The Bedsheets of Maranhão

“The love of all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.”

— Charles Darwin —

Of all the landscapes that I’ve had the privilege of visiting as a photographer, Lençóis Maranhenses national park on the northeastern coast of Brazil is, without a doubt, one of the most uniquely beautiful regions I have ever seen. The area features pristine sand dunes that are interspersed by colorful freshwater lagoons during the rainy season. The name (Lençóis translates to “sheets” or “bedsheets”) was apparently coined in the 1970s because of the resemblance of the landscape to a sea of billowing linen sheets loosely draped across the region.

Immaculately clean lines and shapes, delicate textures and subtle hues make this a perfect location for minimalist photography. At twilight, a dreamy, almost “otherworldly” light envelopes the scene and adds ever-changing hints of color to the whitish sand.

It’s impossible not to fall in love with this landscape, even for the diehard cold climate person that I am. I enjoyed every moment in the park, despite the sometimes torrential rain that completely drenched one of my camera bodies and rendered it dysfunctional for two days.

I also have very fond memories of the people in the towns just outside the national park, in particular of how gently and respectfully they interacted with the numerous stray, or “semi-stray,” animals around them. This may seem like a small, insignificant detail, but I don’t think it is. There is a quote, often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, which I believe holds a lot of truth: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” And I found that the people of Maranhão, despite their hardships and obvious poverty, managed to win my heart in the way they treated all stray animals with patience, love and respect.

While none of this has anything to do with the actual landscape or the superb photo opportunities in the area, it is still part of the overall experience of a trip. And it helps me build a deeper emotional connection to these images.