Best 21 of 2021
- By DEE POTTER ;
- Jan 03, 2022
- 21 Photos
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These are my picks for the Best 21 of 2021. As you will see here, the highlight of my year was a journey across Iceland in September to capture some of the most incredible landscapes anywhere in the world. While I scarcely had the lighting conditions I would have preferred, I was so excited just to see these locations in person that I still feel that joy every time I look at these images. And the ones I've chosen here have been the best received across all digital platforms and social media. As for the others, admittedly, one image here I shot in 2020 ("Night Moves" featuring the light trail of a Toronto streetcar passing through an iron bridge), but it placed 1st Runner Up for Architecture in the Neil Dankoff 500px International Photography Competition in the Summer of 2021 , so I had to include it. In fact, 2021 was also the very first year I entered major competitions. I was honoured to place 3 times in 3 competitions, all of which were judged without the photographer's name visible to the panel, which made them even more special for me, and I was especially thrilled to win 1st Place in the Children and Pets Category with "Cooper" (aka "Ball of the Wild" shot in February 2021) in the 2021 Neil Dankoff International Photography Competition for which it was printed on metal and exhibited for a month in the Kandy Gallery at Yorkdale Shopping Centre as part of the prize package. The third photo recognized in competition was "Toronto Gold Reflection" for which I was given Honourable Mention in the City Category in the Fall Neil Dankoff 500px International Photography Competition. I hope you like them, too! :D
Skógafoss Iceland
At 200 feet high, Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s largest waterfalls; more than 20 feet taller than Niagara Falls, on average. The enormity and beauty draws people two hours from Reykjavík just for selfies at this remarkable place. In fact, there are thousands of photos online of Skogafoss in full view and in all its glory, but for me, to capture the true power and awe of this iconic cataract, my friend, here, gracious agreed to step up to the falls and embrace the deafening roar long enough for me to freeze the torrential impact.
Capture Date: Sep 17, 2021 07:11 AM•Views: 72
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Rough in the Diamond
Huge chunks of glacial ice famously float downstream from the inland icebergs of Jökulsárlón Lagoon, and wash up here on the silky black sand of Diamond Beach. But on this evening, the North Atlantic tide delivered this full sized, 20 lb whale vertebrae right to my feet. I felt honored to capture it with the ice for over 5 minutes before this final wave flooded the shore and washed it back out to sea. This was the last photo before it disappeared.
Capture Date: Sep 14, 2021 03:29 PM•Views: 42
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Sun Voyager - Iceland
Having a little free time on my last full day in Iceland, the sun was out after an afternoon rain, and the colourful clouds called to a few of us who'd just had the most incredible photography journey across the country together to venture down to the waterfront to shoot this attraction in the amazing light. Reykjavik’s famous seaside sculpture is called "Solfar" or "Sun Voyager". Created by Icelandic sculptor, Jon Gunnar Arnason, Solfar was the winning entry in a 1986 competition to commemorate Reykjavik's 200th anniversary, and unveiled at full size in on August 18, 1990. Although it's often referred to as a Viking ship heading toward Mt. Esja across the bay, it's rather the artist's ode to the sun, symbolizing light and hope. The stainless steel structure stands 9 m high × 7 m wide × 18 m long (29.5 ft × 22.9 ft × 59 ft), so, no matter what your interpretation of this now-iconic Reykjavik tourist must-see, it's absolutely magnificent to experience up close, in person. GPS: 64.14761 N, -21.922288 W
Capture Date: Sep 18, 2021 02:22 PM•Views: 39
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Hofskirkja Turf Church - Iceland
Hofskirkja is the last of the old churches to be built in this traditional turf style, and one of only six remaining in Iceland. Historical records tell of a church at Hof in Öræfi for over 700 years with the earliest mention of a church on this site from 1343. The foundation of this particular church was built in 1883-1885. And on this rainy day, the misty mountain backdrop and the lone mushroom in the foreground created an enchanting scene not unlike what parishioners must have marvelled at in centuries past.
Capture Date: Sep 16, 2021 06:01 AM•Views: 60
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Jurassic Lava
It's incredible to witness a volcano erupting in front of you as we did for the very first time here at Geldingadalir Volcano, Grindavik, Iceland, but to watch as it paints the landscape in masterful mosaic art is breathtaking! Incidentally, no volcanic eruption had occurred for 800 years on the Reykjanes Peninsula until 19 March 2021 when a fissure vent appeared here in Geldingadalir to the south of Fagradalsfjall mountain. The 2021 eruption was effusive and last emitted fresh lava on 18 September 2021. This photo was taken at 1:46 AM on 18 September 2021.
Capture Date: Sep 18, 2021 05:46 AM•Views: 48
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Womb of Mother Earth
Erupting Geldingadalir Volcano in Grindavik, Iceland, from 498m above. No volcanic eruption had occurred for 800 years on the Reykjanes Peninsula until 19 March 2021 when a fissure vent appeared here, and gave us a spectacular show until the September 18th, 2021 when this shot was taken.
Capture Date: Sep 18, 2021 06:10 AM•Views: 35
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