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Myvatn, Iceland #1

Volcanic landscape and lake at Myvatn, Iceland

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The story behind this image

The Icelandic lake Myvatn (meaning 'midge lake', for what became obvious reasons!) is a fascinating geological area in the north of Iceland that Liz and I visited during our cruise stopover at Akureyri.

Created 2,300 years ago in a volcanic eruption, the lake is surrounded by curious bowl like mounds, called pseudocraters, one of which forms the foreground for this image.

At the time of our visit an Atlantic frontal system was just clearing through, giving an amazing light show comprising shafts of sunlight piercing through dark, foreboding storm clouds.

This was meat and drink to me, what with a lake, mountains, volcanic craters and storm clouds available to photograph in dramatic lighting.

A few minutes after this photo was taken the sun came out for a prolonged period, and as if by magic, the air was suddenly full of midges.

Now I'm used to midges from my photographic excursions to the streams and lakes of Snowdonia, but fair do's - these Icelandic midges were huge!

No wonder the fishing is so good here.

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Image data

Filename - iceland myvatn 01

Camera - Canon 6D

Lens - 24-105mm zoom @ 28mm

Exposure - 1/125 sec @ f8, ISO100

Filters - Polariser to enhance colours
2 stop ND graduated filter to darken the sky

Location - Myvatn, Iceland

This image - 800x533px JPEG

Conversion - Adobe Lightroom

Comments - Hand held exposure with image stabilisation