Salt Lakes from Above
When I saw an aerial photograph of a salt lake for the first time, I was instantly mesmerized by the way they look from above, with their intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and abstract shapes. In fact, I would argue that salt lakes from above almost look like abstract paintings.
Why Salt Lakes look that Way
Salt lakes are typically formed in arid or semi-arid regions, where evaporation is high and there is little to no inflow of fresh water. Over time, the water evaporates, leaving behind a concentrated solution of salt and other minerals. This solution eventually dries, forming a salt crust on the lake bed.
From above, the salt crust appears as a mosaic of intricate patterns and vibrant colors, much like the brushstrokes in an abstract painting. The different colors and patterns are created by variations in the types of minerals present in the salt crust, as well as changes in the water’s salinity and the presence of algae or other microorganisms.
My Captures
So when I was traveling through France last summer and saw that there were some salt lakes on the way, I didn’t hesitate to include them in my route and try my best to capture them with my (rather shitty) drone. Here are some of the results I’m most happy with!
Less colorful Variations
Besides the really colorful ones above, I also encountered one location where the salt pans were rather colorless. However, the different shades of gray made it look even more minimalistic, which I like as well. In the last two, you can see them with a bit more context around, which might be helpful to understand the scale in these pictures.
Thanks for reading my post! Life is about learning and I’m always looking forward to your feedback. Thanks!
If you’re interested in more of my minimalistic and abstract photography, you can have a look at the gallery here.
