While I did not get the opportunity to shoot the larches in fall, I did have the opportunity to travel to Iceland and capture its breathtaking natural scenery. Driving around its vast windswept plains with nothing to provide a sense of scale, it becomes easy to misjudge the size of mountains or the distance to a particular place. In addition, the lack of a focal point in the composition becomes a serious hindrance to capture a captivating image.
Thankfully, Iceland has plenty of churches dotted around the island, with many situated outside of the villages and communities they serve. Like this one in the Snaefellsnes peninsula in western Iceland. See this large in my 2025 calendar, available for purchase at this link.
Olafsvik
Iceland
Sublime Sunrise
It was one of those dreamy mornings where the light and location came together in perfect harmony.
After having spent a late night hunting for the aurora, motivating myself to leave the cozy confirms of a warm bed out into the cold still morning didn't feel like an easy proposition, But as soon as I saw the clear skies and the just a tinge of clouds on the horizon, I knew I had to rush to the inlet near the village of Grundarfjörður to capture the majesty of Kirkjufell.
I am glad I did, because it turned out to be one of most sublime sunrises I had ever witnessed on that memorable trip to Iceland about 4 years ago.
Kirkjufell
Iceland
Dwarfed in Iceland
It is easy to get dwarfed in Iceland. Standing on a hilltop on a clear day, panoramic vistas of a tumultuous yet fragile treeless terrain, with creeks and rivers cutting their way from snow-capped volcanic peaks and massive glaciers, can certainly make one inspired by the raw power of the planet's geological forces in action. And vistas like this abound in this amazing country.
Driving along a remote dirt track in the remote Snaefellsness peninsula, my buddy and I chanced upon a trailhead, complete with a steel bridge to cross the creek. With curiousity rising in both of us, we climbed up higher and higher, until the entirety of the Snaefellsjokull glacier stratovolcano came into view. And all around, remnants of its active volcanic past laid bare on the undulating terrain.
It was a sight to remember, especially given the ideal conditions to hike in that are so rare in this beautiful country.
Snaefellsness
Iceland
Kirkjufellafoss
By the time I clambered over the mossy wet rocks beside the waterfall, it was already bathed in the beautiful golden light of sunrise. In the distance, the distinguishable shape of Kirkjufell towered above the smooth glaciated landscape, while in front of me, the water in the creek continued on its journey, starting from the green grassy slopes above the falls, and winding through a moss-lined sand-bar before ending up in the small inlet by the peak. I was transfixed by the beauty and silence of the scene, interrupted only by the frequent clicks as a dozen cameras were trying to capture the indelible nature of this scene.
While there is no doubt that Iceland is remarkably beautiful, the Snaefellness peninsula has more than its fair share of photogenic attractions; so much so that this region draws far more tourists from Reykjavik that many other parts of Iceland. And in my two days there, when I shot this particular scene, it was easy to see why.
And after having missed the sunset (which was socked in by the clouds), I had a strong urge to shoot the sunrise from near Grundarfjordur, which I had specifically chosen for its proximity to Kirkufell, aka the Church mountain due to the sharp similarity to a Christian place of worship. This complex scene required mergin 3 exposures shot at F11 and ISO 400
Kirkjufell
Iceland
The Church Mountain
This was one of those sunrises for the books.
Having arrived in Grundarfjordur in the Snaefellsnes peninsula during the eaves of dusk, I really couldn't perceive the beauty that this place had beholden. Nevertheless, I strove to wake up just a few hours later for sunrise, with no expectations of what this peninsula had in store for me.
The sky was still grey as I pulled into the parking lot. With only the early twilight illuminating the serene shapes ahead, I quickly gathered my gear and headed to the shore overlooking the bay across from Kirkjufell, the Church Mountain.
It was a scene unlike any other. And even though I had seen it plastered on so much marketing materials about Iceland, the sight of it in person just took my breath away.
I watched as the light of dawn slowly made its way down the graceful curves of Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) and as the shade of pink in the clouds made its way from the horizon to the foreground. I watched as the absolutely still waters of the bay slowly rose up with the incoming tide, all the while reflecting the beautiful scene in front of me. I watched as this everyday occurrence of nature enlightened and rejuvenated my own soul.
And that bliss is what I tried to capture in this image.
Kirkjufell
Iceland