Kirkjufell & Foss

No doubt one of the most visited and photographed spot in Iceland and for obvious reasons. There are so many different compositions to be made. With two waterfalls and a mountain fitting in a single frame, there is no excuse for coming back empty-ended. Even off season, without white snow or green grass, the place seems to “be” according to the plan; to give you a shot.

I won’t lie, at first glance I wondered if I was at the right place. The mountain does not look like this from the road and the parking lot is way down the stream facing the waterfall. In order to get a shot like that one you will have to “hike” up over the upper stream and work your way down to the other side very carefully as your camera will be stuck to your eye, at least it was to mine, I couldn’t believe the beauty of this natural composition.

This time of the year, end of April beginning of may, the sun takes its time to set and the blue hour lasts for ever, literally the “blue hours” . The sky started cooperating about one hour later and then I took a shot.

For people who don’t know my work yet, this is a test shot for me, I shoot mostly B&W, that is my thing. Also, as much as possible, I like to spend a day scouting trying different points of view and settings so the next day I’ll just have to set my equipment and make the magic happen.

The magic usually happens, yes it does, but sometimes forces of nature are there reminding you who is the boss. So, I had to take shelter pretty much under the waterfalls as a huge snow storm just appeared above my head.

The mountain Kirkjufell literally disappeared, it lasted for about 30 minutes. Did I tell you that I was getting wet and cold? Well, I was... This is Iceland for you!

After that little inclemency, the sky wanted to clear up but the clouds, caught up in their excitement, got stuck on top of the mountain and that was when I saw my shot, so I took it!

canon 5DIV 16mm, f11, iso100, 20 sec. Formatt Hitech firecrest 6nd+3nd grad

Being there, I couldn’t stop thinking who was the first photographer who captured this scene for the first time on a camera and brought thousands of other photographers to that same spot, including me. I try to stay away from over photographed landscapes but sometimes you want to give it a shot... and somehow make it yours. For some, a check off a bucket list. Which one are you?