We’ve been following the work of Italian graphic designer and photographer Paolo Pettigiani for quite some time, mesmerized by his infrared renditions of some of the world’s most famous locations. The latest of these takes us to The Maldives, a tropical nation already stunning on its own, but even more eye-catching in infrared. This series becomes that much more striking with the addition of aerial photography!

In Pettigiani’s The Maldives Infraland, everything looks extraordinary; the waters are rendered in ethereal shades of turquoise blues and greens, while the foliage takes on the familiar pinks and reds typically seen in his color infrared snaps. The shorelines and sandbars complete the minimalist yet otherworldly color palette that slightly differentiates this set from the others in his Infraland project.

He describes Infraland as a graphic and visual exploration of nature. Infrared photography has been used in various fields and applications such as documenting pollution, forest surveys in agriculture, scientific purposes, and even military surveillance. But photographers like Pettigiani have continuously been finding more creative uses for this specialized photography. The surreal color shifts are especially strong in grass and leaves, as elements with chlorophyll strongly reflect the IR light in the invisible wavelength.

To shoot this aerial Infraland installment, Pettigiani used a DJI Mavic Pro 2 converted to full-spectrum, just as his Nikon D750 was modified to make it sensitive to UV, visible, and infrared light. By shooting from above, he also transforms the Maldivian seascapes and island scenes into abstract artworks where man-made elements are dwarfed by the vast beauty of nature.

If you’re new to Paolo Pettigiani’s infrared work, we suggest checking out our features on his snaps in NYC Central Park, Dubai, the Dolomites, and the Aeolian Islands. Don’t forget to visit his website and Behance portfolio to stay updated with his work as well.