Portrait of a Hidden Path

Portraits are usually representations of a person or any tangible object of interest. But how do you capture a portraiture of something which is not there - like a hidden path in the midst of a thick forest?

The sun has just broken through the storm clouds at the Penang Botanic Gardens, as I walked past the empty orchid house. On the left is a broken bridge which overlooks the valley below. As I peered into the thick undergrowth, the sun rays began to penetrate the crown of the trees above and illuminate a forgotten path lined with unkempt smaller trees and bushes.

This path was laid back in the mid 80's when there was a revamp of the park. I remember walking down the road with a group of friends during our senior high school years to scout for locations for our group portraits. We were all dressed up in long trousers and shoulder padded overcoats in the style of Miami Vice and had fun taking each other's pictures in various poses.

Today, the light that shines on this hidden path, rekindles the happy and carefree days of our youth. It's memories like this that shapes the portrait of a hidden path in our minds.