honorable mention
Brandon Payne united states
title
Hoodoo
For my series Hoodoo, I explore the badland regions of the American Southwest seeking out these strange, whimsical, and at times even macabre geologic formations that have been weathered and shaped over millennia. Often found in the most remote parts of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands where there are no trails, these formations offer an encounter with the surreal and a reminder that our world can be just as alien as any science fiction. Inspired by the work of French artist and cartoonist Jean “Moebius” Giraud, who was himself greatly inspired by the American Southwest, I wanted to capture "geologic portraits" of these unique features that would not look out of place on the pages of a Moebius comic.
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entry description
In geology, a hoodoo is defined as a column or pinnacle of weathered rock.For my series Hoodoo, I explore the badland regions of the American Southwest seeking out these strange, whimsical, and at times even macabre geologic formations that have been weathered and shaped over millennia. Often found in the most remote parts of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands where there are no trails, these formations offer an encounter with the surreal and a reminder that our world can be just as alien as any science fiction. Inspired by the work of French artist and cartoonist Jean “Moebius” Giraud, who was himself greatly inspired by the American Southwest, I wanted to capture "geologic portraits" of these unique features that would not look out of place on the pages of a Moebius comic.
about the photographer
I make images that attempt to infuse the wonder of natural and urban landscapes with the emotional intensity of dreams. My work is eclectic, but I pay the most attention to shape, color, and composition, with an emphasis on themes of individuality and identity.back to gallery