Is it essential to have the best kit - No, Iceland is beautiful, and you'll be able to capture some amazing footage with your cell/mobile - I'm not a camera snob.  You may understand after reading this post why I have gone the DSLR route, but the world is an ever changing technological landscape, so I aim to keep advice generic and help you decide what's best for you.

So in simple terms a camera that can shoot from wide angle (24mm) through to a telephoto (300-400mm).

A tripod would be a good shout too, something lightweight, yet sturdy. 

As always I invest in the long term, so my tripod has travelled with me around the world.  

So, before you head off I have one question; if you're able to shoot in Camera Raw?  And if you are, do you?

I have written a post on the benefits, and I think in Iceland you're gonna want to get the best from your shots so why not check out 'Shooting Raw' - Of course any questions, please ask.

The Golden Circle is an excellent introduction to Iceland but can be busy at peak times, so prepare to be patient.  Self-drive was our choice, and Etta, our little SsangYong Korando hired from SIXT at Keflavík International Airport, was our companion for the Ring Road trip.  The benefit of Self-Drive is it's done at your pace.

Your choices are to either follow the Southern coastline of the country or alternatively head north towards Arnarstapi.  

I would guess 95% of folks take the southern option, and there's a good reason - there's so much to see & experience, and also home to some of your more significant challenges - Waterfalls

Okay, naff '90's music reference, and with Iceland, you're going to be chasing waterfalls.  There's plenty to choose from, and some of the higher falls such as Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss present a challenge.  That challenge is spray, and you're gonna want to keep your camera dry.  

Again timing is everything, these spots can get busy as minibuses ferry people in and out, sometimes patience can yield results, and sometime you'll want people in a shot to give the scale. 

Depending on the time of year, and the weather condition, access may differ.  In 2007 we could walk around the back of Seljalandsfoss, on this trip, it was solid ice, so access was prohibited. 

So it's a choice of handheld, or a decent tripod with the ability to hang something substantial, like your loaded camera bag, off the central support: my Manfrotto does - if you're looking to buy it's worth checking that feature. 

When we planned our trip we hoped we might get to see the Northern Lights, it's why we chose to go in mid-March,  and we got lucky, but only on one night out of our 2-week adventure.  I know other people who have gone for a 3-day mini break and seen it, and others who have been for longer and not seem them.  You have to consider very much it the 'cherry on the cake' of your trip.

Now I have written a whole post on 'Photographing the Northern Lights', which gives details on checking the environmental conditions and my experience. 

However, in summary, it requires a tripod, a shutter release and a long exposure.  

Now, I'm gonna sound like an old fart, but please take your safety seriously.  If there's a barrier it's there for a reason, I  was incredibly frustrated by the tourist who stepped over the boundary at Arnarstapi to get the perfect Instagram selfie - Arrrgh.

As I mentioned earlier, the wind can be strong, and it can whip up pretty quickly too!  You're going to be walking along cliff faces, the edge of waterfalls and you're gonna want to get that road shot.

Make sure you are entirely aware of your surroundings.  If there's ice & snow on the ground take extra care, especially when taking your shots.  We almost lost Janis twice, once at Grjótagjá cave, just outside Myvatn where snow on the ground covered a fissure that was about 2 metres deep, another was the Goðafoss where snow covered the water flowing across the fall - that drop significantly more than 2 metres.

Most of the sites you visit will be on private land, and as such the landowner can prohibit drone flights over their territory.  We saw numerous signs stating the drone flights were prohibited including at Skógafoss, Kirkjufellsfoss & Londrangar Cliffs, and that situation is likely to get worse.

One final word, while visiting the seals basking off Illugastadhir a group of tourists were flying their drones over the seals.  They were pleased with their efforts and believed the seals were enjoying the experience - now I must admit I'm not a Marine Biologist, and I wasn't sure if any of them were, but I wasn't as convinced the seals were enjoying it. 

Later in the year, I read the following article on the BBC - 'Fears over protected wildlife disturbed by drones'  So I'm just saying, be a responsible drone pilot - please.

So I'm going to wrap up by saying Iceland is a fabulous country, with the most fantastic landscape, and you're gonna want to be on your 'A' game photographically.  I hope this post has some useful information, I've shared a little knowledge, or I've inspired you to plan your trip to this country.  You won't regret it. 

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