Go back to my archives during the pandemic!

The pandemic we are currently experiencing is putting a strain on travel photography enthusiasts. I have dropped from almost a hundred flights a year to only two flights in 11 months. A difficult but necessary sacrifice for the common good. Nevertheless, the situation presents an opportunity to dive back into my archives and relive some of the highlights of my years of photography in the field – it has been a time to appreciate the richness of the experiences.

Three images come to mind when I reflect on the great happiness of having a camera in my hands, here they are:

Kunene river, Namibia

Although my visit was an intrusion into the daily life of the Himbas, my encounter with these semi-nomadic people quickly became warm. After spending awhile in the village, I headed to the dunes that dominate the region. Along the way, a snake trapped in the sand caught our attention. Later on, I made some portraits of the women of the village. As the children waited their turn to be photographed, they displayed expressions of intense interest in my actions – the excitement of the moment was palpable. Suddenly, they disappeared behind the dune, and reappeared almost hovering in swirls of sand, I will never forget their laughter of sheer joy and the beauty of this scene…

Sierra Madre, Mexico

As I walked down the trail with Carlos, my Mexican guide, my expectations were mixed. I love nature, but when it comes to waterfalls, I have seen more than one… Arriving at a natural lookout, I was mesmerized by the beauty of this canyon. A cliff piercing hundreds of metres into the landscape appeared at my feet. In the distance beyond the abyss, I saw the second highest waterfall in Mexico! For half a day, I was alone with my guide in this larger-than-life place.

Manarola, Cinque-Terre, Italy

It was with great anticipation that I boarded the train that would take me from La Spezia towards the Cinque Terre. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the five villages perched on the steep banks of the Italian Riviera are filled with colourful dwellings. It would normally be a photographer’s paradise; however, 50 mm of rain was expected and that cast a shadow over the picture, especially since it was impossible to extend my stay due to lack of available accommodation. I knew it would be very difficult to return to this classic Italian landscape, so I ventured out to capture whatever images presented themselves. After a few hours of walking around, I turned back, soaked to the skin, towards Manarola. I was surprised to see a spectacular view just over the horizon! The hamlet glistened in all its splendour, basking in the warm light that emerged with the nightfall.

About the Author

Mathieu Dupuis is the author of 10 best-selling books and collaborator on 20 publications.  In 2017, he became the first Quebecer to sign a photographer and author contract with National Geographic.