About the Photoshoot

Many of my photographs of the Icelandic Highlands focus on their stark, almost lifeless character — a reminder of how inhospitable a region shaped by ice and fire can be. Yet Iceland’s interior holds its own surprises. Hidden within this vast volcanic wilderness are pockets of remarkable abundance, where vivid moss and flowing water bring life to an otherwise austere landscape.

I wanted to capture this unexpected side of the Highlands, and this lush landscape offered the perfect opportunity. From the helicopter, I looked down upon a primordial world of deep blues and greens, seemingly untouched by human presence. At my request, the pilot began to circle the area slowly as I searched through my viewfinder for the right composition, my finger constantly working the shutter.

It was only later, while reviewing hundreds of photographs, that I discovered this particular image. I remembered the striking pointed mountain in the foreground, but not capturing this exact composition. And yet, here was everything I had hoped to convey: the ancient richness of a landscape that, at first glance, appears so barren.

Against the black volcanic ash, the vivid green moss flourishes. Blue glacial rivers wind through the terrain, reflecting the summer sky and leading the eye from the mountain in the foreground toward the lush landscape beyond. In the distance, a glacier emerges through a veil of mist — a quiet reminder of the harsh forces that have shaped this wilderness, and the very forces that make its unexpected abundance possible.

About the Location

Located in Iceland’s remote southern Highlands, near the Laki volcanic region, this landscape reveals a side of Iceland that few visitors experience firsthand. The area bears the imprint of the country’s powerful volcanic history, with dark ash plains, moss-covered slopes, glacial rivers and distant ice fields forming a remarkable natural mosaic.

This is a landscape that cannot be reached by car or on foot. It can only be experienced from the air, where the scale and intricate patterns of the terrain become fully visible. From above, the contrast between the black volcanic ground, the vivid green vegetation and the winding rivers reveals an unexpected oasis within one of Iceland’s most rugged regions.

About this Print

Highland Oasis presents a rare perspective on Iceland’s Highlands, revealing the richness and complexity hidden within a vast volcanic wilderness. The pointed mountain anchors the composition, while the winding glacial rivers guide the eye through layers of green moss, dark volcanic terrain and distant ice.

The interplay of deep black, vivid green and cool blue creates a striking contrast, while the soft mist adds atmosphere and depth. There is a sense of both strength and tranquillity in the scene — a landscape shaped by powerful natural forces, yet filled with delicate detail and unexpected life.

The wide landscape composition captures the extraordinary sense of scale that makes this place so compelling. As a fine art print, Highland Oasis brings the untamed beauty of Iceland’s remote interior into your space, inviting you to discover a world where harshness and abundance exist side by side.