The Northern Lights are undoubtedly one of the most impressive natural phenomena. With solar activity approaching its peak, there was a good chance of seeing some. This was the case in March 2024, although the sky was not as spectacular as it will be in October 2024. The Lofoten Islands offer some good observation sites.

Vik - Islandia(Iceland)

A dense bank of fog was rolling in, enveloping the beautiful Reyniskirkja Church in Vik, Iceland.

Most Icelandic towns are "Aesthetically challenged", well, they're functional, but not pretty at all by European standards, Vik is not an exception, it's duller than dishwater at street level, the hilltop church and the setting make it more photogenic than others.

And on the other side of Reynisdrangar and the Black Beach is the smallest 'big' town I've ever been to, called Vik.

After so many empty miles in either direction along Route 1 I had hoped the streets of Vik would be lined with bars, restaurants, shops. But not a bit of it. Any thoughts of wild nights out on the town anywhere in Iceland outside of Reykjavik were short lived.

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We made a major mistake in booking a hotel a few miles from Vik. We wanted a beer...we needed a beer, or two, or..... after our first long days out walking and walking in the cold and the ice. And it was my day to do the driving.

I thought that from looking at the map of Iceland, the town of Vik dominates the whole southern coast. It's the only town named on the map until you go much further east to Hofn. Surely the streets of Vik must be lined with pubs and restaurants? But we only found one.

But that didn't matter. The brew pub restaurant was very welcoming indeed. And I would have loved to stay there an awful lot longer. smidjanbrugghus.is/

But the beer was strong and good and when we reluctantly left I told Gary we were going up that hill, and we stormed up through the snow in Dusty, our trusty Dacia Duster to the top to take a few windblown shots of the tiny town of Vik.

Lofoten, Norway

Iceland

One of the amazing scenes in Iceland, Vik in the distance with the famous stacks standing defiantly out of the sea.

Vik, Iceland

Iceland. Summer 2014

For anyone that knows me, they know that I have a particular fascination and love of the church overlooking Vik in Iceland. It has a magical majestic quality and for me personally stands as the enduring icon of Iceland.

Normally I shoot the church straight on as in the previous image of the church in the mist. However, I thought I would try a number of other perspectives. This one offered on the day the chance to capture the shadows of the clouds as they passed overhead.

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The distinctive rock formations at Vik on the Southern Coast of Iceland.

Vik, Iceland

The village of Vík (or Vík í Mýrdal in full) is the southernmost village in Iceland, located on the main ring road around the island, around 180 km (110 mi) by road southeast of Reykjavík.

Despite its small size (291 inhabitants as of January 2011) it is the largest settlement for some 70 km (43 mi) around and is an important staging post, and thus it is indicated on road signs from a long distance away. It is an important service center for the inhabitants of and visitors to the coastal strip between Skógar and the west edge of the Mýrdalssandur glacial outwash plain. (Wikipedia)

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Sunset in Vik... few years ago...

Canon EOS 6D

Canon EF 16-35

33mm - 30s - f/16 - ISO 100

ND 1.8

GND 0.9 Soft

CPL

Vik is from Lithuania. She moved to London a few years back, and, when I photographed her, was finishing her Masters in Global Ethics. Vik is a heavy metal fan, enjoying going to concerts, as well as fitness.

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Vik, Iceland

This painting has been inspired from the photo taken by Etienne Ruff @etienneruff (instagram), or EtienneR68 (flickr). The original photo's link is this: www.flickr.com/photos/etienner68/40027803423/in/dateposted/

I have asked for the permission from Etienne Ruff, and they gave me permission with a great kindness.

The photo has been reproduced as a painting by the painter Ahmet Algül from Eskisehir, Turkey. His instagram is @algulahmet. This reproduction, I think, is a great success.

I would like to thank both to Etienne Ruff and Ahmet Algül.

South Iceland, the petrified "troll" ship at sunrise, the lens I used is in its death throes, I had it since 2005, it's not a good lens anyway, but it served well until it fell from a bed to a tiled floor in a hotel room in Spain 6 months ago, it's never been the same since, it won't focus if there are any filters, the image stabilizer function is gone, and it won't work with a timer, but fortunately still works with a remote and no filters (sometimes).

Black sand beach near Vik, Iceland. I love the sense of emptiness along the Iceland shores, driving on long stretches of completely quiet roads, making a turn at random, and getting to a rocky beach, facing the ocean. Great place to get lost.

I got to the beach much later than I expected and had to move fast to take the shot, the light was going down fast. I took a number of shots of the rocks and the sea but ended-up liking this one most, last shot I took before leaving, with the silhouette of this guy staring at the sea, taken with a 70-200mm lens.

Vik, Iceland

Vik, Iceland

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We have just got back from a trip to Iceland. It has been on my travel wish list for some time. The scenery is stunning. These are a few of my favourite photos.

Thank you all for your visits and comments!

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Vik is a small town on the southern coast of Iceland known for its sea stacks, black sand beaches, and this beautiful church which sits on top of a green hill overlooking the town.

The Petrified Troll