In the 1950s, the Salton Sea was a burgeoning tourist destination, more popular than Yosemite National Park. It developed almost by accident, becoming the largest lake in California and drawing tourists and investors alike. But by the 1970s, poor planning and a shortsighted vision led to a quickly deteriorating ecosystem.
Shot on 35mm and 120 film, these photographs shot around the Salton Sea belie the environmental and economic conditions that persist. Soft shades of pinks and blues create a sense of serenity–a stark contrast to the state of the Sea and its neighboring communities. What remains are traces of another time.
