AWAKENING
Fagradalsfjall, Iceland
Sunset light falls over a new volcano at Fagradalsfjall in Iceland, August 2021. Creating this image was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. For 800 years, the volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula lay dormant—until March 2021. As soon as the eruption began, I became captivated by the chance to witness it up close. It was such a rare opportunity: to hike out to an active volcano and stand so close to one. But with pandemic-related travel restrictions in place, I had to watch the eruption unfold online for months.
When travel finally reopened, I booked a trip in June. I drove straight from the airport to the volcano only to be greeted by thick, unmoving fog. Hoping it would clear, I slept in my camper van before attempting the hike. But when I awoke, I learned that during the night lava had flowed over the main hiking trail and the area was now closed. I spent the rest of that trip exploring other parts of Iceland, hoping the site would reopen—but instead, the eruption took another twist and the volcano went dormant. I returned home a bit defeated, but kept monitoring the activity closely.
Just a couple of months later, I got my second chance and was able to redeem myself—and this time it delivered the most epic scene that I have ever laid eyes on.
The hike out was long and a bit strenuous, up and down over several ridges, each a few hundred feet high. My friend and I were buzzing with excitement and we kept asking each other, like impatient kids, “Are we there yet?” We would get around a bend, see a glimpse the volcanic cone in the distance and feel thrilled—only to realize the trail still stretched far ahead. All we knew was that we wanted to get as close as possible to launch our drones and immerse ourselves in the experience of the eruption, feeling the heat, smelling the sulfur and getting the absolute best view that we could.
After a final climb, the entire valley opened up before us with the steaming, bubbling volcano in full, awe-inspiring sight. Exhausted but exhilarated, we noticed a thick layer of clouds lingering to the west, beyond the smoke rising from the lava cone. Then the sun dipped just low enough to cast golden beams through the clouds—and we stopped in our tracks. It was one of the most raw, violent, and beautiful moments I’ve ever experienced. New earth was forming before our eyes: a molten cauldron spilling veins of fire into the valley below. Light from the heavens broke through the steam and cloud cover, illuminating the black-crusted lava like a spotlight on a living, breathing force.
The hike was over. We had reached our destination and I launched my drone as quickly as I could to capture this fleeting moment of our Mother Earth awakening.
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CLASSIC SERIES | Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Paper Print
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ChromaLuxe metal prints infuse the dyes directly into the metal for outstanding fine art prints that are clear, vibrant and long lasting. An excellent choice for high traffic areas such as an office setting.
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Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic Prints give a clean and sleek modern look of a photographic print face mounted to a piece of clear acrylic glass. They float one inch off the wall and look amazing unframed. The ultimate in luxury fine art prints, Lumachrome uses a transparency layer that is infused with iridium particles and suspended between a white poly surface and acrylic. For more information on how these prints are made, see the Anatomy of an Acrylic Print.
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For the ultimate in luxury fine art prints, the PINNACLE SERIES adds an Italian Roma Frame and black or white linen liner to your LUXE SERIES TruLife Acrylic print. This stunning display truly creates a statement piece for the space that it will hang. Roma Moulding supports old-world manufacturing techniques and features the work of master artisans for their design, precision, and quality.
For ROMA, Made in Italy continues to be the difference above it all. 100% solid wood moulding made with a level of craftsmanship that today's world of mass production just can't match. ROMA truly completes the definition of Luxury Fine Art.
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Prints are Limited Edition, signed, numbered, and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
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