Leif Engstrom Diptych – Long Beach New York & Costa Rica Surreal Aerochrome Infrared | Ryan Struck World & Color Series
Titled "leif engstrom," this evocative Aerochrome infrared diptych from Ryan Struck's "World & Color" series contrasts two scenes on rare, discontinued Kodak Aerochrome reversal film: left, a coastal or environmental view from Long Beach, New York; right, surfer Leif Engstrom in a lush Costa Rica setting. The film's false-color effects transform vegetation and foliage into electric magenta, hot pink, and crimson bursts—revealing near-infrared light (700–900 nm) invisible to human vision—while beaches, waves, sky, human figures, clothing, or tropical elements deepen into cyan-purple ethereal tones, creating a psychedelic, dreamlike bridge between urban surf culture and exotic adventure. The medium-format composition juxtaposes serene NY shores with dynamic Costa Rican energy, inviting reflection on perception across global locales. Part of the series chronicling travels and encounters with scarce military-origin stock, this image resonates with neuroaesthetics on anomalous color's influence on aesthetic cultural contrast, emotional adventure, and creative insight; visual neuroscience on false-color diptych processing; consciousness/psychedelic thinkers as metaphors for expanded awareness in surf lifestyles; and creative directors/art directors seeking bold, conceptual surf/portrait/editorial photography for high-end outdoor, travel, lifestyle, adventure, or experimental brand campaigns. A rare, museum-caliber work bridging documentary surf scenes, perception science, and surreal revelation.