Toxic beauty

Daniel Beltrá's Image

'This is what the oil spill mostly looked like, for miles and miles, from one corner to the other,' says Daniel.

'Visually, the textures, hues and patterns of the oil were striking.' Asked why he made images of the oil spill that look beautiful, he answers, 'It was not my original intention, but photographs of disasters are often harsh. This set of images wouldn't look out of place in an art gallery, where families could look at them and discuss them. It's a route to understanding that doesn't depend on shock. I think it helps get the message to a wider audience, because if the image is aesthetically appealing, people are more likely to stop and read the caption.'


Behind the lens

Daniel Beltrá

Daniel Beltrá

Spain / USA

Over the past two decades, Daniel’s work has taken him to all seven continents. Spill, his exhibit of images documenting the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, premiered in August 2010 and has toured the globe. He is a fellow and board member of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • 35mm f1.4 lens at 35mm
  • 1/1000 sec at f5.6 (-0.7 e/v)
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

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