Distant Memories

When I start to feel nostalgic for travel I browse through my photographs from my previous travels. Instantly I am transported back in time to that place and moment. That is the magic of photographs. They have the power to create a story or convey a message – capturing that precious moment and memory in time.

This image was created in the small magical town of Sintra, Portugal during my 2014 Europe trip. I took this along the path that leads to the Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) and then to the Palácio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace). I was on my way back down the path after spending the day walking for hours through the vast gardens of the palace, visiting the Chalet of the Countess of Edla and then onto the palace itself.

It was around 8pm and the light was getting dim. It was quiet and magical. I had the path almost entirely to myself. I could hear my breath and my own heartbeat. I was walking on the beautiful path of ancient cobblestones, underneath a canopy of majestic trees. I felt alive and in such pure wonder. I wanted to capture the memory and the emotion I felt in this moment. I created the fairytale character from a distant age as I felt I was in that moment, dashing through the archways along the path, captivated by the light and magic of the place…

- The full collection so far of images created on my 2014 trip…

- Before & after processing video...

- Some photographs from my day around Palácio Nacional da Pena...