By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on June 16, 2018
ALBANY dentist and landscape photographer Mike Lyons sorted through 5000 images from his recent Iceland trip to find his select few for his upcoming exhibition.
Lyons joined landscape and bird photographers for two workshops and explorations throughout Iceland in February and March and documented his favourite views through his Nikon lens.
He battled chilly winter conditions to find the “landscapes within landscapes” he was searching for.
“One time, we had an hour and a half walk across a glacier,” he said.
“But it was so worth it; I love photography and I love Iceland.
“I’d been there before in autumn, but I wanted to go back for winter because I really wanted to get into those ice caves, which you can only get to in winter.”
Lyons’ work has captured the Northern Lights, ice caves, wildlife and snowy landscapes, and each piece has a certificate to recognise its individuality and limited-edition status.
These works will be on display at Vancouver Arts Centre from June 29 until July 7.
“I printed them all myself, because I’m a dentist and therefore a control freak,” Lyons laughed.
“How are the colours? Do they look real? Because I’m actually colour blind.
“Some of them are six or seven photos blended, but I don’t like to do too much in post-editing.”
Many of Lyons’ photos were taken in hidden locations and of sections of landscape he said other photographers on his trip ignored.
“There was this beautiful waterfall and the light was hitting it, and so everyone was taking photos of that,” he said.
“But I looked down and I saw these sticks, and the guide said he’d move the sticks for me, but I said, no, I want the sticks! They are exquisite!”
His ice cave photos were also taken in places others dared not venture.
“The guide just said to me, go as far in as you can, and so I did,” Lyons said of his ice cave adventures.
“I was the only one who got those photos.”
Lyons has his sights set on Norway, Chile, Iceland, parts of America, Tasmania and the Pilbara next; some for a second visit, others for a new adventure.
