Process of Iceland “Haiku” Photos

A Photo Travelogue, of Sorts

I’m just back from 10 days in Iceland. After years of critiquing students’ photos with respect to “haiku photography” I thought it would be useful to point that laser at my recent shooting.

Before I left I had been looking at Chris Burkard’s Summer photos from his off-grid adventure in Iceland. I was both jealous of what he’d been able to see and shoot, and accepting that my trip would be my trip, and wouldn’t look like his at all. I obviously wanted to document my unique experience in a highly photographed place, and if possible, create photographs guided by the haiku principles.

Traveling Light: Tech and Gear

While in Iceland, I toured around in a rental car and saw what was on the route. I carried no bag, just three batteries, and the camera (a Fuji X-T2, with an 18–135mm zoom) ever-slung over my shoulder. The first part of my practice is to be light and inconspicuous.

I shot 1500 images in 10 days; I’d say that was a pretty light touch. Iceland is continuously scenic and demands much attention. I wanted to be measured in my shooting. That was the second part of the practice.

After the trip ended I made a photo-essay travelogue (on blurb), consisting of 140 photos. 40 of these are my…