See spectacular photos from an Iceland road trip

I am always delighted to hear from great people who have traveled to Iceland, gone on an Iceland road trip, and are willing to share their Iceland travel experience. Mitch Hallahan is one of them. He is a 26-year-old Australian, and he recently returned home to Down Under from his Iceland road trip. Mitch is an accomplished photographer, and you can check out his work on his Instagram account.

Can you please share tips in tricks that you used to get those great shots?

Thank you. For me, I am a little different in the sense that it’s self-taught. I have never attended any photography school or course. All been through experimenting with my camera and lens, with some light reading on photography topics that interest me. It’s a huge passion of mine, and one day I look to do an open-ended trip photographing the world for all to see.

What photographic equipment did you use on your Iceland road trip?

Being from Australia, it can be quite hard to pick the essentials that you want/need to travel with.  I took my Nikon D3400 with me and a couple of my lenses. I used my 14mm for wide-angle and low-light photography and then my 55mm-200mm Nikon lens for landscape photography. Last but not least, I also had my 50mm lens for any sort of portrait settings or for just getting up close with my subject.

Your website shows that you have traveled all over the world. What made you travel to Iceland?

Iceland, for me, has always been on the bucket list. Australians are very limited in what we know and understand about the culture of Iceland since we live so far away from Iceland. We all know the landscape is insanely beautiful, and the people are extremely welcoming. For me, it was about seeing the sights of Iceland. Also, immersing myself in the culture, understanding the people of Iceland. I was lucky enough to have a connection with someone who lived in Reykjavik, which helped me see Iceland from a ‘locals’ perspective. I cannot wait to return!

What was your mode of travel, did you rent a car and if so how did that go?

Off my friends advice I decided to rent a car for flexibility with sightseeing and travel plans. It was the best decision I made. I had a hotel in Reykjavik – Grand Hotel, which was incredibly beautiful, and each day I would jump in the car and travel the country. It was an incredible experience and one I’ll always remember.

What places or experiences did you like the most when staying in Iceland?

For me, it was the country’s natural beauty. How untouched areas of Iceland are, with few to no man-made structures (like power lines) obstructing views of the landscape. One highway connecting the entire country also blew my mind. I come from Australia, where it takes 7 days to drive just the East Coast. I found it very convenient to see the vast majority of the country in just 8 days.

Hot spots such as Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and Kirkjufell Mountain were all amazing experiences, but, like most people, I think the one that sticks out most for me is seeing the Northern Lights dance across the night sky for the first time. That was simply Breathtaking.

What advice would you give to somebody traveling to Iceland for the first time?

My advice would be: take your time! Give yourself at least a week to fully enjoy this paradise. Hit up the tourist favorites, but don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with locals.  Ask for their advice on the must-sees and do’s of Iceland. After all, they know the landscape better than anyone else. I’d highly suggest hiring a car or van – it makes transport that much easier, and you’re not reliant on tour buses. Make sure you check out the night scene in Reykjavik, too! The locals know how to have some fun, and if you’re looking for a nice meal, Flatey Pizza was a favorite of mine!

Thank you for the opportunity to share some of my experiences in your ever-impressive country, Iceland! I look forward to meeting you when I return. Until then, take care.

Photos are by Mitch Hallahan