Inspired by Iceland

Constantly consumed with the hustle and bustle of city life, I barely get time to explore things I feel passionate about- photography, nature, and travel. One thing I love about photography is- you can capture a moment and revisit your past adventures.

Being an adventure lover and an avid nature photographer, I have been craving to visit Iceland for quite some time. Iceland- a nordic island with the most dramatic landscapes and geological diversity, is a mecca for every professional or hobbyist photographer.

Fortunately, I was able to plan a week’s trip to this mystical place on earth. My primary interest was in photographing the landscapes alongside enjoying the view of the pristine terrain around me. Mountains have always drawn me incredibly. The serenity and silence of the mountains are calming and therapeutic. So, I packed up all the gear and began my photoblogger journey from Reykjavik.

From Reykjavik, I planned to travel through the F roads, also called the mountain roads- they are rocky, unpaved roads, quite tricky, and sometimes dangerous to drive on. So, I grabbed my 4x4 SUV mandatory to drive on F-roads as my companion for the next few days. I made a quick stop at a supermarket to pick up all the necessary supplies and hit the road again, only to stop at Skogar.

Skogar

Skogar, a rustic, tiny village, having a community of hardly 25 people. It is a prominent settlement among tourists and has a couple of attractions nearby. On the east side, it has Skogar Museum and Kvernufoss waterfall, while the magnificent Skogfoss waterfall, on the west. I wanted to seize the tranquil beauty of this place in solitude, without the tourists’ crowd. So I stretched out and waited patiently to visit the fall around midnight. The perfect lighting of the midnight sun is exactly what I wanted.

Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck Site

While coming back from Skogafoss, I parked my car just off the highway, walked several kilometers to reach the black beach at Sólheimasandur. An epic airplane crash site turned into a popular tourist destination. After walking for about one hour,

I saw the site, and it was worth everything. This abandoned white US Navy plane wreck on completely black earth was surreal. The view was picturesque and a paradise for any photographer. I had the entire place to myself, so I hung there till early morning.

Jokulsarlon

My next stop was the Jokulsarlon or the glacier lagoon, famously known for the floating iceberg. This view is a once-in-a-lifetime experience before they succumb to global warming.

I took a Zodiac boat to get close to the icebergs and saw a huge glacier crumbling. As a landscape photography influencer, I can count this picture as my lucky moment. We witnessed this glacier crash from 2 kilometers away and felt the rush of the waves 4 to 5 minutes later.

The view of the floating icebergs up-close looked like a dreamland, and I tried to capture that very essence of it.

Vestrahorn

This Vestrahorn mountain- the horny mountains as they are affectionately known, is a photographer’s craving.In this picture, a young lady is standing by the calm ocean, soaking in the salty ocean’s breeze. I met her at the beach and learned that she was a traveler too, from France. We had a brief conversation- she was super friendly and agreed to pose for me.

In my photographs, I try to bring out the artistic aspect of the place. I captured the crude beauty within the rocky terrains unaltered by the civilization.

Diamond Beach

Slightly off the F-208 route, on 202, is Diamond beach, one of the extraordinary places in the world. It is like nature’s wonder, to be precise. The beach is beside the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, from where the icebergs are brought down to the waterfront by waves.

The best time to visit the beach is around dusk or dawn- when the tides are significant, the sun is not too hot.

It was a little challenging to take this picture of an iceberg. The waves were high, and I had to wait for the perfect moment between when the waves hit you and rush back.

The area is splendid and goes through the Central Highlands. It offers mesmerizing views of snow-capped peaks, volcanoes, crystal clear lagoons, and rivers. Though I was extremely tired of constant traveling, these compelling landscapes kept me going.

The hikes were never easy- despite my fitness, there were breathless moments that almost halted me, but I kept pushing myself to reach the top. I visited the place in summers when the days are longer, and the sunsets around 2 am, only for one and a half hours, and rises back at 3:30 am.

As nature and travel photographer, I try to capture these very nuances of nature. Every time I see the pictures and how they manifest my vision and idea of the nordic mountains, the strain from the journey seems so little.

Kirkjufell

After driving 312 kilometers from Haifoss, I reached Kirkjufell. Though I was exhausted from constant touring, my trip to Iceland would be incomplete without visiting this stunning site. Church Mountain, or Kirkjufell, is a peculiar crest. The isolated mountain jutting out from the sea has always been bliss for landscape photographers.

I took a couple of shots after traveling relentlessly through volcanic deserts, day and night, as I was on a tight schedule. These images were taken at dusk when the sun sets into the ocean, the sky is painted beautifully, and its reflection in the water is beyond words.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the nucleus of art, culture, and plenty of natural wonders. A gateway to spectacular landscapes, with many glaciers, volcanos, hot springs, and mountains. Iceland harnesses the best of both worlds- Ice and fire. It is no surprise that with over 200 volcanoes and 600 hot springs, Iceland uses a 99.96% renewable energy supply.

Reykjavik alone has many high-temperature geothermal areas which are used to generate electricity. It has a gigantic district heating system in the world.

From Reykjavik, I took this thrilling one-hour helicopter ride above the volcanic craters. Hovering over this distinct geothermal zone, I realized how expansive this landscape is. The picture captured an aerial view of this rugged area that features volcano craters, hot springs, and lava fields.

We landed on an active volcano in the middle of the lava field, and I could feel the ocean breeze blowing. It was a rare opportunity for me to adventure the power of mother earth. As I wandered more, I felt overwhelmed with the rotten egg-like smell of hydrogen sulfide, a volcanic gas, and bubbling hot water spring.

Though there are several museums for visitors to teach them about geothermal areas, nothing quite beats the thrill of visiting a hot spring site for yourself.

Conclusion

Iceland is truly an incredible country. The locals are warm and welcoming. However, some tourists cross their line when it comes to respecting the local culture and regulations. They refrain by the rules, risking their lives, or causing harm to the environment. I believe being a good human comes above everything!

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