Big Bang - Armand Sarlangue
“I travelled to Iceland in September 2021 with the goal of capturing an erupting volcano, but unfortunately arrived after the active phase had ended,” says the photographer Armand Sarlangue. “Undeterred, I explored the Highlands and chased sunsets and auroras in other locations. One night, I received an alert that the volcano had woken up. Exhausted from a long day, I drove six hours and hiked an additional hour and a half to reach the site just as a storm hit. Despite the rain and strong winds, I was captivated by the power and beauty of the eruption. Unable to capture a clear shot from the ground, I sent up my drone and captured a mesmerising God's-eye view of the secondary volcanic fissure exploding like a galaxy of fire. This image, named "Big Bang," won the grand prize at the Siena Drone Awards and has been featured in numerous publications. It’s my signature image and a once-in-a-lifetime capture!”