Places: Almograve, Cavaleiro, Rogil, Aljezur e Arrifana.

Date: 2022 to present.

The idea for this project came to life in September 2019 after a trip along the Alentejo coast in Portugal, where I took several spontaneous photographic journeys, some of which were poorly planned. One, in particular, stands out and I’ll never forget it: a visit to Barradinha Beach near Rogil, in southwestern Portugal. I arrived after sunset, and the tide was low. To reach the beach, I descended a set of wooden stairs, which I did in near darkness, unprepared for what I was about to witness.

At the bottom of the stairs, I was greeted by a stunning sight—black stone slabs stretching as far as I could see, with lines of white quartz cutting through them in perfect, straight patterns. Small pools of water from the receding tide added reflections of the twilight sky, while a soft fog hung in the air, carried by the distant sound of waves. It felt like I had stepped onto another planet—cold, alien, and untouched by time.

Sadly, I hadn’t brought a tripod, and the photos I took that night were disappointing. But the powerful feeling of being in that place stayed with me. From then on, I started thinking about this project—about capturing the essence of this landscape, which, despite feeling otherworldly, was still ours. I wanted to share those sensations through my art, with others who, like me, appreciate nature and photography.

Through my photography, I’ve always aimed to do more than just capture light. I seek to evoke a feeling, to create an emotional connection between the viewer and the scene. Even when there is no clear subject, I want the image to stir something within—whether it’s a sense of peace, chill, or mystery. In this project, I hope to forge that same connection, from the smallest rock to the endless horizon.