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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 -
Fagradalsfjall
The last highlight of our trip through Iceland was the newly erupted volcano Fagradalsfjall in March in the Krýsuvík volcano system of the Reykjanes peninsula. After arriving at the parking lot, which we unfortunately could not pay for lack of a local app without internet connection on site, was by a lava river on the footpath to the viewpoints a long walk fully loaded with photo equipment to tackle.
A long horizontal path to a steep climb that should be worthwhile. The last part of the 150m ascent was provided with a rope on which you could pull yourself up. Then came a plateau, on which the visitors spread out over a large area.
Admiration and shiver at Fagradalsfjall © Julian Köpke Right hand side in the background on a hill has landed a helicopter. Since the beginning of the pandemic, I haven’t noticed so much aircraft noise. A burning smell was everywhere in the air, sometimes pungent. After a short time, I started to have a slight headache.
Volcanic fumes at vent of Fagradalsfjall © Julian Köpke 
Hot lava out of volcanic vent Fagradalsfjall © Julian Köpke The impression of a primordial landscape induces the last image.
The very beginning © Julian Köpke -
Eternal day
Our flight to Iceland started in Germany with summer darkness, which was far from reaching its maximum. To the north over Germany and to the northwest over Scotland, th edusk could be seen in the west, and after not too long already the dawn in the east. The topology of the sphere allows us to see the evening in the left plane window and the morning in the right plane window.
Red clouds, sometimes dense, sometimes filigree, hovered over an almost closed cloud cover over the sea. Seeing the sun was reserved for the captain of the flight.
Sunrise after take off © Julian Köpke 
Sunset and sunrise © Julian Köpke After a Covid test, we had to go into quarantine. Outside it was still bright as in our home on a winter afternoon at 4 pm. Everything was deserted, so I took a photo session at the harbor without violating the purpose of the quarantine. I was greeted by a strong eruption of the Krýsuvík-volcano system in the Fagradalsfjall mountains, for which I was only partially equipped in camera technology.
Eruption © Julian Köpke In the morning I was able to see the volcanic region again from the pool of the hotel. A half-full wine glass was on the edge. In the night three young mermaid have had loudly their fun in this pool.
Sleeping volcano under clouds. Krýsuvík-volcano system © Julian Köpke
