Since my first walk around in Iceland, back in 2008, I had an amazing feeling coming from the absence of trees. No trees and a huge sense of space that is incredibly immersive within its tranquility. That’s why I called my little project: “where trees don’t go”. Though my little project became bigger… I got addicted, as many do, and kept returning year after year. Away from the tourist crowded paths, Iceland is a wide empty natural world. It’s the Moon and it´s Mars, it’s ice and fire, it’s the world of elves and trolls, it’s a winter wonderland.
Though, Iceland is also rude. Once a guide told me “here in Iceland, nature always wants to kill you”. I keep track of the weather carefully and when I travel around with my daughter we keep saying: “we could easily die here”. I have talked to many people and all have old or new stories of missing people. There’s no place to shelter and no resources to build one. I love storms, I feel fear but I love it, I feel that sense of respect for the power of nature.
With my videos and photos, I want to share how I see and experience Iceland and all its diversity. As I have experienced all the shades and tones of seasons, weather and natural light effects, I have a lot of mental “color palettes” that I know when to use. So I am careful with editing and the colors I choose, I aim to demonstrate a plausible reality with just a small touch of fantasy.
Though it will never be the same as being there. For me, being in Iceland is a therapy and battery recharger for my busy professional life back home. I call it Iceland Detox. It’s amazing what Iceland does to me in a few days; watching the clouds, waiting for the light and following the weather are relaxing and healthy fine tuners for my senses. You have space and horizon and you look at the sky all the time.
With my project, I want to create something for the next generations to remember how Iceland was with big glaciers, white winters and without the impact of the tourist boom. Maybe they will get to know another Iceland, with a new northern climate.
Andy Rider is a passionate wildlife photographer and filmmaker based in South Africa, dedicated to capturing the raw beauty of nature while raising awareness about conservation. Inspired by legends like Steve Irwin, his journey began as a field guide, where he honed his skills and developed a deep respect for ethical wildlife photography.
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