bradley g. munkowitz photographs alaska’s tracy arm fjord in psychedelic infrared

in the summer of 2016, visual and design director bradley g. munkowitz — also known as GMUNK — travelled along the pacific coast of the united states on a journey of inspiration, wandering up the continent as far north as he could. equipped with a custom modified full-spectrum fujifilm X-T1 IR, a grip of lifepixel super-color infrared filters and a vintage nikon manual focus lenses, munkowitz’s documentation of the trip paints the landscape in an alien hue, highlighting the other-worldly beauty of the natural environment. 

munkowitz documentation of the trip paints the landscape in an alien hue
all images courtesy of bradley g. munkowitz

entitled ‘inframunk vs tracy arm fjord’, the series was shot in alaska’s fjord of the same name. called after navy secretary benjamin franklin tracy, the fjord is over 30 miles long and over a fifth of it is covered in ice. navigating the deep waters in a small vessel, bradley g. munkowitz captures the breathtaking scenery in psychedelic infrared, turning the natural landscape into something more akin to a martian mountain range. 

the ethereal images highlight the other-worldly beauty of the natural environment

thundering waterfalls, placid shorelines and wooded hilltops are realized in shades of pink, red, purple and orange. rather than distract from the natural beauty of the place, the ethereal new palette serves to highlight both the scenic expanse and small scale intricacies of each photograph. evoking the work of richard mosse, GMUNK’s impression of the isolated ecosystem reorganises our perception of ‘organic’ aesthetics, reinforcing the natural beauty of the area by shifting our perspective just ever so slightly.  

the series was shot in alaska’s tracy arm fjord

over 30 miles long, over a fifth of the tracy arm is covered in seasonal ice

from thundering waterfalls to placid shorelines, every intricacy of the fjord is captured in stunning detail

the remote fjord is named after US navy secretary benjamin franklin tracy

the fantastical images turn the natural landscape into something more akin to a martian mountain range

rather than distract from the natural beauty of the place, the ethereal new highlight both the scenic expanse…

…and small scale intricacies of each photograph

evoking the work of richard mosse, GMUNK’s impressions reorganise our perception of ‘organic’ aesthetics

the refreshed palette indicates new lines and outlooks 

the images are at times fantastical and eerie, with spectral shapes suggested by the gathering of mist  

the vibrant collection highlights the full spectrum of color to be found in the natural landscape

GMUNK reinforces the natural beauty of the area by shifting our perspective just ever so slightly