Unveiling Portugal Through the Lens
My recent sojourn to Portugal unfolded like an enthralling novel, with each step revealing a fresh and breathtaking chapter. While my forthcoming book, “Lens of Discovery,” showcases the cream of the crop, this blog post offers a sneak peek into the compelling narrative behind my camera lens — the motivations, the obstacles, and the sheer exhilaration of capturing Portugal through photography. This trip was a 14-day jaunt to the Azores and mainland Portugal. With nearly 10,000 photos taken on my new Fujifilm XT-30 ii camera, this blog post is the tip of the iceberg with many more in the upcoming book I am putting together. This blog post is just a glimpse into the journey.
Sao Miguel: A Fairytale Escape
Our Portuguese odyssey commenced on Sao Miguel, an island that felt like a page torn from a fairy tale. Every twist and turn welcomed us with rolling hills, crystal-clear lagoons, and idyllic villages. The enchanting beauty of Lagoa, Sao Miguel, as depicted in my book, served as the backdrop for our entire adventure. Armed with my trusty Fujinon 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens, its compact form was ideal for navigating the island’s winding trails, seamlessly capturing sweeping landscapes and intimate village scenes. Many of the photos from this leg of the trip focused on the natural beauty of the island with the cultural differences that are created from the imagination of the people who inhabit the island with the limited resources.
Porto: A Tapestry of Historical Riches
Porto, a city steeped in history and pulsating with life, represented a mesmerizing fusion of past and present. The iconic Dom Luis Bridge bridged the gap between antiquity and modernity, offering an inspiring vista. With my Fujinon 18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS lens, I immortalized Porto’s essence, from vibrant markets to tranquil alleyways, weaving the narrative of Porto’s storied past with each shutter click of this extended zoom lens. The challenges from the elevation, tight spaces, and crowded areas became a part of my story with my photos. Porto is a bustling city with tourists flocking to the Douro river front making for plenty of opportunities to capture the characters that inhabited the city streets.
Aveiro: Canals and Rainy Poetry
Aveiro, often referred to as the “Venice of Portugal,” beguiled us with its picturesque canals and vividly colored boats. However, capricious weather intervened — rain descended. Curiously, it was this precipitation that bestowed a magical touch upon my captures. Raindrops delicately kissed cobblestones, and the interplay of light on water turned Aveiro into a poetic masterpiece. My intention for these photos, to capture a sense of “time” using the various film simulations from the Fujifilm camera. I love the nostalgic aesthetic and used the cloudy opportunity to capture unique photos that transport the viewer to a particular time.
Nazare: Thunderous Waves and Gilded Sands
Nazare, with its rugged cliffs and thundering waves, stood in stark contrast to Aveiro’s serenity. The golden sands and dramatic seascapes presented a veritable playground for a photographer’s creativity. Here, my Fujifilm XT-30 II camera truly shone, capturing the unbridled power of the Atlantic Ocean and the everyday existence of Nazare’s resilient residents. The powerful bright sun, reflecting off the bright white surfaces of the houses, created a bright canvas to capture. While the mid-day sun is not ideal for making dramatic photography, I wanted to try to capture what I thought was interesting, sometimes playing with the shadows to find my lines.
Obidos: A Glimpse Into Yesteryears
Obidos transported us back in time with its medieval allure. As I ventured through its cobbled streets and captured the essence of ancient stone walls, my lens morphed into a time machine. My Fujinon 10-24mm F4 R OIS lens proved invaluable, enabling me to preserve the intricate details of this historic town with a wide angle. The tight claustrophobic alley ways of the town proved difficult to capture with so many people. Attempting to keep the medieval look, I needed to be patient with my shots, waiting for crowds to wane and remove the modernity.
Lisbon: Where Tradition Marries Modernity
Lisbon, Portugal’s dynamic capital, embodied the convergence of old-world tradition and contemporary innovation. The city’s sleek architecture and diverse culture provided ample material for dynamic shots. My Fujifilm XT-30 II, with its custom film simulations, imparted a vintage flair to my images, rendering each one uniquely captivating. Capturing the artistic expression of LX Factory, an open marketplace with an art collective, was one of my favorite places, as I was inspired to try different techniques with my camera. Although some of these did not make the book for continuity issues, I am happy to present them here.
Sintra: A Palace of Grandeur
Our journey culminated in Sintra, home to the majestic Palacio Nacional de Sintra. This palace, with its amalgamation of architectural styles and opulent gardens, was a photographer’s utopia. My camera’s ability to capture the intricate details and vibrant hues of this royal residence left me awestruck. The amount of hand carved wood and stone details makes one wonder of the immense amount of pride those artisan craftsmen received, even after decades and generations of time, their work is much admired. The Sintra palaces are hard to explain, even in highly detailed photographs, with the amount of depth that each nook and cranny imbues, there will never be enough photographs to capture it all.
The Unending Odyssey
Although our Portuguese adventure has drawn to a close, the story endures within the pages of “Lens of Discovery.” This book, born from our encounters and my passion for photography, stands as a testament to the beauty of Portugal and the ties that bind family. Each photograph is a memory, a moment, and a fragment of our hearts.
As we prepare to unveil “Lens of Discovery,” I extend a warm invitation for you to embark on a visual journey through Portugal with us. It transcends mere pictures; it is a celebration of exploration, storytelling, and the art of photography. I hope that as you peruse the pages, you will be imbued with the magic, history, and wonder of Portugal that we encountered during our unforgettable expedition.
