After our incredible and unplanned northern lights show on the first night of my photography tour in Iceland, our next stop was Kirkjufellsfoss. I like to call this one “triple falls”. I came up with my own names for all the places in Iceland to keep them straight in my head since the names are so complicated!
On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall channels the glacial water into three spouts on the top level and then even more spouts on the lower level. On both sides of the waterfall, rugged mountains make a stunning backdrop.
This is the lower level of the falls from the less popular side.
Most of the photos you will see of this location are of the upper falls and made from the other side where the sharply pointed Kirkjufell mountain stands out in the background.
Making this second image was a bit of a challenge because of all the spray coming off the waterfall, but that was something that I learned to handle during my time in Iceland!
I used both my Sony A6000 and the NEX6 cameras while I was there. Since I had both, I found it easier, faster and safer (with all the water) to switch cameras than try to change lenses and risk getting water on the exposed sensor. I also had to clean the lens before every single shot to keep the water droplets off.
I like the first image better, even though it doesn’t have the dramatic clouds, because I think it’s a more unique view of this amazing location.
It was just the beginning of great things to come…
What a beautiful place! Yes, I like the first one as well.
I’ve been there and was also a bit cloud challenged. I have some great shots from both sides as well as the 2nd set of falls below this one looking back up.
That’s the thing about Iceland; learning to shoot in the mist and rain is a requirement because that’s what it seems to do most there – at least during my visit.
Iceland is definitely a photographer’s bucket list trip. So many great locations.
Gorgeous shots, Anne, really lovely! What a place, there seems to be no end of wonderful things to photograph and share here!
Hi! Love your photos. I’ll be going to Iceland next month and am planning on purchasing the Sony a6000 for the trip! I saw you used the Sony SEL16F28 16mm lens for your northern lights shots…what other lenses did you use or do you recommend for photos while there? Thanks!
Hi Chelsea, I use the 10-18 18-55 and the 55-210. With only three lenses it covers all the focal lengths you need. I did get the 16mm f/2.8 specifically for night shots. I hope you have a great trip, you’ll love it there.