Capturing the ephemeral "Dragon Glass" look.
Katla is a unique photography subject. Unlike pure blue caves, you are dealing with **high-contrast black ice** and frequently changing light from the cave entrances. Use these 2026 technical settings to get it right the first time.
90% of visitors use phones. Here is how to beat the "grainy" look:
For those shooting RAW:
In summer, small meltwater pools form on the floor. Get your camera low to the ground to capture a mirror image of the ice arches above. It doubles the impact of your shot.
Many guides carry high-powered LED torches. Ask them to "backlight" a thin ice wall. This reveals the internal air bubbles and the true electric-blue core hidden behind the ash.
A photo of just ice can look abstract. Place a person in the mid-ground. Bright primary colors (Yellow, Red) pop perfectly against the blue-black cave interior.
Most standard group tours **discourage** tripods because the cave can be crowded and floors are slippery (trip hazard). If you are a landscape professional, look for a "Private Photography Tour" which allocates 2+ hours inside the cave specifically for long-exposure work.