Kirkjufell, a photo from Snaefellsnessysla, Vesturland

Photographer's Note

From https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/kirkjufell :

Kirkjufell, or 'Church Mountain', is a distinctly shaped peak found on the north shore of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, only a short distance away from the town of Grundarfjörður. It is often called ‘the most photographed mountain in Iceland’, due to its dramatic formation and perfect coastal location.

Kirkjufell takes its name from its resemblance to a church steeple, sharpened at the top with long curved sides.

Peaking at 463 metres, Kirkjufell is an impressive landmark. Throughout the centuries, Kirkjufell’s striking slopes have acted as a visual landmark for seafarers and travellers.

Within walking distance from Kirkjufell is the serene and perfectly located waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss, or 'Church Mountain Falls'. Despite its relatively diminutive height, Kirkjufellsfoss’ three-steps, gentle flow, and dramatic differences between seasons make it as impressive as some of Iceland’s larger waterfalls.
At the base of the mountain, visitors will also be able to find a lake; on calm and clear days, this lake reflects a perfect mirror image of Kirkjufell, only adding to the fantastic photo opportunities around this area.

On top of that, the colours of Kirkjufell change with the passing seasons; the summer sees it a lush green, full of life, whilst the winter months scar the mountain’s face with a mask of barren brown and white.

Fans of the HBO series Game of Thrones will recognise Kirkjufell as a shooting location from Season 7 of Game of Thrones. The mountain is showcased from the scenes ‘North beyond the Wall’ when Jon Snow, The Hound and Jorah Mormont, amongst others, brave the wilderness in hopes of catching an undead wight.

Having seen it in a vision, The Hound acknowledges Kirkjufell as “[...] the mountain like an arrowhead”, and the events that happen beneath it are some of the show’s most dramatic.

I haven't seen this HBO series. The mountain is sometimes called "the Gandalf cap". In winter scenery, it looks dramatic. Unfortunately, there were no reflections in the lake.

Bigger beta picture

jemaflor, GyurMaster, snunney, ikeharel, ChrisJ, holmertz, jhm, adramad, pierrefonds, PaulVDV, cornejo, worldcitizen, mcmtanyel, COSTANTINO heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (147204) 2019-02-25 23:35

Hi Malgo,
So beautiful photo with this mountain and the water, great light and water reflections, well framed, lucky during your trip in Iceland with the sunny weather, ideal for photos, tfs.

mesutilgim (0) 2019-02-25 23:54

Hello Malgo,
Another nice capture and TE entry in your gallery.
Photographycally perfect but more than this, your rich notes makes also this entry almost a scientific paper.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

GyurMaster (24838) 2019-02-26 0:10

Dear Malgo,

It is an excellent portrayal of this stunning place. The result is really fantastic with the dull lights and colours.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

snunney (130967) 2019-02-26 0:28

Hello Malgo,
Excellent capture of this mysterious mountain that looks like a witch's hat. I like very much the light and the soft pastel tones. Also, the movement to be observed in the gently rippling waters.

ChrisJ (171878) 2019-02-26 1:01

Hi Malgo,

Good sharpness, and I like the soft pastel colours. The pyramid shaped mountain dominates the bg. Looks a wee bit chilly for swimming! Tfs!

BennyV (34748) 2019-02-26 1:15

Hello dear Malgo

I know Iceland has been used as a film location in sci-fi films, especially in "Interstellar", which for me was a rare sic-fi film that I really, really liked. This shot has that same extraterrastrial ambience. Terrific!! Yes, there is water on other planets, it seems. An amazing shot, thanks for showing it.

Benny

ecmel (1782) 2019-02-26 1:47

Hello Malgorzata,
Excellent capture of the scenic beauty of the little cone shaped mountain.The sense of calm comes through with it.
Regards Ecmel

holmertz (102760) 2019-02-26 2:36

Hello Malgo,
I have not seen that HBO series either, but this is a very nice view even without such references. And the light of the low sun is beautifully reflected, even if the hill isn't. This looks higher than what I intend to show the next time, but that is only a deception. ;-)
Kind regards,
Gert

jhm (211736) 2019-02-26 6:03

Hello Malgo,

Your note is a half book history, much work but interesting.
A lovely subject to look at.
Also perfect depth and perspective.
Nice sharp and clear photographed.
Composition and presentation are superb. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Royaldevon (85932) 2019-02-26 6:51

Hello Malgo,

You have shown us some fine photographs from Iceland and this is right up there with the best! The light and the ripples on the water make a fine prelude to the details of Church Mountain!
The colours are just beautiful and help to set the mood!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

Sergiom (117241) 2019-02-26 6:54

Ciao Malgo

J'aime beaucoup le point de vue très bas, presque à la hauteur de l'eau qui doit être très froide en cette saison. Cela a permis de bien saisir la texture et les couleurs de l'eau tout en donnant de la profondeur à l'ensemble.

Amicalement

Serge

rychem (72187) 2019-02-26 8:06

Piekne minimalistyczne zdjecie, natura sama zadbala o minimalizm a swiatlo dodalo swoje efekty, super
pozdrawiam Ryszard.
PS
Ta swiatynia na Akropolu byla ogrodzona tasma, wiec turysci byli trzymani z daleka, a poza tym wiatr byl 10 w skali Beauforta, wiec wywiewal turystów :)
R.

rbassin (27472) 2019-02-26 8:24

bonsoir Malgo
Ce paysage d'Islande est superbe, belle luminosité autour du pic enneigé.
Amicalement
Roland

adramad (73006) 2019-02-26 11:54

Hello Malgo.
What a wonderful photo, on the one hand that curious pyramidal mount, white with snow, the ideal sea with those gentle undulations of the water and a lovely shade of pink on the horizon, which is reflected in the sea.
Wonderful colors in soft tones, excellent sharpness and splendid light.
Very well done. I like very much.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

lousat (139308) 2019-02-26 14:24

Ciao Malgo,fantastic lights and magnificent decetralized capture of the Church mountain,a perfect capture of colors too,not easy,very well done! Have a good night and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (114516) 2019-02-26 14:32

Hi Malgo,

You have captured well the waves or the ripples on the water. The point of view is showing the details of the Kirkjufell. There is a good contrast between the colours of the picture. Have a nice day.

Pierre

ifege (48135) 2019-02-26 14:58

Hi Malgo
A spectacular peak with very atmospheric light and colour.
cheers
Ian

Tue (92442) 2019-02-26 22:29

Hello Malgo,
A great photo of this impressive mountain, which has a shape which is as steep as a church tower, so I can understand its name. The calm weather was amazing. I like the calm waves of the sea, which add some fine reflections as well and also the pastel tones in the sky. Great shot!
Lars

dta (98848) 2019-02-26 23:09

Hello Malgo ,
An amazing peak in its winter scenery . I like especially the mood , with a little part of light in the sky in the BG .
Regards

jmdias (115230) 2019-02-27 1:43

malgo

in fact it is a marvelous mountain, I liked its shapes. the image is perfect, lovely the curves lines of the water in FG and the touch of snow mixed with the pink hues of sunset. nice view.

take care

jorge

gervaso (28177) 2019-02-27 3:01

Hello, Malgo!

Interesting shape of this mountain, which you captured with very good light and beautiful soft colors! The waves on the water create an interesting pattern that also gives good depth to the image! Wonderful and peaceful view! Well done!

Cricri (176) 2019-02-27 6:50

Hi Malgorzata
Superbe vue de la montagne dans des couleurs sensationnelle, belle image
Amitiés
cricri

ktanska (44790) 2019-02-27 10:51

Hi Malgo,
Impressive sharply rising mountain peak. Thin layer of snow and bare cliffs alternating bring the shape clearly visible. Colours are beautiful. And I especially like diagonal lines of those tiny waves.
Kari

PaulVDV (62970) 2019-02-27 13:30

Hello Malgo,
The name of the mountain is well chosen although at first I thought it looked like a pyramid.
Beautiful capture with the different colours of the sky.
Best regards, Paul

carlo62 (81265) 2019-02-28 10:52

Ciao Malgo
il mare e la strana montagna godono di una luce magica, l'atmosfera è molto romantica.
Bello scatto, bella foto.
Saluti
Carlo

ikeharel (113411) 2019-03-01 0:33

Fantastic snowy scenery with the perfect-cone shaped mountain rising above the lake, Malgo.
It reminds me a similart cone I saw when climbing towards Switzerland's St. Bernard pass.
Marvelous colors combination of cold landscape.
Regards,
Ike

Hansaphotos (11381) 2019-03-02 7:19

Hello Malgo

A beutiful photo of this impressive peak. I like the simplicity and serenity of this scene. Light and colours are very nice and well managed. Beutiful work:)

Greetings, Erling

Silvio1953 (221695) 2019-03-07 0:54

Ciao cara Malgo, lfascinatingb frozen landscape with fantastic peack, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

cornejo (61504) 2019-03-11 11:57

Hola Malgo, muy buena fotografía de esta bonita e interesante composición con la interesante montaña, muy bien captada en esta bonita imagen, con buena nitidez, luz, color y calidad. Estupendo e interesante trabajo perfectamente realizado, mis felicitaciones amigo mio. Gracias por compartir este bonito trabajo.

Buena noche y feliz comienzo de semana.
Mejores deseos desde el sur de España.
Un cordial abrazo.
Angel.

worldcitizen (16086) 2019-03-12 9:53

Hello Malgo,
Iceland has no shortage of dramatic landscapes. The mountain is impressive, and that one, lonely house in the distance looks so tiny. I also like the pastel colors in the sky just over the horizon. I wonder who lives in that remote spot...

mcmtanyel (68593) 2019-03-15 20:50

Hello Malgo,
Now, that is one impressive formation looking lovely under snow. The colors are lovely. There is just one thing that is wrong with this photo: That it wasn't I who took it!
Regards,
MT

COSTANTINO (116560) 2022-02-15 21:57

Hello dear Malgrzata
I visited your gallery today and I found
so many beautiful forgotten photos...
this one is really impressive
with pale pretty colors
a different landscape from
the usuals with a shaped peak
found on the north shore of
Icelands pENINSULA...
I liked this one so much
regards
Costantino