Piles of crystallized salt, which divide the artificial ponds, appear like lines of white paint between blocks of saturated green, red, orange and pink.
Piles of crystallized salt, which divide the artificial ponds, appear like lines of white paint between blocks of saturated green, red, orange and pink.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
The colors are created by algae and other microorganisms in the shallow seawater.
The colors are created by algae and other microorganisms in the shallow seawater.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
Titled "The Salt Series," the collection is Hegen's latest attempt to capture "landscapes that have been heavily transformed by human intervention."
Titled "The Salt Series," the collection is Hegen's latest attempt to capture "landscapes that have been heavily transformed by human intervention."
Courtesy Tom Hegen
Shot in Spain and southern France, these images were taken by aerial photographer Tom Hegen.
Shot in Spain and southern France, these images were taken by aerial photographer Tom Hegen.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
Hegen uses drones, hot air balloons, helicopters and planes to document the impact of human activity on the natural world.
Hegen uses drones, hot air balloons, helicopters and planes to document the impact of human activity on the natural world.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
"I use abstraction and aestheticization to get the viewer's attention," the German photographer said in a phone interview.
"I use abstraction and aestheticization to get the viewer's attention," the German photographer said in a phone interview.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
"When first looking at the photos I (want people to) think, 'wow this is really stunning and beautiful.'"
"When first looking at the photos I (want people to) think, 'wow this is really stunning and beautiful.'"
Courtesy Tom Hegen
"But I hope that, on second glance, they wonder what they're looking at, and why it looks the way it does," Hegen added.
"But I hope that, on second glance, they wonder what they're looking at, and why it looks the way it does," Hegen added.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
Other recent projects have seen the 27-year-old photographing quarries, farmland, coal mines and waterways discolored by the byproducts of industry.
Other recent projects have seen the 27-year-old photographing quarries, farmland, coal mines and waterways discolored by the byproducts of industry.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
"Scientists now say that we live in a new human era," he said, "because we've had such a huge impact on our planet by changing its geological, biological and atmospheric processes.
"Scientists now say that we live in a new human era," he said, "because we've had such a huge impact on our planet by changing its geological, biological and atmospheric processes.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
Specializing in aerial photography while still at university, Hegen began using drones three years ago after he assembled his own custom quadcopter and equipped it with a camera.
Specializing in aerial photography while still at university, Hegen began using drones three years ago after he assembled his own custom quadcopter and equipped it with a camera.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
"I don't really focus just on the technical (side) of what's being produced," he said. "I spend more time doing research than getting the photos or the technique. Drones are so much fun to fly and I appreciate them a lot, but for me it's just about the outcome."
"I don't really focus just on the technical (side) of what's being produced," he said. "I spend more time doing research than getting the photos or the technique. Drones are so much fun to fly and I appreciate them a lot, but for me it's just about the outcome."
Courtesy Tom Hegen
His pictures are often taken just after sunrise, or just before sunset, the so-called "golden hours" of photography.
His pictures are often taken just after sunrise, or just before sunset, the so-called "golden hours" of photography.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
By pointing the camera directly down at the Earth, the images appear completely flat, giving them a surreal aesthetic quality.
By pointing the camera directly down at the Earth, the images appear completely flat, giving them a surreal aesthetic quality.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
More importantly, Hegen said, the aerial shots reveal the enormity of the facilities, farms and landscapes being profiled.
More importantly, Hegen said, the aerial shots reveal the enormity of the facilities, farms and landscapes being profiled.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
"For sure, we can see all of these things from the ground as well," he said. "But if you show it from a different perspective, you can really show the scale."
"For sure, we can see all of these things from the ground as well," he said. "But if you show it from a different perspective, you can really show the scale."
Courtesy Tom Hegen
Hunting for locations using Google Earth, and ensuring that weather conditions are suitable for flying, Hegen depicts aerial photography as an art grounded in painstaking preparation.
Hunting for locations using Google Earth, and ensuring that weather conditions are suitable for flying, Hegen depicts aerial photography as an art grounded in painstaking preparation.
Courtesy Tom Hegen
What began as a master's degree thesis called "Habitat" is now set to become a book of the same name. Inspired by a Munich exhibition exploring the "Anthropocene" -- a proposed term for a new geological age created by humans -- Hegen said that he wants people to rethink how everyday materials are produced.
What began as a master's degree thesis called "Habitat" is now set to become a book of the same name. Inspired by a Munich exhibition exploring the "Anthropocene" -- a proposed term for a new geological age created by humans -- Hegen said that he wants people to rethink how everyday materials are produced.
Courtesy Tom Hegen