Iceland Wintertide

I once heard a cinematographer say that nothing looks as good on color film as does a subject that is, in itself, only comprised of black and white and gray tones – colorless yet photographed in color. I could appreciate this remarkable observation in some singular images that I have taken over the years, but - to my great, welcome surprise - when I traveled to Iceland in the winter of 2020, a body of work developed in which I was able to more fully realize that concept.

Iceland is a unique combination of geologic, climatic, atmospheric, and oceanic phenomena that provide a visual cornucopia that entices artists from all over the world. Once the wintertide blankets the country in snow, Iceland becomes an island of black and white and gray. With the assist of the mostly cloudy skies, its varied landscapes provide a wonderful grayscale against which punctation marks of color often beg notice. The eyes are bedazzled.

As a result of the research of brilliant scientists and the ongoing attention given by a diverse community of artists, ice has become a symbol of climate change - because everyone on the planet knows it is melting. The world is getting hotter and the cost to humankind is rapidly increasing from our inaction. This sad, tragic fact has been the underlying theme of the three previous books that comprise my Trilogy of North American Waters. Wanton fossil fuel extraction has left a legacy of greed and worldwide environmental harm.

On volcanic Iceland, scarred by a tectonic plate boundary, in the Gulf Stream of the North Atlantic, just below the Arctic Circle, all the glaciers will be gone within one hundred years if not sooner. But not through any fault of the Icelanders who produce all their electricity through renewable resources – geothermal and hydroelectric. It can be done. It should have been done.

For photographers, there will always be a landscape to photograph and ponder. But, on a wondrous island of ice and snow, captivating scenes - such as those seen and preserved within - will be gone in several decades; the reality of a white arctic, and a great deal more, will be lost.

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