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Daniel Guindo
@hollow.sun
Photographer based in Iceland
A few years ago, Daniel Guindo traveled to Iceland for the first time, not knowing that such trip would change his life completely. Being from Southern Spain, the different scenery was almost addictive for him. After that trip, Daniel felt a strong urge to move to Iceland and explore its remote areas in detail. Leaving his comfortable life in Spain behind, he followed his instincts.
Interview
Welcome Daniel! What is your favorite location you’ve traveled to and why? Do you have a destination you’d dream of traveling to and why?
If you had asked me this question a few months ago, I would have easily chosen Iceland. However, my recent visit to Japan has made it difficult for me to pick just one country. Japan has a unique culture and it’s incredibly captivating!
I loved everything about Japan and felt a sense of tranquility throughout the trip. The way they blend architecture with nature is truly remarkable and caught my attention instantly. Exploring their beautiful forests and discovering the precious shrines was an unforgettable experience.
In addition to Japan, I would love to visit Svalbard to capture its wildlife. Patagonia and Australia are also on my list of places to explore and photograph!
What is the most beautiful thing that travel has allowed you to do?
Iceland helped me discover my passion for landscape photography. It provided the perfect inspiration I needed. Since my first trip there, I developed a deep respect for nature. Photography motivated me to protect it.
Iceland has a unique charm, especially when it comes to its natural beauty. The landscapes are wild, untouched, and raw. When I’m there, I feel incredibly small. It’s a humbling experience that reminds me of being a part of something much greater than myself.
You have a really special and particular way of conveying emotions. How did you develop such style?
I love using photography to express my feelings. It’s important to me to capture the emotions I experienced at a specific moment, so I keep that in mind when finishing my photos.
I usually spend late nights editing. I enjoy the quietness when everyone is at home, having dinner or already asleep. That’s when I can fully concentrate on my pictures and edit them while reflecting on my day.
I enjoy it when I sit in front of my computer and dive deep into the photos while some relaxing music sets the perfect mood for it. Quite often I lose track of time.
Can you explain to us your editing process with an example?
I must admit that my editing style is quite chaotic and I don’t follow any guidelines. Sometimes it takes a few clicks to achieve what I’m looking for, sometimes it takes months.
Serendipity plays a huge role in my editing process. I love experimenting and being spontaneous while editing. However, my goal is usually to keep things simple, using only a few colors and aiming for a clean and minimalistic look.
Sometimes I can envision how a photo will turn out even before I capture it. Let me share an example from a week ago:
I arrived during the day, and the sunlight was very strong. I had a clear vision: I wanted to capture a person walking alone on the mountain ridge. The smoke in the air that day created the perfect atmosphere I was hoping for. Since I was alone, I flew my drone to take the shot exactly as I had imagined, with myself as the model.
During the editing process, I used some graduated filters. First, I used one to blend the sky and snow, creating a minimalistic appearance. Then, I applied another filter at the bottom of the photo. I added a touch of dehaze and made the smoke more pronounced.
Additionally, I adjusted the tone curve to find a balanced and harmonious blend of white tones. I also experimented with the orange and yellow colors, aiming to achieve a unique clay-like shade that represents this location.
Lastly, I employed brushes to enhance the mountain ridge and the stairs. This way, I directed the viewer’s attention toward the main subject in the photo.
What is your approach when it comes to planning your trip and finding your ideal locations?
I spend hours studying satellite maps, comparing the same location on multiple maps. Living in Iceland, the weather is crucial, especially in winter.
Thankfully, we have a great website called vedur.is. It provides comprehensive weather information, including details like wind speed, which is important for drone photography.
Besides that, I find inspiration on Instagram. I search for lesser-known places or add my unique touch when visiting popular destinations, so I can create something different.
Imagine yourself at the beginning of your career as a photographer. What three pieces of advice would you give to yourself?
Start organizing your photos right from the beginning, seriously. Explore and experiment as much as possible. Don’t hesitate to try new things. It’s crucial to discover what you enjoy photographing the most and, ultimately, develop your unique style.
"Don’t try to have an editing style since day one. Be patience, things like that only come with time."
Don’t worry about having an editing style right from the start. It takes time and patience for that to develop. In fact, even if you do find a style, you’ll soon notice that it keeps evolving.
Stay curious and motivated. But don’t rely solely on photography for inspiration. Look to other sources like music or movies that you enjoy the most! Some of my favorite images were watching an inspiring movie or listening to the new album from my favorite band!
As a photographer, I am sure that you feel attached to all your photos. All your pictures represent unique moments of your life. However, among your works, do you have any picture that you really like? Which is your favorite photo?
Indeed, I feel attached to most of my photos since all of them represent a unique moment in time. When I look at one of my photos, I can remember instantly what I was feeling when I took that shot. If you think about it, this is something remarkable!
So, choosing only one photo is quite hard for me. Nevertheless, lately, I have been obsessed with the following capture:
This was my first time in the Icelandic Highlands. After a short hike through this impressive lava field, I flew my drone to check out the surrounding area. I found a geothermal valley that appeared suddenly amongst the mountains.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing on my phone screen – this is a moment to remember!
Now imagine for a second that you have a superpower! You can go back in time! What moment would you like to experience one more time?
The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010!
I’d have loved to fly over the eruption to document all the lava flow, the smoke, and the crazy lighting coming out of the crater. An eruption is a unique phenomenon that not too many people have the chance to experience. Crossing my fingers to have another one sometime soon!
Is there any artist/photographer who has inspired your art? Can you name three?
Many things inspire me nowadays, from music to movies and of course, other photographers. If I’d need to mention three, they’d be:
Reuben Wuo: He was the one that got me into landscape photography many years ago, putting tiny persons in massive and outwardly sceneries. He keeps inspiring me nowadays as he’s always innovating and trying new things.
Simeon Prat: The way he treats colors and the minimalism of his compositions have truly inspired my work. He’s also a phenomenal aerial photographer and videographer. I’d love to learn more about video making, and he’s the one who motivates me with that.
Benjamin Hardman: I feel inspired by his background, and how he left everything behind to move to a new place just to follow his passion. I can relate to him in that way. We also share a passion for the Nordic landscapes. His unique aesthetics and minimal compositions are a constant source of inspiration!
Are any new projects coming up or countries you will be visiting soon?
I’ll spend most of this summer exploring the Icelandic Highlands, as the roads are just opened for a few months every year. I want to make the most of it, hoping to find some crazy and unique landscapes to share with you all!
