Keen to snap images that do justice to Icelandic nature? Read on for our tips for getting the best photographs of Urriðafoss.
How to get great pictures of Urriðafoss in summer and winter
Dealing with flat, gray light isn’t fun for any photographer, so if you can be flexible with your itinerary try to plan your visit to Urriðafoss for when the sun’s out. Staying locally can help: the weather in Iceland changes frequently. If you’re keen to get some great images of one of Iceland’s most voluminous waterfalls keep a close eye on the Icelandic Met Office’s website so you’ll be on hand to get set up before the clouds roll in again.
Harsh light can be just as tricky to deal with. In summer, that means avoiding the part of the day when the sun is high in the sky. Though sunrise will be unsociably early at this time of year, take advantage of the Midnight Sun. It never gets fully dark in mid-summer, so staying up late to capture Urriðafoss around sunset could produce some excellent results.
In winter, days are short; in December, you’ll be able to take advantage of sunrise after you’ve had a leisurely breakfast. If the skies remain clear, the soft light at this time of year is highly advantageous to photographers. Even storms can be good news, especially ones that are accompanied by interesting, moody skies or result in a generous dumping of snow over the rocks and river banks.
Coping with the conditions
Alongside the weather, you’ll have some other factors to contend with. Fortunately, the proximity of the viewing platforms to the parking lot means that you won’t have to lug your gear very far. A sturdy tripod – heavy duty works best in windy conditions – is going to come in handy if you plan to shoot some long exposures achieve a softened water effect as it tumbles over the falls.
Bring a soft cloth with which to wipe the lens. Depending on the direction of the wind, spray can be problematic – as at any waterfall – so keeping the lens free of water droplets can be an arduous task. If you intend to stick around a while, it pays to keep spare memory cards and batteries in an inside pocket of your bag to ensure it stays dry.
Composing your shot of Urriðafoss
It’s worth taking some time to observe your surroundings when you first arrive to get a handle on the range of potential images you might achieve. The broad span of the falls lends itself to a panoramic shot, but to really capture the power of Urriðafoss you’ll most likely want to zoom in for more detail.
Experiment with close-ups of some of the cascades, playing around with compositions that make the most of the positioning of the rocks. Strong diagonals and placement according to the rule of thirds makes a lot of sense. In summer, you might also ask visiting anglers if they’ll give their permission for you to photograph them while they’re fishing. Watch out for leaping salmon at the falls too and use a fast shutter speed to capture the action if you get lucky.
Photographing the Northern Lights at Urriðafoss
Use a long exposure to allow time for the intensity of the color to develop. For this reason, a tripod is a must as you will need to keep the camera – or your smartphone – steady. Both will come in handy when the Northern Lights are starting to appear as what looks gray to the naked eye will be a pale green when viewed through your screen.
The accessible nature of Urriðafoss and its convenient location close to towns like Selfoss and Hella make it an attractive option if conditions are right for the aurora borealis to make an appearance. You may prefer to check the place out in daylight so you can work out the best place to set up your tripod.
Drone photography at Urriðafoss
In Iceland, the use of drones is strictly regulated. If you plan to bring your own drone it is essential that you use it in an appropriate way and within the law. Drone shots of Urriðafoss will enable you to capture the patterns created by scattered rocks and white water; these can be especially striking images.
The Icelandic Transport Authority produces a drone map and so you can see that Urriðafoss falls outside the areas where drone use is not permitted. Luckily, Urriðafoss is located away from built up areas and airports; it also doesn’t fall within the boundaries of one of Iceland’s national parks. Before doing any drone photography it’s a good idea to check the Nature Conservation Agency’s website for the current situation prior to your visit to stay abreast of any changes or seasonal variations.
