Surreal and at times a bit eerie, a rainbow road made of pure light winds through muted landscapes as if illuminating a path to another world. As it makes its way through snowy forests, across rocky creeks and along the seashore before pausing within an abandoned shed, it almost seems alive. For filmmaker and photographer Daniel Mercadante, there’s a sense of hope to it, a narrative that only becomes apparent when you see all of the images in the series on his Instagram. “When the journey felt long and lonely, can you remember you’re on the Rainbow Road?”

Rainbow Road as a seafaring commutation atop a lake. HUGE thank you to @atinaka for the idea, producing this, and for gracefully carrying the RainbowRig from a boat! ??? . . . #tbt #rainbowroad #rainbow #lake #boatlife #somewheremagazine #art_spotlight #imaginarymagnitude #longexposure #lightpainting #trippy #magical

A post shared by Daniel Mercadante (@danielmercadante) on Apr 26, 2018 at 1:18pm PDT

A group of magical kids gather along the edge of Rainbow Road in a small village in Guatemala ?? . (Huge thanks to @atinaka for making this happen!). #rainbowroad #rainbow #guatemala #lightpainting #beautifuldestinations #natgeotravel #earthpix

A post shared by Daniel Mercadante (@danielmercadante) on Mar 14, 2018 at 8:52am PDT

The rainbow first appears in a dark and mysterious forest. It travels throughout the many diverse landscapes of California, skips all the way down to the lush jungles and weathered alleyways of Guatemala, reappears briefly on the West Coast and then finds its way to Connecticut before encircling Mercadante’s wife and creative partner, Katina Mercadante, in celebration of their anniversary.

Let Rainbow Road light your way through those dark tunnels we all get lost in. . . Thanks @papageorgio_ and @altered_eggo for helping to make this one happen after a long shoot day #rainbow #rainbowroad #longexposure #lightpainting #nightphotography

A post shared by Daniel Mercadante (@danielmercadante) on Apr 18, 2018 at 9:18am PDT

Happy Anniversary to this magical dream of an ethereal being. Often found somewhere near rainbow road with a mythical woodland beast. @atinaka I love you. . . . #rainbowroad #rainbow #love #womansbestfriend #magic #imagination #art_spotlight #somewheremagazine #imaginarymagnitude #popmyeyes #thepinklemonade #lovewatts #watts #love #?

A post shared by Daniel Mercadante (@danielmercadante) on Jun 7, 2018 at 8:34am PDT

The project is a gorgeous example of just how magical long-exposure photography can be. It’s so simple to make – you just wave sources of light against a darkened backdrop while keeping the camera shutter open longer than usual – yet it seems to open a portal to another universe. Check out the Mercadantes’ Instagram to see the whole journey, or their website for their collaborative film projects.