Iceland Fine Art Series
This world is full of incredible places. I had the opportunity this spring to travel to Iceland on a photo excursion. Timing is everything when it comes to landscape. For this trip specifically this meant having to sometimes wait several hours for that perfect sunset to come in, or for the sporadic snowstorm to pass. It also meant speeding to get to the ice beach before the sunset was over, changing plans to avoid an incoming storm, etc. Timing is everything.
This world is full of incredible places. I had the opportunity this spring to travel to Iceland on a photo excursion. Timing is everything when it comes to landscape. For this trip specifically this meant having to sometimes wait several hours for that perfect sunset to come in, or for the sporadic snowstorm to pass. It also meant speeding to get to the ice beach before the sunset was over, changing plans to avoid an incoming storm, etc. Timing is everything.
The purpose of this "Icelandic Wonders" series is solely to showcase the grandeur and beauty of Iceland. They always say that a picture is worth a thousand words—I agree. There were several occasions on this trip where I was just in complete awe. No words, just feeling. That is what I love about photography. It is a way to capture and preserve those feelings and emotions that may otherwise be forgotten.
One of the most difficult parts of this trip was dealing with mist around all of the huge waterfalls. I had never before shot waterfalls so close and so large. It is a constant battle to try to compose a good shot, wipe all of the mist off of the lens, and get the lens focused properly. On top of all of this the sound of the crashing water is raging, making it even more difficult to concentrate. I would have never expected shooting waterfalls to be so difficult, but it is something that I would like to practice more.
Overall this was a trip of a lifetime and I walked away feeling very inspired to make more time to shoot landscapes. There is nothing better than "stepping outside" of normal life, and caputuring the beatiful wonders of this Earth.
Overall this was a trip of a lifetime and I walked away feeling very inspired to make more time to shoot landscapes. There is nothing better than "stepping outside" of normal life, and caputuring the beatiful wonders of this Earth.
Kirkjufellsfossi
Process: This was an HDR composite/Panoramic photo. There couldn't have been a more beautiful sunset.
Ice Beach
Process: For this shot, I set up my composition on a tripod, locked the focus, and then used a long exposure to capture the movement of the waves.
Process: For this shot, I set up my composition on a tripod, locked the focus, and then used a long exposure to capture the movement of the waves.
Reynisfjara
Process: These sea stacks were so neat at night. It was really difficult to focus the lens in the dark so I used a flashlight to light up the stacks while I focused the lens. Once it was locked in focus I used a 30-second exposure to get the movement of the waves totally blurred--creating this moody scene.
Process: These sea stacks were so neat at night. It was really difficult to focus the lens in the dark so I used a flashlight to light up the stacks while I focused the lens. Once it was locked in focus I used a 30-second exposure to get the movement of the waves totally blurred--creating this moody scene.
Vesturhorn
Literally waited all night to get Vesturhorn at sunrise...only to have it completely covered by clouds. This location, however is espcially unique as it is surrounded by water. Although the sunrise shot didn't happen, the glossy bay provided a great reflection.
Literally waited all night to get Vesturhorn at sunrise...only to have it completely covered by clouds. This location, however is espcially unique as it is surrounded by water. Although the sunrise shot didn't happen, the glossy bay provided a great reflection.
Icelandic Horses
Process: RIght as the sun was just about down, these Icelandic horses decided to graze the horizon. I love backlighting. It is especailly great for a wide-angled landscape shot that still has an interesting scene. I got the silhouettes of the horses by slightly under-exposing the sunset.
Skogafoss
Process: This is actually a self-portrait. I set my camera up on a tripod and locked the focus on the rock that I am standing on. Using a timer, I clicked the shutter and sprinted to this rock. I loved this shot in black and white--the contrast is so beautiful.
Process: This is actually a self-portrait. I set my camera up on a tripod and locked the focus on the rock that I am standing on. Using a timer, I clicked the shutter and sprinted to this rock. I loved this shot in black and white--the contrast is so beautiful.
Turf Church
Process: This is a combination of several light paintings. Using a tripod, I first locked the focus on the turf church, and then used several 30 second exposures to run around with a flashlight "painting" in where I wanted light. It is such a fun way to capture stars, but with an intersting foreground.
Process: This is a combination of several light paintings. Using a tripod, I first locked the focus on the turf church, and then used several 30 second exposures to run around with a flashlight "painting" in where I wanted light. It is such a fun way to capture stars, but with an intersting foreground.
Seljalandsfoss
Process: I would easily call this one of the most "magical places on Earth". This is an HDR composite of 7 images. This was one of the most difficult photos I have ever taken due to the mist behind the falls. Dealing with mist requires a lot of patience, constant wiping of the lens, and a planned composition. I walked out from behind this literally sopping wet. What an adventure!
Process: I would easily call this one of the most "magical places on Earth". This is an HDR composite of 7 images. This was one of the most difficult photos I have ever taken due to the mist behind the falls. Dealing with mist requires a lot of patience, constant wiping of the lens, and a planned composition. I walked out from behind this literally sopping wet. What an adventure!
Black Sand Cave
Process: This is another light painting. I had seen this cave earlier in the day, and returned back at night to practice some light painting. It took about an hour before I could get a flattering angle from my flashlight that I was using to light up the cave. Once I was happy with this image, I decided to do a self portrait, long exposure of me holding the flashlight on the shore. I kept my tripod in the same position so that I could later composite the two images together.
Gljufurarfoss
Process: This was another challenging waterfall. I hiked through the stream to get to the base of this waterfall that is encaved by huge rocks. It was taken early in the aftenoon so the shadows were very harsh. I did HDR bracketing of 7 images to get all of the color values...and then used a black and white filter to bring in the contrast.
Process: This was another challenging waterfall. I hiked through the stream to get to the base of this waterfall that is encaved by huge rocks. It was taken early in the aftenoon so the shadows were very harsh. I did HDR bracketing of 7 images to get all of the color values...and then used a black and white filter to bring in the contrast.
