Lunar Rover
At the beginning of autumn, Espen and I went on a journey through the rugged, black desert landscapes of the Icelandic Highlands. Each gust of wind flung grit and sand against our faces. The sun above illuminated our path as we trekked across the vast solitude. There is something so grounding yet mystifying about the scenery in this remote part of the country. The ruggedness and isolation resembles the surface of Earth’s moon.
To achieve this shot, I used a 70-200mm telephoto lens with 1.4x converter. Initially, I took a few photos through the window of the car before stepping outside for a clearer view. Very quickly, I realised that the view from outside didn’t create the same atmosphere as the window tinting from inside the car, so I got back into the passenger seat and shot through the closed driver’s-side window for this lunar-rover effect.
To make the viewpoint more realistic, I included some of the rocks in the foreground to create the feeling of being low, just as if the viewer were peering through a lens mounted upon the rover itself. The harsh overhead light from the sun created beautiful layers with the mountains in the background.
As soon as Espen and I previewed this shot on the big screen, we both agreed that it looked like an image sent back to Earth from a rover on the moon!
Location: Landmannalaugar, Iceland
Equipment: Canon 5DS R, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, Canon 1.4x III.
Settings: Shot handheld, 280mm, 1/6400 sec, f/9, ISO 640.
When to travel to Landmannalaugar for photography
Landmannalaugar offers some of the best locations for photography on roads less travelled, being accessible only by 4WD and mostly during the warmer months.
While the best time of the year to visit the Icelandic highlands is during summer, the beginning of autumn is when the landscape really comes alive. You’ll find it painted in a myriad of earthy colours as the birch trees turn yellow, thickets of blueberries turn a deep red and the usually lush green moss is swathed in hues of orange. This makes autumn a brilliant time for photography, as you’ll be able to spot many of the different species in this area that make it so unique.
Note that the F-roads to Fjallabak Nature Reserve and Landmannalaugar generally close during winter, when heavy snowfall makes the area largely inaccessible (unless you have a suitable vehicle, such as a super jeep or a snow-mobile).
Can you stay in Landmannalaugar?
Although Espen and I had both travelled to the Fjallabak Nature Reserve before on our own trips with others in the past, we still harboured a strong desire to return and explore all of the trails that we hadn’t seen before. We had a roof tent, which we slept in for a couple of nights at the Landmannalaugar camping ground alongside other visitors with camping vans. Icelandic laws prohibit wild camping so you cannot stop on the side of the road and sleep in Iceland. If you’re not into camping, then it’s possible to make a reservation at the Landmannalaugar hut.
The natural hot springs at the Landmannalaugar camping site are perfect for relaxing in on a chilly night, with a water temperature of around 36-40°C (96-104°F). We even had a special moment when we spotted a shooting star beneath the glow of the full moon.
For more information about the Landmannalaugar campground and fees, check out the FÍ website.
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