October 2014 – PauloBizarroPHOTOBLOG

Up in the air

When I travel in business, I always carry a small camera with me. One never knows when an opportunity will arise to make an interesting photo. Even from high up in the air and through an airplane window. This is what happened to me in a recent early morning flight from Istanbul; the light from the rising sun was gorgeous, and the clouds were illuminated in a very interesting way. The result is the first photo below.

Also during the same trip, but later on, some interesting cloud formations were visible. This is the second phot below, which I converted to B&W, due to the richness of the textures and tones in the clouds.

So, next time you travel, plan in advance to get a window seat.

Lisbon panoramas

Lisbon, my hometown, is the (other) city of seven hills. It is a city full of life, with plenty of interesting things to do and see, to keep even the most resilient person busy for a whole day. For the keen photographer, there is much to see and absorb, while strolling up and down one of those aforementioned hills.

Every now and then I take the opportunity to walk, sort of in an errand way, around the old quarters of the city, climbing the hills, chasing the light. It is said that the quality of light in Lisbon is second to none, and indeed it is quite a sight to see the sunlight reflected in the Tagus River, and in the houses that hug the Castle. In one of my last strolls, I took a few panoramas, one towards the Castle, and another one towards the South, to include the river and the bridge. These views are best appreciated around sunset time, when the golden light envelops the city.

These are simple panoramas, quite easy to make. It is best to have a tripod, but today’s software are quite forgiving, and can correct for misalignments. I have been using Panorama Factory for many years, and still like it a lot.

Cabo Sardão – Southwest Portugal Coast

The Southwest Portugal coast is part of a Natural Park area (Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina). It stretches along the coast roughly between the towns of Sines and Sagres, and it is home of many species of fauna and flora (some of them unique to the area). I am fortunate to be able to visit the area a few times a year, especially the coastline between Almograve beach and Cabo Sardão. This cape is a rocky spur that juts into the sea, and a lighthouse provides a beacon for passing ships.

The region is notable for its rough seas, high cliffs, and small coves, and it provides numerous opportunities for landscape and travel photographers. One can also trek along the marked trails, and familiarize with the region at a more leisurely pace. I can assure you it is worth it! Below are some photos taken recently, in the last couple of months.

Not far from the coast, it is possible to visit the towns of Odemira and Santa Clara-a-Velha, where a dam in the Mira river provides a refreshing opportunity. Here, one is surrounded by the peacefulness of the fields, and hardly a car drives past you on the road. Worth noting are the traditional rural houses, and the friendly local people.