27th June – 5th July 2028
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Trip Leaders: Gareth McCormack & Ron Modra
Start & Finish: Vágar Airport, Faroe Islands
Maximum Group Size: 10
Exertion: Moderate
Cost: US $ 8,900, including 8 nights accommodation
Booking: A booking deposit of $2,000 per person secures your place on the tour. Remaining balance due 90 days prior to departure. Price includes single-occupancy rooms. Discount of $900 per person for clients sharing a room.
Map
This photography tour explores the wild landscapes of the magnificent Faroe Islands. With steep-sided mountains plunging to a rugged and intricate coastline, this dramatic island archipelago offers countless opportunities for hardy landscape photographers.
Accommodation & food
The photo tour includes eight nights of accommodation, split between two 4-star hotels at different corners of the Faroes. Private ensuite rooms are included throughout, all with sea views.
We begin with three nights on Borðoy, one of the northernmost islands in the group. Our hotel here is located right on the waterfront in Klaksvík, the second largest town of the archipelago.
The remaining five nights are spent in Tórshavn, the capital city of the Faroe Islands. Translating as ‘Thor’s Harbour’, this is the social and business heart of all 18 islands, located at the southeastern tip of Streymoy.
The tour price is based on single occupancy bedrooms in both hotels. A discount is available for guests who share a room.
The trip begins with a complimentary welcome dinner on our first night together. Breakfast is also included each morning. For lunches and the remaining dinners, we’ll stop as appropriate to eat together in local cafés and restaurants, with each participant covering the cost of their own meals.
Exertion and ability level
This Faroe Islands photography tour has an exertion rating of moderate. Many photo locations are accessible by vehicle, with short walks along paths or across open ground to reach our initial vantage points. However there are some longer hikes to certain locations that may involve some steeper gradients and uneven ground. Alternative locations are available for people who chose to avoid the excursions. If you have any questions about the physical demands of the trip, please contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss the locations in more detail.
Photographers of all proficiency levels are welcome to join this tour. Whatever your ability when your start, Gareth and Ron will help you develop your vision and camera skills as the trip progresses.
What's not included
- Lunches & Evening Meals
- Drinks & Snacks
- Gratuities
- Insurance
- Flights
Overview
Join us for a week-long photo adventure around the dramatic landscapes and seascapes of the Faroe Islands. This unique archipelago in the North Atlantic boasts the tallest vertical seacliff on the planet. The coastal photography here is naturally world-class, and includes such iconic scenes as the arch and seastacks at Dranganir, and Múlafossur waterfall pouring directly into the ocean beneath the clifftop village of Gásadalur.
The 18 islands in the group are separated by steep-sided fjords and connected by an array of bridges, ferries, and an impressive network of sub-sea tunnels. Outside of the capital of Tórshavn the towns and villages are small and remote, with colourful wooden architecture and turf-roofed houses and churches.
By timing our trip for mid-summer we can take advantage of the extended hours of daylight. Golden hour stretches long into the evening, with prolonged sunsets and sunrises. The islands are at their most beautiful now; the mountainsides are green with fresh growth and there are swathes of wildflowers everywhere. The cliffs teem with nesting seabirds too, including the entertaining and much-loved puffin.
As we explore each location, we’ll experiment with different camera and composition techniques. Your two professional mentors are always on hand with tips and advice. As well as Gareth, the renowned American photographer Ronald Modra will be co-leading this tour. A Sports Illustrated photographer for 25 years, Ron has a host of professional accolades to his name, and is an experienced photo tour guide. Throughout the journey, both Gareth and Ron will share their professional expertise to help you develop your camera skills and produce more striking images.
Itinerary
As you would expect from a remote Atlantic outpost, the weather in the Faroes changes rapidly, even in mid summer. Most days see a mixture of sunshine and showers, bringing changing light, rainbows and plenty of dramatic skies.
We keep the itinerary flexible to make the most of what comes our way, visiting locations as conditions dictate. Rest assured however that over the course of the week, we’ll visit all the scenic highlights of the Faroes, and plenty of lesser-known gems too. Travelling together in two 9-seater minivans, we’ll time our excursions to maximize magic hour light around sunrise and sunset. The compact nature of the islands also means we can visit some locations twice, if light conditions change significantly later in the week.
The tour starts and finishes at Vágar Airport (FAE). We will collect you from the airport in the afternoon of 27 June 2028, and drop you back on the morning of 5 July in time for your departing flight.
Day 1 to 3: We begin by heading east across the islands to Klaksvík, where we stay for our first three nights. Our base is the KG Hotel Klaksvík, right in the heart of this vibrant fishing town.
The journey from the airport to the hotel sets the scene for the week. In a little over an hour of driving, we cross four different islands, using road tunnels and bridges to cross the deep fjords that separate each isle from its neighbour.
Our base in Klaksvík sets us up perfectly for photo shoots around the northern and eastern islands of the chain. We’ll head east to Viðoy, and the coastal church at at its northern tip. On Eysturory we’ll shoot the seastacks of Risin og Kellingin and explore the beautiful and photogenic village of Gjógv. We’ll hike the short distance out to the viewpoint at Funningur and look down from almost one thousand feet onto the fjord below (don’t worry – the hike is short and flat!).
We’ll also take a ferry out to the improbably narrow and mountainous island of Kalsoy, passing through four road tunnels to reach Kallur lighthouse. This beacon is set atop of some of the most incredible seacliffs you’ll see anywhere in the world. The telephoto shot from here across the northern cliffs of several islands is simply sublime in the right conditions.
Day 4 to 8: On the fourth day of our tour we transfer to our second hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn in Tórshavn, on Streymoy Island. Tórshavn is the capital city of the Faroes, and its old town is a compact but fascinating place, with narrow cobble alleyways separating centuries-old wooden buildings, each with a traditional turf roof. This is also the location of the island’s parliament – first established here in the 9th century by Viking settlers – and the red parliament buildings at the waterfront provide unique photo opportunities.
On Streymoy we’ll visit the grass-roofed church and old cottages at Saksun, and the charming little village of Tjørnuvík, at the back of a black-sand cove. If it’s raining we’ll also shoot Fossa – a triple-tier cascade and the most impressive waterfall in the Faroes.
On the island of Vágar, three iconic locations are likely to provide highlights of the tour. First up is a sunset shoot at Drangarnir, a pair of angular sea stacks, one of which is cut through by a huge natural arch. We’ll reach this location by private boat charter, and take the opportunity to visit puffin cliffs on the way out. Also near here, the Múlafossur waterfall plunges into the sea beneath the clifftop village of Gásadalur. We’ll also head out to the cliffs at Traelanipan, where the waters of Lake Sørvágsvatn appear to be suspended above the ocean.
The tour ends on 5 July, when we return to Vágar Airport for flights home.
Booking Terms & Conditions
Payment: The price of this tour is US $8,900 per person, based on single-occupancy rooms. A discount of US $900 per person applies to clients sharing a room. An initial booking deposit of $2,000 per person is required to secure your place on the tour, with the remaining balance due 90 days prior to departure.
Cancellation: The $2,000 booking deposit is unfortunately non-refundable. However we understand that sometimes plans can change, and in this case, the following cancellation policy applies:
- Over 90 days before departure – We keep the booking deposit, but it can be transferred to another photo tour of your choosing
- 61-90 days before departure – We keep the full fee paid, but it can still be transferred to another tour if this is your preference
- 60 days or less before departure – We keep the full fee paid, and this will be forfeit unless we can find a replacement. If we do find a replacement, you may transfer the amount to another tour of your choosing.
Changes to Itinerary: In the rare situation that the listed itinerary needs to be changed due to unforseen events (eg: weather, park closures) we will endeavor to arrange a suitable alternative. However we do not bear any liability for circumstances beyond our control.
Insurance: Please note that it’s the responsibility of the customer to ensure you have adequate cover in terms of personal, travel and equipment insurance for this trip.
What Should I Bring?
Camera Equipment: Bring all your camera equipment, including any lenses, tripods and filters. Remember cables for downloading images, and if you use a laptop for processing, bring that too. Some off-road walking may be required to reach photo locations, so we recommend that you pack your equipment in a small rucksack to facilitate moving around. Make sure your camera bag offers enough protection in the event of being caught in rain.
Clothing: The climate of the Faroe Islands is notoriously changeable. Bring good, waterproof footwear, and warm, waterproof and windproof clothing to protect yourself in all weather conditions. Bring sunscreen too, because you never know! We discourage the use of plastic wherever possible, so also recommend bringing a resuable water bottle.
What Will I Learn?
We keep our group sizes small so the exact format of each tour can be tailored to the needs of individuals. You may be quite happy with your photography level, and see Gareth simply as your personal guide to Ireland’s best locations. Alternatively you may want to extend your skills, and in this case there’ll be plenty of opportunity to ask technical questions and further your understanding of camera operation. Gareth can help you get out of auto settings for the first time, or provide constructive critique on composition and aesthetic decisions that might expand your creative repertoire. Topics that often come up include:
- Getting out of auto – Demystifying aperture, shutter speed and ISO
- Camera setup – Shooting in RAW, and optimising your camera setup for better results
- Depth of field – What it is, why it’s so important, and how to achieve it. Also how to focus stack for optimum sharpness.
- Using filters – Especially polarising filters, ND filters and ND grads
- Exposure – How to get the optimal exposure, how to use histograms and highlight warnings. Shooting for highlights and shadows, and exposure blending in post processing.
- Compositon – Tips and tricks to aid composition, including understanding the rules and knowing when to break them. The aesthetics of photography – the relationship between light and landform. Working your location for more interesting images.
- Planning – How to take best advantage of weather and location, so you can be in the right place at the right time
- Post processing – An overview of Gareth’s workflow and approach to processing in Adobe Lightroom and Camera Raw. Also a look at more advanced blending and stacking techniques in Photoshop.
FAQs
Q: I’m a complete beginner – will your workshop be suitable for me?
A: Yes. Our workshops and tours have small group sizes, so much of the tuition is on a one-to-one basis. We encourage a friendly and collegiate atmosphere, and more experienced photographers generally help by offering their own advice and encouragement. After all, we were all beginners at one point ourselves, and can empathise with how mystifying the technicalities of photography can appear. A key point for beginners is to relax – with a few pointers, taking great images is often much easier than you realise.
Q: I don’t have a tripod / expensive camera / any filters. Is this a problem?
A: Tripods are essential for good landscape photography and long exposure techniques. Having said that you can come on a weekend workshop without one, as Gareth normally carries a spare tripod you can try out. However this isn’t encouraged for longer tours. If you’re unsure about buying one, we’d encourage you to at least borrow or rent one if you can. Please don’t buy a cheap plastic or lightweight ‘traveller’ tripod. They’re too flimsy for serious work and will cause you enormous frustration. Investing in a good tripod is one of the most overlooked aspects of purchasing photography equipment.
Most of our workshop clients use digital DSLRs or mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, but these range from Hasselblads to basic starter cameras. We also have people who still shoot film or black and white only. You could come on a workshop with just your phone and still benefit – in fact we had one weekend where the best images came from somebody doing just that. If you don’t have any filters but are interested in learning to use them, Gareth will have some on hand to try out. You’ll then be a better position to decide what you want to invest in afterwards.
Q: How physically demanding are the locations to reach?
A: Most of our photo locations are easy to reach, and accessible within a couple of minutes walk from the car. However the ground underfoot may be uneven, slippery or wet. We avoid long or arduous hikes, but to reach more adventurous shooting positions – which are entirely optional – you may need to cross loose rocks or steep slopes. If you have any concerns about your fitness for this trip, please get in touch and Gareth will be happy to discuss the individual locations with you.
Q: Workshop or tour – what’s the difference?
A: Our workshops are short, typically two or three days long, and based within a defined area. The emphasis is on education and assistance from Gareth, but we also visit plenty of good photo locations, hopefully in good light. We’ll also have at least one formal seminar on post processing during the weekend. Tours are longer trips that visit several geographical areas, with the emphasis on exploring the best locations in the best light. Of course instruction and assistance from Gareth is still part of the package, but the theory and processing sessions are less formal. Instead we use bad weather as an opportunity for image review, with one-to-one or small group sessions on post processing workflow happening in a more organic way.
Q: How long is a typical day?
A: There’s no schedule set in advance for any of our workshops or tours. In order to match our locations with the best light, we stay as flexible as possible. Typically we’ll shoot at sunrise if conditions allow, returning to the hotel afterwards for breakfast. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of early starts – sunrise shoots are always optional. We’ll certainly shoot during the day, prioritising locations that best suit the weather conditions. Even if it’s a travel day, we’ll stop at one or two interesting places along the way. Evening and sunset shoots are also a staple whenever conditions allow.
Poor weather can be useful too. On weekend workshops, we’ll take the opportunity to look at post processing. On longer tours we generally use poor weather to relax and recover, review our images, and perhaps think about post processing if people are keen. When conditions are favorable for several days in a row, regular dawn and dusk shoots can quickly become exhausting, so we do factor in the need for downtime during the day. Nothing kills creativity quicker than fatigue! If at any time you need to slow down and skip a shoot, that’s fine too.
Q: Can I bring my spouse/partner even if they’re not interested in photography?
A: Yes, absolutely. We visit beautiful and interesting locations, so there’s much to enjoy even if you aren’t interested in taking more than snapshots. We often stay in the same hotel for two or more nights, so non-photographers are free to take time out from the field trips and do their own thing. There’s often plenty to see and do within walking distance of our accommodation, and sometimes leisure facilities at the hotel too.
Ready to Join Us?
To avoid disappointment, we recommend you book your place on the tour as soon as possible. If you have any further queries about joining us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch:
Faroe Islands Photography Tour: US $ 8,900
Deposit to secure your place: US $ 2,000
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