Inspired by the beauty of our planet, Hungarian photographer Gábor Nagy loves discovering new locations for his work. Attracted to the great outdoors, it should come as no surprise that Iceland is fertile ground for his creativity. As a go-to location for many photographers seeking incredible landscapes, the country's expansive environment provides endless creative possibilities. While Nagy has several sets of images from Iceland, his River Paintings show a softer, abstract side to the environment.
Iceland's waterways have long been a source of inspiration for Nagy. “These glacier rivers are braiding their way through the Highlands of Iceland,” he writes. “I was always fascinated by the abstract forms of the Icelandic glacier rivers. The colors are vital nutrients as the river collects from the soil and carries for the ecosystem.”
The soft, soothing colors of the rivers wash across Nagy's compositions like watercolors spreading over a piece of paper. As the water ebbs and flows, it spiders through the land in a manner that creates visually satisfying forms and shadows. Nagy's ability to capture these images is no accident. His diligent research and preparation prior to his trips makes all the difference.
“Before my missions, I spend months and months on Google Earth and on other sites where I can scout locations with hi-res satellite pictures,” Nagy tells My Modern Met. “Usually I start with the official roads, scanning their surroundings meter by meter, and when I find pathways, I scan the areas towards them—most of the time the areas where I work are super fragile, so it's important to stay on tracks and leave no trace. I save all the spots that I found interesting, as these will be the building blocks of my daily itinerary.”
Using a drone, Nagy sets out to take in the environment and returns each season in order to discover Iceland from all angles. The challenge of capturing the magic of each season has become a sort of game for Nagy, with the fluctuating weather conditions making for a challenge that he's always willing to face. In the end, he knows that his hard work and patience will pay off. “I just have to be out there, and something magical definitely will happen.”
Gábor Nagy's aerial photos of Iceland's glacial rivers look like abstract watercolor paintings.
Nagy spends months prior to his departure researching locations using satellite images.
