# Charred Carcass Portraits Nick Brandt's Portraits of Calcified Animals Look Like Charred Remains By Akihiko Tse | Published 2013-10-07 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nick-brandt References: [designtaxi](http://designtaxi.com/news/361073/In-Africa-A-Deadly-Lake-That-Turns-Animals-Into-Stone/) & [nickbrandt](http://www.nickbrandt.com/) Photographer Nick Brandt's images of mummified and almost charred corpses on a lake in Tanzania, East Africa, are horrifying as they are eerily beautiful. Due to a deadly combination of temperatures that can rise to as high as 60 degrees celsius and the high alkalinity levels in Lake Natron -- a result of the dense accumulation of volcanic ash from the Great Rift Valley -- the carcasses of these birds and bats are calcified and almost frozen in time. When the birds submerge beneath the water into the pH 9 to pH 10.6 level water -- composed of high soda and salt content -- the animals die and are arranged in such a way that all that persists is the blackened, singed remains. Nick Brandt's shots, documented in his [new book](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holy-ohio) 'Across The Ravaged Land' use a [monochromatic shots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1) to highlight the ghostly animals that will remain perched, lifelessly, along the lake. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 81% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Calcified Photography:** Opportunity for photographers to explore new methods of capturing unique, haunting imagery of mummified animal remains through innovative and creative photography techniques. - **Extreme Environment Tourism:** Opportunities in the tourism industry to offer guided expeditions to remote, high-temperature environments where visitors can witness the haunting beauty and rare calcified remains. - **Conservation Awareness:** Using Nick Brandt's images as a starting point, organizations and businesses can create educational initiatives focused on conservation awareness to protect endangered species and their habitats. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fine Art Photography:** Nick Brandt's 'charred carcass portrait' images offer a new digital fine art photography genre, giving fine art professionals an opportunity to experiment with unexplored and distinct techniques. - **Ecotourism:** Emerging niche market for adventurous individuals who want to explore extreme tourism destinations in remote and unique settings. - **Wildlife Preservation:** Conversations and awareness regarding wildlife preservation need to occur both at the local and international level in order to provide stronger protection for endangered species and the places they inhabit. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Charred Wood Mountain Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alexander-jermyn-architecture.md) - [Eroding Sculpture NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eroding-and-reforming-digital-car.md) - [Striking Urban Wildlife Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clare-allin.md) - [Otherworldly Wooden Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wooden-sculptures-1.md) - [Haunting Glacial Fragrances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joklalykt.md) - [Pixelated Photographed Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southern-trees.md) - [Decayed Car Playsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-wheels-x-daniel-arsham.md) - [Chalk Streams Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/british-conceptual-landscape-photographer.md) - [Sustainable Traveling Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miir.md)