July 2006 Archives

No sooner than the Adventure team congregated in Reykjavik, it was time to head north to Reykholt where we would break into smaller groups to cover more ground. My clan explored the local area including the quiet village Borgarnes. Others traveled much farther, often staying out the entire night to capture the last glow of sunset and the first rays of morning - which were only a few hours apart.

Reykholt, Iceland: It's 10 pm and the sky is a brilliant blue and the sun is reflecting off a few high clouds. Obviously the weather is cooperating with our adventure. Yesterday, we left Reykjavik in a blur of action. The entire team and luggage piled into 6 rental cars provided by Hertz and made the 1.5 hour drive across north west Iceland, here to the tiny town of Reykholt, surrounded by farms and near the Langjokull glacier.

This first Adventure Web Gallery represents the perspectives of nine photographers who are immersed in the culture and landscape of the Reykholt area of Iceland. Some of the artists have focused on the expansive landscape, while others examine the intimate details of the countryside.

Enroute to Iceland: Sometimes there isn't a lesson; there is just a story. In this case, it's really a worry. I'm talking about the weather, and so was everyone else I met today as I left Norway for Iceland and the start of the Adobe Lightroom Iceland Adventure.

Ulefoss, Norway: Sometimes we learn lessons the hard way, all by ourselves. Other times we learn by watching others. As I pack my bags and get ready to fly and meet the rest of the Adobe Iceland Adventure team I'm obsessed with what to bring and what to leave behind. I remember something that happened years ago to my good friend Rudy Burger, then director of Media Lab Europe, when he was humbled by his boss, Nicholas Negroponte.

I've learned much in the past few weeks as I've talked to other Adventure photographers about preparing for this trip. I thought I'd pass along a few of these gems. If you plan to use your ATM card in Iceland, and most of Europe, be sure to change you pass code to 4 digits before you leave. Otherwise there's a good chance you won't be able to use it while abroad. I think this is important because ATM machines are one of the best ways to get fair exchange rates for currency while traveling.

Reykjavik, Iceland: Everyone has safely flown in from all around the globe and the adventure has officially started! Earlier this evening, before the opening presentation by the Icelandic photographer, Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson, and before our elaborate Icelandic dinner hosted by ExpoImaging, I had the honor or welcoming the group and this is what I said...

Ulefoss, Norway: We take SO much for granted, until we leave home. Take communications, for example. Cell phones work, mostly. Internet connections are everywhere. Heck, in the U.S. you can even pick up an old-fashioned phone and dial anywhere in the world for song. On our Adobe Iceland Adventure, which begins in just three days, communication is critical, and if we are not prepared, it could spell disaster or at least contribute to a miserable time.

Ulefoss, Norway: In just a couple days, on July 28th, the Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop Iceland adventure officially begins. But I've already learned my first lesson and it cost me a pretty penny. Hopefully you'll learn from my mistake!

The team of Adventure photographers arrive in Iceland on July 28. This is an Adventure both in the sense of location photography and RAW workflow. Each shooter will be using Adobe Lightroom on a laptop in the field to process and output the images. Here's a quick overview of who is going, where they will be, and the reports from Iceland that will be coming your way.