Iceland

Iceland Wants to Help You Scream It Out

July 28, 2020 Iceland

The world right now is crazy. So many struggles and concerns, combined with angst and confusion and chaos. It makes for a wild mix. Sometimes it’s so much that you just want to scream.

Well, Iceland is banking that you do, and wants to help you out with that primal rage scream. Their tourist board has a new tool to literally record your scream, and project it from speakers into the wild Icelandic countryside.

Looks Like You Need Iceland is the website where you can go to record your scream, and have it played back for the world to hear. You can also listen to the screams from people all over the globe.

And as silly as the idea sounds, it’s actually been proven that ‘scream therapy’ can help to reduce stress:

SCREAMING AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL WAS DEVELOPED IN THE 1970S AS A WAY TO RELEASE PENT-UP EMOTION. WHAT WE DON’T REALISE IS THAT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO WANTING TO SCREAM LIGHTS UP A PART OF OUR BRAINS CALLED THE AMYGDALA. THE AMYGDALA ACTIVATES WHEN WE ARE UNDER THREAT, SOMETHING WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

So go ahead, SCREAM!!

Nature

A Textural Tour of Iceland

March 18, 2020 Nature

Iceland is like a laboratory for planet Earth, a landscape so wild and varied that it sometimes seems to defy explanation and reason. Indeed, it’s a country with few trees, but a massively diverse natural look and feel, and Kevin Krautgartner‘s Iceland From Above is a clear exploration of just that.

In his series of drone photography, Iceland’s multiverse of textures comes alive, from bright green lichen to rocky volcanic landscapes.

Click on the images below to see them in stunning aerial detail. Via Behance:

Art

Abstract, Nature-Made River Paintings

December 16, 2019 Art

Nature is an amazing artist, and Iceland is one of the most amazing canvasses on earth. These abstract river formations look like paintings, and photographer Gabor Nagy captures them in stunning fashion. The water depth, soil runoff and other natural formations cause the rivers to radiate blue, gold, tan, and aquamarine colors. Any one of these images would look amazing as a large print on a wall. See more of Nagy’s work on Behance:

Nature is an amazing artist, and Iceland is one of the most amazing canvasses on earth.

Art

Iceland and Greenland’s Natural Beauty Textures

August 1, 2019 Art

Photographer Ben Simon Rehn shares a gorgeous collection of images from Iceland and Greenland. We’ve posted about Iceland countless times, yet it never ceases to amaze us, from the verdant green hills covered in moss and lichen, to the eery, lifeless plains, looking like they are from an alien planet. Rehn has a great eye for composition, and frames the natural patterns and textures beautifully, turning landscapes into something more abstract. Excellent captures, via Behance:

Travel

Iceland’s Verdant Beauty From Above

April 24, 2019 Travel

A gorgeous collection of aerial images of Iceland’s stunning landscape, from photographer Gabor Nagy.

We see vibrant green hillsides, teal blue lakes, and waterfalls galore. Via DYT:

Iceland

‘Islandia’ Showcases The Bleak Yet Beautiful Landscapes of Iceland

January 28, 2019 Iceland

Yep, we’ve posted a fair amount about Iceland. Here. And here. Oh, and here. And maybe here. How can we help but be drawn to their plethora of moss and fog? And it’s also the pure desolation, a land so full of beauty, but also supremely bleak and raw. No wonder it’s been used as a backdrop for any number of post-apocalyptic films, though in a beautiful way.

Well, we’re at it again, this time showcasing part of a series called Islandia, by Jesse Echvarria, another photographer we’re quite fond of. Great aerial captures and depth of color and contrast in his work. You can almost smell the clean air and rich moss and lichen in the images. Iceland, we’ll see you again soon. Via Behance:

Nature

Above the Ice

December 27, 2018 Nature

Iceland never stops amazing with it’s vast open landscapes and raw glaciers, expanses of natural textures that bring to mind a painter’s canvas. Photographer Ben Simon Rehn shows us a unique aerial perspective, with a formation flight that lets us see the small planes buzzing above the deep blue ice, glacial formations bigger than city buildings. The deep colors contrast with the red of the airplane, giving us a rare sense of scale on this vast island. Via Behance:

Design

Morningtide by Marina Weishaupt

December 6, 2018 Design

Photographer Marina Weishaupt has beautifully captured the morning light off the shores of Mount Vestrahorn in Eastern Iceland. Showcasing wild horses and bright sun dancing off the clouds, her collection makes you feel the crisp morning air. Via Behance:

After a short night and a long car ride we arrived at Stokksnes beach right underneath Mount Vestrahorn.

-Marina Weishaupt

Colors

Dreamscapes of Iceland

October 3, 2018 Colors

Al Mefer’s visions of Iceland are strange and captivating, taking an already alien-like landscape, and flipping it, with magenta hues and tones. See more on his website:

Art

Namibia Vs. Iceland – Battle of Beautiful Landscapes

September 25, 2018 Art

We find ourselves gravitating towards a few specific countries in our quest to share beauty from around the world. A few of these countries have come up so often that we feel like they’re playing with us.

The stunning, alien landscapes of Iceland never cease to amaze us, with their grey, craggy landscapes dotted with acid green lichen and moss. Similarly, Namibia, in Southern Africa stuns us with vast sand dunes, and ancient trees that come alive at nighttime under incredible stars. Here are two collections shown together, proving that very different geographic regions share a beautiful topographical wonder, and inspire us to travel more. The series of Namibian images are from Leah Kennedy, and do a lovely job showing the way light dances off of the massive sand dunes, creating elegant curving shadows.

The Iceland landscapes are equally breathtaking, showcasing the organic flows and dramatic color contrasts of the still-evolving landscapes. Captured by Stas Bartnikas, his series is impressive for it’s vastness and range of textures that are shown.

In the end, the idea of a “Versus” is silly, as these are both striking and beautiful countries, full of natural beauty that seeps out every pore. Regardless of where you choose to travel, neither of these destinations will disappoint.

Art

Visualize The Sounds Of Earth

July 3, 2018 Art

We have a collection of found sounds that we’ve gathered from travels around the world. They are a snapshot of time and place, bottled up and saved. In a similar fashion, this brilliant series captures sound from all manner of beautiful places around the globe. But in addition, they’ve created stunning visualizations of those sound waves, making the place come alive with your eyes, as well as your ears.

Found sounds from the Sahara Desert are more rich, thanks to the sand-swirling visualizations. Likewise, Bwindi National Park in Uganda comes alive with the sounds of the jungle paired with the visuals of sound waves draped in plant life and greenery. The Sounds of Earth is part of a project for Expedia, we’re thrilled to see such creativity.

Colors

Chasing Light by Stefano Gardel

May 25, 2018 Colors

Swiss photographer Stefano Gardel captures the low and fleeting light of rural Iceland, and the way the sun’s rays can awaken a landscape, if only bit by bit. Iceland’s mossy tundra comes alive with these rays of light, in an otherwise dark and ominous sky. Via Behance:

Architecture

Panorama Glass Lodge in Iceland

March 24, 2018 Architecture

Iceland is known for it’s amazing night skies, and it’s beautiful desolation. So the Panorama Glass Lodge, located just 30 minutes from Reykjavík is the perfect place to have a quiet and stunning night to yourself. The simple yet elegant little cabin features a sleeping space entirely clad in glass, giving you amazing views of the surrounding countryside, and hopefully, the Aurora Borealis. A personal hot tub outside helps to round out your stay, and provide a beautiful place to star gaze. Since there is so little else around the lodge, you’ll have complete privacy. Rates starting at $400/night. Via Uncrate:

Documentary Film

Benjamin Hardman’s Vision of Iceland

January 6, 2018 Documentary Film

We’ve been huge fans of Benjamin Hardman’s Instagram for years, with his sweeping, stark, and massive-in-scale visions of Iceland. Australian by birth, Hardman lives in Iceland, and clearly feels at home in the land of stunning landscapes and raw nature. His photography is often taken from an aerial perspective, which allows the camera to capture the beautiful patterns that the landscapes make. Rivers, tributaries, and glacial flows become organic swirls. Stark snowy landscapes are cut through with a black volcanic edge of rock. An arctic fox shown in beautiful close-up detail. A visit to his Instagram page shows nearly half a million followers, a testament to people’s love of his nature visions.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-2 — Sexy black tributaries from above.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-3 — A stark white landscape cut with a black river.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-4 — A tiny island speck in the Icelandic seas.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-5 — A snowcapped mountain set against dark, ominous clouds.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-6 — An incredible close-up of an arctic fox.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-7 — An overhead view showcases a dramatic canyon.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-8 — A bright island speck in the ocean, with the snowy landscape behind.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-9 — A woman standing in a dramatic rocky field with mountains behind.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-10 — Sharp, dramatic peaks shrouded in fog.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-11 — A tiny figure perched on the edge of a cliff with vibrant green cliffs behind.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-12 — Another tiny figure on a cliff showcases the immense size of a waterfall.

benjamin-hardman-moss-and-fog-13 — An incredible ‘floating’ cliff holding a lake above a crashing ocean below.

Architecture

Skyli Trekking Cabin

November 15, 2017 Architecture

The Skyli Trekking Cabin is made from four gabled roofs, connected to create a distinctive refuge from the elements when you’re out in the wilderness. Set off of the trails in rural Iceland, the Skyli is meant to be easily transported by helicopter, and set up quickly. The bright blue color is easy to spot from long distances, and references the architecture of Reykjavík. Inside, large triangular windows allow views of the natural beauty outdoors, while a clever storage system stores emergency supplies, and fold out beds to accommodate 15 people. Via Uncrate:

Documentary Film

The North Awakens – Iceland By Drone

November 13, 2017 Documentary Film

Videographers and artists Jonathan Besler, Kevin May and Florian Gampert have created a mini masterpiece featuring breathtaking views of Iceland by drone. Using a Phantom 4 drone and a number of other cameras, they hiked and trekked to the tops of cliffs and vistas to get this stunning footage. Herds of reindeer, rainbows bouncing off waterfalls, and more. Included with the scenic landscapes was some amazing aurora borealis footage, which adds further to Iceland’s beauty and mystique. Titled The North Awakens, the video deserves to be played fullscreen, to properly soak in the beauty of this island nation. Via DesignBoom: