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When one thinks of Iceland, the mind is immediately filled with icy landscapes, snowy lands, polar temperatures. In fact, this is Iceland in the collective imagination. A cold, almost polar place immersed in extreme and frozen atmospheres. In reality it is not exactly like that. Or rather this may be true for the areas further north or central and for the winter months. In other times of the year and for the East, the West and the South of the island, in reality, the temperatures are not so extreme. It is true that the climate is extremely changeable and everything can change in a very short time, but we can also find hot days (for these latitudes) where temperatures are maintained around 20 ° -22 °. The result of this is twofold. First of all, during the summer we will have long days and short nights (in some cases there will never be absolute darkness) and this means interminable photographic sessions. Even the sunrises and sunsets will be extremely dilated, which will turn out to us extremely strange.
And then the landscapes will be completely different from those that are usually seen on services and specialized magazines. There will be a lot of green and above all the waterfalls will increase their capacity dramatically due to the melting snow on the glaciers. All this will take us to different photographs, but no less spectacular. In addition, the areas of the center of the island will be accessible, which are difficult to visit in winter and which have their own particular spectacle, being almost uninhabited. Beyond that, which is not negligible, will increase the number of animal species, especially marine avifauna, which will reach the island so that even wildlife photographers can indulge with puffins, sules, guillemots, ducks and hundreds of other species. Iceland in the summer deserves a visit because it will give us emotions (and photographs) out of the ordinary. |
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The tour will take us to travel the legendary Ring Road that starting from Rejkyavik, after a ring of about a thousand miles will take us back to the starting point.
We will therefore visit practically all the major attractions of this wonderful island from the fjords of the North, the majestic waterfalls of the East up to the glaciers and the spectacular promontories of the South of the Island. And without forgetting the ubiquitous fauna and birdlife. |
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| Mull, for the reasons set out above, is a spectacular location for animal photography. Here we will meet, with relative ease, lot of species very difficult to photograph elsewhere. It is for example the case of the sea otter. Knowing the areas that she used to frequent, it will be possible to see her among the algae while consuming its meal based on fish or crustaceans. In this case it will allow us to execute our photographs in complete tranquility. The sea eagle is more elusive but it is good for us that she has its territory around her nest. Deer are a constant presence throughout the island as well as seals. Sea birds are present in the smaller islands of Staffa and Lunga along with many other species. Even from the point of view of the landscape the island is truly spectacular with beaches, almost tropical for the colors of the sea, gulfs, fjords, prairies and inland mountains, all immersed in an atmosphere and in a totally crystalline and particular light that will not that enhance our shots giving them a distinct clarity and contrast. |
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| The tour will take us to travel the legendary Ring Road. This is a paved road (and in Iceland it is not so obvious) that starting from Rejkyavik, after a ring of about a thousand kilometers around the island, will take us back to the starting point. Within this tour we will visit practically all the places of greatest interest photographic (and cultural) of the island. From the fjords of the North to the majestic waterfalls of the East and the South, from the glacial lagoons to all those iconic places that you absolutely must visit in Iceland. |
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The climate in Iceland
Nothing is more uncertain in Iceland than its climate:
There is a saying in this country that reads more or less like this: "If you do not like the time it takes, wait 5 minutes". The weather here is really changeable and if you move along the island, you will certainly encounter different climates even at relatively short distances.
Generally in the North the climate is more rigid while the whole southern part of the coast, being lapped by the warm Gulf Stream, is the most temperate part of the island. However, the climate is always dry and therefore the perceived cold is lower.
In the summer, temperatures between + 6 ° and + 15 ° are quite likely, even if on sunny days (or at times) temperatures can rise up to 20-22 °.
Our real enemy will be the wind that when it will blow (and it really blows here) will lower our perception of the temperature a lot. |
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The climate and photography
We will not find particularly harsh temperatures. We will not even have much dust. What we will find in abundance will be water in all its forms. In particular we will have to defend ourselves from:
Condensation - especially at night and in the dawns
Water spray - it will be everywhere on both the waterfalls we will see and especially on the coasts and beaches.
Furthermore, one of our enemies will be the wind. Mull is a wind island. The wind will disturb us because it will give us problems in the photographic phase and because it will lower the temperatures.
In view of all this, a plastic cover is recommended to protect the equipment during the operating phases, as specified in the actual section of the equipment.
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How to dress
In theory the climate in this part of Scotland and in this period should not be very cold.
In practice, we are on a island and in a place where the winds make it master. So the clothing will have to be winter and heavy.
We are also very far to the north and it is possible that, if the weather worsens, we could run into rather cold days. The best advice is always to provide a "layered" clothing (so to speak "onion").
Some advice on clothing analytically:
Inner T-shirts
Do not put in contact with the skin cotton t-shirts:
That's the worst thing we can do. In fact they are soaked with sweat and then freeze on.
It is necessary to use internal thermal t-shirts that allow you to breathe the skin and protect it from the cold.
There is thermal clothing of all kinds: t-shirts, trousers, leotards, socks, gloves etc.
This kind of garment is available at Decathlon and specialized stores. Moreover, as we are in wet and rainy places, all our clothing should have a fundamental characteristic: impermeability.
Sweaters:
The most insulating in absolute are those of Pile. The ideal would be to have a couple of different heaviness.
Balaclava
Very useful I would say almost fundamental when we have to take pictures at the first light of dawn or at night. Those in fleece are very hot. Otherwise the thermal ones.
Gaiter:
Very useful because it seals the space between the bust and the neck which is always a critical point.
K way:
A garment that must not be missing is a K-Way or a light raincoat.
The island of Mull is a place of water and there will be a lot of steam from the waterfalls and the rain. So you will need to protect yourself well.
Umbrella
A small foldable umbrella is recommended.
Glasses
Useful sunglasses for the reverberation on the snow. We also recommend a type of fully transparent snow goggles to protect the eyes from the wind.
Hat and mosquito gloves
In some places we will find an industrial quantity of mosquitoes for which accessories such as a hat (or a nest) and anti-mosquito gloves will be real saved, perhaps combined with a good anti-repellent.
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| Photo gloves |
K-way |
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| Warm neck |
Balaclava |
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| Anti-mosquitos hat |
Mosquitos repellent |
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| RESERVATION STATUS |
| P1 |
guide |
P4 |
free |
P7 |
free |
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| P2 |
sold |
P5 |
free |
P8 |
free |
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| P3 |
free |
P6 |
free |
P9 |
free |
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Voluntary drivers
As a mini van will be rent for travel, we will need to indicate a second driver in addition to the driver of Adventure Photo Tour. The participant who will propose for this task will receive a discount of € 150 on the cost of travel. Presumably he will never have to drive but for any eventuality he will have to give his availability after signing a declaration. The guide in Iceland does not present particular difficulties because the spaces are immense and the cars are few. A bit of effort is required only in any off-road. |
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Healt Insurance & Release
It is strongly recommended to stipulate a health insurance valid for the country in which you go. This regardless of the type or difficulty of the trip. Participants can take out their own insurance or take advantage of the insurance plan proposed by Adventure. The cost of the insurance is not included in the cost of the tour.
All participants will be subjected to a (compulsory) release that releases the organization from health responsibilities.
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Civil and Penal Liability Insurance
For each of the participants of the Adventure Photo Tour, a Civil and Penal Responsibility Insurance is stipulated, the details of which are indicated in the appropriate form accessible from the button below.
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| Per quanto l'Islanda sia posta sul 64° parallelo, in realtà non ha un clima di tipo artico e le temperature non sono estreme. Questo può verificarsi per l'influenza positiva del braccio più a Nord della calda Corrente del Golfo che mitiga il freddo. Questo almeno su tutta la costa Sud dell'Isola. Diverso, molto diverso, è il discorso per l'interno dell'isola dove si toccano anche i -35°. Ciò vuol dire che non dovremo usare particolari accorgimenti per le nostre attrezzature. E' ovvio che un corpo macchina tropicalizzato ci lascerà molto più tranquilli di uno commerciale entry level. Di seguito una lista dell'attrezzatura consigliata. |
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main camera body |
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secondary camera body |
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wide lens like 16-35 mm or 24-70 mm (landscape) |
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tele lens zoom like 70-200 mm or 24-105 mm (landscape details) |
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telelens 500 mm + teleconverter 1,5 x (animals and details) |
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tripod |
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remote camera controller |
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strobo |
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ND and polarizer filters |
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batteries in advance |
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You will be accompanied on this tour by Alberto B. Scalia.
Alberto has a remarkable experience in the countries of northern Europe he has known for many years and he loves absolutely.
He has been a naturalist photographer for many years, has shot the world in search of exclusive landscapes and animals, building an enviable background of enlightenment.
Teacher in naturalistic photography in Latina, engaged in teaching naturalistic themes in schools of all levels, publics and private. Administrator in the organization and curating of international and national events such as exhibitions, photo competitions and cultural events, says about photography: "What the photographer has to have is passion in the experimentation. You should not be afraid to explore different or complicated roads. What pleases me more a beautiful photo taken is to convey the passion I put in that shot to a student who tomorrow will do likewise with someone else. " |
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* Important notice- disclaimer
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The itineraries, costs and details of the Photo Tour will be subject to variations for all the causes that are independent of the organization's will, such as natural disasters and consequent flight displacement, variation of rates and taxes, modification of the tour plan etc.
Any variation will however be communicated as soon as possible to the participants. |
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The Photo Tour will subjet to variationsin regardless to the commercial policies of Air Companies and Rental operators.
Every change will be communicated to partecipants with adequate advance. |
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