Daniel Beltra

Iceland #5, Hvítá River, 2014

Chromogenic print, edition of 8.  4 of 8.

101 x 152 cm. Framed.

£8,000

Daniel Beltrá captures the profound beauty and vulnerability of the natural world in his photographs. Reflecting the scale and magnitude of land, sky and sea from an aerial perspective, this image shows the river flowing towards the open sea, heavy with sediment from melting glaciers. Changes in the Hvítá river’s flow and temperature have a significant impact on the landscape and people of South Iceland. The beauty Beltrá captures serves as a hopeful reminder of our planet’s greatest treasures, as well as an urgent plea to protect them from further harm.

Daniel Beltrá is a renowned environmental photographer from Spain, celebrated for his powerful aerial photography that documents the impact of human activity on the natural world. His work combines artistry with environmental advocacy, aiming to inspire conservation and raise awareness about critical ecological issues. Beltrá’s iconic images often depict large-scale environmental events, including deforestation in the Amazon, melting polar ice, and oil spills. His perspective from the air offers a unique vantage point that highlights the scale and interconnectedness of ecosystems, often revealing scenes that would otherwise go unnoticed from the ground. He is well known for his visual style, marked by vivid colors, sweeping landscapes, and often haunting compositions that evoke the beauty and fragility of the planet.

One of Beltrá’s most notable projects, the *Spill* series, was created in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Capturing the vast expanse of the spill from above, his images juxtapose the scale of the disaster with delicate, abstract forms, transforming tragedy into an arresting visual narrative. This series earned him several awards, including the Sony World Photography Award and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s environmental photojournalism award.

Another significant body of work is Beltrá’s Iceland series, where he captures the stark beauty of Iceland’s icy landscapes and volcanic terrain. Created from 2012, these aerial images showcase the melting glaciers and rivers cutting through vast fields of volcanic ash. The series reflects his unique ability to document both the raw beauty and underlying vulnerability of remote landscapes impacted by climate change. Through these images, Beltrá highlights Iceland’s otherworldly topography and emphasizes the urgency of environmental protection for fragile ecosystems facing profound threats from rising global temperatures.

Beltrá’s work is widely exhibited globally, and he frequently collaborates with organizations such as Greenpeace, emphasizing his commitment to environmental protection. His photography is a testament to the power of visual storytelling, serving as a stark reminder of humanity’s responsibility to protect the natural world.