Iceland has many faces, and some of the most spellbinding ones are carved in water and stone. This time, the journey follows four iconic waterfalls: Öxarárfoss, Brúarfoss, Gullfoss, and Skógafoss. Each of them comes with its own myths and quiet whispers from the past — and each is a dream, and a challenge, for photographers.

Öxarárfoss – History in the Mist

Öxarárfoss lies in Þingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s early history and raw geology meet. According to legend, the Öxará river was diverted centuries ago to bring water closer to the Alþingi, the ancient parliament. Whether or not the story is strictly true, the waterfall feels deeply tied to the human drama that once unfolded on these plains.

The spray at Öxarárfoss often hangs in the air like a thin veil, especially on cold days when it begins to freeze along the rocks. It is easy to imagine chieftains and law speakers standing nearby, their voices carried off into the same mist that now softens the edges of the basalt cliffs.

For photographers, Öxarárfoss offers clean, graphic compositions. The dark rock walls create a natural frame, and the cascade splits into textured layers that work wonderfully in long exposures. In winter, patches of ice and snow add contrast and minimalism; in summer, moss and low vegetation bring subtle tones of green to the scene. A sturdy tripod is almost essential here — both for longer shutter speeds and to handle the often restless wind.

Brúarfoss – The Blue Bridge of Legends

Brúarfoss is sometimes called the bluest waterfall in Iceland. According to one legend, there was once a natural stone arch across the river — a “bridge” that gave the waterfall its name. Another story tells of a farmer who destroyed that bridge to keep strangers and unwanted visitors away from his land. Whether or not that act really happened, the idea fits the mood of Brúarfoss: hidden, remote, and slightly secretive.

The water here flows through rugged lava formations, and standing on the banks, watching the river tumble and split, feels like looking into a crack in the earth where another world begins.

Photographically, Brúarfoss is all about texture and flow. The interplay between the dark, jagged rock and the water creates natural leading lines through the frame. Moderate long exposures turn the torrent into silky ribbons without losing structure, revealing the movement beneath the surface. The stark contrast between stone and water makes for compelling black and white work.

Gullfoss – The Golden Waterfall and Its Guardian

Gullfoss is grand in every sense of the word. Its name, the “Golden Falls,” has inspired more than one legend. One story tells of a wealthy farmer named Gýgur (or sometimes a woman named Sigríður) who supposedly threw her gold into the river so that no one else could claim it, giving the waterfall its golden name. Another, gentler explanation links the glow to the way the evening sun hits the spray, turning the mist and water into molten light.

Perhaps the most powerful story, though, is the tale of Sigríður Tómasdóttir, often described as a guardian spirit of Gullfoss in human form. In the early 20th century, she fought to protect the waterfall from being harnessed for hydroelectric power. The mythic version of her story says she threatened to throw herself into the falls if they were destroyed. Whether legend or embellished history, her determination helped ensure that Gullfoss remains untamed today.

For photographers, Gullfoss demands decisions. The double cascade drops into a rugged canyon, and the surrounding landscape feels vast. Wide-angle lenses capture the full drama, from the upper falls to the deep gorge below. The interplay of light and shadow across the water and stone creates rich tonal gradations that translate beautifully to black and white. Every angle of approach opens different compositional possibilities, inviting experimentation with perspective and framing.

Skógafoss – Giants, Gold, and Endless Compositions

Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, a perfect curtain of water falling from a former sea cliff. According to legend, a giant named Þrasi hid a chest of gold behind the waterfall. Over time, locals claimed to have seen the chest shimmering through the wall of water. When someone finally tried to pull it out, the handle broke off in their hands — and that ring, so the story goes, ended up in the church door at Skógar.

Standing at the base of Skógafoss, with the constant roar and curtain of mist in front of you, it is easy to believe there might still be something hidden behind it.

For photographers, Skógafoss is both straightforward and endlessly versatile. The classic view from ground level emphasizes the symmetry of the falls and the human scale of anyone walking close to the base. The black pebbles and white water create strong contrasts well-suited to black and white photography. Climbing the staircase to the viewing platform opens up more abstract compositions of the river and the surrounding valley. The interplay of water, stone, and sky offers countless variations of tone and texture to explore.

Photographing Waterfalls in a Land of Myths

Myths and waterfalls belong together in Iceland. The stories of diverted rivers, destroyed stone bridges, hidden gold, and steadfast guardians add another layer to the experience of standing in front of these falls. They are not just geographical features; they feel like characters in a larger, ancient narrative.

For photographers, that sense of story is as important as aperture and shutter speed. The challenge is not only to capture water in motion, but to convey mood: the weight of history at Öxarárfoss, the secretive glow of Brúarfoss, the monumental power of Gullfoss, the mythical quiet at Skógafoss. Choosing a perspective, a focal length, or a shutter speed becomes part of how that story is told.

And then there is the practical side: waterproof clothing, lens cloths constantly battling spray, filters fogging up in the cold, tripods planted in uneven ground. The conditions are often harsh, but they shape the images just as they shape the land itself.

In the end, each of these waterfalls offers more than a single postcard view. They invite slow looking, experimentation, and a willingness to stand still in the roar and the mist, waiting for that one moment when light, weather, and legend seem to fall into place.

Check out these posts for more photos from magnificent Iceland.