The Unexpected Color Palette
I stood at the edge of Bruarfoss Waterfall, mesmerized by what was unfolding before me. The famous turquoise-blue waters—already spectacular on their own—were now framed by a tapestry of autumn gold and amber. This wasn't part of my plan. I'd come to capture the iconic cascades of "Iceland's bluest waterfall," but nature had other ideas, presenting me with an unexpected gift of perfect seasonal timing.
Bruarfoss isn't the tallest or most powerful waterfall in Iceland, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in color. The intense blue hue comes from glacial meltwater, rich in minerals and filtered through volcanic soil. What makes this particular moment special is how rarely the peak fall colors align with optimal conditions for photographing the water. Usually, by the time autumn's touch reaches this area, the weather has turned, often bringing rain that muddies the water's pristine blue.
The Technical Challenge
Capturing this scene presented several challenges. The contrast between the bright white water and dark volcanic rock demanded careful exposure management. I opted for a slightly longer exposure—about 1/4 second—to create that silky water effect while still maintaining detail in the cascades.
The composition was critical here. I wanted to showcase both the meandering path of the water and the context of the autumn-touched landscape. The S-curve of the river naturally draws the viewer's eye through the frame, from the multiple falling cascades at the top to the smooth flow in the foreground. The black volcanic rock provides a perfect natural frame that makes the turquoise water appear even more vibrant and otherworldly.
Nature's Perfect Timing
What struck me most about this moment was its fleeting nature. The fall colors in Iceland last only a brief window—typically just a few weeks in September—and can vary drastically depending on the year's weather patterns. The golden vegetation you see clinging to the rocks belongs to Arctic birch and willow, which turn these spectacular colors for just a short time before the harsh Icelandic winter sets in.
Had I arrived a week earlier, the landscape would have been predominantly green. A week later, and a storm might have stripped the delicate foliage or muddied the waters. This intersection of perfect conditions—clear water, peak fall colors, and reasonable weather—represents one of those magical moments in landscape photography when luck trumps planning.
The Value of Adaptation
This image serves as a reminder of something I've learned repeatedly throughout my photography journey: sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. While technical skill and planning are fundamental, there's unmistakable magic in embracing the unexpected.
The lesson here isn't to abandon planning—I still researched how to access Bruarfoss (which requires a bit of a hike) and arrived with the right equipment. Rather, it's about maintaining flexibility and recognizing when nature offers you something better than what you envisioned.
Have you ever experienced a moment when unexpected conditions completely transformed your planned photograph? I'd love to hear your stories of serendipitous timing in the comments below. And if you're planning your own photography journey to Iceland, my guide to Iceland's waterfalls might help you find your own moment of perfect timing.
