Location:
Iceland: Western Fjords
Tuition:
GB£4395
(single Occupancy)
Dates:
September 9th – 15th September 2025
Activity Level:
Moderate
Some steep ascents and descents,
Uneven rocky ground
Instructors:
Alister Benn
Availability:
WAIT LIST
Limited to 4 Guests
Workshop Overview and General Information
Alister Benn has been running workshops on Iceland since 2012 and has amassed a huge amount of experience and understanding of the place, its wildlife and unique magic. Being such a relatively young landscape, it feels as if it wears its personality close to the skin. There is an incredible sense of space, openness and an experience on the edge.
Iceland is located in the north Atlantic, just a hairs breadth south of the Arctic Circle. Consequently, the weather is rarely balmy; with storms passing over during any month of the year. It is that sense of unpredictability that creates the photographic speciality the place is known for. Fleeting light, surprises, unexpected moments of brilliance, and of course the chance of a wet day sat in processing and getting expressive on the computer.
Alister possesses a pretty unique set of teaching skills; infectious passion and enthusiasm for individual expression, boundless energy and a willingness to spend a long time with each participant to help identify the best way for them to connect with the landscape in front of them, and to make images that feel like them. He also has quite the sense of humour and loves a laugh. As he often says “people learn more when they’re happy!”
With only 4 participants, this is a really small group and we can leave a very small footprint as we travel.
What’s Included
NOT Included
Arrival & Departure
The workshop starts and end at Reykjavik Domestic Airport, which is not the same as the International airport at Keflavik. Situated close to downtown we will meet at 8am on the 9th September for our 10am flight up north. Iceland has become an incredibly popular tourist destination in recent years, but a tiny fraction of them make it up to the western fjords, and it is a way to experience Iceland how it was; remote, wild, sparsely populated and stunningly beautiful.
We will spread our time equally between the northern and southern sections of the region, allowing for shorter daily excursions. Many of the roads are rough and it takes time to get around. We will be stopping often and the aim is to be in the field as much as possible while the weather cooperates. This is a “full immersion” “slow workshop,” designed for you to get the most of each day and have an unforgettable experience in this stunning landscape.
Your Guides
Alister Benn is a Scottish landscape photographer, educator, and author known for his evocative images of natural landscapes and his thoughtful approach to photography. Born in 1966 in Glasgow, Scotland, Benn’s early passion for the outdoors and wildlife influenced his interest in landscape photography, which he began pursuing seriously in the early 2000s.
Benn is recognised for his dramatic, atmospheric compositions that capture the interplay of light, weather, and rugged landscapes, particularly focusing on remote and desolate regions such as the Scottish Highlands, Iceland, and Tibet. His work often explores the emotional and spiritual connections between humans and nature.
In addition to his photography, Benn is deeply committed to teaching and sharing his knowledge. He runs workshops and online courses through his platform Expressive Photography, where he emphasises creativity, personal expression, and mindfulness in the photographic process rather than simply technical perfection.
Benn has published several books, including Luminosity & Contrast and Out of Darkness, which delve into the philosophy behind his approach to photography, light, and mood. He has won multiple awards for his work and is a regular speaker at photography events worldwide. His contribution to the landscape photography community lies not just in his images but also in his philosophical and introspective approach to the art.
Gallery
Payment Terms
Once you have submitted your registration form and had confirmation that a place is available for you, we will send out an invoice for the deposit of £895. Payment of the deposit indicates you agree with our terms and conditions
Final invoices for the remaining balance of £3500 are sent out 90 days before the start of the workshop and must be paid within 30 days of receipt.
Deposits are non-refundable unless we can find someone to fill the vacated place, in which case a refund minus some transaction fees can be made. Sometimes this is not possible, but we are often willing to transfer the deposit to a future workshop. As the trip includes an internal flight, if you cancel once the flight has been booked, the price of the flight will be deducted from your refund (if applicable.)
We strongly recommend you take out independent trip insurance to cover you in case of cancellation.