Finland in Winter

Arjan Wilmsen August 30, 2019

Back in March this year I went to visit Finland, and hang out with two friends. March means winter in Finland. Really winter. Lots of snow, cold wind and just these beautiful pristine conditions every landscape photographer dreams about. Well at least I do. I don’t know how much you can take the cold hehe.

All packed and dressed up for the weather we did spend about a week, discovering and exploring central Finland. There’s a few images that I haven’t shared before that I will feature in this gallery. Have a look and feel free to leave me some feedback. Thank you, or “Kiitos” as the Finnish say

Absolute fantastic conditions. Kallavesi lake in Kuopio

Maybe one of my favorite shots from the trip! Kelloselkä

Holding a beautiful Icicle at Kelloselkä in Kuopio, yes this thing was coooold

Casimir and Tom hanging out during our hike in Neitvuori Nature Reserve

A little island with trees in the Kallavesi lake in Kuopio

Finland gets really really cold in the winter

Thanks for checking out my blog, be sure to check out Tom’s work right here: https://www.instagram.com/tomtravelphotography

And Casimir’s profile: https://www.instagram.com/vanterteimmusic

Iceland: The Golden Circle

Arjan Wilmsen July 8, 2019

The Golden Circle is an extremely popular route in the South of Iceland. Featuring the magnificent sights of Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir Geothermal Field, and Thingvellir National Park, a trip around the Golden Circle is the perfect day tour from Reykjavik, and it is a must-visit when you go to Iceland!

What is the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is certainly one of Iceland’s most beloved tourist routes. It is sometimes referred to as “The Golden Triangle,” as it features three stunningly beautiful locations: an extremely powerful waterfall, a geyser which erupts frequently, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The beauty of the whole region is hallmarked by incredible landscapes and unique sites. The Golden Circle is undoubtedly a precious gem of rare geological features that can barely be found anywhere else in the world, but which are so close to each other that you can visit them in just one day.

When these beauties are combined with local hospitality and traditional cuisine, it is not surprising that the Golden Circle tops almost every visitor’s bucket list. The Golden Circle is the perfect day trip from Reykjavik and is a must-visit for everyone traveling to Iceland.

Kerið Volcanic Crater
Kerið is one of most recognizable volcanic craters in Iceland. It was once a typical cone-shaped volcano, but after an eruption some 3000 year ago, the top has collapsed into its empty magma chamber.

Keriðd has a very recognizable caldera. Its steep walls are approximately 55 meters (180 feet) deep. The caldera is 170 meters (560 feet) wide and 270 meters (890 feet) across. There is a small lake inside the caldera with a strikingly vivid aquamarine color which is due to minerals in the soil. You should not miss out on this natural wonder during your Golden Circle trip.

The crater is found just by the Route 35, only 15 km from the town of Selfoss. There is a small parking lot right next to it. There is also a small entrance fee, approximately 500 ISK per person.

Faxi Waterfall
Faxi Waterfall is located around 12 km from Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Geothermal Area. Faxi is a small waterfall, but absolutely worth a visit.

The waterfall is on Tungufljót, a fabulous salmon-filled river, surrounded by beautiful Icelandic nature, which makes it a great spot for fishing. On a sunny day, this is the perfect place to stop, sit down, and have a picnic.

Geysir – the original geyser
A favorite stop along the Golden Circle is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits, exploding geysers and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters (100 ft) into the air every few minutes. The newly opened Geysir Center offers exhibits and informative presentations year round.

The geothermal field is believed to have a surface area of approximately 3 km². Most of the springs are aligned along a 100m wide strip of land running in the same direction as the tectonic lines in the area, from south to southwest. The strip is 500m long and culminates near what once was the seat of the lords of Haukadalur.

The area became active more than 1000 years ago and comprises more than a dozen hot water blow holes. Although Geysir is less active these days, it did lend its name to hot springs all over the world. It was the first geyser described in a printed source and the first known to modern Europeans.

Gullfoss
A ride along the Golden Circle in the south reveals the breathtaking Gullfoss (Golden Waterfalls) where traversing a narrow path provides close-up views of the massive, two-tiered waterfall below. In winter the view is spectacular when the waterfall freezes over into undulating waves of glistening ice. On sunny days visitors are treated to thousands of rainbows, a natural reaction with the clouds of spray from the tumbling falls.

Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Iceland and part of the Golden Circle, and the waterfall is by many considered one of the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. It is situated in the upper part of the Hvita river. The water cascades down in two stages, one 11 m (36 ft) high, and the other 21 m (69 ft), into the 2,5 km (1.6 mi) long crevasse below. This crevasse was created at the end of the Ice Age by catastrophic flood waves and is lengthened by 25 cm (9.8 in) a year by the constant erosion from the water.

Thingvellir national park
Thingvellir is a favourite stop among travellers along the Golden Circle route. It has been a National Park in Iceland since 1928 and was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2004. When Viking settlers arrived in the 10th century it was the site they chose as the meeting place of Althing, the world’s first parliament.

The location may seem a bit out of the way, but the unique geology created a natural amphitheatre perfect for public speaking including the high rock wall of Logberg (Law Rock), where the laws of the land would be recited from memory.

Don’t forget to take a look at the landscape as you are on the tour, the entire area is absolutely well worth taking in.

In Thingvellir you will also find this waterfall you can see here (frozen in winter time) called Öxarárfoss.

Another waterfall in Iceland "Foss"

Arjan Wilmsen July 3, 2019

Iceland has a lot of waterfalls, really. A whole lot. One of them is this one just simply called “Foss” which means literally waterfall. This specific waterfall is located in the north western part of the country. In the Westfjords to be exact. And to be even more precise, on road 63 about 15 minutes by car south to the town of Bíldudalur. Another fun fact about this waterfall is that the entire ford the waterfall is running into is probably named after the waterfall. You guessed it: Fossfjörður

Check out these images I shot of the waterfall and its direct surroundings.

“Foss” another beautiful Icelandic waterfall

Fossfjörður, beautiful vast and wide fjord.

A bunch of sheep, grazing in paradise. Fossfjörður

Another bunch of sheep, casually crossing the street in front of the Waterfall. Can it get more Icelandic then this?

Fossfjörður in all its beauty. Honestly one of the nicest places in the Westfjords if you ask me.

Colorful Iceland

Arjan Wilmsen March 20, 2019

Cold, windy, wet and raw. That’s what comes to mind when you think of Iceland. And you are right. Iceland can be a very dark, moody and “hard” place. Personally I like that a lot.
This cold and dark vibe gives a nice and moody touch to your photography. Something I like to capture, and with me tons of other photographers too. Take a look at other work on my website and Instagram for that type of work…. But okay, the title of this blog is “Colourful Iceland” so there’s a bunch of vibrant and colourful photographs in this post. Iceland can be very very colourful and bright as well. In summer when there’s a lot of daylight, and no setting sun. But also in winter, with short days and the sun rising and setting throughout the entire day. You will get some crazy good conditions and amazing light if you are lucky. Last month I was on a photography workshop with Páll Jökull, and oh boy.. we got lucky!

Take a look at these images below, popping colors, nice light. All shots were taken on my previous workshop in Iceland.
Also, Páll and myself are offering a Summer photography workshop in Northern Iceland this summer.
Check it out right here: NORTHERN ICELAND - SUMMER WORKSHOP

The Reynisdrangar sea stacks seen from Vik

See Páll Jökull’s work by clicking the logo below

Waterfall in Eiði - The Faroe Islands

Arjan Wilmsen February 28, 2019

In the Faroe Islands there are a lot of waterfalls, big, small, popular and a little bit more unknown.
This particular one is located just north from the town of Eiði, on Eysturoy island. It is fairly unknown, but rising in popularity among photographers. I don't know if it has an official name, not too sure.

I’ve heard that this waterfall isn’t always there. For example in the summer, when there’s less water in the streams on the hill the waterfall will be reduced to a mere single stream running down the cliff. But in Autumn when I visited this location there was a decent amount of water plunging down into the Atlantic ocean. Take a look at some of my shots from this location.

Panorama of the entire coastline just outside of Eiði.

Looking back into the other direction you can see the 71 meter high sea stack “Risin” in front of the rugged clifss. Absolutely amazing scenery.

Massive waves crashing into the cliffs, and the wind is blowing the waterfall back up onto the cliff.

Another long exposure, with me trying to stand still. Which was pretty hard with heavy winds throwing you around.

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