The crazy-colored hills of Southern Utah called the Bentonite Hills are so much fun to explore. The first time I was there, it was so hot — 104 degrees Fahrenheit — that filming or imaging was almost impossible. But it did give me a sense of familiarity that helped me capture this place in all of its glory! Using a camera drone, I flew around — back and forth — while exposing multiple shots to obtain enough data to comprise high-resolution photographs. “Kaleidoscope” was created from above, avoiding dark shadows that can shock an image with blackened and underexposed areas. I waited to begin the project as thin clouds traveled overhead, tempering most of the sun’s more aggressive light. This certainly helped prevent that from happening.
The entire area reminded me of dried, soft dirt and, when wet, crazy sticky clay. The weather cooperated nicely as I explored from both the sky and the ground. Along the way into this area, there is a Mars Project facility that has been there for years expressly for the research and adaptability required for being on Mars. That alone should convey how dry, desolate, and inhospitable this area can be.
