Mesmerising salt flats that look like abstract paintings: Shimmering Australian ponds pictured in stunning aerial photographs

  • The series, called Project Blue Fields, was captured at Useless Loop solar salt operation in Shark Bay, Australia
  •  Photographer Simon Butterworth captured these crystallizers from 4,000ft using a long focal length camera
  • The watercolour-effect can be attributed to a reflection of the sky, though time and cloud cover also played a role 

It's hard to believe that these stunning portraits are photographs and not watercolour paintings depicting otherworldly patterns.

The images are actually of crystallizers: shallow ponds in which concentrated brine evaporates leaving a 'crop' of salt crystals.

These particular crystals were photographed by Simon Butterworth from a light aircraft flying 4,000 to 5,000 feet above the Useless Loop solar salt operation situated in Shark Bay, the westernmost point of mainland Australia.

The height was particularly important in getting this flattened perspective, which was achieved using a long focal length camera. Time and cloud cover also played a role with the abstractness of the images - heightened by a lack of shadow.

And the reason that these crystals appear blue can actually be attributed to the reflection of the sky. The tracks left by the salt harvesting machine account for the brushstroke patterns.

The series, called Project Blue Fields, is part of a larger project, Aesthetics of the Unexpected, which explores the relationships between perception, expectation and reality, and was shortlisted for a Sony World Photographic Award in the Professional Landscape category.

Photograph or painting? Simon Butterworth's images depict the stunning crystallizers found in Shark Bay, Australia

Photograph or painting? Simon Butterworth's images depict the stunning crystallizers found in Shark Bay, Australia

Although they may look like otherworldly paintings, the photographs were actually shot from a light aircraft 4,000-5,000 feet in the air

Although they may look like otherworldly paintings, the photographs were actually shot from a light aircraft 4,000-5,000 feet in the air

In the ponds, concentrated brine evaporates leaving a 'crop' of gorgeous blue salt crystals.

The pastel blue crystallizers are actually shallow ponds in which concentrated brine evaporates leaving a 'crop' of salt crystals

Getting such a flattened perspective was dependent on using a long focal length camera, and time and cloud cover also played a role 

Getting such a flattened perspective was dependent on using a long focal length camera, and time and cloud cover also played a role 

Photographer Simon Butterworth captured the images at Shark Bay in Australia.
The project was shortlisted for a Sony World Photographic Award in the Professional Landscape category.

Photographer Simon Butterworth was shortlisted for a Sony World Photographic Award in the Professional Landscape category

The series is part of a larger project, Aesthetics of the Unexpected, exploring relationships between perception, expectation and reality

The series is part of a larger project, Aesthetics of the Unexpected, exploring relationships between perception, expectation and reality

The hue of these salt crops can actually be attributed to the reflection of the sky, while the brushstrokes are left by harvesting machines

The hue of these salt crops can actually be attributed to the reflection of the sky, while the brushstrokes are left by harvesting machines

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now