The first four waterfalls are located in the southern part of Iceland, these are likely the best know and most photographed waterfalls. The other three are located in the northern part of Iceland and the last one is on the west peninsula of Iceland called Snæfellsnes. (Locations are tagged on google maps just click on the name of the waterfall, and don't forget to tag them in google so you can find them on your trip)
If you would travel counter clockwise around Iceland, Bruarfoss (first image below) will be the closest waterfall from Reykjavik that you can visit. Its not part of the main tourist circle called golden circle but its nearby Geysir. The hike towards this waterfall can be very muddy during rainy periods but the colors are definitely worth it!! This picture was taken from the bridge that crosses this river. This bridge can be shaky for long exposures so be sure no one is walking on it during your shot.
Seljalandsfoss (second image below) is know for the possibility to walk around this waterfall, with a risk of getting wet, definitely with windy weather. This can be an awesome location for sunrise shots, especially with a wide angle. With a wide angle you will be able to get the falls and a rising sun in the distance. When I was at this location there where to many clouds so I decided to go for an other composition.
Skogafoss (first image above) this waterfall is an impressive sight every time I get to this location, its like a whole river just starts to fall down, it is actually a whole river falling down. You can walk up a stairs to the top where you can see the river and the top of the waterfall. You are also able to walk quite close to this waterfall, a guaranteed getting wet situation.
Svartifoss or "blackfalls" (second image above) is a 30 minute walk uphill with a view of a couple other waterfalls the way up. What makes this waterfall so special are the surrounding rock formations "basalt columns shaped in a hexagon", these basalt columns are formed by slowly cooling lava-flows with the inner temperature higher then the outer temperature. The shapes of the basalt columns at his waterfall are so clearly visible because the formations break faster than the corrosive effect of the waterfall can effect these rocks.
Dettifoss and Selfoss (first and second image below) are both reachable from the same parking-lot, there are only two options the east rim or the west rim. These two images have been taken from the west-rim which has a better accessibility than the east-rim especially during the winter period. Dettifoss is located a small walk from the parking-lot with a newly build platform you will have a good view of this waterfall. Selfoss is located a two kilometer walk upstream. Selfoss has in my opinion a better view from the east-rim because you will see a lot of smaller waterfalls flowing over the wall of basalt columns.
Goðafoss or "Waterfall of the God's" (first image above). This waterfall has a story behind the name, it is said that its called waterfall of the gods because this is the locations they threw the Viking god statues into the waterfall. This was symbolic for the transition from the Viking religion into Christianity. Godafoss is massive C shaped waterfall which has multiple falls in different shapes and sizes, there is also a slight high difference between them.
If you are only planning to visit only the southern part of Iceland you might still be able to visit the west peninsula which is a must see because of Kirkjufellsfoss (second image above). Kirkjufellsfoss might not be really impressive but when you add the surrounding to this waterfall especially Kirkjufell aka Arrowhead mountain you will have the amazing composition and location. Arrowhead mountain only looks like an Arrowhead from this location. From the left or right side, it has a totally different and unrecognizable shape.
For more images and bigger versions of these images from Iceland click here.
