All photos by Arild Heitmann. Used with Creative Commons permission.
Iceland is a famed destination sought after by intrepid travelers and adventurous photographers. Just how many of us have drooled over and dreamed of setting foot in such a surreal place? All the photos we’ve seen prove that when it comes to otherworldly locations, we often don’t need to look far. Today’s featured snaps by landscape photographer and adventurer Arild Heitmann are no exception. If you’ve ever needed some convincing to finally fly to the magical island nation, let this stunning series give you the final push!
We’ve seen many different views and epic spots around Iceland but this one puts the spotlight particularly on the highlands of Iceland, which Evenskjer, Norway-based Arild described as a hostile place in many ways. “Most often you face horrendous weather conditions and its remoteness makes it everything but easy to capture the true soul of the area. But if you can make it through its unwelcoming first impression, you are often rewarded with images and experiences out of the ordinary,” he elaborated.
Indeed, his Highlands of Iceland series shows landscapes that can easily be imagined as alien or make-believe worlds, with textures and colors that can sometimes be hard to believe are real. No wonder these landscapes continue to inspire creative minds when it comes to fantasy lands and distant worlds. “It feels like being inside The Lord of the Rings. If there is any place on earth that looks like Mordor, then this is it,” as Arild aptly put it.
We can also easily see how the mood and scenery are very distinct in each of the shots, so much so that anyone who has been there or at least seen a lot of photos can tell they were taken in Iceland. There’s no other place on the planet that looks both strange and familiar at once, as photographers like Arild never fail to show us.
Do check out Arild Heitmann’s website and Behance portfolio to see more of his impressive photography.
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