ESS - 1st Place Winner

Gallery: EPA 2011Posted October 15, 20115,305 views77 comments

Frozen Tempest

Photo of the Month 11/11

Jokulsarlon, Iceland..the icebergs calve and float out to sea, where some are washed back on shore. This place was tough. I have had foregrounds attack me(alligators) but never had them float around and break. Maybe 5 waves after this shot, a big wave came in that I had to run from. When I turned around this cool Iceberg was gone. That's when I realized it had broken and floated away in 2 directions.

Comments

77 comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on October 15, 2011 at 5:08 PM

What a beautiful image! Very enchanting and perfect all around in my opinion. Absolutely stunning work.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Mearig on October 15, 2011 at 5:17 PM

Just an absolutely incredible image, Paul. As good as it gets from a location that is a highlight of the planet.

Registered on September 4, 2006, 237 Posts, 4748 Comments

Comment posted by Shantikara Valuska on October 15, 2011 at 5:26 PM

Absolutely beautiful! I love the dark blues and the movement here. I hope you have more images from Iceland!

Minor thing: I think there's a slight tilt on the horizon.

Registered on July 25, 2011, 38 Posts, 451 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on October 15, 2011 at 5:27 PM

Great graphic quality, love that electric blue!

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Reznick on October 15, 2011 at 5:30 PM

Beautiful Paul, I love the black sand for contrast here. I'm chilling in Reykjavik, hoping to make it out to Jokulsarlon shortly!

Registered on November 24, 2009, 79 Posts, 515 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on October 15, 2011 at 5:36 PM

As many of these iceberg on Jokulsarlon shores images I've seen, I'm still always amazed at how beautiful that place is. I love the foreground streaks in this one. How is it that in the last two years every photographer and their mother has decided that Iceland is the place to go?

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on October 15, 2011 at 5:41 PM

Wonderful contrast Paul. Love the lines and the drama.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on October 15, 2011 at 5:41 PM

Thanks guys!

Floris, it does seem that way. I was invited, otherwise, I wouldn't have been anytime soon. Now I'm hooked!

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by James Fougère on October 15, 2011 at 6:05 PM

Saw this on EarthShots

amazing capture! Well Done

Registered on October 25, 2010, 41 Posts, 831 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on October 15, 2011 at 6:51 PM

Just W O W!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the coolest shots ever! (cool

)

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 15, 2011 at 7:09 PM

This is so elegant - beautiful work Paul!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Dayton on October 15, 2011 at 7:14 PM

Otherworldly, Paul! This is certainly special, and the way that you've described
the environment this is a once in a lifetime image.

Registered on November 11, 2008, 281 Posts, 3958 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce King on October 15, 2011 at 8:03 PM

Awesome Paul....maybe my favorite of these I've seen. I think the steaking water and the wave action you've captured is what sets this one apart. Stunning...... the list of superlatives could go on.........

Registered on January 14, 2010, 276 Posts, 2212 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on October 15, 2011 at 8:17 PM

'Image of the Year' if I've ever seen one.
I love the lines that the receding wave created, and the color of the iceberg is drop dead beautiful. How big was this?

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on October 15, 2011 at 8:27 PM

That's a beauty Paul I hope to see this place for myself next year.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Ben Horne on October 15, 2011 at 8:45 PM

Beautiful shot! The scale here is very difficult to comprehend.

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Art Escobado on October 15, 2011 at 8:55 PM

classy shot! really nice.

Registered on January 7, 2007, 0 Posts, 775 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on October 15, 2011 at 9:18 PM

Cool, cool shot Paul. Color is spectacular and I love those foreground streaks with a dark background. Very dramatic!

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 15, 2011 at 9:49 PM

Awesome!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on October 15, 2011 at 10:13 PM

Oh my, Paul. That's a dynamic composition if I've ever seen one. This is incredible and pure art. I like the contrast between the streaking tide and the razor sharp ice. The moody conditions really make this shine.

Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments

Comment posted by John Fan on October 15, 2011 at 11:10 PM

Fabulous image! I like the cool tone.

Registered on August 24, 2010, 135 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Koveh Tavakkol on October 15, 2011 at 11:18 PM

Beautiful work Paul!

Registered on September 1, 2009, 41 Posts, 608 Comments

Comment posted by Shane McDermott on October 15, 2011 at 11:45 PM

Super cool image! It looks like a Cosmic event!

Registered on November 12, 2007, 49 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on October 16, 2011 at 12:23 AM

Thanks everyone! This iceberg was about 4 feet long. There were some bigger ones but they were deeper into the crashing waves, which were over head height at times.

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on October 16, 2011 at 12:32 AM

Fantastic...looks like a neon light. I love it!

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on October 16, 2011 at 12:55 AM

three thumbs up!!!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on October 16, 2011 at 1:07 AM

This is really nice Paul, love the dark, moody atmosphere.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on October 16, 2011 at 1:19 AM

No nits from me Paul...a work of art...

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Hartmann on October 16, 2011 at 3:00 AM

Fantastic and captivating
I love the dark feel to this.
Congrats!

Registered on January 15, 2009, 13 Posts, 772 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on October 16, 2011 at 5:41 AM

Holy crap this is superb! I went here in summer when it's light 24hrs a day, but all the best images seem to be in moody dark conditions, time to book a flight to iceland again!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on October 16, 2011 at 5:59 AM

Yea, no idea how iceland blew up in popularity. Sick shot. nice work w/ the ES award too :)

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Pramod Viswanath on October 16, 2011 at 7:44 AM

Stunning image Paul. One of my favorites of the lot and your best till date for me! Awesomeness.

Registered on December 4, 2008, 60 Posts, 697 Comments

Comment posted by Hamed Musharbak on October 16, 2011 at 8:00 AM

other world

Registered on June 1, 2009, 372 Posts, 2282 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on October 16, 2011 at 9:08 AM

Magnificent!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on October 16, 2011 at 11:46 AM

So, did you just pack it in and come home after that!!!!!!!!!!? Really amazing shot.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on October 16, 2011 at 12:21 PM

Awesome Paul...totally awesome!

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Preston Birdwell on October 16, 2011 at 12:50 PM

Paul,

This is gorgeous! My only minor nit is that your signature is too large, and I find it distracting. The ice is perfect!

Well Done!

--P

Registered on November 1, 2003, 471 Posts, 5188 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on October 16, 2011 at 1:15 PM

Really nice, one of the most original landscape photos I've seen in a while! Great 3D feel to it.

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on October 16, 2011 at 3:15 PM

Stunning!

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Nicolaus Wegner on October 16, 2011 at 4:42 PM

Ha Stan!

This violates at least TWO of your peeves, and you've just praised the image!

Just goes to show that under the right conditions, ANY photograph can be amazing. The photograph just has to evoke an emotional response in the individual viewing it.

Btw, I'll never stop bugging you about that article...just so you know.

And again Paul, totally flippin awesome!

Registered on February 21, 2010, 133 Posts, 1509 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Marcellini on October 16, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Thanks again guys!

Nicolaus, I paid Stan to say that....

Registered on November 27, 2007, 250 Posts, 2468 Comments

Comment posted by Marc Adamus on October 16, 2011 at 5:06 PM

Sensational work, Paul. An oft-photographed concept here but I cannot remember one that captured the place quite this powerfully. Stunning. Hope it was a wonderful trip!

Registered on September 17, 2005, 780 Posts, 8091 Comments

Comment posted by Yiming Hu on October 16, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Just amazing.

Registered on April 28, 2011, 38 Posts, 733 Comments

Comment posted by Joel Hazelton on October 16, 2011 at 7:47 PM

Registered on August 6, 2008, 194 Posts, 1315 Comments

Comment posted by David Edwards on October 17, 2011 at 6:16 AM

Amazing shot, Paul. Wonderful graphics and dynamics with an almost 3D quality to the depth. Totally awesome!

Registered on December 6, 2008, 142 Posts, 2623 Comments

Comment posted by Reed Bowman on October 17, 2011 at 10:33 AM

Paul, the stormy skies worked perfectly here as did the patterns of the receding waves...outstanding

Registered on March 2, 2009, 166 Posts, 1058 Comments

Comment posted by Gabi Lach on October 17, 2011 at 11:57 AM

Amazing shot, Paul! Perhaps the best from Iceland I have seen. Beauty in motion. Excellent!

Registered on May 1, 2007, 101 Posts, 3187 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Beideman on October 17, 2011 at 1:31 PM

Brilliant man...proud of you for coming away unscathed! Those waves were a lot bigger than any alligator I've ever seen...

Registered on April 7, 2011, 27 Posts, 74 Comments

Comment posted by Gino Cortez on October 17, 2011 at 2:02 PM

The quality of the ice contrasted with the black sand and the perspective are killer!

Registered on November 23, 2010, 57 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on October 17, 2011 at 2:15 PM

Just beautiful, this really feels like fine art to me. The composition, the processing, and the ice sculpture which you captured beautifully. Wonderful.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 17, 2011 at 6:17 PM

One of the most dynamic and darkly powerful shots from this location I've seen. Very cool.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on October 17, 2011 at 11:06 PM

Way to go Paul.
Awesome capture

Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Al-Mumen on October 18, 2011 at 4:58 AM

Woow... This is very mind blowing!

Registered on December 8, 2010, 12 Posts, 56 Comments

Comment posted by Alex Mody on October 18, 2011 at 1:09 PM

Oh baby!!!

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 18, 2011 at 4:27 PM

Absolutely amazing. Yes, I have seen many other shots of icebergs on the black sand beaches of Iceland, but none are better than this. Pure art, Paul!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on October 19, 2011 at 10:17 AM

Absolutely stunning !!

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on October 19, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Wow. I missed this image somehow. Thank goodness I had the opportunity to see it here. This is beyond words for me. Just incredible.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on October 19, 2011 at 11:32 AM

Stunning!

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 19, 2011 at 12:38 PM

Fantastic!
Congrats on the WP!
Samdy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 19, 2011 at 2:07 PM

Congratualtions on the EP! Totally deserving and will likely challenge Steve Sieren's Mohave Green shot for the photo of the year.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on October 23, 2011 at 8:37 PM

This is one of the COOLEST images I have ever seen! By your comments, truly it's a capture of a moment in time– fleeting, fatal– and just impeccable for comp, mood, drama. Hearty congratulations on a fine image.

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 23, 2011 at 11:26 PM

Congrats on the EP Paul. I missed this when you posted it, so I'm glad it was picked. Amazing shot!!! No nits, one of the best of this type I have seen.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on October 24, 2011 at 9:42 PM

Awesome shot! I love the ethereal, stormy feel...
Great blues, also! And I like the centered iceberg a lot!

Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on October 26, 2011 at 6:29 AM

I've seen many similar images from this place, but never as perfect as this one. Excellent!

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Staubus on November 2, 2011 at 9:41 AM

when I saw the photo, I knew exactly where it was from. I spent most of a day on that beach myself last summer. I got some of the best shots I've had in years there. Wife & I want to go back in winter and try lighting up icebergs with flash, under the Northern Lights. GUD BLESSI ISLAND!

Kent in SD

Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on November 10, 2011 at 10:35 AM

Looks like a jewel - great job on this. Looks like a must vist place.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Ropelato on November 10, 2011 at 9:43 PM

great comp, movement and tones!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 25 Posts, 204 Comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on November 11, 2011 at 8:58 PM

Congrats Paul!!!

I see you are getting around!!!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 3, 2012 at 12:49 AM

Stunning image - congrats on the ESS 2011 ist place!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Andreas Resch on January 3, 2012 at 10:05 AM

Congrats on the 1st place, Paul - a well deserved award with this impressive shot.

Registered on November 14, 2007, 322 Posts, 6101 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 3, 2012 at 11:56 AM

Hi Paul

Congrats on a well deserved ESS 1st place win

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on January 3, 2012 at 5:59 PM

Congratulations, A stunning shot well deserving of a first place win!

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 3, 2012 at 8:26 PM

That is just amazing Paul. Congratulations on your well deserved 1st place win.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 3, 2012 at 10:13 PM

I've looked at this repeatedly. A true work of art. Congrats.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on January 4, 2012 at 11:02 AM

Congrats on the EPA award!!! Well deserved my friend!!!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on January 5, 2012 at 8:31 AM

Congrats Paul!! An image of iceberg take by putting your life in danger (working in front of alligators) must be a wining one!!

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Lynch on January 16, 2012 at 11:34 AM

Amazing image. Congrats on your recognition.

Registered on September 16, 2006, 773 Posts, 9940 Comments