Craters of the Moon

I embarked on a road trip across the state of Idaho, seeking out picturesque views and secluded hikes shortly after the one-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the highlights of my journey was exploring Craters of the Moon, a vast lava field spanning 628 square miles (1,600km2) in southern Idaho, situated at an elevation of 1800 meters. This remarkable landscape was formed by volcanic eruptions that occurred anywhere between 2000 and 15,000 years ago. Due to the relentless high winds and arid conditions in this region, only a few resilient species of plants and animals can survive, resulting in hills and valleys blanketed in pure black volcanic glass.

In this image, my objective was to vividly capture the serene atmosphere and unique color palette of the Craters of the Moon desert landscape. Through the use of custom color swatches and iridescent hues, I wanted to bring forth the essence of the black soil, glistening rock striations, and the glass particles being carried by the wind from the nearby lava field.