Kristján Maack: work

Kristján Maack graduated from the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, in 1993 and has since worked as professional photographer in Reykjavik, Iceland, shooting for companies, advertising agencies and publishers both in Iceland and abroad. Read complete bio.

SIZES AND PRICES
16×24: $475, 24×36: $1,200, 30×50: $2,700.  Custom sizes – please contact us.
The image is infused onto coated aluminum for a compelling, impactful, and durable presentation.

Geldingagos III
“Bursting Through”

When the piping hot lava quickly cools when it touches the newly fallen snow, a lot of steam is created that surrounds the crater when it bursts through the Earth’s surface. The volcano peeks through the steam’s ever-changing window. It can be dangerous to inhale the steam because it can be poisonous. Click image to view un-cropped image.

City of ice
“Transformation of water”

North Atlantic ocean, Greenland Sea, September 2015.
The ocean between Iceland and Greenland er built up of large “cities” that are created by floating icebergs that have broken off from the North Pole’s ice sheet and Greenland’s glaciers. The black ash in the middle of this iceberg confirms a volcanic eruption a thousand years ago. Click image to view un-cropped image.

Geldingagos II
“Rolling Rocks”

Volcano in Geldingadölum in Reykjanesi, April 2021.
The Earth opens up without warning and lava flows from the Earth’s insides. The force catapults volcanic rock and lava high into the air. Ignited volcanic nuggets flow haphazardly down the sides, cooling and changing to rock. Click image to view un-cropped image.

Sólheimajökull lagoon
“Warm ice”

Sólheimajökull South coast Iceland, January 2021.
It is an adventure to visit these crawling glaciers at night, when the sun departs us and the night descends on us, the glacier speaks loudly with its sounds of breaking and cracking, both intimidating as well as friendly sounds that remind you to be cautious in this ever-changing landscape. Click image to view un-cropped image.

Grimsfjallagos
“Black tracks”

Grímsfjall Vatnajökull, Iceland 1998.
Vatnajökull is Europe’s largest glacier, and the volcanic center of Grímsfjall erupts there regularly. I went to the Grímsfjalli eruption in my car with short notice in November of 1998 to capture it. It had snowed during the night on the glacier that changed the black ash-covered surface with a beautiful white blanket of snow for a short moment. My tire tracks left black marks on the glacier. Click image to view un-cropped image.

Hrútfjallstindar
“Ram peaks”

Öræfajökull, South Iceland, 2002.
Iceland’s highest volcanic location is Öræfajökull which is 2019 meters west of Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland’s highest peak. There the Hrútfellstindar glacier and Öræafajökull volcano rise as they have for thousands of years. Click image to view un-cropped image.

Kálfatindar
“Guiding lights”

Lyngdalsheidi, South Iceland, 2001
The Northern Lights illuminate the way for travelers in Iceland’s highlands in the wintertime. All of the Universe’s colors are created when the Northern Lights dance in the northern atmosphere. Click image to view un-cropped image.

Geldingagos I
“Glowing ground”

Volcanic eruption in Geldingadölum in Reykjanesi, Apríl 2021.
The newly flowing molten lava constantly changes from flowing, lava transforming to hard and rugged rock. The 1100°/C lava cools on the surface when it comes into contact with the cold air and creates rough shell that melts without warning when the molten lava flows piping hot from the crater and rejuvenates itself. “The lava changed in a matter of seconds before my eyes as I stood opposite the volcano and took this photo. It was almost as if the volcano called to me, it was as if it had a magnet pull and begged me to come closer to it, walking on the hard and porous lava. Suddenly it changed again, back into molten lava that destroys everything that it touches.” Click image to view un-cropped image.

Brúarárfoss
“Dancing Reflections”

Brúará River, South Iceland, October 2019.
The Northern Lights create a new world when the light up the landscape. The water and snow get a green hue and a dream-like light from the colorful Northern Lights. The water and light of the sky become one and time stands still. The Northern Lights move a lot and quickly that make the viewer both forget time and place. Click image to view un-cropped image.