Algarve in Sepia

It was as if the sun was happy and beyond herself to see people enjoying their lives and joyful togetherness once again! She wanted to prolong the merriments of a passing, wonderful day by the beach as if determined to resist gravity; just hung up there, didn’t want to leave the scene. She whisked down the long sunbeams in full and earthy colours, played around with slowly moving shadows.

What an amazing day it had been. And oh-so welcomed by everyone! Globally tough times had and have irreversibly changed our perception of the concept “The Good Life”. And so, there we were, by the Atlantic, finally. Warm sand between our toes, content by refreshing dips into the salty waters. Free from face masks! Though of course, they were silently waiting in the beach bag right next to the umpteenth bottle of hand sanitiser. But right now, I could almost hear Mel Gibson (The Patriot) shout “Freedom!”.

Water lines; whether calm lakes or choppy seas, vast oceans or lively rivers, ponds or azure pools - like magnets, through times, they all have gathered living creatures into their fronts. Sometimes to nourish the body, sometimes to work for a livelihood, but also for relaxing. How wonderful a place the beach is for letting your inner child free! The unwritten Beach Manual demands us to leave our worries at work, tells us to pack a divine and refreshing picnic, and urges us to actually and truly wet our bathing suits in the refreshing water! Rule number four encourages us to participate in ballgames of all kinds and confidently throw a sandy Frisbee far into the world’s end. The fifth unwritten rule expects us to sit down by the wet sand and build medieval, wonky sandcastles and decorate them with handpicked, beautiful seashells. Seeing these things happening live and in the flesh, after such a long Lockdown is what made this day so wonderful, so freeing.

Families were out and their children would run around like little wild beasts. The Golden Girls in elegant sunglasses, sitting under colourful parasols had brought out the charming Gents in their shape hugging speedos and thick books. Sweet, young love was in the air; teasing and giggling with gusto. From a birds-eye view, the mass of sun-worshippers was in constant movement. My role in all of this? The Unnoticeable Camera Woman, capturing moments and freezing them forever in an everlasting image, enjoying her long walk for the whole length of this amazing beach in Algarve, all the way to Vilamoura and back.

To me, this specific moment in natural Sepia is filled with many notes of Good Life. The beach is drenched in magical after-heat of a good day in May. Sleepy waves had lost their vigour and intense colours when rolling in in a tamed manner, as if on autopilot. The late evening air is thick with iron-rich red, sand-dust. The salt of the sea was present in my every breath. Thus, when talking about the composition of this picture, to my eye this is quite calming and pleasing. Elements of earth, air, wind, and fire are undeniably present. The blurred, round shapes of high-hung lifebuoys create a sharp contrast to the wooden, geometrical stairs next to them. The darkening backdrop consisting of high sandbanks and horizon-protruding tree-tops contribute some night-time mystique to my shot.

I can clearly remember how immense gratitude overtook my thoughts there and then. I was once again reminded of how we, people, truly are part of Nature. We are animals who are dependent on what Nature is willing to give to us. The unconditional gifts that we receive every day in forms of fruits, vegetables, roots, water, and other nutrients are essential for our existence. Wood materials, metals, and fuels that offer us shelter, sturdy constructions and amicable conditions to live in.

To me, this photo and this moment epitomised the symbiosis that we need to create. Give some, have some! And if anything, this spring of 2020 has taught us: Together we are stronger in joy, hardships, and survival. While now writing this and listening to mellow and caressing Bossa Nova, I realise that this picture could as well be taken somewhere in the Latin Americas; Brazil! Oh, the amazing plasticity of human minds!

May we all have amazing days like this written into our future! I hope you enjoyed my visions! Thank you! Obrigada!

Nikon D500 16.0-80.0 mm f/2.8-4.0 raw ISO 100 F11 1/5000

Edited on Lightroom: bumped contrast and slightly emphasised shadows