colorful patterns on a black background

See these otherworldly landscapes—created by whisky

After the spirit was consumed, this photographer discovered the sediment left at the bottom of a glass can create surreal imagery.

Scotch whisky can leave sediment behind in a glass. Using colored lights and photo-editing software, photographer Ernie Button turned Macallan Scotch dregs into this planetary pretender.
This story appears in the July 2019 issue of National Geographic magazine.
This content is Subscriber-Exclusive
You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.

More from this series

See the many sides of a city in a single picture
Spring blooms to life in this elaborate Spanish ritual
Memories of D-Day come alive on the beaches where it happened

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet