Blue sky pushing storm clouds away from Praia da Luz beach. Moments earlier, a torrential downpour forced me into the back of a restaurant as the wind whipped at the umbrellas outside Luz Beach Cafe.
My friend Daniel from France owns a Jetski, which he takes 20-30 km offshore out of sight of land, and navigates back with a handheld GPS!! Daniel asked me to take these pictures from a rock promontory, and I had them printed on canvas 120 cm by 80 cm. Daniel’s wife, Gigi, launches him from a ramp in Lagos.
Daniel tells me he can reach speeds up to 120 kph when the sea is flat. Daniel is 74.
Thirty eight weeks have passed since I towed my caravan out of my village and headed south.
I have met and made friends with travellers from the UK, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Ireland and Scandinavia. I am seldom without company.
Last week I took my camera into Lagos and created these images. The cruxifixction comes from the church of Santa Maria de Lagos. I used AI software to turn a flat, bland photo into a striking image – that’s the “art” part of photography.
Similarly, I gave the background and musician the grunge and desaturation treatment, to allow his curious stringed instrument to take centre stage.
I discovered an eclectic cafe called “Waves and Coffee” – with delicious treats served on the ground floor – populated with surfboards which are manufactured in the basement.
My friend Judith painted this thought-provoking artwork on canvas. I am scanning her paintings to see what I can do with the AI software. We are experimenting with a fusion of photography and painting – for fun! Judith has taken one of my photos and is recreating it on canvas.
We plan to have a joint exhibition when we get the courage, and have our collections ready.
Thank you Des!!! So looking forward to the exhibition. Keep up the good work x
Thanks Judith.
Dear Des, well done. Enjoy the good life. Great to you are embracing new technologies.
Thank you Danny.
Photographs are stunning Des.
Congratulations.