"Dance of the Spirits" | Kirkujfell, Iceland
"And even though the eyes had seen so much beauty, the enchantment of the Aurora would steal the crown of the most magnificient spectacle of light ever witnessed..."
José Ramos © http://www.joseramos.com
Follow me on Facebook | Google Plus
After my seven day trip to Iceland, from 16-22 September, here's my first published photo from the trip. After sleeping inside the rental car in Keflavik (the plane arrived at 1am), I decided to head to Kirkujfell next day. I had seen this mountain so many times on 500px and other galleries, and yet it still kept me fascinated every single time with its singular shape, frequently adorned by beautiful waterfalls. As soon as I arrived I could feel my heart racing with the excitement, and I rushed to the spot and photographed it from many angles until it was absolutely dark. Finally headed to the car, parked right before the path to the waterfalls, to grab something to eat, and waited on the inside for sleep to come. The sky had been partially filled with clouds, as it usually happens in Iceland, and I was nowhere near from thinking about watching an Aurora Borealis/Northern Light during my whole trip (due to their rarity), let alone seeing it on the first day!
It all happened very quickly, and started with my girlfriend's scream, "AURORA!". We rushed to the outside, and time suddenly stopped while I glanced at the sky, feeling mesmerized with the light dance spectacle right in front of me. Then a thought instinctively appeared amidst the emotional rush, "my camera! Where is it?!". Chaos ensued, and in 2 minutes I was ready to start shooting. There was the option of returning to the waterfall spot, but it would take too much time (minutes are precious, as Auroras can dissapear in seconds), so I ended up going to the beach right by the mountain and started shooting.
It's not easy to photograph this type of scene. ISO needs to be at 1600-3200 and the lens set at maximum aperture, to maximize exposure. Shutter speed is usually between 10-30 seconds, and longer than 30 seconds will create small star trails, instead of the more aesthetically pleasant star single points. Focus needs to be manual and preferentially set at infinity (even though the infinity mark on many lenses doesn't actually correspond to infinity). I decided to use the reflection of the water to create a point of anchorage to the Northern Lights, and the Kirkujfell mountain was just perfect for this. Everything is usually almost pitch black, except when the Aurora is extremely strong, and to avoid loosing too much time guessing the composition in such dark conditions, having to wait for the end of the whole 30 second exposure, I decided to make shorter test shots at very high ISOs (12800), and then fine tune composition.
Post-processing these photos is much more about noise reduction and sharpening control than adjusting color and other settings, as the Aurora color and intensity is already captivating enough on its own.
Apart from a 5 minute Aurora in Jokulsarlon, I didn't see it again during my trip, which made this night even more unique and remarkable. Definitely one of the most beautiful things I've ever witnessed.
Technical data:
Sony a77 + Sigma 10-20mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter speed: 30 seconds
Focus: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Wireless Remote Timer
Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 tripod + MH055M0-Q6 ballhead
I'M BACK! Unexpectedly, we managed to survive and came back to tell you the story! I don't even know where to start, but it was unavoidable to start my Icelandic photo posting session with an image of the crazy Land of Fire and Ice team, on the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. Please forgive the extreme sensuality of our clothing, but to be able to withstand knee deep frozen water while photographing chunks of ice, one needs some neoprene equipment or rubber boots and snow pants, fishermen style!
Iceland is one of those mythical lands which universally triggers feelings of enchantment and passion, fulfilling dreamer's imaginary just by looking at images and stories about the country. Considering this, the question kept repeating in my head: "How does it feel to be there...?".
As an eternal nature addict, I assumed from the beginning I would love Iceland, make tons of photos, watch a thousand landscapes, but nothing had prepared me for the rest. I'm still profoundly stunned with everything I witnessed, trying to find a meaning for the deep sensation of attachment I felt while there (and still here...).
Seven days of intense travelling, with about 2000km of accumulated driving, mostly at night, to be able to spend as much time as possible seeing and trying to understand how a piece of land amidst the ocean can carry so many beauty, loneliness, introspection, power and inspiration.
Contrary to what was planned, I ended up not resisting to visit points of interest scattered around the island, which would mean extra physical effort. Starting with a visit to the unique Kirkujfell mountain, I was offered an absolutely incredible Northern Lights spectacle, leaving me inebriated to the point of deciding to do an extra 1000km to be able to visit the Northern area, and feel the power of Godafoss and Detifoss (with a stop at Hvitserkur). Following this, three attempts to capture the Vesturhorn mountains, usually covered in dense clouds, two visits to the incredible Jokulsarlon beach and glaciar lagoon, and the unforgettable Skogadoss and Seljalandfoss waterfalls.
Between each spot, countless kilometers of an endless, yet beautiful, Ring Circle road, showing an unimaginable diversity of landscapes, from paradisiac black sand beaches, to volcanic desolate terrain, reminding of alien planets. Even though the weather was extremely unpredictable and rainy, Iceland's main road kept showing us breathtaking images, further deepening the constant sensation of eternal expansion and discovery.
The option of sleeping inside the car was tough yet logical, as having to book an hotel/guesthouse would truly harm the natural flux of the trip, as well as undermine the unique sensation of sleeping in beautiful isolated places. In Iceland it's not enough to "see", you also need to "be" for things to make sense.
Reading about this country's history, understanding it's genesis and struggles, acknowledging the global revolt during the financial crisis, and learning about it's incredibly high levels of equality, happiness, health, civility and environmental consciousness quickly became a lesson on humility, when looking at the pervasive hopelessness feeling my country is currently sunken in. As if the lessons of the landscape weren't enough...
Photographically speaking, I made hundreds of photos, on some of the most difficult technical conditions ever (and shooting portuguese savage beaches is not easy at all...), with lots of rain, waterfall waterspray, soaked camera, very cold temperatures, slippery terrains, wet filters, insufficient batteries, dangerous cliffs. Most of all a challenge, not a torture. All the neurotic trip planning ended up being a necessity, as the lack of power outlets (except for the 12 volt car connection), turned battery management into a complex affair, and the gelid temperatures demanded a study about materials and clothing layers!
The moral of the story: close your eyes, and try to imagine the most beautiful and incredible Iceland... Then you just need to think that Iceland looks like that, multiplied by "infinite". This way, you will acquire a solid cognitive concept of its beauty, which will have to be obviously completed in the future with the emotional component of really being there!
Thank you to everyone who sent me good vibes. It was you who made my checked in bags arrive as one piece and who avoided any major problem during the trip. Thank you to all who saw and commented on the few posts I put on facebook during the trip. Thank you to everyone who felt the healthy envy of the dreamer, who wishes no harm and is just anxious for similar experiences, recognizing that for me these trips also imply "giving" something in return.
Hi there!
Well, it's been a long time since I decided I should create a blog. Unfortunately time has been scarce, and amidst all the websites, photographic communities, etc, I kept postponing the creation of a blog about my photographic work. As such, here it is now!
I guess there is no better way to start than by posting a recent photo I've made a few weeks ago...
"The Call" | Rio Tinto, Spain
"When the light calls, you just need to be there, ready to absorb the photons and capture beauty. This was one of those days."
José Ramos © http:/www.facebook.com/joseramosphotography
Photo made in the fantastic landscape of Rio Tinto Mining Park, in Spain. I had spent the weekend in Seville and, when returning home I was looking forward to find good landscapes nearby. As such, following the advice of a friend, I went to Rio Tinto in a hurry, eager to get some good shots. Unfortunately I left Seville late, and there were only about two hours left before sunset. I was almost quitting my search, when I suddenly found this absolutely gorgeous place, which just made my jaw drop! Needless to say I stayed there until it was completely dark, surrounded by hungry mosquitos! But it was worth it...
Sony a77 + Sigma 10-20mm
Aperture: f/19
Exposure: 30 seconds
ISO: 50
Hitech 3 stop ND grad filter
Hitech 10 stop ND filter
Remote shutter release
Tripod
