Of all the sensory organs, that of smell has the power to physically evoke a particular time and place, a smell can connect an experience of the past with the present moment and, if the memory is strong enough, that experience can transport our whole physical being through space and time.

Photographing ancient primeval forests, I became aware of physical connections that transcend the period of time in which our life passes, going back to our collective past; the smell and the physical presence of the forest cause a sensation that immediately overwhelms and frightens, but over time the fear lessens and that consciousness became comforting.

The smell of the forest floor reminds us that what we see, feel or believe about ourselves is of little importance; we will all go back to being what we were at the beginning; nothing exists in reality except this moment.

Adrian Tyler