Welcome to Hutt Lagoon
This fine art series is part of my Pink Lake project—images I had imagined long before.
In 2023, I travelled to Australia with a very specific vision in mind: to capture the surreal beauty of Hutt Lagoon, a salt lake known for its shifting pink tones. Its colour comes from a microalgae called Dunaliella salina, which produces beta-carotene and transforms the water into shades of red, bubblegum pink, and lilac depending on the light.
But what you see in these photographs didn’t come easily.
I drove over six hours from Perth to reach the lake, arriving with high expectations—and, at first, disappointment. The colours were flat, almost ordinary. Not what I had travelled for.
So I waited.
For hours, I stayed there, studying the landscape, watching how the light moved, slowly shifting the mood of the water. I began exploring from above, guiding my drone across the surface, searching for shapes, balance, and something that felt… right.
Then, for a brief moment, everything aligned.
The light, the colours, the geometry—it all came together in a way I had only imagined before. Those few minutes are where these images were born.
This collection is not just about a place, nature, but about patience, vision, and recognising the exact moment when something ordinary becomes extraordinary.
The Alchemy of Pink
In naming this collection, I felt it was essential to move beyond the surface-level beauty of the pink hues.
I wanted to create a linguistic bridge between the aesthetic experience and the natural phenomena that dictate the life of the lagoon.
Each title is paired with a scientific anchor because this landscape is a living laboratory.
By linking words like Crystallization or Albedo to these frames, I am inviting the viewer to see the "why" behind the "what"—to understand that the textures are mineral deposits, the colors are biological defenses, and the lines are the result of extreme evaporation.
Series Introduction: Salt and Hue
Hutt Lagoon is more than a landscape; it is a masterpiece of Carotenogenesis. Located along Western Australia’s rugged Coral Coast, this hypersaline environment serves as a canvas where nature uses salt, light, and microscopic life as its primary pigments.
This series of aerial photographs captures the lagoon at its most abstract and visceral. From the high Albedo of the sun-bleached salt flats to the deep, heavy Brine that gathers in its geometric channels, these images document a world defined by extremes. The vibrant pinks are not an atmospheric trick; they are a survival mechanism—a "blush" produced by Dunaliella salina algae to protect themselves from the searing Australian sun.
Albedo
Carotenogenesis - Horizontal
Hypersaline
Ephemeral
Crystallization
Endorheic
Evaporite
Seepage
Brine
Carotenogenesis - Vertical
Dario Di Maggio is a photographer who travels the world in search of light, colour, and the moments that connect people to the places they inhabit.
He captures landscapes, urban scenes, and everyday life, exploring the subtle harmony between humans and their environment. Beyond creating fine art prints, Dario organises photography expeditions and workshops, helping others see, capture, and celebrate the world through their own lens.
Follow Dario Di Maggio on Instagram
FAQs
How long will my print take to arrive?
Quality takes time. As these are bespoke, made-to-order prints, please allow at least 20 days for your piece to arrive. Each order is handled with extreme care and dispatched as quickly as possible to ensure it reaches you in gallery condition.
What paper are you printing on?
I print exclusively on Hahnemühle Photo Rag, a world-class Giclée paper. It features a soft, matte texture that eliminates reflections and provides a sophisticated museum look. This paper is specifically chosen to hold the breathtaking depth and micro-details found in my original captures.
What's the policy on return?
Because each piece is a bespoke work of art printed specifically for you upon request, I am unable to accept returns or exchanges. My priority is ensuring you receive a flawless, high-fidelity print that exceeds your expectations from the moment it arrives.
Damaged prints in transit?
In the rare event that a print is damaged in transit, it will be replaced immediately. To help us resolve this, we simply ask for photographic proof of the damage. A replacement is guaranteed for any print that arrives in an unusable condition—such as being ripped or having a damaged frame—ensuring that the piece you hang on your wall is nothing short of perfect.
Are these prints made to last?
Absolutely. My work is printed on museum-grade archival paper designed to hold every breathtaking detail for a lifetime. These aren’t just images; they are high-fidelity physical pieces that won't let you down. The depth, the color, and the clarity are quite literally spectacular—you have to see them in person to believe it.
How will I receive my Fine Art Print/s?
Your art is handled with extreme care from my hands to yours. All prints are fully insured and shipped via world-class couriers with a dedicated tracking number.
To ensure they arrive in gallery condition, prints are meticulously rolled in heavy-duty protective tubes or secured in specialized flat envelopes for smaller sizes.