2024
Capturing the Textures and Mystique of Volcanic Landscapes
When the first light of morning touches the basalt columns of Antraigues-sur-Volane in the regional UNESCO park of the Monts d’Ardèche, the volcanic rock comes alive in unexpected ways. Soft blues, cool greys, and hints of greens emerge from the stone’s surface, highlighting intricate textures formed millions of years ago. For this photo series, I turned my lens to the details — focusing on the delicate interplay of texture, color, and light. My goal was not just to document the columns but to evoke a sense of otherworldly wonder that reminds us of nature’s artistic power.
The textures of the basalt columns captivated me from the moment I arrived. Up close, the stone feels like a canvas etched by time — each ridge, crack, and shadow a silent story of its volcanic origins. Shooting in the soft, diffuse light of the morning allowed me to draw out the subtle color shifts in the rock. Hues of silver and graphite gave way to turquoise blues and hints of greens as the sun climbed higher, creating a palette that felt both ancient and surreal.
Through this series, I aimed to evoke a sense of mystery and timelessness.
The geometric patterns of the basalt columns — so precise they feel man-made — combined with the dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, gave the scenes a surreal, almost extraterrestrial quality. By focusing on close-ups, I wanted to transport viewers into an abstract world where scale becomes ambiguous and the textures of the Earth tell their own story.
The Monts d’Ardèche UNESCO Geopark is a treasure trove of geological history, and the basalt columns near Antraigues-sur-Volane are one of its crown jewels. Their unique formations are a result of ancient volcanic activity, but standing among them today feels anything but ancient. It’s humbling to think that this landscape, shaped by fire and time, still carries such vibrant life and mystery.
One funny thing I only noticed when taking the shot, is the fleeting leaves on the rock face. These leaves are literally "hanging by a thread" as they get stuck via some sticking debris or webs and eventually the wind would blow them away. This was the most poetic detail of the two days photoshoot session I carried in autumn 2024.
As you can see, the different hues on the different images are mainly due to the fact that during day 1 I had mainly overcast sunrise, so the glow was less blue and less deep. The second day, was a crisp, cold and clear autumn morning, almost as if winter had begun. I got some spectacular blue hues reflected on the basalt rock.
These basalt textures challenged me to see the area in new ways, focusing on the intimate details rather than the grand vistas.
