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Black as dominant color
Black as a color is not so popular. In Iceland you always encounter a black, which only seems homogeneous at first glance. In fact, every black, whether in basalt or sand, is slightly inhomogeneous and interesting to the eye and not a gap.
My first encounter with the color black on Iceland was on the rocky coast near our hotel in Arnarstapi, which was easily accessible on foot. The power of the sea seemed to be best expressed in moderate long-term shots. Anyone who exposes too long will only get the average altitude of the sea level . . . .
Black basalt coast at Hellnar (Arnarstapi), Iceland © Julian Köpke 
Black basalt coast at Hellnar (Arnarstapi), Iceland © Julian Köpke Occasionally black was also found in buildings. At farms or at the famous Black Church of Budir, which I shot from many perspectives.
Black church at Budir © Julian Köpke 
Black church and Snæfellsjökull The reflection on the Vestrahörn was best achieved in the early morning at low tide on the damp black beach. The repeated flooding of the beach by waves disturbed the tripod and sometimes necessitated rapid escape movements, but they were also a prerequisite for good mirror images.
Last but not least, black and red were the dominant colours in the hot lava of the Fagradalsfjall, which we were able to see more closely on the last day of our stay.
Only a few kilometers further by car the sun began to shine and the clouds receded. In the southwest of the Reykjanes peninsula we felt the white of the lighthouse all the more radiant after our volcanic visit.
Afternoon sun at lighthouse Reykjaviti © Julian Köpke Before leaving, one last look at the waves, which are radiated by sunlight and seem to contain more energy than usual.
Waves and surf at Reykjanesviti, Iceland -
Diamond Beach (Jökulsárlon)
With a slight disappointment we arrived at the Jökullsárlon for the third time. The weather forecast had promised sunshine and we were already there at 9 o’clock. We were alone at the location, a rare privilege. However, we encountered an almost closed cloud cover, which could not be pushed away by the strong downwind of the glacier. Only on the glacier itself was a remnant of blue sky to be found.
Common Eider in Jökulsarlon © Julian Köpke The name Diamond Beach comes from the small pieces of ice that come from broken icebergs that the glacier has calved into the glacier lake Jökulsàrlon. They glitter in the sun like fairy-tale diamonds – when the sun is shining.
Diamond Beach at Jökulsarlon © Julian Köpke Using frame averaging, I was able to get long-term recordings without using a neutral density filter. I left this one in the car. In 8 seconds, with around 45 pictures that are averaged, I achieved vivid results in landscape photography.
Diamond Beach at Jökulsarlon (8s, Automated Frame Average) © Julian Köpke -
End of the world
On a ball there is no such thing like an end or a beginning. Before the discovery of America the region we traveled to today was called „End of the world“ or „Finistère“ in French. The Atlantic Ocean shows its wild side here.
On our way from Camaret-sur-Mer to Pointe du Raz we came through many old villages of Brittany. St. Nic is such a place, where you can find a pretty church building.
Èglise St. Nic © Julian Köpke Coming form Douarnenez you first reach Point du Van in westerly direction. The church is consecrated to shipwreckers.
Église Pointe du Van © Julian Köpke 
Église Pointe du Van © Julian Köpke Within sight of the western wall you can perceive a small lighthouse.
Sailing boat and lighthouse © Julian Köpke After a short drive, first in a southerly direction and then in a westerly direction, you reach Pointe du Raz. At low tide the is a strong current in southern direction. The water is visibly swirled between the rocks. At this point, where the world ended 528 years ago, you can easily imagine a wild Ocean.
Our journey to Brittany now has come to its end.
See more images in my album.
Pointe du Raz © Julian Köpke -
Impressions of Brittany
Every morning I photograph the rocks on the beach from our window. The atmospheric conditions change greatly whenever I look outside. The impression made by the rocks changes with the change of the atmosphere.
Coastline at sunrise in Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke Only next morning the rocks look completely different. There is alway a painterly impression the light induces.
Morning light © Julian Köpke Higher tide the next morning.
L' aube à Camaret-sur-Mer © Julian Köpke See also my album „Camaret-sur-Mer„.
