Petra in Pictures: Photographic Memories of an Unforgettable Visit in 1992
In 1992, during an assignment in the Middle East, I had the unique opportunity to discover Petra, the ancient city carved into the rock. A timeless day, captured in black and white and on color slide film.
A photographic escape between two rallies
In 1991 and 1992, as a staff photographer for the agency DPPI, specialized in motorsports, I was seconded to the public relations agency Headline, based in Dubai, to follow a Saudi driver competing in the European and Middle East Rally Championships.
This project took me to several events in Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Lebanon, Oman, the United Arab Emirates… and of course, Jordan, on the occasion of the Jordan Rally in late May 1992. Between reconnaissance runs and the race itself, we had one free day in Jordan. A precious pause, which we devoted to discovering Petra.
Entering the city through the Siq
Put on the soundtrack from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and let yourself be guided. We entered the famous Siq, that winding rock corridor with towering cliffs. Few visitors that day, in the calm month of April – a rare privilege.
Riding on mules, we slowly made our way through the narrow gorge. Light filtered in through narrow gaps, highlighting the textures and veins in the rock. With every step, the anticipation grew… until suddenly Al-Khazneh, the Treasury, appeared: a monumental façade carved into the cliff.
An exceptional photographic playground
Equipped with my two Nikon F cameras, I alternated between two lenses: a 24mm f/2.8 Ai-S and an 18mm f/4 Ai, perfect for capturing the scale of the site and the sense of perspective. For color, I used Fujichrome 100 ISO film for its warm and faithful tones. For black and white, Ilford HP5 allowed me to play with contrast and the texture of the stone.
The light was perfect—direct and high—sculpting the forms. The compositions revealed themselves naturally: natural frames, vanishing lines, contrasts between light and shadow. The appearance of the Treasury in the shadows of the Siq offered cinematic scenes… but very real ones.
Exploring beyond the iconic shot
Beyond the iconic monument, we continued our visit on foot to the far end of the site, climbing the cliffs to take in the full view of the canyon and ruins. At the top: silence. Below: temples, tombs, and stairways carved into rose-colored stone. A fascinating civilization, long gone, but whose presence is still powerfully felt.
Before heading back, we enjoyed a lunch of Jordanian mezze at the site’s official restaurant. Local flavors, cool shade, and a final break before returning to the world of racing.
A living memory
These images are among the rare timeless moments I’ve experienced while on assignment. They embody a fragile balance between adventure, wonder, and photographic practice. Even today, as I revisit them, I feel the enduring fascination Petra inspires: a place of stone, history, and light.
Thirty years later, these photographs take on new meaning. Today, it’s far more difficult to enjoy such an experience: overtourism, organized groups, and long queues have changed the intimate perception of the site. These analog images, taken in 1992, reflect a rare moment, almost lost to time: a silent discovery, at the slow rhythm of a mule, under pristine light. They preserve the memory of a personal connection to the beauty of the place, free from the crowds and pressure of modern-day bucket lists.
To accompany this article, you’ll find several of these analog photographs digitized and processed in Lightroom to restore their original atmosphere.
The photo Path to Petra is available as a fine art print, in a limited edition of 12 copies, from the gallery Une image pour rêver.
Click on the photos below to view them full screen.
All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
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About the Author
Sebastien Desnoulez is a professional photographer specializing in architecture, landscape and travel photography. Trained in photography in the mid-1980s, he covered Formula 1 races and reported from around the globe before devoting himself to a more demanding fine art photography practice blending composition, light and emotion. He also shares his technical expertise through hands-on articles for passionate photographers, built on a solid background in both film and digital photography.
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