paolo pettigiani's infrared photography captures bolivia in all pink

the past results from paolo pettigiani’s infrared photography series have continuously amazed with dream-like, unworldly imagery, just check out the blue and red hues of new york’s central park and the contrasting paradise of the maldives for example. for one of his last projects of 2019, the italian photographer really captures a range of out-of-this-world images. titled ‘bolivia infraland’, the series adds even more vividness to the dramatic, diverse landscape of the south american country.

all images © 2019 paolo pettigiani

by opening his camera’s sensor to be more sensitive to ultraviolet, visible and infrared light, paolo pettigiani’s technique captures media that reacts dramatically with chlorophyll, which is typically found in grass, algae and other greenery. for ‘bolivia infraland’, the series photographs the varied nature of the country in a new light. from the world’s largest salt deserts to lunar-like valleys and mountains at salar de uyuni, the results create an even more cinematic contrast between the environment’s pure blue sky, crystal white salts and snow caps, and red earth and even water – the latter picks up this pigmentation from the algae.

photography project:

photographer: paolo pettigiani

title: bolivia infraland

location: salar de uyuni, bolivia

date: august 2019