Eldhraun Lava Field
Eldhraun is one of the most otherworldly landscapes in Iceland, a vast lava field from the 1783 Laki eruption now blanketed in a thick, impossibly green carpet of moss that softens every sharp volcanic edge. The Ring Road cuts right through it, and the roadside pullouts give you easy access to compositions where the undulating moss-covered terrain stretches to the horizon. Get low to the ground to emphasize the texture and depth of the moss, and use a wide angle lens to capture the sense of scale. Overcast days actually work in your favor here, as diffused light brings out the saturated greens far better than harsh sun. Early morning mist can add real atmosphere. Stick strictly to marked paths and existing pullouts; this moss is extraordinarily fragile and can take centuries to recover from a single footstep off the trail. (Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Southern Region, Iceland)
