The alluring iridescent swirls of motor oil on water.

A simple and powerful yet fragile beautiful visual experience, extremely thin layers of motor oil on water create a glowingly mesmerizing image. The thin film interference splits white light into all the visual wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. Each color is defined by micrometers differences in the thickness of the oil film, altering the wavelength of the light traveling back to the sensor to create drastically different colors. It’s a visual trick defined by the most fragile and minute movements in a medium so beautiful yet destructive. Oil has created so much innovation and wealth since its discovery, yet remains the blame for so much tragedy both immediate and long term. Praised and demonized simultaneously. Its colorful array a tantalizing side affect of its mere existence.

All photos in this series are available for print. To inquire about sizing, mediums and prices, contact Kyle through this form.