The final stop on our Golden Circle journey wasn't supposed to be the highlight. Yet as we approached Seljalandsfoss in the late afternoon, I noticed the sun positioning itself perfectly on the horizon. Exhausted from a day of shooting, something told me to make one more effort—to venture behind this 60-meter cascade for a perspective few photographers properly capture.
Nature's Perfect Frame
What makes Seljalandsfoss unique among Iceland's many waterfalls is the cavity behind it—a natural chamber carved from centuries of water erosion. As I carefully navigated the slippery path, protecting my gear became as important as watching my footing. The mist intensified as I ducked behind the thundering curtain of water, but what awaited me was worth every precaution.
The scene unfolded like nature's own viewfinder—the circular cave opening perfectly framing the golden Icelandic landscape beyond. The setting sun positioned itself precisely on the horizon, casting warm light across the vast plains and distant hills. The waterfall itself became both subject and frame, its translucent sheet catching the light as it plunged into the pool below.
Technical Challenges Behind the Veil
Photographing from behind a waterfall presents unique technical obstacles. The extreme contrast between the dark cave and bright exterior required careful exposure balancing. I opted for bracketed exposures at f/11 to maintain depth of field throughout the scene, later blending them to preserve details in both the shadowy cave ceiling and the bright sunset.
Water spray presented the greatest challenge—a constant battle to keep the lens clear. Between quick wipes with a microfiber cloth, I positioned my body to shield the lens as much as possible. A polarizing filter helped manage reflections on the wet surfaces while enhancing the sunset colors.
The Fleeting Perfect Moment
What makes this image special isn't just the composition but the timing. For perhaps ten minutes, everything aligned—the sun's position, the golden light quality, and the way the waterfall caught that light as it fell. Fellow photographers know these moments are rare and fleeting, requiring both preparation and fortune.
The result captures something beyond a typical Seljalandsfoss photograph. Through the waterfall's veil, you experience Iceland's landscape from a sanctuary-like perspective—observing nature's beauty through nature's own creation.
A Reminder About Perspective
This image reminds me that the most compelling photographs often come from less obvious vantage points. While hundreds of tourists photographed Seljalandsfoss from the front that evening, the more powerful composition awaited those willing to venture behind it.
Next time you visit an iconic location, consider the perspectives others might overlook. Sometimes the most revealing view comes from behind the obvious, just as the day's final light reveals possibilities invisible at noon.
Have you ever photographed from an unusual perspective that transformed a familiar scene? I'd love to hear about your own experiences chasing unique vantage points in the comments below.
