Iceland

Hi all

I had an unexpected window at the end of May, so took myself off on a very last minute 3 day travel/scouting/camping trip to Iceland with my camera. I hired the cheapest car I could find for 3 days, took my tent, and had a look around the South of the island (got as far as Skaftafell, for those of you who know it).

I've been dying to get back to Iceland ever since I went trekking there 15 years or so ago; this was the first time I'd managed it...

Overriding impressions:

1. Iceland is BUSIER than the last time I went. Lonely Planet estimate there are currently 1 million visitors a year, rising 20% year on year, which means 2 million projected by 2020. This on top of a national population of only 350,000 or so. Pretty busy.

2. It's (relatively) much cheaper than it used to be (hotels still expensive, camping still fine). Approx on a par with London now I'd say, which must influence the above.

3. The ring road is particularly busy (by Icelandic standards) these days (esp in summer): it's still every bit as remarkable geologically as ever, but if you want to avoid the crowds, you'll probably be needing to do the 4 wheel drive thing and head to the interior. Eg Jokulsarlon (iceberg lagoon), whilst absolutely extraordinary, is not quite the pristine encounter with mother nature you might imagine from the photos you may have seen of it: it currently enjoys 3 car parks and a cafe.

So... what follows is not “definitive” Iceland by any stretch of the imagination; it is representative though of what I got up to during the 3 or so days I had there... Nasty bout of man flu aside, I had the most fantastic time, and will be going back. It remains a quite extraordinary, and unique, place.

All below K3II, 55-300 WR, 17-70, Sigma 10-20. Usual mix of straight landscapes, multiple exposures and ICM.

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Thoughts, observations, comments very welcome as ever...

Best

You certainly made the best of this opportunity! If pushed I would say I like the last one best, it resonates a degree of solitude as if all life had been wiped off the planet but they are all excellent.

A very imaginative and creative set

Dunno what it is but I found 5 to be the most intriguing and to which I returned several times

Fantastic set...really like them. Abstract ones as well as more traditional...all good or better.

I was there for two weeks back in 1992 and absolutely loved the place and the people, so was very interested to read your observations about how the country has changed. I'd love to return.

Any country that has actually jailed dozens of its corrupt bankers is alright by me and worth supporting.

Karlo

Beautiful photos.

What a superb set - congratulations!!

IMHO they are all really good and exhibit different things of interest. I don't want to pick a favourite(s), because they cover such a wide range of the aspects of Iceland.

Phil

Hugely enjoyed seeing these Bill. Fascinating and varied and nothing like the cliche shots of the main tourist sites taken by folk who cover the southern ring road trip (... ahem... )

Real Interest in all of these, and I'll be dipping in again no doubt . But really love #13 (captures the feeling of space as well as the fascinating black sand plains), #15 (brilliant take on one of the cliche sights- like your Mablethorpe beach/sky shots except with added sea stacks ), and what I assume are waterfall shots (#s 11 and 14... Is the former Seljalandsfoss??).

I absolutely get what you mean about the growing numbers and changes. I went on a FSC expedition there way way back in 1985... then back for a family holiday in 2014. Quite, quite different! And tourist numbers are now rising c.30% a year.

But my, what a place!!

The set basically comes across as awe inspiring imagery. Well worth detailed viewing and you deserve all of the praise due.

#10 immediately brought out the theme of 1492, Conquest of Paradise.

Outstanding!

Best regards

What a set of photos , testamant to a level of technical skill and creative imagery that is of the highest order which enabled uou to make so much put of the opportunity that presented itself.

Thanks for sharing these

Holy crap that good. Really enjoyed looking at these.

Space, light, power, solitude, beauty - you've shown all these things in another superbly creative set. A pleasure to view and an inspiration. Thanks Bill

brilliant, landscapes from a world only you have visited and the eerie beings (8,11,14) you met there

A fab set.

Tried to pick a favourite but kept changing my mind ! Hence all good !

Thanks for posting.

Regards

George

Ah I miss the ocean so much for the opportunity for abstract via icm and multiple exposures. For me 4 and 10 stand out the most...bravo for all the pics