Infrared Photos of Nepal Create a Psychedelic Wonderland

“I wanted to capture a side of Nepal that no one had ever seen,” Lynch told Weather.com.

The photoset was taken in the Annapurna Himalayan Region in north-central Nepal in early September 2013. As it was still monsoon season in the area, the photographer faced some challenges along the way. Up against deep mud and slippery rocks, Lynch had to worry about keeping his equipment dry in the torrential rains during hikes that lasted an average of nine hours per day. But it was all worth the trouble.

“Imagine being in a cloud for days, only to see the one of the most breathtaking views on Earth once the fog broke,” Lynch shared.

To create the surreal effect, Lynch used Kodak Ektachrome Infrared film, which was discontinued six years ago. The age of the film he used contributed yet another challenge to his feat.

“If mountain weather wasn’t enough of a wild card, the use of infrared film presents an even more unpredictable dimension,” he said. “The supply of infrared film is nearly depleted and most certainly expired. The window to create natural images such as these is closing.”

The New York native became interested in photography as a teenager, starting with his mother’s manual 35mm camera. He worked with digital photographs for a time period, but returned to film, which is now his main medium.

“I think one of the most challenging jobs as a photographer is trying to capture the enormity of the natural world in a single frame,” said Lynch. “The sensation of a beautiful view often times doesn’t translate into a sensational photograph. It can be difficult. If you’re able to capture it well, the results are timeless and drive the same sort of emotion as if you were really there.”

The above slideshow includes photos of Lynch's images of Nepalese landscapes as well as his work throughout New York's Central Park.