Horn
About a year ago, I donated a framed photograph to a charity raffle. After the raffle had been drawn, a lady approached me saying how much she liked the photograph and how disappointed she was that she hadn’t won it. She was so nice, I endeavoured to find out who she was which I did. I then framed another copy of the photo and sent it to her. You can see the photo that the lady liked so much here.
We exchanged emails and I was made to promise that if I were ever to visit Iceland, I must get in touch. Visiting Iceland at the time was not something I had considered but I guess the seed was sown and when I finally decided to make the journey, I did get in touch. What followed were lots of suggestions of where to visit and several introductions to people, one of whom was a university friend who lived in Höfn.
I was delighted when I, along with Poppy, Poppy’s BB and my friend Chris were invited to dinner with Hulda and her partner Róbert. We had a traditional Sunday roast, a meal that Hulda explained she’d enjoyed every Sunday since she was a child; roast lamb with rosemary, roast potatoes and vegetables. There was one additional condiment from the UK that Hulda explained she bought from a specialist shop in Reykjavik and who can argue with how well mint jelly goes with lamb. I was surprised how similar the meal was to the Sunday roast that I’d grown up with. We had a wonderful evening and it was such a pleasure to make new friends.
During the course of the evening I asked Hulda where she would recommend we visit while we were in Höfn. Horn was the answer and these are the photographs that followed. It was a very wild day, the wind was roaring in our ears and bringing tears to our eyes but we had some sunshine as you can see along with some very heavy snow. Thank you Hulda and Róbert once again for a fabulous evening. This post is dedicated you.
24mm f/22 1/30 sec. ISO-50
24mm f/11 30 sec. ISO-50
28mm f/22 1/30 sec. ISO-50
24mm f/11 1/80 sec. ISO-50
Cornwall Photographic 
Spectacular location.
April 7, 2015 at 5:55 pm
It really is Gabi, thank you!
April 7, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Oh my Adrian…simply stunning photographs. The last one just stands out for me….spectacular.
April 7, 2015 at 5:56 pm
Thank you so much Edith. It is a very dramatic location. I was very pleased with the black and white. The conversion seemed to add to the drama somehow!
April 7, 2015 at 8:53 pm
Incredible photographs! Looks like your generosity paid off in being sent to such a scenic area!
April 7, 2015 at 6:01 pm
Thank you Paddington. Horn turned out to be a fabulous location.
April 7, 2015 at 8:53 pm
What a wonderful story.
April 7, 2015 at 6:28 pm
We were very lucky to meet such generous hosts. Thanks Lora for your comment! :-)
April 7, 2015 at 8:54 pm
I am so not surprised the lady liked your photo and was disappointed at not winning the raffle!
As for these pictures, there is none of the desolation of some previous ones from your trip, just beautiful beautiful landscape, expertly portrayed in the images. Love them.
April 7, 2015 at 6:28 pm
Thank you very much Sonja. You’re vey kind. The mountains coming down to the sea as they do is so very beautiful. It’s a stunning area to visit. :-)
April 7, 2015 at 8:56 pm
These photos are amazing! I particularly like the second one as the colours are really beautiful. I am debating getting a 24mm lens at the moment but I am only a beginner in photography, what do you think? Is it a lens you can’t do without? Thanks!
April 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm
Thank you Becca. I have a 24-70mm zoom and the lens spends most of its time set at 24mm. It’s my favourite lens and I wouldn’t be without it. 24mm is nice and wide and ideal for landscape photography. I’d cetainly recommend a lens of this focal length in your kit. :-)
April 7, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Thank you! I’ll definitely be looking into it :)
April 7, 2015 at 9:37 pm
You’re welcome. Any questions you have just get in touch. I’ll be happy to help if I can! :-)
April 7, 2015 at 9:55 pm
Wonderful landscapes; very well photographed, Adrian.
April 7, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Thank you very much Harrie! :-)
April 7, 2015 at 8:59 pm
What a wonderful story to accompany your amazing photos, Adrian. it just goes to show what great spinoffs an act of kindness can generate. :)
April 7, 2015 at 7:08 pm
Thank you Sylvia. You just never know do you. It seems I was destined to visit Iceland and what tremedously rewarding visits they have been. Hulda and Róbert were such generous hosts. It was wonderful to meet them and to visit what is their favourite place.
April 7, 2015 at 9:01 pm
Wonderful photos of Horn and environs ChillB ! I remember how the light seemed to flicker on and off those mountains as immense clouds chased across the sky ! Hulda and Robert were such welcoming hosts … how lovely they shared one of their favourite places to visit with us .. Horn . We really might have missed out on this gem completely otherwise !
April 7, 2015 at 7:46 pm
Thank you Poppy. It was a wonderful evening wasn’t it? Hulda and Róbert such welcoming hosts as you say and you’re right, we may well have missed out on these incredible views had we not been given such precise directions. This was where you took that superb picture of the ponies wasn’t it? A gift of a location for photographers.
April 7, 2015 at 9:06 pm
Fantastic photography
April 7, 2015 at 8:05 pm
Thanks ever so much Lou! :-)
April 7, 2015 at 9:07 pm
You are so lucky, with wild days and nice company. Magnificient photos!
April 7, 2015 at 8:42 pm
Thank you very much Bente. We were indeed very lucky to meet such nice, welcoming hosts and to learn a little about Iceland from Icelandic people was such a bonus and a very memorable part of our trip. :-)
April 7, 2015 at 9:09 pm
And that’s what networking is all about. Great story and great photos as well.
Nancy
April 7, 2015 at 9:03 pm
Thank you Nancy! :-)
April 7, 2015 at 9:10 pm
Gorgeous Chillbrook.
April 7, 2015 at 10:13 pm
Thank you Leanne! :)
April 7, 2015 at 10:14 pm
What a surreal landscape!!! Love the colours and the tone not to mention the compositions! Just beautiful!!!
April 7, 2015 at 11:02 pm
Thank you Therese. It’s a wild and very beautiful landscape! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 10:34 am
Beautiful as always, Mr. Cornwall. Your photographs always make me so happy when they come across my Reader. My husband has family (by marriage) in Iceland, and it’s next on our list. Your photos make me so excited! What time of year was this?
April 7, 2015 at 11:19 pm
Hello Kylianne. Thank you. You’ll have an amazing time. These pictures were taken at the begining of March! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 10:35 am
Terrific story Adrian – and you were paid back in spades with the recommendation – that last photo’s especially a stunner!!
April 8, 2015 at 1:38 am
Thank you very much Tina! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 10:35 am
emazing
April 8, 2015 at 2:36 am
Thank you Sylvia! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 10:36 am
Dramatic photos, and such a lovely story! Local knowledge is always such a bonus.
April 8, 2015 at 2:49 am
It is indeed Anna, thank you! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 10:38 am
Wonderful photos as usual. The last one is my personal favorite of this set.
April 8, 2015 at 6:44 am
Thank you Jere, the last photo is one of my favourites too! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 10:38 am
wow, Adrian.
Especially #2
April 8, 2015 at 10:30 am
Thank you! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 10:39 am
All stunning photos! :)
April 8, 2015 at 12:35 pm
Thank you Norma!
April 8, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Every one a winner.
April 8, 2015 at 12:58 pm
Thank you very much Bunty! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Lovely images, and a nice story to go with them.
April 8, 2015 at 1:11 pm
Thank you very much Rachel! :-)
April 8, 2015 at 3:31 pm
You lovely story only goes to show that there is so much more to photography than taking photos. The social aspect of getting in touch with strangers and learning to know people all over the world is also part of it. A great post – both in words and photos. And, yes, the photos are of course excellent.
April 8, 2015 at 8:33 pm
Thank you so much Otto. Photography is certainly a great way to connect and to communicate with people. :-)
April 8, 2015 at 9:31 pm
You caught some wonderful light. They’re all marvelous, but I think the second is my favorite. I’m so glad you had such a memorable trip.
April 8, 2015 at 9:40 pm
Thank you Gunta! It really was a very memorable trip! :-)
April 9, 2015 at 10:46 am
nice picture
April 8, 2015 at 11:12 pm
Thank you very much!
April 9, 2015 at 10:46 am
Beautiful Images. Stunning. I have a question about your linked post “Trebarwith Strand – Dawn” There is a 400 times difference in the stated exposures, with the same aperture and ISO, yet the overal light lexposure is essencially the same. Is this due to use of a higher density ND filter on the longer exposure?? Thanks in advance, Marty :-)
April 8, 2015 at 11:51 pm
Hi Marty, thank you. The Trebarwith Strand image was taken at first light so it was essentially still very dark and a much longer exposure time was required. The long exposure taken at Horn was with a 10 stop ND filter but there was still a lot of light entering the camera. I hope that helps.
April 9, 2015 at 10:44 am
Such gorgeous scenery and captures. The third photo is my favourite, although it was a hard choice. Your last b&w is very dramatic. Lovely story too.
April 9, 2015 at 12:02 am
Thank you very much Beth! :-)
April 9, 2015 at 10:46 am
Wonderful story and a great recommendation from Hulda. Horn looks a stunning location … fantastic series of photos and amazing light.
April 9, 2015 at 7:06 am
Hi Simon, sometimes you feel as though you’ve stepped back into pre-history when you’re in Iceland. This location was one of those, a fantasy landscape, drawn from somebody’s imagination. It’s no wonder that film crews are regular visitors.
April 9, 2015 at 10:50 am
A well recommended location – it’s fabulous! I love the sense of wildness you’ve captured with these.
April 9, 2015 at 7:43 am
Thank you very much Noeline. As I said to Simon, it’s like stepping back into pre-history at times.
April 9, 2015 at 10:51 am
Brilliant shots!
April 9, 2015 at 11:02 am
Thank you Cardinal!
April 9, 2015 at 11:26 am
Wow! Every one a stunning wall hanger! Well done indeed.
April 9, 2015 at 3:27 pm
Thank you Phil! Really appreciate your visit and comment! :-)
April 9, 2015 at 4:37 pm
Unadulterated fantasy magic!
April 9, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Indeed Sarah! Thank you! :-)
April 9, 2015 at 10:25 pm
Mmm, just amazing. The line of clouds in the first photograph, the distant mountains, so pale, in the second…
April 11, 2015 at 11:33 pm
Thank you Lynn. This was definitely one of my favourite places and one I will return to. Subtle changes in light seems to bring about very big changes in the landscape!
April 12, 2015 at 3:04 pm
If only the whole world could get on this way – a lovely story. Your photos continue to be breathtaking and the second one in this series really caught my eye – perhaps because the foreground made the scale less intimidating.
April 13, 2015 at 1:45 pm
Thank you Carol! I really appreciate your comments. I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying this series! :-)
April 13, 2015 at 2:25 pm
Nice
April 28, 2015 at 3:40 am
Thank you!
April 28, 2015 at 6:35 am