The stranded whaleship Gardar lies rusty and abandoned on the rugged coastline of Patreksfjörður, in Iceland's remote Westfjords. This once proud whaleship, built in Norway in 1912, was later used for Icelandic whaling, but was eventually decommissioned and abandoned on the coast, where it slowly fell prey to the elements. The ship is now an impressive monument of decay, reflecting the ravages of time.
The colours of the ship, edited into the photograph to enhance its contrast with its surroundings, make the image extra telling: the rusty steel contrasts with the salty sky, grey water and lush green hills that hug the fjord. The panoramic image captures not only the abandoned ship, but also the vast emptiness and pristine beauty of the West Fjords.
This photograph evokes a sense of melancholy and transience. The serene yet impressive presence of the ship emphasises the power of nature to take over everything, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of human endeavours in a world that is incessantly changing.
In the past I worked as a professional photographer for a number of years, now it's mainly a leisure activity. I prefer to focus on landscape and travel photography.
I am a spare time photographer now, though i earned my living with photography for a couple of years. Outdoors..
Read more…