I first went to Iceland after completing my rescue diver certification. Looking for a challenge in extreme scuba diving conditions, it took little research for Iceland to reveal itself as the perfect destination with its arctic cold, crystal clear waters and its iceberg lagoon. On the way to our first dive site in the Þingvellir National Park, I took my first panoramic shot by the road. It was around 9:30 am, the sky was dark and the sun was really low on the Southeast. Shattering black mountains, half covered with snow, broke the horizon while long rowdy grass hid a few Scandinavian wood cabins in the foreground. Seduced by the unique and dramatic geography, I spent ten days traveling the mysterious island and covered most of its 4988km of coastline in photography. Captivated, I had to come back in order explore the inner land which, at the time, were mostly closed for the winter. I went back to Iceland in the spring to discover a completely different terrain. Fueled by the midnight sun providing almost 24h daylight and the inner land now open, the possibilities were endless. I could not believe the splendor of its landscapes. It was like rediscovering Iceland all over again. It became clear to me that I had to share my icelandic experience, to show the world the hidden and often-underestimated magnificence of this small island located on the Mid-Atlantic-Ridge. After sharing my experience with my colleague, IcelandRaw became the personal project of "ekuana geeks", our visual resource firm base in Montreal. On its way to become an international exhibition promoting the unspoiled beauty of the icelandic territory. Its first appearance (a preview show) is held here at Fluid Living during the Toronto Photography Festival. The project is also supported by its website icelandraw.com, which will accompany the exhibition throughout its lifespan and, over time, become a complete photographic reference web site of Iceland's unique scenery. I truly hope that my work will inspire you to learn more about Iceland.
- 01.Claude, diving the Silfra crack of the Þingvellir National Park.
- 02.Icelandic horses, in a valley near Laugarvatn.
- 03.Daydreaming, in a field close to Hvolsvöllur, Southwest of Iceland.
- 04.No neighbor, a wood cabin at the foot of Eyjafallajokull.
- 05.Skógafoss late fall, Iceland’s biggest waterfalls with its 60 meters drop.
- 06.The Atlantic Ocean, washes back the icebergs drifting down from Jökulsárlón.
- 07.First snow, road one.
- 08.Vatnajökull, at 514m altitude the Vatnajökull Glacier tongue Skálafellsjökull.
- 09-10.Sudden light change, in a valley Southeast of Vatnajökull.
- 11.Short cut to the fjord, road 939 from Eglisstaðir South to Djúpivogur.
- 12.Village in the Southeast fjords, the town of Reyðarfjörður on the edge of twilight.
- 13.Hverarönd, geothermal vents covered with snow.
- 14.Welcome to Akureyri, facing South on the bridge leading to Akureyri.
- 15.House by the river, North of Iceland.