Halfway Q&A

I recently hit my halfway mark of living in Iceland. WHAT?! I know. Crazy. I might even venture to use the ridiculous phrase "cray cray" to describe it. I can't believe I've been 6 months, and I hate, HATE, to think of the day that I have to leave. New adventures are always exciting, but a part of my heart will always be held hostage in Iceland.

In honor of my halfway point, I had my friends and family throw out some questions on Facebook for me to answer here. Enjoy! (Also, thanks to my dad for taking such cool pictures of me while he was here!)

How has Iceland changed you? How has it improved/changed your photography/photographic style? - MV 
I went through enormous intellectual, moral, creative, and emotional changes during my brother's sickness and death, so I've enjoyed getting acquainted with my new perspectives and motivations. Being in Iceland has breathed new life into me. I'm happier than I've ever been with who I am, and I have a clear vision of the life I want to live. The most important event that has happened artistically for me is falling back in love with photography. It's been outrageously exiting to feel like a beginner again as I learn how to photograph landscapes. It's a completely new genre for me so I have that same haphazard enthusiasm I did when I was first getting into photography 8 years ago. It's been a lot of fun, something I had forgotten photography could be.

What would be your Iceland style dream date? - UB 
First off, not just any guy would be Iceland-date worthy, let's just say that right now. But if opportunity arose... a day trip to the Glacier Lagoon, complete with good car-ride conversation, a delicious beverage, and a smooch or two at a few choice locations along the way, all topped off with a clear starry night and northern lights.

Iceland would be a great vacation destination for the person seeking __________ experience. - SW 
“a unique and rugged”

What are your top 10 must see/do in Iceland (in order)? -SW
(I haven't seen/done everything, and I changed my mind about 4,000 times while writing this part...)
1. Photograph Jökulsárlón and the glacier beach.
2. Marvel at the northern lights.
3. Swim at Seljavallalaug, one of Iceland's oldest pools.
4. A day trip to Vik from Reykjavik with the following stops: Seljalendsfoss and Gljúfrarbúi, Dyrhólaey, Reynisfjall, and Skogafoss.
5. Go Killer Whale watching.
6. Explore Flatey for an afternoon.
7. Spend a lazy afternoon with the puffins in the Westman Islands.
8. Check out the otherworldly landscapes of the Námafjall, Krafla, and Myvatn areas.
9. Hike around Dynjandi Waterfall and explore the Westfjords.
10. Wander around Reykjavik.

Can I be you when I grow up? -MM
Your kids are too cute to give up and be an old maid globe bum like me. ;-)

Will you post a video of yourself speaking some Icelandic phrases? -LL
*sigh* I masked my humiliation within obnoxious iMovie effects. Get ready to laugh it up, Icelandic friends. 

What would be your 10 top advice for travel photography? -FL
1. Push yourself to take photos, even when you don't want to. I always get lazy about 3-4 days into any trip and stop taking photos. Don't do this. Take photos every day!
2. If you're not a professional photographer, and you don't want to be one, don't worry about getting a full DSLR. They are a pain to lug around while traveling! Instead, opt for the smaller DSLRs (like the Sony Nex series). Most cameras these days are pretty amazing, so even if you have your iPhone, you're going to be able to get some nice shots.
3. If you are a professional, or you want to be one, take an ultra-wide, a mid-range, and a telephoto lens everywhere you go. You never know what you're going to want when going to a new place.
4. Have a very boring looking camera bag, preferably something a bit old looking, and never let it leave your side (not for a second!). Camera bags are huge targets for thieves.
5. Be considerate of others. Nothing is more annoying that some jerk standing in front of everyone else's view all day.
6. Trespass considerately. If you go somewhere you're not supposed to be, don't ruin anything. Leave everything as you found it.
7. With #6 in mind, don't be that stupid tourist that ends up on the news because you made a very poor decision.
8. Practice, practice, practice. Don't buy a new camera you've never used right before a trip, or try a technique for the first time at a location you'll never go to again. Know how to use your camera before you go.
9. If you watermark, do so sparingly and artistically. Nothing ruins a gorgeous shot like some obnoxious papyrus font action.
10. Know when to put down the camera and enjoy reality.

What do you like best / favorite things about Iceland? What don't you like about Iceland? -LM
I love the textures in the Icelandic landscape and the overall ruggedness of the island. Plus, they don't really have any sort of predator or creepy crawly that can harm you (they don't even have mosquitos!), so it's fun to explore without fear of getting bitten by something. My least favorite thing is how expensive everyday items are, especially clothes. For example, the very ordinary and boring grey zip up hoodie I'm currently wearing as I type this cost me around $45.00. I wouldn't pay more than $15.00 for it back home.

If Iceland were a fine pastry, which fine pastry would it be, and why? -DH
It would be the pastry I had with my friend Jason at the french bakery in SLC a few years ago (remember that day, pal? Good times!). Why? Because every single bite was delicious. Just like Iceland.

What do you wish someone had told you about living abroad before you left that would have been helpful and what tips prepared you best? -KW
I think people, especially those hobbits who want to leave the Shire so to speak, should keep in mind that it's something totally do-able and not as scary as it seems. Just go do it. There are limitations, mountains of paperwork, expenses, waiting times, etc, but it's all worth it. Trust me. Nothing beats the experience of living completely out of your element.

Is there a great recipe for fish stew and fish soup. How is that lamb so incredible? Is the Penis museum the coolest thing in Iceland? How are the hot dogs there so crunchy and good? French fried onions here are not quite the same on hotdogs. - JL (aka, Dad, who just returned home from our trip)
Everyone just needs to come here and experience these things in real life (disclaimer: I have not been to the Penis museum).

Did you apply color corrections to your photos? If Iceland is really THAT vibrant I'm going to pass out. -DN
While I'm still figuring out my post-processing style for landscapes, I try to keep the integrity of what I'm interpreting. So, in a nutshell, you should probably lay down... Iceland is more vibrant and beautiful than my photography could ever show.

This picture was snapped by my friend Syliva and edited by me. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far in my journey. It really has been some of the best months of my entire life. And of course, thanks for reading the blog!

A Guide to Icelandic Weather

Today is Sumardagurinn Fyrsti, or, the first day of summer in Iceland. It's a national holiday held every year on the first Thursday after April 18th (or the second Thursday after April 11th, depending on who you ask). It's based off an old traditional Icelandic calendar which only had two seasons (winter and summer), and is modernly celebrated with gifts, parades, sporting events, happiness, and this year... little snow flurries in between blue sky.

Although I'm used to Utah's bipolar weather, I think Iceland wins in dramatics. I've seen it change from bright and sunny to blizzardy snow six times in one day before. Six! Times!

Exhibit A - These are two photos I snapped about 5 hours apart yesterday (full disclosure, it got even snowier than the first photo and even prettier than the second photo):

Y u so cray cray, Islensku?

But have no fear, dear reader, for I have a few rad protips to help you survive the cluster eff that is Icelandic weather (at least for months February-April since that's how long I've been here... you're on your own for the rest of the time).

ICELAND PROTIPS - WHAT TO WEAR

• Layers, so very many layers. And have a bag big enough to put said layers in as you need to.
• Something windproof and waterproof is a must. I wear a Merrell Wakefield coat which has served me well for the $100 I paid for it off the bargin rack last summer.
• Warm scarves save lives. Maybe not lives, but at least necks, chins, and lower ears from being too chilly. Plus they add a pleasant bundledy-up feeling.
• Those who sweater together beat the weather. This is not a real saying, but sweaters are really recommended when in Iceland.
• A hood, hat, buff, or some over head warming device. If I could change anything about my coat, it would be a bigger hood with fur or fur-like substance around the edges. The wind here rips your face off and hoods are the number one prevention of this. Plus if you have a cool fur lined hood you can pretend you're a wilding from Game of Thrones.
• Waterproof shoes. Iceland is puddly.
• Three words: fleeced lined leggings. Oh baby.
• Cozy socks that don't look too stupid. You always take your shoes off in people's homes, so just remember that when you go for your holy of holies in the back of the drawer.
• And lastly my sweet friend Björg summed it up perfectly when she told me "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes!". 

Gleðilegt sumar, everyone! Bless bless!