# Strikingly Surreal Landscapes These Photos Contain Mysterious Figures and Unusual Surroundings By Lacey-Jane Walsh | Published 2013-07-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mysterious-figures References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/trini-schultz-trini61-photography) & [flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/31319275@N06/) These marvelously manipulated photos by artist Trini Schultz feature mysterious figures in strange, [mythical places](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anima). These shots mostly take place outdoors, in various seasons and settings. Each of these shots contain an element that makes them extremely surreal. In a few of these shots, Schultz incorporates umbrellas. One of these shots features a man hiding beneath a black umbrella as it rains down huge rocks. In another, a man holds an umbrella out on a bright sunny day, as numerous other black umbrellas dance around him in the air. Other shots feature [strange lights and fog](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chroma-installation), while some contain rare animals and things like boulder-sized eggs. The bizarre nature of the settings in these photos really grips the viewer. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.8/10 - Popularity: 100% | Activity: 97% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/photography) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Manipulated Photos:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity in developing advanced photo manipulation tools and software to create surreal and mysterious images. - **Surreal Landscapes:** Exploring virtual reality technology and immersive experiences can provide a disruptive innovation opportunity to create surreal landscapes in a digital environment. - **Mysterious Figures:** Developing augmented reality applications that bring mysterious figures into the real world can create a disruptive innovation opportunity for interactive storytelling and immersive experiences. ### Who This Affects Most - **Photography:** The photography industry can explore new business opportunities by offering photo manipulation services and software tools for creating surreal images. - **Virtual Reality:** The virtual reality industry can leverage the demand for surreal landscapes by creating immersive experiences and digital environments that transport users into fantastical worlds. - **Augmented Reality:** The augmented reality industry can disrupt the market by developing applications that bring mysterious figures to life, revolutionizing interactive storytelling and entertainment experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Statement Street Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1.md) - [AI-Generated Real-World Transformations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-generated-world.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Lightning-Inspired Artful Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bright-light-shining.md) - [Sculptural Mall Dreamscape](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unbounded-sanctuary.md) - [Otherwordly Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-monk.md) - [Blurry Abstract Photography Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optical-allusion.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md)