Icelandic nothing special, a photo from Snaefellsnessysla, Vesturland

Photographer's Note

Iceland is not the place for the people (and photographers) interested in modern architecture and street scenes. The population of Iceland is 340 000 (5 % of them are Poles, I even have heard it is 10%) and most of them live in Reykjavik. So the probability of meeting Icelander is rather low. If you see people they are just tourists.

Djúpalónssandur is an arched-shaped bay of dark cliffs and black sand, located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. The location was once home to a prosperous fishing village, similar to other abandoned hamlets and ports of the area such as Búðir and Hellnar. These thrived back when the Snæfellsnes Peninsula functioned as one of the most active trading posts of the island, but now are simply centres for tourism.

Fascinating remnants of this period are found in the form of four ancient lifting stones that still occupy the beach. The stones range in weight from 23 kg to 155 kg and were used to test the strength of fishermen. Their names are Amlóði (useless), Hálfdrættingur (weakling), Hálfsterkur (half-strong) and Fullsterkur (full-strong). Even today, you can see how you would have fared working on Iceland's dangerous seas by trying your luck at lifting these stones.

In 1948, the English trawler Epine GY 7 from Grimsby shipwrecked on the shore, with fourteen dead and five survivors. The rusty iron remains of the vessel remain scattered on the beach, now protected as a monument to those who perished. (From https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/djupalonssandur).

So here the group of tourists trying to check if they could work on the fishing boat. Only one guy could lift the lightest stone (Amlóði (useless)).

In Google, I saw pictures that the stones were in different positions. So there are people who can lift them.

Bigger beta picture

Information about the stones
Similar scene

Royaldevon, ChrisJ, papagolf21, holmertz, ikeharel, jhm, annjackman, COSTANTINO, alvaraalto, mcmtanyel heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

Royaldevon (85862) 2019-03-05 1:05

Hello Malgo,

Finding out about the customs of places is almost as much fun as looking at the photographs.
We can see the people stooping and understand, from your notes, why they are dong that.
The group of figures, in their mostly bright clothing, make an interesting focal point and contrast well with the snow and the the surrounding rocks.
Compositionally, I like your w/s a teeny bit better, as the guiding pathway is more obvious. However, I like both shots.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

ChrisJ (171794) 2019-03-05 1:12

Hello Malgo,

Looks cold and reminds me of the top of the Franz Joseph Glacier in New Zealand where a group of similarly attired tourists wandered a short way from the ski plane to view the surroundings. The people in red enliven the scene. Tfs!

Silvio1953 (221463) 2019-03-05 1:36

Ciao cara Malgo, fascinating winter view, lovely composition with a lot of people, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

papagolf21 (152607) 2019-03-05 1:55

Bonjour, chère Malgo,
J'aime vos notes d'accompagnement, elles sont emplies d'humour et de descriptions très intéressantes.
Ici, point d'édifices architecturaux, c'est la nature simple et grandiose à la fois.
Très bonne journée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

holmertz (102604) 2019-03-05 2:17

Hello Malgo,
The peculiar stones make this a little special after all, even though we have to read the note to realize what makes them special. I guess I would just barely qualify as useless, provided I could get a good grip on the 23 kg stone. The many persons, some of them wearing red, standing in the snow by the large rocks make this a very pleasant photo even without any spectacular views.
Kind regards,
Gert

Nicou (193806) 2019-03-05 2:34

Hello

Très très belle image de ce groupe de personnes qui visitent ce beau pays dans la neige dan la roche et la glace avec le découpage de cette roche il ne doit pas faire très chaud splendide photo
Bravo et amitié
Nciou

rbassin (27472) 2019-03-05 3:13

hello Malgorzata
Une bonne vue sur cette scène de vie en hivernal et pleine nature.

Amicalement
Roland

lousat (139170) 2019-03-05 3:20

Ciao Malgo,nothing is a nothing special from Iceland in winter for me,and this is new beautiful and interesting post,especially to who lost a visit there during the trip as me...ehehe...2 perfect pics of the tourists between the stones and an useful info on the other WS. About my lemurs hunt,you can see 2 post in my gallery there,and,if you want,others on treknature...a very good hunt! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Sergiom (117241) 2019-03-05 5:56

Ciao Malgo,

Ce n'est pas surprenant de constater que ce pays devient rapidement un incontournable pour les touristes amateurs de beaux paysages. Ils apportent de la couleur à un paysage bien gris.

Amicalement

Serge

jhm (211736) 2019-03-05 6:35

Hello Malgo,

The group of figures, in their mostly bright clothing, not real wintery in the snow.
This is a very nice picture with wonderful light.
Composition and presentation are perfect.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Tue (92302) 2019-03-05 8:50

Hello Malgo,
It sounds as though Iceland is not a place for me as a fan of modern architecture and cityscapes, but it really is the #1 country I would like to visit! A great capture of this group of people in this circle of snow-covered rocks. Very well captured with a fine lighting.
Lars

annjackman (23019) 2019-03-05 9:38

Hi Malgo,
I recognize this place even though we were there in summer. I remember the black sand very well and the rocks. It looks cold but everyone looks dressed up. A nice group picture among the rocks. Lovely to see - TFS.
Kind Regards, Ann

Ilonka1974 (10289) 2019-03-05 14:09

Czesc Malgorzata,
Ladny zimowy widok.
Ludzi tyle a jeden tylko podniosl maly kamien?
Moze byli na imprezie dzien wczesniej i dlatego!
Pozdrawiam
Janusz

abmdsudi (95869) 2019-03-05 18:00

Hi Malgorzata
Lovely to see the 'playing field' covered in a snow blanket and people making the best of it, nice shot.
Best regards

rychem (72187) 2019-03-05 21:17

Twoja notka wyjasnia czynnosci tych ludzi, początkowo myslalem, ze beda lepic sniezki :)
Sympatyczna kolorowa grupa w pieknym skalistym otoczeniu
pozdrawiam Ryszard

ikeharel (113241) 2019-03-05 21:28

Snowy playground, Malgo, nicely how adults seem to enjoy the freeze and have fun like kids.
Always special, any picture - the framing with the big rocks made the scene more atractive.
Have a nice new day,
Ike

ifege (47957) 2019-03-05 21:51

Hi Malgo
Ah children (sorry, tourists) at play. Another good one from your recent trip.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116377) 2019-03-05 22:28

Hello dear Malgorzata and have a nice time
and a happy new day
so many people on these high cliffs!!!!!
and according to your useful
notes they are just tourists!!!
their colorful costumes
create an impressive focal point
regards
Costantino

alvaraalto (42804) 2019-03-06 5:50

Hello Malgo,
It is extra attractive to look at the people in this picture. A couple of course want to experience how heavy the stones are, but it also seems like some want to start a snowball fight and others are of course busy with their smartphone again. As if there are no other people who can take a picture of them.
Excellent observation!
Have a nice day, groet Rob

mcmtanyel (68383) 2019-03-18 20:05

Hello Malgo,
A very refreshing "nothing special" from Iceland. The colorful ski jackets look like flowers on the snow.
Regards,
MT

jmdias (115046) 2019-03-24 1:55

malgo

curious this part of the environment with personages and stones, for me it has an aspect of theater scenery. nice view with the curious shapes of these stones and life and color proportioned by the tourists.

take care

jorge