Winter has arrived

For the past couple of days it has been snowing, and we’ve been treated to some freezing temperatures. The kind of weather I love and crave, but which is sadly very exceptional over the past years. But we got lucky this winter. Winter has now arrived in full effect, in an almost “old school way”

So I was going to make the most of it, I’ve been out and about in my home area for the past few days shooting video (A new silent hiking video is coming soon) and photographs. I hope this weather will last for a little while so I can go out some more to capture some beautiful and true winter landscapes.

This video shows my hometown dressed in its winter coat. Amazing how differently everything looks with a fresh layer of snow. Below are some photographs I took over the past few days in my area.

Here are some drone shots of my hometown

Ice cave tour in Iceland

 
 

On day three of the Photography workshop Páll Jökull and myself were giving we went on a trip to the Ice caves in Breiðamerkurjökull. This Ice cave tour was led by Siggi from “South East Iceland” The day started out being very windy, and almost a complete white out. Lots of snowy wind gusts limiting vision.

Arriving at the Jökulsárlón Glacier in the early morning with Páll and our own workshops participants we met up with Siggi and his big big big truck. On the tour we were accompanied by another small group of friendly photographers that were on a tour with Icelandic photographer Olgeir Andresson. A couple of hello’s, some hand shakes and then it was time to get into the truck, and head out. Into the vast, wide open. Towards the ice and the ice caves.

Siggi did an amazing job of driving the big truck with inflatable tires over the rugged terrain. It was a bumpy ride, but not as bad as I expected it to be. Siggi also shared a bunch of interesting information about the glacier and the national park whilst we were making our way towards the Ice caves. This was very informative and entertaining. His sense of humor more then once got the entire truck burst out into laughter. Best bumpy ride of my life.

Below you can see a selection of images of the tour, with some guiding information here and there.

The “Anaconda” Ice Cave

Páll Jökull shooting inside the cave together with the workshop participants.

Hi there, Páll captured me looking in, from the other side :)

The group of people we explored and photographed the cave with (Photo by Páll)

The shape of the Ice. Breathtakingly beautiful

Once at the Ice cave Siggi gave some clear instructions, shared some more information and knowledge about the area. And showed us how to go about entering and photographing the cave. Siggi took us to 3 seperate caves/locations where we had a good amount of time to enjoy the locations, and to be able to take our photographs. The fact that we had Siggi, Páll and Olgeir taking part in this tour, all being experienced in what they do and extremely pleasant guys to be around with it was obviously a very good experience. For me, but also for the whole group, How do I know? Because everyone was smiling from ear to ear, all the time. The atmosphere between the people in the group was amazing.

The shape and color of the Ice is just incredible

Páll taking in the beauty of the Ice cave.

Inside the Cave

The group at work

I just couldn’t get enough of Siggi’s big truck, look at those wheels!

Olgeir and Páll having a good time!

Siggi inside the Anaconda Ice cave.

Me, standing on top of a “frozen wave”

Cramp ons, necessary piece of equipment in this environment.

Photographers at work in paradise

Siggi, and the frozen walls of Ice

Ice, and untouched snow. It doesn’t get much better then this!

Blue, is just all I am going to say about this shot.

Páll and the group, having a great time on the ice.

Siggi and his truck.

I hope you enjoyed these images. And to end this blogpost I want to shout out to everyone who has made this Ice cave tour the succes it was.

 
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Here’s a video I shot together with Páll of the Ice cave tour.

Crossing borders

This weekend I had some friends over from Iceland. A friend I’ve met through a photography job in Iceland a couple of years ago. He worked as part of the crew of a film that I was shooting the behind the scenes images for. We have a very good connection, straight away. and a growing friendship. I have stayed at his house in Iceland since that time we worked together. And I will do so again in the future. It is amazing how these things work. You meet so many nice people through work, and by just being yourself, polite and kind you make the best connections and friendships ever. I am so thankful for meeting this dude and call him a good friend by now.

So my friend and his lovely partner were over in The Netherlands for a few days, they decided to come our way. And we got to spend a good day and a half in our area. My wife and I took them out to a place called “Drielandenpunt” The place where 3 country borders meet. The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

For people from Iceland this is something unique and special, the only border they have obviously is the ocean. So they were pumped to see this place, and literally hop borders. So that’s what we did. Jumped in the car, drove for one hour roughly, and hopped the borders a few times. At first we were a little disappointed by the weather, grey, foggy and just a little mehh… But in the end the conditions were actually really nice! Very mystical and moody. With no other camera on me then just my phone I snapped the following shots, what do you think?

Winter in the forest

This image just screams: cold

My friend taking in the moody scenery.

Very dramatic and moody feel!

International handshake? Check!

Bottom line: Friendships are on of the most valuable things you can have. They can be worldwide, and cross all borders. Always.