21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Aurora Borealis over Dettifoss Falls

Traveling the 25km out to the Dettifoss Waterfall in the midst of a snowstorm is most difficult, as any deviations along the way or misjudgments of snowsdrifts can easily lead to one getting stuck. I photographed both the Northern Lights and Iceland's biggest waterfall--Dettifoss Falls--a few nights apart in Iceland in November 2023. I then simply combined the photographs so as to salute Iceland's exalted, mystic spirit, while also paying homage to my favorite artist Van Gogh.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Dettifoss Waterfall, Iceland
Copyright: © Elliot McGucken