Paula Walland, Surreal Sentinels (LANDSCAPE 2025)

While touring the Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia, I was captivated by the array of natural sculptures. In the first image, a single prominent pinnacle draws the eye, standing tall in the dramatic light of the lowering sun. The second reveals a strangely shaped formation that almost seems to bear ghost-like faces, adding a surreal, mysterious quality. In the third, a small rock formation is accompanied by a growing plant, juxtaposing life against the stark desert landscape. The fourth captures two striking pinnacles surrounded by a low bush, emphasising the quiet resilience of nature. A scattering of clouds adds soft texture to the sky, contrasting with the rough, weathered limestone surfaces. Footprints in the sand hint at past visitors, yet with no one in sight, the scenes retain a profound sense of isolation. Presenting the series in black and white enhances the eerie, atmospheric feeling that lingered in those moments.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.