I’ve been trying to write this for over seven months, yet I can still remember the trip quite vividly.
In November 2023, my wife and I were planning a trip to Iceland after a rather personal event happened, in which we were both devastated: it took a toll on our mental health and we felt like we needed to get away from our home. Iceland was to be a trip where we could wanderlust, but also a trip where we could reflect upon the last few years.
After some meticulous planning there was an itinerary for the five days we were going to be there: taking in the beautiful landscape of Thingvellir, horseback riding on the beach in Vik or just wandering the streets of Reykjavik.
With everything booked the next thing to think about was what camera and film to bring. I brought along my Electro 35 (that Summer’s purchase) and a few rolls of HP5 and a single roll of Portra 400. I had recently gotten in a buzz shooting black and white and pushing it a stop to give me that contrasty and grainy look. Along for the ride was the TTArtisan Light Meter II, as I didn’t have a battery installed in the Electro 35 to power the light meter.
As I said before, this was a trip about reflection and no doubt Gullfoss Falls was a place to do this. While looking at the waterfall I noticed my wife was standing still, while people around her were taking photos, including myself. I stopped and asked what she was doing and what she said has remained with me as a photographer: ‘I’m making a mind movie’.
Although photographs can tell a story it’s your senses that tie itself to a moment. In this case looking at Gullfoss made me think and feel the following: the white noise of thousands of litres of water falling; the glint from water droplets as the morning light hit it; the feeling that life and nature moves on.
Those thoughts and feelings remain quite special to me. It’s the art of slowing down in what is a fast paced world, taking and revelling in the small moments.
I wasn’t all that satisfied with the colour photos. I scanned these with the Valoi Easy35 and balanced it all out in Lightroom. It’s probably close to what I saw on the day but it felt like it was missing something.
That all changed when I switched to HP5.
Something about black and white just brings out the scale of things even more and makes it feels more alive.
Our last full day in Iceland we spent it doing the touristy stuff in Reykjavik.
We ascended up Hallgrímskirkja after sunrise to catch a glimpse of the city we so fondly walked around.
As a sometime occasional street photographer I was happy to capture this photograph and satisfy that itch (a sixth photo – a Brucey Bonus for you).
If I learnt anything about myself after this trip it’s how I need to slow the f**k down sometimes and enjoy the moment and make those ‘mind movies’. Photographs might be the perfect accompaniment to your memories, but having someone to share those memories with are worth its weight in gold.
Thanks for reading!
You can find me on Instagram and you can see more photos at my website
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Louis A Sousa on 5 Frames of Iceland (on Portra 400 and HP5+)
Comment posted: 04/08/2024
https://www.analogforevermagazine.com/features-interviews/nils-karlsons-iceland-pinholes
Comment posted: 04/08/2024
Comment posted: 04/08/2024
Gary Smith on 5 Frames of Iceland (on Portra 400 and HP5+)
Comment posted: 04/08/2024
Comment posted: 04/08/2024
Russ Rosener on 5 Frames of Iceland (on Portra 400 and HP5+)
Comment posted: 04/08/2024
The Yashica Electro is a great camera with a stellar lens. I do wonder how you were able to manipulate the shutter speed without a battery however? If you love rangefinder cameras but are not willing to drop wads of cash on "The L Word" might I suggest the Canon 7 ? It is fully manual and can use interchangeable M39 lenses.
Comment posted: 04/08/2024
Nigel Gardner on 5 Frames of Iceland (on Portra 400 and HP5+)
Comment posted: 05/08/2024
Comment posted: 05/08/2024
Comment posted: 05/08/2024
Comment posted: 05/08/2024
Paul Quellin on 5 Frames of Iceland (on Portra 400 and HP5+)
Comment posted: 07/08/2024
Comment posted: 07/08/2024
Lee on 5 Frames of Iceland (on Portra 400 and HP5+)
Comment posted: 16/08/2024
Comment posted: 16/08/2024