The Spiral Jetty, Utah

As a photographer, the Spiral Jetty presents a fascinating subject with its blend of natural and artistic elements. Constructed in April 1970 by American sculptor Robert Smithson, this land art masterpiece stretches 1,500 feet (460 meters) long and 15 feet (4.6 meters) wide, forming a counterclockwise coil that juts out from the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake near Rozel Point, Utah. Made from a combination of mud, salt crystals, and basalt rocks, the sculpture’s appearance changes with the water levels of the lake—sometimes fully visible and other times partially or completely submerged, depending on the season.

The sculpture’s isolation, combined with its environmental context, makes it a striking subject for photography, offering dramatic compositions, especially with the shifting water levels and the stark, expansive landscape around it. As a photographer, capturing the Jetty in different conditions can reveal new perspectives of this iconic piece of art.