Dutch landscape photographer Albert Dros recently spent time in Iceland, where he took to the skies to capture some incredible aerial images. The resulting series, Paintings from the Sky, is a lush mix of abstract landscape photography that shows off the magical color and light of the Icelandic environment.
With the help of Haraldur Diego, Dros was able to spend a significant amount of time in the air. Aerial photography is a true challenge for any photographer, as compositions whizz by at lightning speed. The pace was a big change for Dros, who is used to taking his time when composing a “regular” landscape photo. For this series, he let his instincts take control, put down his tripod, and allowed the beauty of the environment guide his choices.
It was Iceland’s volcanic landscape that prompted Dros’ visit, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Glacial rivers and streams form colorful ribbons that appear like ink wash paintings, while sun-soaked valleys radiate warmth. By playing with the different textures that the environment offers, Dros introduces a wide variety of imagery into this artistic series.
While Dros makes aerial landscape photography look easy, there’s a lot of time and thought that goes into the work, both during and after the shoot. How does he work to ensure that his aerial photos stand out from the crowd? “Color schemes greatly vary when you fly over the landscapes of Iceland,” Dros tells My Modern Met. “The trick is to filter out the good parts and capture them. The main things are color and composition. You really need to have an eye for it, as aerial photography is incredibly difficult. I also try to make the color schemes match during post-production. By shifting colors and hues a tiny bit, they are more pleasing to the eye. As we are talking about abstract images anyway, I have no issues by altering the colors. They are, after all, a work of art.”
Albert Dros’ aerial landscape photography from Iceland shows the colors and textures that shape the country’s environment.
