Overview

Join award-winning conservation photographer Chris Linder for a small-group wildlife photography workshop focused on Iceland’s charismatic arctic fox in the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Hornstrandir is a 220 square mile expanse of glacially-carved valleys, towering sea cliffs, wildflower meadows, legions of seabirds, and Iceland’s only native terrestrial mammal, the arctic fox. With its rounded ears, thick fur, and legs and snout that are shorter than other foxes, the arctic fox is supremely adapted to an unforgiving climate. Since the island’s settlement over a thousand years ago, Icelanders have hunted this small (less than 10 pound) carnivore, at first for its fur and later to protect lambs and other livestock. Hornstrandir is one of the few regions in the country where the fox is fully protected from hunting, so they have little fear of humans. In Iceland’s Westfjords, 80% of foxes are of the ‘blue morph’ variety that retains their blue-grey coat through the winter. It is possible to also find white-coated fox in this region, though we expect to  predominantly encounter blue morph foxes.

If you are wondering about winter weather in Iceland, there is a good chance it is not nearly as cold as you might think, as the Atlantic Ocean significantly moderates this marine-influenced climate. Average daytime temps in the Westfjords at this time of year are around freezing, and nighttime lows in the low 20s Fahrenheit. The extreme temperature range at this time of year is from about +40ºF to +15ºF. Of course, indoors our accommodations are nice and warm.

This workshop has been deliberately capped at five photographers, providing a more private and comfortable experience for both participants and the wildlife. The workshop has been timed for late winter, when abundant snowfall creates the opportunity for epic photographic backdrops. With over nine hours of night, there is of course also the potential for seeing the aurora borealis, which at this latitude can occur to the north, to the south, or directly overhead. Each participant will have their own private room in a historic lodge – the only structure in this expansive landscape – overlooking the spectacular Jökulfirðir fjord. Hearty meals will be prepared by the lodge chef.

The focus of this expedition is photography in the field. Chris, a specialist in polar ecosystems and fauna, will provide generous hands-on mentorship, sharing his expertise and professional insights on developing creativity and personal vision, composition, working with various qualities of light and changing weather, and working landscape scenarios to best effect. Chris has spent months in the field photographing polar stories, resulting in numerous accolades, including winning three categories of the Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International awards: Conservation Story (2019), Birds (2015), and Indigenous Cultures (2009). He has also published several feature articles in national magazines on Icelandic wildlife, with more in the works. His knowledge of animal behavior and enthusiastic, generous, and supportive teaching style will help you to get the best possible images.

Constructive critiques will be included in the schedule when time allows to help participants identify where they are succeeding and how they might focus their energies to advance their vision and skills. During critiques, emphasis is first placed on identifying what participants are doing right with regard to chosen subject and composition, followed by discussion of ways to improve the execution of the image in light of the emotional response, concepts, and aesthetics that led the photographer to make the image in the first place.