taking them in the water. Fisheye is the optimum lens. A wide angle and a short telephoto are ideal for land (there is excellent topside photography throughout, as well as on the final day tour). Consider bringing a small tripod for waterfalls, Northern Lights (if we get some) although the aurora is not a focus of this trip (we will be out at night on one day). Arctic Adventures have the highest quality rental dive gear, should you wish to save on luggage. Alex adds “although I like to bring my own dive gear for this trip, as diving in Silfra is the best wash it will ever get!” Dry gloves are strongly recommended. Out of the water, Iceland is not really cold, but the weather is windy and changeable. Layers are the key to dressing here – think of a thin, waterproof outer layer when out of the water, rather than a thick coat. We will be wearing diving undersuits most of the time on this trip.
VITALS
Dates 17th-22nd April 2023
The workshop costs £2260 GBP per person (Keflavik Int. Airport to Keflavik Int. Airport), based on hotel accommodation B&B, the workshop, all diving, full day tours and airport transfers. Single room supplements are easily arranged.
Group size 12 divers. Non-photographer divers welcome as part of that 12. Non-divers welcome in addition (alternative tours can easily be arranged with Arctic Adventures).
This is a relatively short trip. The water temperature does not encourage too many days of repetitive diving! But Iceland is an incredible destination and this trip is highly suited to extending, to take in more land tours or perhaps do more diving. Although note that Iceland is quite an expensive destination, meaning it suits shorter, intensive trips!
A deposit of £1000 GBP is required to hold your place. Contact Caroline@scubatravel.com for reservations and further information.
