The eerily lonesome photos of Ben Huff capture a certain storytelling isolationism that is dark, yet strangely inviting.
The project, appropriately entitled The Last Road North, captures drivers and landscapes along Alaska's famous Dalton highway, which was completed in 1974, measures a whopping 414 miles and is predominately dirt. Though it was only opened to the public in 1994, Haul Road, as it is locally known, is the northernmost road in America and is maintained as the transport route for oil fields. Ben Huff's project, which is inspired by the desolate nature of this long dirt path, is still ongoing, but the photos he has captured so far are incredibly captivating in their vast openness and sense of infinite possibility.
Implications - Photography that captures virtually uncharted territory is interesting to consumers who are eager to expose themselves to unusual places, but who are inhibited by either finances, fears or land barriers to see these parts of the world. Companies would be wise to incorporate these types of images into their campaigns or products to appeal to a broad consumer base.
Hedonistic Hermit Photography
Ben Huff Captures Desolate Settings Through a Pleasure-Seeking Lens
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Exploration - Opportunity to create virtual reality experiences that allow consumers to 'visit' remote and desolate landscapes.
2. Remote Adventure - The rise of travel and adventure companies offering guided tours and experiences in isolated and untouched locations.
3. Alternative Landscapes - Growing interest in showcasing unconventional and desolate landscapes in art and design.
Industry Implications
1. Travel and Tourism - Opportunity to offer unique and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences to adventurous consumers.
2. Art and Photography - Demand for artistic representations of desolate landscapes and exploration of uncharted territories.
3. Virtual Reality - Development and distribution of virtual reality experiences that allow users to explore remote and inaccessible areas.