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Posts Tagged ‘Iceland’s’

Incredible video showcases world’s first 8K VR drone footage of Iceland’s Mt. Fagradalsfjall volcano

02 May

Incredible new footage, captured with an 8K Insta360 Pro 2 mounted to the bottom of a DJI drone, shows the Mt. Fagradalsfjall volcano in Geldingadalur, Iceland as it continues to erupt. The immersive visuals were captured by Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson, founder of Arctic Images, and drone pilot Arnar Þór Þórsson in collaboration with Perlan Museum, ‘which hosts a state-of-the-art 8K planetarium and other exhibitions on Iceland’s geographic wonders.’

The Mt. Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted for the first time in roughly 800 years back on March 19, 2021. Since then, it’s been spewing lava from its fissures, making for incredible visuals that have brought photographers from around the world to see the geological phenomenon. We’ve already seen a number of incredible videos captured with drones flying over the active volcano, but none of which allow you to control what you’re seeing. Until now, that is.

While YouTube limits playback to 4K, the footage was recorded in 8K using an Insta360 Pro 2 attached to the bottom of a DJI Matrice 600 drone. According to Insta360’s blog post detailing the creation of this video, the drone and camera flew over lava that reached reached temperatures as high as 1240°C degrees (2264°F). Despite the intense heat, which we’ve already seen is capable of melting drones, both the Insta360 Pro 2 and DJI Matrice 600 survived the flight.

For the best viewing experience, make sure you’re using a browser that supports YouTube’s VR content and have plenty of bandwidth to stream the video at full resolution. Another option, if you have one on hand, is to use a VR headset to really immerse yourself in the footage.


Image credit: Photos provided by Insta360

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Volcano for the People: Stunning visuals from Iceland’s spectacular volcanic eruption

19 Apr

Following thousands of earthquakes beginning in February, the Fagradalsfjall volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupted on March 19. Since then, the volcano has been erupting with new fissure vents opening, including a new one over this past weekend. Given the volcano’s accessible location, thousands of people have visited the site and seen the eruption for themselves. Photographer and wildlife conservationist Donal Boyd and director and filmmaker Frank Nieuwenhuis created a short human interest film, ‘Volcano for the People,’ about the incredible natural event and the experience of enjoying it with others.

Nature is often enjoyed in solitude or in small groups. However, the ongoing volcanic eruption in Iceland is attracting hundreds to thousands of people at a time. Enjoying nature has transformed from something enjoyed independently to something enjoyed as a collective experience. The video below touches on that shift and what it means to the people enjoying the spectacle. The video includes breathtaking visuals, including stunning drone shots.

Boyd and Nieuwenhuis also created a behind-the-scenes video, showing how they were able to make the short film above. The duo spent just under a week planning, shooting and editing their video. Isn’t it dangerous to visit an active volcano? The eruption event on the Reykjanes Peninsula is unique. As Iceland was hit with thousands of earthquakes, scientists could track the magma flowing underground until it finally broke through the surface. The eruption occurred in a valley, so there are many safe viewing areas surrounding it. So long as the wind is at your back, blowing away toxic gases from the eruption, it’s safe. The Icelandic Meteorological Office, Icelandic Search and Rescue, and on-site advisors have regularly updated safety protocols so that risks to visitors are minimized. It’s an ever-changing situation, of course, so what was safe during the making of Boyd and Niewenhuis’s video may no longer be safe.

Although the volcano site was accessible, the hike to and from the area was still 2-3 hours. This meant that Boyd and Nieuwenhuis wanted to keep their gear as light as possible, although it’s easier said than done. Since they wanted to record not only the eruption itself but also the people at the site, their bags were essentially packed to the brim. Interview sequences were shot on Sony A7R III, Sony A7R IV and Canon EOS R5 mirrorless cameras with a Sigma 24mm F1.4 Art lens. Distant shots of spectators were captured with a Sigma 135mm F1.8 Art lens or a Sony FE 135mm F1.8 G Master lens. Other lenses used during production included the Canon RF 50mm F1.2 and an older Canon 300mm F2.8 lens for extreme close-ups. Aerial shots were captured using a DJI Mavic Air 2. At times, the lava was so bright that Boyd needed to attach his strongest ND filter to the Mavic Air 2.

Alongside the pair of videos above for Adorama TV, Donal Boyd also wrote an article for Adorama about how to photograph an active volcano. The article includes some background about the volcano, tips on gear and, importantly, safety advice and where to get the latest viewing conditions. In addition to a lot of useful information, Boyd’s article also includes amazing images, so be sure to check it out.

If you’d like to see more from Boyd, follow him on Instagram. More of Niewenhuis’s work can be seen on Instagram and YouTube.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Natural Luxury: Iceland’s Eco-Friendly Northern Lights Hotel

15 May

[ By Delana in Boutique & Art Hotels & Travel. ]

ion hotel iceland

Iceland has become quite the tourist destination for world travelers thanks to its ethereal landscapes, amazing history, unique culture, and unspoilt views of the Northern Lights. It’s the Northern Lights that draw eco-conscious travelers to the breathtaking Ion Hotel by Minarc Architects.iceland ion hotel

minarc ion hotel

earth friendly luxury ion hotel iceland

The hotel was designed to provide visitors with an unobstructed view of the otherworldy surroundings while itself blending into the landscape. Emerging from the mossy mountain like a natural rock outcropping, the Ion Hotel could almost be mistaken for a body of hardened lava extending out into the mountainous area.

scenic overlook ion hotel

northern lights hotel iceland

glass walled outlook ion hotel iceland

An abundance of floor to ceiling windows were designed to let in natural light while allowing an optimized view of the hotel’s settings. A glassed-in lounge at the building’s terminus lets visitors gaze out on the utterly exquisite Northern Lights after the sun goes down.

eco-friendly ion hotel iceland

locally inspired rooms ion hotel

ion hotel bar

But the Ion isn’t all about looks; it is also a decidedly Earth-friendly place to spend a vacation. The luxury hotel uses locally-sourced materials included repurposed natural materials like lava and driftwood. The huge windows cut down on the building’s electricity consumption by reducing the need for artificial lighting.

interior ion hotel iceland

brown trout ion hotel interior

iceland northern lights ion hotel

Local customs and culture inspired the interior design of the hotel; nods to the country’s history and notable features can be seen in every area of the building. When locally-sourced materials are not available, Fair Trade products are used instead. And as a truly exceptional feature, the hotel utilizes the abundant surrounding natural hot springs as a source of clean geothermal heating and hot water.

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[ By Delana in Boutique & Art Hotels & Travel. ]

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