Launch Recite Me assistive technology
A close-up of a jagged rock face in shades of lime green and yellow. The surface is heavily fractured with deep crevices and sharp, angular edges.

Spectacular and colourful rocky landscapes from photographer David Benjamin Sherry

—
Date
23 May 2012

David Benjamin Sherry’s photographs from his new project Astral first remind me of Rainbow Dust, the hideously delicious sour sugar crystals that came in a long tube mixed with Solero lollies. More beautiful of course, he’s created colourful, monochromatic topographical landscapes that crumble in a spectrum of rocky fluorescents.

Travelling through the great National Parks of Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and California, David used film to capture these vast terrains of dirt and rock. Then after mixing and intensifying colour in his darkroom, he manages to achieve a ridiculously radiant and fresh saturation of colour that I’ve rarely seen without the use of digital means. As well as the different textures, it’s the titles for these images that I’m really loving like Tangerine Sweep, Mint Plateau as they make my mouth water even more.

A close-up of a textured, deep blue stone surface. Jagged cracks and sharp edges divide the surface into irregular, geometric slabs.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Shifting Cyan Slate, New Mexico (2012)

A close-up of a textured rock surface in a vibrant shade of pink. Deep cracks and ridges divide the stone into irregular, angular sections.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Magenta Mesa Wall, Utah (2012)

A close-up of a rugged, textured rock face in a vibrant shade of turquoise. The surface is heavily fractured with deep crevices and jagged edges.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Ice Cliffs, Oregon (2012)

A close-up of a rugged, textured rock surface in deep shades of red and orange. The stone is weathered with jagged ridges and deep crevices.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Electric Crimson Mountain, Utah (2012)

A close-up of orange sandstone with flowing, organic layers. The rock surface is textured with fine, curved lines and small pockmarks.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Tangerine Sweep, Death Valley (2012)

A close-up of undulating sand dunes in a deep, monochromatic blue. The surface is marked by soft ridges and fine, wind-swept ripples.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Deep Blue Sandstorm, California (2012)

A close-up of a textured, pale green stone surface with swirling patterns. Small, dark circular pits are scattered across the organic, marbled grain.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Mint Plateau, New Mexico (2012)

A close-up of a rugged, golden-yellow rock face. The surface is heavily textured with deep vertical fissures and jagged, fragmented layers.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Golden Crevice Canyon, Arizona (2012)

A close-up of a textured green surface with organic, flowing lines. The surface is marked by deep ridges and soft gradients of lime and forest green.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Grand Alpine Plateau, New Mexico (2012)

A close-up of a rugged, textured rock face in a vibrant shade of red. The surface is deeply fissured with sharp, vertical ridges and jagged crevices.
Above

David Benjamin Sherry: Vermillon Peak at Midnight, Death Valley (2012)

Share Article

About the Author

Rebecca Fulleylove

—

Rebecca Fulleylove is a freelance writer and editor specialising in art, design and culture. She is also senior writer at Creative Review, having previously worked at Elephant, Google Arts & Culture, and It’s Nice That.

It's Nice That Newsletters

Fancy a bit of It's Nice That in your inbox? Sign up to our newsletters and we'll keep you in the loop with everything good going on in the creative world.