Iceland: Born of Lava, Chiseled by Ice

by Arnold Zageris

Iceland has an alien quality that defies expectations. Its interior is lifeless and bare with volcanic formations that are reminiscent of what the earth must have looked like in Archean times. Hot geysers, deep mountainous fjords, and glaciers that carve their way into the lowlands are just some of the features that are compressed into this small island nation. It is just such a compelling and unfamiliar landscape that makes visiting here an ultimate trip. "My focus was not on the iconic hotspots that made Iceland famous but the less visited and undiscovered features that had their own intrinsic values in texture, form and color. With each of my five visits I discovered much more by limiting myself to explore and familiarize myself with a small select unknown area becoming more an opportunistic photographer depending mostly on luck to find something that merited my attention. Whether I was climbing for days in the highlands of the interior, skirting calving glaciers, crossing a moonlike landscape or wandering a weatherbeaten shore, Iceland is a photographer's paradise."

Genres: Art

332 pages, Hardcover

Published August 15, 2021

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The photographs in this book are just gorgeous. And there is so much material here, both in the actual number of photos, but also the beautiful detail of the photos that just invites you to linger over the images and really soak in the detail and ambiance. It is also interesting to read the photographer's comments, both on his process for expeditions and his insights on composition and the intent behind certain photos. It is just the right amount of writing, adding to the experience but letting the pictures do the heavy lifting.