Stunning Aerial Photos Capture Rare Sight of Icelandic Highlands When Thawed

Yellow Glacial River in Iceland

Photographer Sebastian Müller spent ten days in Iceland, driving over 3,000 miles through the Highlands to take in the incredible scenery. Using his drone, he was able to capture incredible aerial views of the famous landscape, taking advantage of the different colors and textures produced by the country's geothermal activity. The results are sweeping, dramatic images that once again prove why Iceland is a favorite playground of photographers.

Müller set out in his rented camper to tackle the sparsely populated plateau that makes up most of Iceland's interior. Primarily composed of volcanic desert, the Highlands of Iceland attract visitors from around the world. Covered in lava and volcanic ash, the terrain is largely without vegetation. Müller took advantage of this in his photography by focusing on the natural lines of the environment and emphasizing the different geological elements present in the landscape.

Particularly striking is his photograph of a glacial river and the sea separated by a strip of black volcanic ash. The bright yellow river owes its appearance to the area's high sulfur content. From this bird's-eye view, we're able to see the smaller waterways that spider down the hills and feed into a large body of water. Its vibrant appearance almost acts as caution tape in an effort to block access to the sea.

This brilliant image is just one of many that Müller was able to capture during his adventure. His mobility allowed him to cover an enormous amount of ground in a short time, leading to a portfolio filled with memorable imagery. From fiery flowing lava to emerald-green glacial lakes, each landscape is a small taste of what Iceland has to offer.

As an added bonus, a video put together by Müller shows off some of his best Icelandic Highlands photography and demonstrates the magic of what can be photographed from the air. This magical landscape is only accessible during the summer, which lasts for just 45 days in the Highlands. This is the only period when the snow and ice thaw enough to make driving safe and is also an effort by the government to keep the environment intact in the face of increased tourism. Such limited accessibility makes efforts like Müller's all the more precious.

Photographer Sebastian Müller spent 10 days photographing the incredible Highlands of Iceland with a drone.

This video shows even more of the stunning landscapes Müller photographed in Iceland.

Sebastian Müller: Instagram | YouTube

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Sebastian Müller.

Related Articles:

These Aerial Photos of Iceland’s Rivers Look Like Watercolor Paintings

Stunning Aerial Photos Taken from a Small Plane Over Iceland and Greenland

Breathtaking Aerial Photos Reveal How Iceland Looks Like a Series of Beautiful Paintings

Incredible Landscape Photos Show Why Iceland Is a Photographer’s Paradise

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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