What is there to say about this magnificent country that hasn't already been said? Stark beauty, glaciers, powerful waterfalls, geothermal pools, Sigur Ros, lamb soup.. It's one of the few places that everyone who can visit should, because it's just so utterly unique. Visually, it's like leaving the planet.
I found myself with a week to kill before starting a new job so there was a lot to cram in. Too much. I didn't get a whole lot further than Reykjavik and the Golden Circle but that was enough for a good taste. Iceland is one of those places one could really dive in headlong and explore for years. It's completely different season to season and has several geologically distinct regions. There are more outdoor activities than you could ever get bored with and there's a cool Euro urban culture in Reykjavik with some pretty excellent live music venues and places to eat.
Here are a few photographs from my explorations in the southwestern corner of this country. I can't wait to go back and shoot more!
This isn't a monochrome photo rather a volcanic landscape completely void of color.
A fresh meltwater tunnel in Sólheimajökull glacier. How deep is it and where does it go? Who knows. 95% of the world’s glaciers are retreating, Iceland’s no exception. Here, unseasonable meltwater bore a tunnel through solid ice in less than a week. As always for me, reading about problems like this is just a piece of the endless stream of troubling information we receive on a daily basis. Seeing it, touching it, walking in it, hearing first-hand stories about it, always puts it into a more meaningful, lasting context.
Skógafoss waterfall.
I'm not sure what this glacier is called. I shot it on a Northern Lights viewing trip about an hour outside of Reykjavik. The frozen, desolate wastes under the endless, open sky. It's crazy to think how fast you would die out here if you lost your way.
The magnificent Aurora Borealis aka the Northern Lights. Interestingly enough they appear more white to the naked eye but photograph this rich green color.
Close up of the Northern Lights
Sólheimajökull glacier.
Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall. Not for nothing, there is quite a lot to see in the Golden Circle all conveniently located within a few hours of Reykjavik. More time is always better but one can do a pretty good short trip here.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall.