In Iceland, Jan Erik Waider Captures Voluminous Bubbles Locked in a Frozen Glacial Lake

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles locked in a frozen glacial lake

All images © Jan Erik Waider, shared with permission

Decaying organic matter settled on the floor of a lake—or in the case of arctic regions, emerged from the ancient depths of melting glaciers—can produce gases like methane that get pushed upward and trapped between layers of ice when the water freezes.

Hamburg-based photographer Jan Erik Waider (previously), who is drawn to the remarkable expanses of the North, recently documented an array of remarkable frozen patterns in the lake at the edge of the Skaftafellsjökull glacier in the southeast of Iceland. His black-and-white photos emphasize the layers and volume of bubbles locked in the ice, transforming a natural process into elegant abstractions.

Waider, who has worked with clients like Apple, Patagonia, The British Museum, and more, is drawn to the atmospheric drama of the world’s northern reaches. He skirts the Arctic Circle in places like Greenland, Norway, and Iceland, seeking what he describes as the “cold, raw beauty” of the region’s expansive landscapes.

Explore the artist’s portfolio on his website and Behance, and follow him on Instagram for updates.

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles and striations locked in a frozen glacial lake

a black-and-white photo of a series of long bubble striations in a frozen glacial lake

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles locked in a frozen glacial lake

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles locked in a frozen glacial lake that resemble an abstract pinwheel or organic swimming forms

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles locked in a frozen glacial lake that appear almost topographical

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles locked in a frozen glacial lake

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles and long striations locked in a frozen glacial lake

a black-and-white photo of a series of bubbles locked in a frozen glacial lake

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