1001 places...

icecream with a view

2008-11-13T00:50:00.000Z

I was wondering around the tower of London when I saw this guy just eating his icecream oblivious to whatever was happening around him. I got my tripod on the ground and a family of (ubiquitous) Americans showed up and spoiled my magnificent framing efforts!

I had to wait a bit to take this shot, but In the meantime... I got myself an icecream and waited for the opportunity to "shoot" this guy. Fortunately he wasn't very keen on his icecream and took is time eating it. It's all about timing!

Smoking strictly prohibited!

2008-11-10T23:04:00.004Z

How old is this sign?! What is it about us that needs to leave a mark? I found this non smoking sign atop St. Paul's cathedral and I was one of the tourists that didn't... leave a mark.

no comment, just act!

2008-11-10T14:40:00.001Z

London Birdseye view from St. Paul's

2008-11-09T12:06:00.006Z

Panoramic shots are something of a passion of mine. This is one of many I took during my stay in London. I was overlooking Tate Modern and the Millennium bridge from St. Paul's. I had to keep some people waiting while I took the series (11 shots), that "gave birth" to this panorama, but... They didn't mind and did the same afterwards :)

August 15th...

2008-10-24T12:23:00.006+01:00

This Summer was the first one where I didn't have the full month all to myself. Work really gets in the way of "traditions". Nevertheless, I managed to spend some of the late afternoons with friends at the beach playing volleyball or just doing... nothing! Obviously my camera was never too far and this day I managed to get some divers getting ready for an underwater sunset. It was a nice way to finish the day...

The Old Royal Naval College - Greenwhich

2008-10-20T23:36:00.002+01:00

http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/

The Way...

2008-10-15T23:39:00.005+01:00

I have an huge backlog of photos to edit or already edited that never saw the light of day. This is one of those pictures that was just sitting in my archives just waiting to be posted!

I have to take a better look at my archive. Maybe I can find some other pearls ;)

Tower Bridge dichotomy

2008-10-12T00:11:00.010+01:00

Dichotomy - a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities. Colour or Black and white? The Tower Bridge is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. As such it was one of the places I spent more time around.

This HDR pano is a group of 9x3 shots (27 in total in case you are having trouble doing the math ;)). The Thames was low and I had the chance to go down to the river and set up my tripod and... be the object of some Curiosity! You might think that in a city like London people had already acostumed to seeing a guy with a tripod ;)

I realy couldn't choose between the two versions so I salomonicaly... decided to post both!

Oxford

2008-10-11T23:08:00.004+01:00

Covent Garden

2008-10-06T22:12:00.004+01:00

Covent Garden is one of those places that is bustling with life. Place for some well passed moments with street performers, pubs and restaurants... Don't leave London without a visit!

Want some info? try these:

The British Museum - III

2008-10-04T13:32:00.004+01:00

When entering the British Museum you are immediately overwhelmed by the great hall

The British Museum - II

2008-10-04T00:48:00.001+01:00

This set is devoted to some of the effigies and statues found at The British Museum . Happy on the left, grumpy on the middle and... well the other guy ;)

The British Museum - I

2008-10-03T17:45:00.004+01:00

The British Museum was my first stop in London... I have to say that I almost forgot I had my camera with me. Being in the midst of that many History has a subtle effect on one mind. I frequently found myself wondering how I would be like at that time... Well... no camera then... so... I would have to write what I saw...

Probably would not have been so easy as that ;)

Serra do Gerês

2008-09-24T23:32:00.003+01:00

No comment...

Convent of Christ -Tomar - Portugal

2008-09-11T20:30:00.001+01:00

Originally designed as a monument symbolizing the Reconquest, the Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar (transferred in 1344 to the Knights of the Order of Christ) came to symbolize the opening up of Portugal to other civilizations during the Manueline period.

This text is from UNESCO.
World heritage site
Wikipedia

The colour of Alentejo

2008-07-08T10:47:00.003+01:00

The gold of the wheat the green of crops and the blue of the sky... These are the colours normally associated with Alentejo.

Along with these the typical white houses of Alentejo are usually decorated with colours. From the High Alentejo to the Low Alentejo and Algarve, you can recognize the region by the colours that go from the yellow and red from the High Alentejo to the blue of the Low Alentejo and Algarve

Yet another sunset

2008-07-03T09:53:00.005+01:00

Back to November 2007. Winter renders some of the most amazing sunsets, this one at Cabedelo beach at Viana do Castelo was taken on one of those photogenic days :)

A sunset, the sea and an aeroplane trail...

Alentejo in the spring - icons

2008-06-02T23:43:00.006+01:00

Alentejo... again! There are always iconic images that we hold from the places we've been. From Alentejo, those icons would be the vast wheat fields that flood the land, and the white houses with vivid colours that change when you go from the upper Alentejo to the Algarve region. Besides, there is nothing like flowers hanging evrywhere near your door :)

An old friend at the door...

2008-05-31T02:20:00.004+01:00

Photography brings with it new attention when looking at a scene. This new attention brought with it a new way of seeing the old and decaying parts of once new and proud icons.

This is an old door knocker I found wondering around the old part of Braga. The building is still used and this old friend as welcomed many people in, but the years haven't been kind...

Alentejo in the spring - I

2008-05-27T00:47:00.004+01:00

Well, here we are back at Alentejo. Most people tend to think of southern Portugal as a kind of a desert. This is mainly due to the fact that Alentejo is mainly an agricultural region where, during the Summer, after the crops all is golden brown.

Alentejo is also home to some of the most well preserved castles and fortifications that date back to the formation of Portugal and the conquest of the territories that form Portugal since 1111 A.C.

These are a few gems from Alentejo, where friendly people great you out of nowhere and dinning out is an experience of itself.

Alone with everybody and just... alone

2008-05-19T23:00:00.003+01:00

Hong-Kong, PRC - Castelo de Vide, Alentejo, Portugal

No two places could be more apart, and still convey the same feeling of age, loneliness and impotence against time...

Ponte de Lima - Portugal

2008-04-21T23:12:00.004+01:00

Ponte de Lima is one of the most quaint villages in northern Portugal. It has a strong Roman heritage present in the bridge that crosses the Rio Lima and is worth a visit on your trip around northern Portugal. A must...

You can check this article on about.com for some tips and history. Enjoy ;)

London calling

2008-04-09T19:44:00.004+01:00

Don't you just feel like singing Clash?

Gate 36!

2008-04-09T19:07:00.004+01:00

December 7 2007 - Gatwick Airport. Just arriving from Porto on my way to Hong-Kong. Some time to kill, my EOS 400D/18-55 and... the wrong gate :)

Spring in Trás-os-Montes

2008-04-09T14:39:00.006+01:00

Me and a couple of friends are photo freaks, and that's our excuse to know Portugal :)
Once in a while, we get together and just go somewhere guns blazing, stepping out of the car at any given time or place. Hell for the Japanese tourist, nowhere close!

This is just one of the shots (more will come later) it's in 1280x800 wide format. feel free to use it on your desktop, but let me know ;)

Summer colours in Black and White

2008-02-07T23:58:00.000Z

The blue of the water, the white of the surf and the yellow of the sand are the colours of Summer. How does Summer looks like in Black and White?

This shot was taken in late Summer of 2007 at the Beach of Paçô, Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Location on google maps.

Revisiting

2008-02-05T19:04:00.000Z

Looking at old work with new eyes always brings something new. Moods change. Feelings change. The perception of the scene changes. Errors seem different with new eyes. New tools allow different workflows Hence... this picture...

Canyoning at Frecha da Mizarela

2008-01-31T13:00:00.001Z

The Frecha da Mizarela is a waterfall in the Rio Caima that's about sixty meters high. Located in the granite rock of the plateau of the Serra da Freita, near the village of Albergaria da Serra, in Arouca, inserted in a mountainous landscape of great beauty.

About 65km from Porto, it's a worthwhile detour in your wanderings around northern Portugal. The route there is quite scenic and you can still enjoy a bit of the quaint rural Portugal.

This shot was taken on a canyoning trip with some friends (toboga.pt). A tripod, my (now dead) EOS 400D and a 300mm lens, a long exposure and some PP on CS3.

Location on Google Maps.

Hong Kong

2008-01-30T15:25:00.000Z

Constructed in 1915, the clock tower is all that remains of the historic Kowloon-Canton Railway Station, the Asian terminus of the Orient Express to London. The station was demolished in 1978, and replaced with a new station in Tsim Sha Tsui East.

The 148-foot (45-meter) Railway Clock Tower is located on the southern tip of the Kowloon Peninsula, near the Star Ferry Pier. It's a landmark of the are near the star ferry docks and from there... you just have to enjoy the view of Hong-Kong...

Ocean wall

2008-01-29T10:05:00.000Z

A magnificent sunset just above the wall that protects the Viana do Castelo harbour.
location: Viana do Castelo - Portugal

Shooting againts the sun!

2008-01-23T18:55:00.000Z

You probably have guesses by now that HDR's are a habit of mine. This was taken against the full sun. A Hight shutter speed and some faith. We can't stare at the sun can we ;)

The day before Christmas !?

2008-01-18T17:51:00.000Z

I was looking at this picture when I noticed that I took it on Christmas eve...

Not your usual cold, raining Christmas isn't it?

Cabedelo...

2008-01-17T13:37:00.001Z

In order to preserve the dunes that protect the Portuguese coast a series of walkways has been built around the coast. These offer young couples, old couples, joggers a good place to relax, and photo geeks like myself very nice photo opportunities ;)

Somewhere in Montalegre

2008-01-13T22:58:00.000Z

From time to time I manage to spend some time on some weekend escapes. These shots are from the region around Montalegre. Enjoy

Dead Camera Shooting

2008-01-04T17:29:00.000Z

These are the shots of that unfathomable day where my camera and I took a plunge in the freezing waters of the Atlantic of the Coast of Viana do Castelo in the Beach of Paçô.

On the Calcedonia trail

2007-11-06T23:40:00.000Z

If you have been following this blog, you might have noticed that my wonderings tend to take me to Gerês National Park. One of the last times I went there, I went with a friend to trek one of the hardest trails in Gerês, the Calcedonia trail. These are some of the images from that small journey.

about photography...

2007-10-19T16:32:00.000+01:00

Why do I like photography? What makes me carry my camera everywhere I go? Why do I go places just to takes photos?

I always liked photography, but until some time ago, I did not have the possibility to be an amateur photographer. But then I bought my Canon EOS 400D :D. It's funny how the way I see things changed. The way light, colors, frames all have become important... I find myself looking at things and wondering how they would look under my camera. This new notion of plastic beauty is something that needs to be worked, and although I often find myself banging my head against the wall because I did not chose the best framing for "that" photo I am learning and as self teaching goes, this is a slow process.

Resting on twilight....

2007-10-11T00:39:00.000+01:00

More and more I find twilight hours to be magical...

Twilight - 10 minutes after sunset

2007-09-13T13:58:00.000+01:00

10 minutes after sunset... I think these don't need any words...

Castelo do Neiva - Viana do Castelo - Portugal

2007-07-24T15:35:00.001+01:00

Continuing with my effort to document the landscapes of the littoral around Viana do Castelo, my last incursion was to Castelo do Neiva.

Castelo do Neiva is a small fisherman village located south of Viana do Castelo. It is quaint and full of small (and cheap) seafood restaurants that are a destination for those that want to taste some of the typical seafood dishes of northern Portugal.

The Canadian Rockies revisited...

2007-07-19T13:27:00.000+01:00

If you have been following my posts for the last year, you have probably noticed my adoration for the Canadian Rockies. When I went there I was not even an amateur photographer and the end result was... lets call it awful to be nice.

Photos aren't just a physical recollection of my memory. For me (at least) they represent the way I saw things, the things I deemed to be worth recollecting and that marked me somehow, the landscapes that made me stand in haw and made me shrink and feel small...

In Canada the photographies I brought back where really bad (for my current standards) and I took some time to try and rescue some photos (the ones that could be saved). A lot of CS3 went on these days and here are the Canadian Rockies revisited!

Oia? si por supuesto! en Espanã!!!

2007-07-16T15:14:00.000+01:00

Govre - Galicia - Spain

2007-07-16T14:39:00.000+01:00

Galicia - Spain - panoramas of a voyage

2007-07-16T11:50:00.000+01:00

Guimarães - UNESCO World Heritage

2007-07-16T11:04:00.000+01:00

Guimarães - birthplace of Portugal, this small city boasts the title of UNESCO World Heritage and it is well worth visiting. Small and hospitable this Portuguese gem is 50Km (30 miles) from Oporto and easily accessible by car, train or bus. With luxury pousadas de Portugal right in the center, you just have to decide when to go...

The Praça da Oliveira is a must in your trip around Guimarães. Stop by for a Port wine or a more cool beer, an denjoy your surroundings with the Church of N. Sra da Oliveira and the Paços do Concelho.

Praia do Rodanho - Viana do Castelo - Portugal - 2

2007-07-11T16:48:00.001+01:00

featured album on Webshots

2007-07-10T10:51:00.000+01:00

You know when you take a look at your e-mail and you see a message and say... hummm?!

I got one of those! One of my albums was featured on webshots homepage. The album about Portuguese landscapes was to blame!

let's keep'm commin!

Montesinho Natural Park - Trás-os-Montes - Portugal

2007-07-02T17:37:00.001+01:00

Check the wiki on Trás-os-Montes, or this very good map of the region. OK, I know that it is in portuguese...

Sanabria - Spain

2007-07-02T17:32:00.001+01:00

pools and waterfals of Arado - Gerês - Portugal

2007-07-02T15:56:00.000+01:00

The feelings...
Most of my friends like the beach... more than mountains. I was born near the beach, and although there is nothing like spending a day with your friends just laughing, feeling lazy and ending a day with your friends playing volleyball until sunset, mountains hold special feelings for me.

The way it makes you feel small and humble. All the things you are expecting to find on the bend of the dirt trail you follow. The green and the cold clean water. The whisper of wind in the trees. The sweat dripping when you finish climbing the last hilltop to find the scenic landscape you will never forget. This... This you can't find at the beach.

Other thing you can't find at the beach... solitude... and we all need it sometimes...

The river...
The Arado river is a small river that feeds the Caniçada Damn in the village of Gerês. The access to it is easy and its a destination for canyoning enthusiasts (I usually go with these guys from toboga). It is in the Gerês National Park and the best way to get there is driving from Braga heading toward Chaves. You can't miss it!

If you follow the river you will find it riddled with small secluded lagoons and waterfalls that lend themselves to some amazing moments, and perfect moments to relax and take in the scenery...

postcards from Ribatejo

2007-06-25T11:19:00.000+01:00

The Gates of Ródão. A point in the Tagus river where the river straightens into an easily defensible position. For those who recall the Lord of the Rings, the sight of the gates with the statues of the kings of Numeror should seem familiar.

Overlooking the river, a small fort keeps watch on the river against invading forces. Restoration efforts all over Portugal are preserving the heritage we have. This fort is a good example of that. Definitely worth visiting. The breathtaking scenery is worth it...

postcards from Alentejo

2007-06-20T16:55:00.000+01:00

Ribatejo & Alentejo

2007-06-18T14:51:00.000+01:00

The Pousada de Crato - Flor da Rosa is an old convent/fortress which is now a pousada. It is part of the Pousadas de Portugal, a network of historical sites converted into luxury hotels (check this NY times review) where visitors can feel and be part of the Portuguese history. Flor da Rosa is a very small Alentejo village near Crato, 22 km west of Portalegre and 200 km east of Lisbon.

Almourol Castle is built over a mourish castle (almoralan) conquered in 1129, the current architecture can be traced back to 1171 when it was built by the templars to defend the then capital Coimbra. The romantic setting of the castle (in an island in the Tagus river), led to a series of legends and folclore. During the 40's and 50's the castle was converted into an Oficial Residence of the Portuguese Republic and is now a tourist attraction where tourists can go by boat while travelling the river.

Still arround Alentejo you can find Nisa. Near Crato, Nisa is a postcard setting for your vacation in Alentejo.

Viana do Castelo - Portugal - Europe

2007-06-11T16:32:00.001+01:00

Well, I could be deemed to be partial when talking about this destination... after all it is my home town!

Viana is a beautiful small seaside town... Is this enough to convince you? Unfortunately not ;) Served by the Lima river and by some of the cleanest beaches in Portugal Viana is small only in population and sheer size. of the beaches surrounding Viana, six have the Blue Flag Status (Beach of Afife, Beach of Arda, Beach of Paçô, Beach of Carreço and Beach of Castelo do Neiva) and two have been granted with the Golden Beach award (Beach of Canto Marinho and Beach of Rodanho).

Santa Luzia is an icon of the landscape of Viana do Castelo. Having been built to resemble the larger cathedrals, it stands atop the hill overlooking the Lima River, Viana do Castelo and its beaches.

(...) updating as possible :)

Beach of Paçô - Viana do Castelo - Portugal

2007-05-25T15:54:00.001+01:00

Praia do Rodanho - Viana do Castelo - Portugal

2007-05-21T14:17:00.001+01:00

From the beaches south of The Lima River -Cabedelo, Rodanho and Amorosa-, Rodanho is the least known. of difficult access (Cabedelo and Amorosa are near populated areas), this beach still keeps it's condition and is a haven for those who don't want to be seen.

another day closing...

2007-05-04T16:37:00.000+01:00

Saturday, 7pm... working late and wondering what to do next... so I just picked up my camera, drove to Cabedelo and spent the next two hours shooting. A nice cold ending for the day...

HDRs

2007-05-02T18:05:00.000+01:00

Porto

2007-04-11T15:20:00.000+01:00

Porto and Gaia historical centers are separated by the Douro river and connected by the D. Luis bridge. This centenial structure was designed by Eiffel (yes the same guy that designed the EIffel tower) and is one of Porto's landmarks. In Gaia, you will find the sellars where port wine is in storage waiting for the time to be shipped out. These centenial "caves do vinho do porto" (port wine cellars) house museums and port wine tasting for all who care to try it out.

(from portoturismo.pt)
Overlooking the Douro River, Porto is one of the most ancient European cities, It was born and developed from the northern bank of this river during the Middle Ages. One of the most significant aspects of Porto and its historical centre is its landscape, combining harmony with the urban structure and presenting a frame of rare beauty. The city was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996.
When discovering Porto, you will find many surprises. Besides its welcoming and conservative environment, Porto is also contemporany and artistic. This is shown not only in the streets, architecture, monuments and museums but also in the terraces, restaurants and leisure and shopping areas.

near home

2007-03-19T11:35:00.001Z

It is funny how we tend to forget what we have near us... I know more foreign landscapes than those in my home country... After all, the grass is always greener on the other side...

This picture was taken north of Viana do Castelo in the beach of Forte do Paço. It is a small secluded cove that is also know as the englishmens beach (don't ask why).

a Winter day in Gerês National Park - Braga - Portugal

2007-02-02T11:25:00.000Z

Gerês is quite close to where I live now (Braga), and on a sunny saturday late January I went out with a good friend to Gerês National Park to take some pictures and try out some camera features, these pictures are some of the results from that day.

Viana do Castelo harbour pier panoramic

2007-02-01T16:48:00.000Z

Yet another panoramic picture. This was taken on the same day as the ones in the previous post. Joined with autostich and edited in photoshop. Quite nice isn't it?

Camera Model Name - Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Tv(Shutter Speed) - 1/100Sec.
Av(Aperture Value) - F9.0
Lens - 50mm

(all rights reserved)

Cabedelo, Viana do Castelo, Portugal

2007-01-30T12:52:00.000Z

Viana do Castelo is a small town with a population of 46000. It was mainly a fishing town and still boasts a coastal fishing industry of some importance in Portugal. This shots where taken from one of the beaches in Viana in the south side of the Lima river, the Cabedelo Beach. In Spring/Summer this beach is destination for kitesurfers and windsurfers from all over europe.

The Canadian Rockies - from Jasper to Banff

2007-01-25T02:09:00.000Z

Alaska

2007-01-24T09:51:00.000Z

Well... in the American continent everywhere you go, you have a long way to go. Travelling from Anchorage to Denali National Park with a stopover in Talkeetna is a driving through scenic landscapes (mainly Arctic tundra), on your way to a view of mount McKinley. Well, at least that was the idea! The weather didn't really help and the only view we saw of McKinley was the one on postcards!
Then you have the Kenai peninsula. The drive from Anchorage to Seward (204km) is an easy drive with a terrain different from that up north. Mountains, lakes, gorges, glaciers... And when you get on a boat to visit the glaciers in Resurrection bay...

photos:
top - road in Denali
bottom - Holgate glacier
(All rights reserved)

Panoramics from Serra da Larouca

2007-01-23T10:30:00.000Z

Montalegre 2

2007-01-23T10:11:00.000Z

Lake Moraine and lake Peyto - British Columbia - Canada

2007-01-19T18:04:00.000Z

The Canadian Rockies house some of the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever seen. Glacial lakes turn turquoise blue in summer due to the melting of the glaciers that feed them. Minerals in suspension in the water give them their unique look.

From top to bottom:
Lake Moraine
Lake Moraine
Lake Peyto
(All rights reserved)

Montalegre

2007-01-19T17:37:00.000Z

This time of year, sunsets are very beautiful and when you add a mountain scene...

This picture was taken in serra da Larouca near Montalegre itself. This 1500m tall mountain is the destination of choice for Portuguese and neighbouring Spain Paragliding enthusiasts.

(All rights reserved)

Alaska @ Ressurection bay

2007-01-12T15:56:00.000Z

Alaska is that mythical place where I always wanted to go... I had that chance last summer! Travelling along some of the most astounding sceneries I had ever seen. My only regret is that I didn't spent too much time there. A must see place...

I was in Alaska a five day period of my amazing summer vacations. See more at my BoD page!
I will publish more of my trip in days (weeks, months), to come. Time isn't cheap! :P

Toca a sair de casa!

2007-01-11T15:35:00.000Z

este blog será dedicado às minhas passeatas por este mundo fora...

Espero que ter cá muiiiitos posts...