Las Luminarias: Through the Ambers

Dozens of bonfires line the streets as far as the eye can see. The riders go from fire to fire with great momentum and without fear. 'Through the Ambers' is the third image from my genesis photography collection 'Las Luminarias', a visual documentation of my time spent at this surreal, 500-year-old, rural Spanish festival. On the 16th January, in the small mountain village of San Bartolomé de Pinares, Spain. In honour of San Anton, the patron saint of animals, horses are ridden through bonfires, in the belief that the smoke and flames will purify and protect the animal for the year ahead. Over 140 riders took part on this night, riding their horses through burning pine bush to purify and protect them for the year ahead.