Iceland 2026 Midnight Sun and Puffins

South Coast, Iceland

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June 18 - 25, 2026

South Coast, Iceland

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June 18 - 25, 2026

Experience the magic of Iceland’s South Coast in June 2026, photographing dramatic landscapes under the unending glow of the midnight sun and landscapes bathed in color lupines. This exclusive workshop includes a private expedition to the Ingólfshöfði puffin colonies, offering unparalleled access to wildlife and scenery during peak nesting season. Driving services provided by a legal, fully-licensed Icelandic driver / guide.

Iceland 2026 Midnight Sun and Puffins

Capture the ethereal beauty of Iceland’s South Coast in June 2026, where the midnight sun creates a long-lasting “golden hour” for photographing iconic waterfalls and dramatic black sand beaches. This workshop features an exclusive, private excursion to the Ingólfshöfði Nature Reserve, granting you intimate access to photograph puffin colonies nesting against a backdrop of steep cliffs and the vast North Atlantic. It is a rare opportunity to refine your landscape and wildlife skills in a land where the sun never sets and the scenery is truly otherworldly.

Workshop Cost

Workshop investment is $7,300. (Private rooms for each participant)

Workshop deposit is $1,500.

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Highlights of the Workshop

Join an elite group of just six photographers for a masterclass in the Icelandic South Coast. With a 3:1 instructor ratio, private transport, and a “weather-mobile” itinerary, you’ll receive personalized 1-on-1 coaching in both field techniques and post-processing, all while exploring the Arctic wilderness in total safety.

Intimate Group Size: Limited to just 6 participants, ensuring a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio for personalized 1-on-1 coaching and a collaborative atmosphere.
Expert Instruction: Master a wide range of landscape and wildlife techniques. From long-exposure waterfall shots to high-speed bird photography, you’ll learn to master any lighting condition.
Post-Processing Mastery: Gain hands-on experience during dedicated small-group editing sessions, where you’ll learn to bring the ethereal midnight sun colors to life under expert guidance.
All-Inclusive Logistics: Travel in comfort with included lodging and transportation provided by a licensed Icelandic guide and professional driver.
Dynamic Scouting: While we focus on the South Coast, our mobile approach allows us to pivot to scouted alternative locations if weather conditions shift, ensuring we always find the best light.
Safety First: Your well-being is our priority; instructors are Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certified, and we travel equipped with GPS emergency response beacons for total security in the Highlands and coastal areas.
Driving services provided by a legal, fully-licensed Icelandic driver / guide.

Teaching Topics

Midnight Sun & Arctic Wildlife

This workshop concentrates on the following technical and creative teaching topics:

Mastering the Midnight Sun: Understanding the 24-hour light cycle and how to utilize the “infinite golden hour” for soft, directional light.
Planning with Technology: Using apps like PhotoPills and Windy to track sun angles, tide levels for coastal compositions, and cloud cover.
Wildlife Artistry (Puffins): Mastering fast shutter speeds, “eye-tracking” autofocus modes, and ethical wildlife positioning to capture intimate puffin portraits and “action” shots.
High-Dynamic Range Landscapes: Techniques for exposing correctly for bright Icelandic glaciers and deep black sand volcanic textures in a single frame.
Advanced Filtering: Proper usage of Circular Polarizers to cut glare on wet rocks and Neutral Density (ND) filters for ethereal, silky waterfalls.
Long Exposure Artistry: Calculating exposure times for moving water and clouds to create minimalist, fine-art coastal imagery.
Technical Composition: Building depth in grand landscapes using leading lines, foreground interest, and the “rule of thirds” vs. centered symmetry.
Focus-Stacking: Techniques for achieving front-to-back sharpness in complex foregrounds, such as the lupines or basalt columns.
Panoramic Stitching: Capturing high-resolution wide-angle vistas of the South Coast without lens distortion.
The “Weather-Mobile” Strategy: Learning how to read local Icelandic weather patterns and pivot locations to find the best shooting conditions.
Post-Processing Workflow:
- Lightroom Classic: Efficiently managing large batches of images and mastering color grading for Arctic tones.
- Photoshop Mastery: Advanced techniques for focus blending, exposure masking, and distraction removal.
- Noise Reduction: Utilizing AI-driven sharpening and denoising for high-ISO wildlife captures.

Note on Conditions: The quality of light and wildlife activity is dependent on local weather. While we prioritize the Midnight Sun and puffin colonies, should we encounter heavy rain or dense fog, we will pivot to “moody” atmosphere photography, waterfall details, and intensive 1-on-1 post-processing instruction.

Meet your Guides.

Marc Rassel

Landscape Astrophotographer. Space Nerd.

A landscape astrophotographer based in Central Minnesota, USA, who was recently recognized among the world’s best night sky and aurora photographers for 2024 and 2025. He specializes in capturing the wild drama where the night sky meets the land, from Arctic auroras to the fleeting light of a total solar eclipse. His work, which has been featured by National Geographic and Forbes, is distinguished by its clean, high-resolution style and commitment to presenting the scene with clarity, subtlety, and accuracy, avoiding the artificial look common in digital work.

Henry Eiland

Landscape and Wildlife Photographer.

An accomplished photographer and former photojournalist with over 25 years of experience, Henry Eiland specializes in capturing the intersection of wildlife and the natural world with the eye of a storyteller. Based in the Southeastern US, he is a brand ambassador for MAVEN Filters and an expert in digital restoration and post-processing, with a career spanning newsrooms, commercial studios, and classroom instruction. His work is defined by a mastery of light and technical precision across genres, and he is dedicated to helping photographers refine their craft through a deep understanding of modern camera systems and high-end editing workflows.

Recommended Equipment

Camera Body: Digital SLR or mirrorless camera with full manual control. A weather-sealed body is highly recommended due to Iceland’s mist and unpredictable spray.
Sturdy Tripod & Ball Head: A heavy-duty tripod is essential for long exposures on windy beaches and near powerful waterfalls.
Wide-Angle Lens: (e.g., 14-24mm, 16-35mm). Ideal for grand landscapes, basalt columns, and the vast scale of the glacier lagoons.
Mid-Range Zoom: (e.g., 24-70mm or 24-105mm). This will likely be your “workhorse” lens for most South Coast compositions.
Telephoto Lens: (e.g., 100-400mm or 70-200mm). Essential for tight shots of the puffins at Ingólfshöfði and for isolating peaks or ice chunks at Diamond Beach.
Neutral Density (ND) Filters: 6-stop and 10-stop ND filters are recommended for achieving silky water effects on waterfalls and waves during the bright midnight sun.
Circular Polarizer (CPL): Critical for cutting glare on wet volcanic rock and enhancing the blues/teals of glacial ice.
Memory Cards: High-capacity, fast cards (wildlife bursts and high-resolution landscapes fill cards quickly).
Extra Batteries: At least 3-4 fully charged batteries. Even in June, the cool Icelandic air can drain battery life faster than expected.
Remote Shutter Release: Wired or wireless, to prevent camera shake during long exposures.
Weather Protection: A dedicated rain cover for your camera and lens, plus a large microfiber cloth or “Lens Chamois” for wiping off waterfall spray.
Laptop & Software: Laptop with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop installed, along with an external hard drive for file backup during our post-processing sessions.
Clothing: Waterproof layers (Gore-Tex or similar), sturdy hiking boots, and light gloves—even in summer, the coastal wind is biting.

Equipment Rental: If you do not have a specific lens or filter set mentioned above, please contact me. I may be able to arrange for rental gear to be available for the duration of the workshop.

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Trip Includes

The All-Inclusive Experience

This workshop is designed to provide a seamless, high-end experience so you can focus entirely on your craft. Your tuition includes:

Accommodations: 7 nights of lodging in hand-picked hotels along the South Coast, featuring private rooms for every participant to ensure rest and privacy.
Professional Logistics: All ground transportation is provided in a spacious vehicle by a licensed Icelandic driver and guide, allowing for safe, legal, and comfortable transit across rugged terrain.
Elite Instruction Ratio: With a maximum of 6 participants, you will benefit from a 3:1 student-to-instructor ratio. This guarantees personalized 1-on-1 field instruction and intimate post-processing sessions.
Private Wildlife Access: An exclusive, private expedition to the Ingólfshöfði Nature Reserve, timed perfectly for peak puffin activity away from the crowds.
Advanced Equipment Access: Complimentary use of MAVEN Magnetic Filters (ND and Circular Polarizers) provided on-site, allowing you to test world-class gear in the field.
Dynamic Photography Guiding: Expert scouting and “weather-mobile” flexibility; we adjust our locations in real-time to find the best light and atmospheric conditions.
Post-Processing Mastery: Dedicated classroom time to develop your images from start to finish using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop under expert guidance.
Unparalleled Safety: Your instructors are Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certified, and the group travels equipped with GPS emergency response beacons for total peace of mind in the Icelandic wilderness.
Full Access & Permits: All national park entry fees, private land access permits, and parking tolls are fully covered.

Trip Does NOT Include

Exclusions & Participant Responsibilities

To ensure full transparency, the following items are not included in the workshop tuition:

International Airfare: Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport (KEF), as well as any associated baggage fees.
Daily Meals & Beverages: Participants are responsible for their own meals (except where noted, such as breakfast or welcome/farewell dinners) and alcoholic beverages. This allows for personal flexibility and dietary preference.
Comprehensive Insurance:
- Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend purchasing a comprehensive policy that covers trip cancellation, interruption, and emergency medical evacuation.
- Equipment Insurance: Protection for your cameras, lenses, and laptops against damage, theft, or loss.
Personal Photographic Gear: While specialized MAVEN filters are provided, participants must bring their own camera bodies, lenses, tripods, and laptops.
Post-Processing Software: Active subscriptions to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop (or your preferred editing suite) on your personal laptop.
Personal Expenses: Items of a personal nature, such as laundry services, phone roaming charges, souvenirs, and discretionary tips for local staff.
Additional Services: Any activities, excursions, or transportation outside the specified workshop itinerary.

Suggested Packing List

Layered, All-Weather Clothing: Conditions in June can fluctuate rapidly between 40°F and 60°F. You will likely encounter everything from bright sunshine to driving rain and heavy coastal winds within a single day.
Waterproof Outershell (Crucial): High-quality, breathable waterproof jacket and pants (Gore-Tex or similar). This is essential not just for rain, but for staying dry while photographing near the powerful mist of waterfalls like Skógafoss.
Insulating Mid-Layers: A down or synthetic “puffy” jacket and a fleece or wool sweater. These provide necessary warmth during long periods of standing still for landscape compositions under the midnight sun.
Moisture-Wicking Base Layers: Synthetic or merino wool base layers for both torso and legs. (Avoid cotton as it retains moisture and will make you feel chilled once you stop moving).
Cold-Weather Accessories: A warm beanie or hat, a buff or neck gaiter, and windproof gloves. For photography, “liner gloves” or “flip-top” mittens are excellent for maintaining dexterity while operating camera dials.
Technical Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support and grip for navigating uneven basalt rocks, muddy trails, and slippery coastal areas.
Wool Socks: Multiple pairs of medium-to-heavyweight wool socks (merino wool is ideal) to keep feet warm and blister-free during long days in the field.
Hydration & Snacks: A reusable water bottle or hydration pack. Icelandic tap water is some of the cleanest in the world and can be refilled everywhere.
Small Daypack: A comfortable, waterproof (or rain-covered) backpack to carry your extra layers, filters, and snacks while away from the vehicle.

Important Workshop Information

Arrival & Meeting Point: I recommend arriving in Iceland at least one day before the workshop begins to adjust to the time zone and prepare for our adventure. We will officially meet at our Reykjavík Hotel (TBA) at 9:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 18, 2026. From there, we head straight to the South Coast to begin our journey.

Itinerary & Flexibility: A detailed itinerary will be provided upon registration. We will spend June 18–25 exploring the South Coast, including Vík, the Diamond Beach, and our private excursion to Ingólfshöfði. Please note that our schedule is “weather-mobile”; we remain flexible to adjust locations based on Icelandic cloud cover and light conditions to ensure the best photographic opportunities.

Cancellation Policy: We reserve the right to cancel the workshop if minimum participant requirements are not met or in the event of an emergency. If a cancellation occurs, participants may choose to apply their fee toward a future workshop or receive a full refund of the workshop tuition.

Travel & Equipment Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover non-refundable airfare, trip interruptions, or medical emergencies. Additionally, please ensure your photographic equipment is fully insured against accidental damage, theft, or loss while traveling.

Liability Waiver: By attending this workshop, you agree to hold Marc Rassel of Hand Forged LLC and Henry Eiland harmless for any personal injury, illness, or loss that may occur during or in connection with this trip.

Personal Safety & Physicality: Photography in Iceland often involves traversing uneven, slippery, or wind-swept terrain. Do not push your physical abilities beyond what you are healthy enough to do. You are responsible for your own safety and for deciding if a specific location or vantage point is safe for you to access. Marc Rassel and Henry Eiland make no effort to vet other attendees; you are responsible for maintaining your own safety and comfort in a group setting.

Extraordinary Events: In the event of extraordinary circumstances—including but not limited to governmental instability, extreme weather, volcanic activity, or pandemics—Marc Rassel reserves the right to reschedule or cancel the trip and either return workshop fees or apply them to a future date.