I have a love/hate relationship with contrails. They float high and white above the earth like ethereal memories of distant travel. They snap, fray, and disappear; a tether to the past broken by adventurous souls and unstoppable progress. They also sit stubborn and bold white, fracturing a clean, azure sky with reminders of schedules, pollution and that same unstoppable progress. They simultaneously represent both the best and worst humans have to offer.

Either way, they make for an interesting subject. I was tired of seeing them in every photo when I didn’t want them there so I decided to make them the subject. Some days they last longer than others. Sometimes there are dozens and other days only one. Often second and even third contrails are laid on top of older ones. This collection represents photos of contrails as the subjects. They’re shot over three years across the western U.S. from Colorado to California. Enjoy. Please share this gallery using the share button at the bottom of the page if you enjoyed it. Thanks.