Pure water - Alone
Glacier, Iceland
Glacier, Iceland
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Mar, 2016Views
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Awards
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
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Contest Finalist in HDR Landscapes Photo Contest Explore Series
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Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
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Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was captured in the magical land of Iceland. Along Route One, the main route across the country, Southeast of Iceland, lies Jökulsárlón Glacier. It literally means "glacial river lagoon". It is a must destination for anyone visiting Iceland, the Blue Langoon and puffin & whale watching are also on that list. I would have loved to go by boat around that lagoon. I think that is for next time.Time
This photo is probably one of my favourite photos from the lagoon. I love the reflections of the ice shape, it's almost poetic. I guess that's why i refer to the image as 'Alone'. Even though it's a singular ice shape, yet, its reflection makes the ice shape not alone at all. Before going to Iceland i calculated the time to spend at least 2 hours there. With our schedule and the colder weather, we didn't do a boat tour. I really would love to go back and do this. That would be magical. When we arrived at the lake it was just after dinner time, this the 20th of May 2014. I didn't realise the lagoon was so close to the road! We parked the car and walked on the rocky hill downwards, to the find this magical scenery. There was no one at all. There wasn't a sunset as the light was still bright for the time we were there. This particular photo is shot at 8:47 pm. When we left a few people came down and wonder at all this scenic ice sculptures.Lighting
I wanted for this image to look and feel more mysterious, so added some contrast and I highlight the details in photoshop afterwards. The light was still very bright as it was spring in Iceland. I love the details of the sky, it looks like there is fog or steam even from the ice cubes. I didn't lit up with any flash as it wasn't necessary.Equipment
The picture was shot with a Canon 7D, with a 18-200mm travel lens focal length of 50mm, aperture f5.6, shutter speed 1/500. No other equipment was involved.Inspiration
Out of the 150 photos I took at that location, this image stood out for me. I felt that this composition made it more powerful, unique and crisper. It reminds me of the quote "Less is More". What to rule out in a picture to bring more the focus to what you really want to say with this picture. How someone would look at the picture and how their eyes would be guided by the composition that i took.Editing
My usual process is first Lightroom, checking the histogram i.e. correct white balance, adjusting highlights to maintain enough detail, working on the blacks. Then i went over the saturation tool bar and accentuated some blues in there (not too much otherwise the picture would look unrealistic). After that, i adjusted it in Photoshop, for contrast and details.In my camera bag
During the Iceland trip it was Canon 7D, 50 mm f1.2, 24-7- f2.8 and the 18-200m f3.6-5.6. I used this overall lens, 18-200mm, previously for backpacking. Although its versatile, i don't like the sharpness of this. So slowly i have done an upgrade. Now in my camera bag is a Canon Mark III, 50 mm f1.2, 24-70 f2.8. Depending on the carry load i would bring the 70-200mm f2.8. Lens filters (great for protection of the lens glass) and lens hoods on every lens (good for when it rains). A blower, a leather cloth and plastic bag (when it rains), a cleaning cloth and a cleaning brush. I place this all, together with my Mac Probook and an external hard drive in a Crumpler Backpack. I love the backpack as it's not a typical camera bag. Great for traveling unnoticed with camera gear! I also have a Manfrotto travel tripod, i have had it for a decade now, it's a great tool. Great specially for landscape and architectural photography.Feedback
For landscape the best times to take photos are mornings or evenings. You get a different light which is perfect for magical places. I do prefer cloudy days as the light is more equal and soft, specially for this scenery. It always helps planning with travel photography. I do have an app on my phone now that shows where the sun is going to be at a particular location. So think ahead and be prepared for changing weather conditions. Other than planning, i think as a photographer, it's not really about clicking and getting the most pictures. But noticing the lights and shadows, noticing and reading the location with its shapes and forms, seeing details, seeing beauty in even ordinary locations,... Then once done, you need to give your impression of how you see it all and bring it across to the viewer. Guide them with using lines, colours or light, this to have almost a 'Dance with the viewer's eyes'. On a last note, you need to enjoy taking the photo as well, having fun while creating is such a rewarding experience. Happy Snapping!
