Josh Mallet, Granite Dissolution (PLACES 2026)

Huangshan, China. It is easy to see how this surreal landscape of jagged granite spires, twisting pines, and shifting seas of mist set the archetypal standard for traditional Chinese ink painting known as Shanshui. I was fortunate to witness these famous but fleeting conditions and take these shots which evoke the same ethereal watercolour qualities. The raw image was almost devoid of colour, consisting of layers of silhouetted mountain ridges and tree lines, which perfectly suited a black and white composition.

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