DUBAI: British fine-art photographer John Balsdon is set to undertake his first-ever project in the Middle East this month as he heads hundreds of miles into Saudi Arabia’s isolated Harrat Rahat volcanic field to capture shots of Harrat Khaybar.
In late January, Balsdon will shoot images of lava flows, black basalt formations and sprawling desert plains while accompanied by a small film crew, drone pilot Chris Davies, and a Saudi guide.
“Saudi Arabia felt like a place of immense creative potential, one that is still largely unexplored from a visual storytelling perspective. I was drawn to the idea of documenting a country at a moment of transformation,” the lawyer-turned-artist told Arab News.
“During the research phase, I was genuinely surprised by the diversity of the landscapes. The scale and contrast, from deserts and volcanic terrain to coastlines and mountains, challenged any single perception of the country,” he added.
The photographs will be part of Balsdon’s ongoing project “Always Look Twice,” which features stunning, textured photographs from Australia, Botswana, Argentina and beyond.
“There have been several places that have left a lasting impression on me, particularly environments where the landscape feels vast and timeless. In particular, the Northern Territories in Australia and the deserts in Namibia. These are the places that recalibrate your sense of scale and remind you of how small we are within a much larger natural story,” Balsdon said.
His aerial shots blur the line between photography and fine art, capturing the textures, patterns and color gradients visible in these awe-inspiring landscapes in defined detail.
“I want my images to connect on an aesthetic and visceral level that is both universal and personal. Within those images there must be multiple layers of detail and interest that reward repeated viewings and, very importantly, provide clues that they only could have been taken in the (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). These requirements present a major challenge to me, but I am relishing this opportunity.”
Balsdon will shoot still and moving imagery to be edited into a short film, as well as a photographic series showcasing Saudi Arabia’s volcanic heartlands.
“These photographs will be supplemented by a film, which will document my process, providing viewers with an opportunity to see how the photographs were taken, the vehicles used and the roads traveled, the gyrocopters and our locations, including our time and experiences in Riyadh, Madinah and the desert,” he explained.
