Walking With Light: A Moment in Al-‘Ula’s Timeless Desert

Some images stay in your mind long before they’re ever captured. This was one of them.

I had always dreamed of a photo like this — standing alone, dwarfed by nature, light spilling through a place that feels like time forgot it. In Al-’Ula, that dream found me.

I was holding the new OM System OM-3, its compact form feeling almost too modern in a place this ancient. The desert was still. Not silent — but still. The only sound was the crunch of sand beneath my boots and the wind weaving through centuries-old rock. Then, as I approached Elephant Rock, the sun aligned just right. A beam of golden light burst through the arch, and for a moment, everything felt… right.

I didn’t overthink the composition. I didn’t fuss about settings. I just stood there — fully present — letting the camera become a witness, not a barrier.

This wasn’t about chasing the perfect photo. It was about walking into it.

Looking back now, I realize it was more than just light passing through stone. It was a metaphor for why I travel, why I photograph, and why I keep seeking out places like this. Not to prove anything. Not to impress anyone. Just to feel small again — in the best way.

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🎒 Travel Notes:

If you ever find yourself in Al-’Ula, time your visit to Elephant Rock around sunrise or sunset. The light here does more than illuminate — it tells stories. Come early, bring patience, and give yourself a moment to simply… admire.