Iceland Dispatch #3 – City of Reykjavik

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Today is my first full day in Reykjavik in Iceland and it has already been a totally amazing experience (and the day is only half over). The capital city of Reykjavik is truly beautiful – Its very small (certainly compared to Australian cities), very quaint and even a little quirky in a very loveable way. If I had to try and summarise what Reykjavik is like I would say its almost fairy tale like with a very pronounced Nordic twist. It reminds me somewhat of Kaikoura (but on a larger scale) in the South Island of New Zealand. I could spend a week just doing street photography near my hotel as there are so many possibilities here for composition, subject and colour. Now its time for some lunch and more exploring.

Getting into the local Culture

Iceland Dispatch #2 – Reykjavik

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I arrived in Iceland just before midnight this evening after a long tiring journey from Melbourne Australia. I hope to catch up on a little sleep (as soon as I finish this update) at my hotel; which is very nice (The Hotel Odinsve). I have a full day in the capital of Reykjavik tomorrow to take in the local sites and get accustomed to the city, climate, people, food and location in general. I have booked on a Midnight Sun Whale Tour tomorrow evening evening with the hope of getting some whale photographs during the perpetual golden light that is the midnight sun in Iceland. There are reports of Minke whales and dolphins from recent outings so I have my fingers crossed for some sightings. As I write this its just gone midnight and even though its cloudy its light enough outside to read a newspaper – I think I am already in love with the midnight Sun. Now its time to catch up on sleep, put the rigours of international air travel behind me, relax and get in a creative frame of mind.

Iceland Dispatch #1 – Still Travelling

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Iceland is a long way from my home town of Melbourne Australia. Its no less than three international planes, several multi-hour transfers totalling more than thirty hours (since I walked out my front door) of non stop travel across the pond. ‘Non stop’ being the operative phrase. The first leg of the journey from Melbourne to Doha with Qatar airways was about as enjoyable and relaxing as airline travel can be – the large sky beds in business class are comfortable and the multi-course dinner and glass or three of red wine go a long way to making the whole experience ‘almost’ enjoyable . Likewise the flight from Doha to Heathrow London was equally comfortable. The changeover in Doha was a little over an hour and no more or less painful than any international travel change – Doha is a new passport tick for me (if you consider an hour in the airport a visit). I have to hand it to Qatar airways; their business class food and service was outstanding – the best I have experienced. Their business airport lounge in Doha is equally impressive – well above the Qantas / Australian standard.

As I write this I am in Heathrow enjoying *cough* a seven and a half hour layover before my flight to Keflavik airport in Iceland. All I can say is thank god for priority pass airport lounges, wireless internet and more alcohol.

Fire in the Sky over Doha

Iceland Dispatch #0 – On My Way

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I am just about to load up the car and head to the airport for my three week  photographic trip to Iceland to be followed by a few days rest and relaxation in London and the UK before returning home. My flight leaves Melbourne International airport this evening so I am hopeful I can get some sleep on the plane on the way over and avoid the worst of jet lag – its a long haul from Australia to Iceland via Doha and London. I plan to make regular posts to my blog during and throughout the trip; but a lot will depend on my photographic schedule as well as internet availability as many of the locations I will be travelling to in Iceland are quite remote; especially in the later part of my trip when I will be camping.

I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time now and its great to finally be getting underway. I am keen to experience the perpetual daylight of the midnight sun as well as the vast photographic opportunities Iceland’s landscape has to offer. See you in Iceland!

Sherpa Please

Portrait of a Skipper Acquired for Art Collection

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I was very pleased to learn last night that the Council has purchased my photograph ‘Portrait of a Skipper‘ for inclusion in their permanent art collection. ‘Portrait of a Skipper’ was a portrait photograph of Damien Skipper – one of the resident artists at Montsalvat in Eltham and was part of the 2010 Nillumbik Prize. It was a photograph I very much enjoyed working on and I am thrilled to see it included in the Councils permanent art collection.