Little Houses and a Popular Destination

HotelWhiteNo2_3339, originally uploaded by carolsLittleWorld.

Today I set out from Iceland to what is perhaps the word’s most popular destination: HOME. Yes, you read it right, I’m going home. I’ve booked the last flight to JFK on Iceland Air, headed out today, which will take me (eventually) to Austin and points home. I hope to sleep in my own bed tonight, even if it means that I don’t get in until 3 am to do it.

Yesterday was brutal shooting. Lots of rain in the city, but I managed to run one 16 G and another half a card doing more of these blurry style buildings. I hope to have enough of these that I can collect them, finish editing, and then maybe do a show of them or something. I haven’t decided what exactly I’m going to do with them yet, but I’m sure it will be something fun. I am thinking about glazing and maybe printing them in an unusual way. Stay tuned for more information about that to follow.

Yesterday was brutal on account of the rain. It’s almost harder to shoot in the rain then the snow or cold weather. Everything gets wet, wet, wet. I was wet, my camera was wet, everything was covered. I kept seeking shelter in doorways, alcoves, and other little ‘hidden” spots around the city. It’s hard shooting in the rain, though let me tell you.

The camera that I use to make these shots is not waterproof. I have a waterproof camera and also a camera poncho but those don’t really work with the little camera I am using to do this kind of work. So, I go it on my own.

I have to dry off the lens frequently, and the controls. I’m more afraid of the controls getting wet, for that would blow the entire camera. I do my best to try and keep the little buttons on the top of the camera dry, but it’s hard. The rain falls down heavy at times and I’m ducking, hiding the little camera under my coat, trying to dry off the lens and keep the buttons out of harm’s way.

I started calling this a “Viking Torture” yesterday. Sometimes, it seems like, whenever I got in front of a beautiful house, one that I wanted to photograph, with a red door or some such thing, they skies would open up and drench me. Maybe this is God’s way of telling me I need to shoot something else? Maybe this really is some kind of Viking torture? I don’t know. I do know it was a brutal shoot-that card and a half (24G) of flash memory came hard for me. But, as expected, there are some good shots in there. Shooting in the rain, while it’s really hard, always makes for interesting photos. Really beautiful light, great colors, but man is it hard on us and our gear. Poncho be damned, there’s not really a great way to keep dry, no matter how you slice it.

Check out time at hotel is noon, so I’ll be leaving soon. I have to say I’m going to miss this place. I really like it here. I know I can say this about Iceland: I will be back. My photographic work here is far from done. This is just the beginning of my visit to a beautiful location in which to work.

For now though, my trip has come to an end. I’m going off the grid now, I’ll see you back in the ‘States, where the laundry and post processing begins.

Until next time…