Reykjavík Museum of Photography

He is one of the most respected photographers of his generation, and has participated in exhibitions both in Iceland and abroad. He took part, for instance, in_ EXPO 70_ in Osaka, and also represented Iceland at the photographic exhibition  _Frozen Image_ at Scandinavia Today in the USA in 1982.  Leifur was also received a DV Cultural Award for design, for his exhibition _Kyrralíf_ at the Stöðlakot gallery. 

Leifur was one of the founders of the Museum of Photography, later the Reykjavík Museum of Photography, and has been active in teaching photography, initially through the Association of Photographers, and subsequently at the Technical College and the Academy of Arts. Leifur’s expertise on the chemical aspects of photography, such as colour and colour processing, is much respected, and he has been a mentor to many Icelandic photographers in this field, and also in computer technology.

The photographs in the exhibition are black-and-white, taken over a period of 40 years, from 1963 to the present day. They depict various aspects of Reykjavík – the city and its people – two inseparable factors that are reflected in each other. 

Leifur Þorsteinsson was born in Reykjavík in 1933. He graduated from Reykjavík High School in 1955, and then went on to Copenhagen University, where he studied physics and chemistry 1955-1958. After this he commenced training as a photographer with Jan Selzer in Copenhagen, and received his journeyman’s qualification in 1962 from Dansk Fotografforenings Fagskole in Copenhagen. On completion of his studies, he returned to Iceland and opened the Myndiðn photographic studio, which he has run ever since. 


Leifur Þorsteinsson │ people and city

Leifur Þorsteinsson, who began his photographic career in the early 1960s, was a pioneer of advertising and commercial photography in Iceland.

Lei­fur Þor­steinsson │ people and city

Leifur Þorsteinsson, who began his photographic career in the early 1960s, was a pioneer of advertising and commercial photography in Iceland.

Leifur Þorsteinsson │ people and city