pbizarro35 – Page 2 – PauloBizarroPHOTOBLOG

Wahiba Sands

The Sharqiya Sands, also known as Wahiba Sands (named from the local tribe), are a desert with an area of around 12,500 km². The desert was formed by a combination of south-western monsoon and northerly trade winds, forming long linear sand ridges that can reach to 100 m high. Located to the southeast of Muscat, they are easily accessible via a nice blacktop road, taking about a 2-hour drive. Below is a general location map.

During my first stay in Oman, I used to visit the Wahibas regularly; there is something special about being in the desert, watching the sunset or sunrise, surrounded by complete silence. With the sun lower in the horizon, the shapes and patterns of the dunes are highlighted by the interplay of light and shadow. Sand colors are variable, from subdued yellows to rich orange and red. The last time I had visited the Wahibas was in 2009, so I did notice some changes after 14 years. Namely, the number of tourist camps has increased, and there is mobile network coverage. Even though the area is visited by many tourists, especially during the winter months, you can easily find a nice spot all for yourself. You can choose to book accommodation in one of the several desert camps, or simply camp on your own. The camps are always located in the interdune valleys, which are easy to drive to.

In terms of photography, I used my 2 cameras (Fujifilm X-T4 and X-T5) with 2 lenses (Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 and Voigtlaender 35mm f/1.2). The wide-angle saw a lot of use for large vistas and sand patterns, while the standard lens allowed me to shoot the more general subjects. As the sun is low in the horizon, it is necessary to work quickly, because the light changes fast. It is better to allow yourself some time in advance to climb the dunes and find a good spot. Wind can be a problem, as it carries sand everywhere; the sand is very fine and can adhere to your camera gear and tripod. I was careful to always replace the lens cap and store the gear in the backpack when moving between locations. This is normal procedure when shooting in this type of environment. And of course, the wind is what created the desert to begin with, so it comes with the territory.

After settling in, I went out for a photo walk at sunset, climbing the western dunes to reach a high location. Interesting vistas and subjects are everywhere, so I just kept shooting. There are plenty of patterns in the sand, and the rare green bush here and there. The experience of watching the sunset surrounded by all this natural beauty is unforgettable. At night I also carried out a session aiming at getting some nice star trails and Milky Way photos. The area was dark enough, even though there was light pollution coming in from the camp itself, and some vehicles driving through the valley.

The following morning, I went out for a pre-sunrise walk; climbing the dunes, the sand was cold, as the temperature at night had dropped significantly. I kept photographing as the light slowly changed, painting the sand with soft colors, that became more intense as the sun climbed over the top of the opposite ridge. Again, it was magical simply to sit on the top of the dunes, watching Nature’s beauty unfolding in front of me. It was wonderful to go back to the Wahibas after 14 years.

Mutrah Fish Market, Muscat

A visit to the fish market in Mutrah is one of the best ways to experience the local hustle and bustle, as the fishermen arrive in their boats, bringing their catch. You need to arrive at dawn, because the activities start very early in the day. It is interesting to see the fish being unloaded and carried into the nearby market building; or simply being sold right there on the spot, as restaurant owners come by to negotiate.

As a photographer, it is a place full of opportunities, and I simply walked around for a while with camera in hand, greeting people along the way. I find it a good approach to be nice and open about what I am planning to do, which is take photos. After a while, nobody pays me any attention anymore. For this visit, I used the Fujifilm X-T4 and the Voigtlaender X 35mm f/1.2 lens, which is manual focus. I like this lens very much, it is small and manual focusing is a breeze.

Back in Oman

After 14 years, I am working in Oman again, and living in Muscat, the capital of this beautiful country. Even though there are more buildings, roads, and development, the unique cultural heritage of a romantic Arabia is still very much present in the old forts, markets, countryside, and of course its friendly people.

This set of photos was taken during a very early visit to the old part of Muscat, along the shoreline and Mutrah Corniche, with the old Portuguese forts surveilling the sea. I am looking forward to revisit some familiar places in the mountains and deserts, while finding new ones.

Note: photos were taken with Fujifilm X-T4 and X-T5 cameras, plus Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 and 56 f/1.2 lenses.

Odeceixe, a Wonder in SW Portugal

The Odeceixe beach is one of the most popular ones in SW Portugal. In fact, a few years ago, it was awarded the prize of “best beach with cliffs” in a “7 wonders contest”. Located at the estuary of the river Seixe, it is characterized by a large body of sand. Where it faces the ocean, the sea can be rough, with tricky currents; the more protected river side is excellent for families and small kids. I hadn’t visited this beach for several years, but recently I had the chance to spend a nice afternoon in there. The name Odeceixe originated from the Arabic, with “ode” coming from “wadi”, or river.

To get to the beach, you pass through the picturesque village of Odeceixe, with its windmill in the top of a hill. Last August, the area suffered a violent forest fire, so the surrounding landscape is still covered by burnt trees and dark soil. It always saddens me when something like this happens… close to the beach, there are a few houses that hug the southern cliffs; here, you can find numerous cafés and restaurants, plus plenty of accommodations to rent. These are busy all year round, especially with the local surfer community, and visitors walking the trails of the Rota Vicentina.

General view of the beach from the river. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Sweet potato plantation, a famous product from the region. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

After spending a few hours in the beach, I drove to the northern margin of the river, where I left the car. From there it is possible to walk along part of the Rota Vicentina coastal trail, to reach the northern promontory. This is where you will have the best view of the beach. I spent the next hour or so, until sunset, taking many photos. You can appreciate how the interaction between the river and the ocean has created the large beach, thanks to the accumulation of sand. After walking around for a while, I merely sat down and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the tranquility.

From the cliffs. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Erosion. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Coastline. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Fellow photographer. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Golden hour. Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujinon 56mm f/1.2.

View from the top. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Panorama of 2 photos. Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujinon 56mm f/1.2.

Panorama of 5 photos. Fujifilm X-T5 and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Sunset. Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujinon 56mm f/1.2.

Clouds. Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujinon 56mm f/1.2.

This is indeed a beautiful area, and I think the award was well deserved.

The Magic of Cabo Sardão, SW Alentejo Coast

It is rare for me to visit this area, and not spend some time in the Cabo Sardão cliffs, simply to enjoy the place. The view along the coastline is magnificent, and sunset is special. It is common for both locals and visitors to gather and admire the scenery, as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, bidding farewell to another day. In early October I took a few days off to spend some days in the region, and one of the afternoons found me once more in these cliffs.

I arrived about one hour before sunset, and took a stroll in the vicinity of the lighthouse. The weather in the beginning of Autumn feels like a hot summer, but the days are starting to get shorter, and the light has acquired a stronger golden tonality. There were some clouds in the sky, so I was hoping for some interesting color. While waiting for the sunset, I went to a few favorite spots of mine for some photography time; some of these locations are a bit more tricky to access if you are afraid of heights, so please be careful. All the photos were taken with the Fujifilm X-T5 camera and Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 lens.

I made a few photos to the north of the lighthouse, following the signaled path. There are several small hidden beaches that were completely empty. After that, I went to another location, facing the cliff, which offers the classic view of the lighthouse on the top, with the precipitous rocks descending into the ocean. Because there was no wind, it was safer for me to walk down a little more than normal, and thus obtain a more unusual angle over the scenery. I like how the lines from the rocky layers seem to guide the viewer to the distant lighthouse.

As the sunset time was approaching fast, I more or less remained in this location, but turned west. The clouds were reflecting interesting and rich warm colors. As the sun disappeared, the lighthouse keeper turned the light on, a moment that is always interesting to photograph.

I never tire of going to this special place and admire its beauty, it truly is magical.

At the Edge of Light

This is a simple post, just to share some photos I took last week, when spending a few days in Longueira, in the SW Alentejo coastal region. End of September is synonym with tranquility: vacation time is over, school has started, so the crowds are gone. More than that, there is something special about the light in late September; the sun is lower in the sky, the air is crisper, and one can tell that Autumn is around the corner. It is a wonderful time to visit the area, and walk along the beaches and coastal paths.

It rained during one of the days, bringing the much needed water to the dry land. The following afternoon I took a walk just before sunset, visiting the area between Almograve beach and the fishing harbor of Lapa de Pombas. The weather was great, with nice golden light and clouds in the sky. I am always surprised at the amount of interesting subjects that can be found in this small area, from the more general vistas over the cliffs and the ocean, to the fishing boats, and even the local cats.

Almograve beach, panorama of 2 photos. Fujifilm X-T4 and Voigtlaender X 35mm f/1.2.

Sand dunes, panorama of 2 photos. Fujifilm X-T4 and Voigtlaender X 35mm f/1.2.

The following morning I woke up before sunrise for another walk, this time near Longueira. I often go out for a walk early in the day, it is a peaceful time to enjoy nature. The fields around the village have been planted with sweet potatoes, a local famous product; it is now time to gather the harvest, and the workers arrive before sunrise. Looking east, the first light of the sun seems to turn the sky on fire. This type of light lasts only for a few seconds, so I keep shooting as the scene changes.

Longueira sunrise. Fujifilm X-T4 and Voigtlaender X 35mm f/1.2.

Time to harvest the sweet potatoes. Fujifilm X-T4 and Voigtlaender X 35mm f/1.2.

Fire in the sky. Fujifilm X-T4 and Voigtlaender X 35mm f/1.2.

Windmill. Fujifilm X-T4 and Voigtlaender X 35mm f/1.2.

As mentioned initially, these are just some photos taken close to Longueira and Almograve, within walking distance of my house. I am fortunate to be able to spend time in this region, which is blessed by natural beauty and tranquility,

A Sunset Walk in Ursa Beach, Sintra.

About 1 km north of Cabo da Roca lies what the Michelin Guide has considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Ursa. The name means “female bear” in Portuguese, and supposedly comes from the shape of one of the local sea stacks. Even though I live about a 40 minute drive away, I have not been to Ursa for many years. The area has become a tourist magnet, with countless buses stopping at Cabo da Roca, which is part of the Cascais – Sintra touring route. There are countless interesting places to visit in the region, with Cabo da Roca being the westernmost point in continental Europe.

Still, the place is indeed beautiful, so I planned for a visit when the tide would be low, just before sunset. Quite often such plans are challenged by the typical fog that covers the region of Sintra, but such is part of its charm. For this visit a few days ago, the sky was a nice clear blue, which is actually not very interesting for photography, but as photographers we have to adapt to any conditions. It was also nice to have my daughter for company, so I considered myself lucky. While I had my 2 cameras and 2 lenses, she carried her smartphone; sign of the times.

Stopping at Cabo da Roca is mandatory, and I took the opportunity to make a panorama of the amazing view over the mountains and sea.

View over serra de Sintra from Cabo da Roca. Panorama from 5 photos. Fujifilm X-T5, Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

From there, we made our way to the beginning of the trail to Ursa; for the first few hundred meters, the path is generally flat, following along the plateau. After reaching the edge of the cliffs, it steepens considerably, and due care is necessary. Do not rush, because the view over Ursa is really nice. Given that the access is difficult, this beach is never crowded, and such was the case on this afternoon. Still, there were people around, many taking photos, and also enjoying the sunshine and the surf. I walked around for a while, exploring the area and looking for interesting compositions. The famous sea stacks are the obvious subjects, but other smaller details are also worth your attention. Like the dark vertical volcanic lodes that have intruded into the surrounding rocks, during the opening of the Atlantic ocean.

Intrusive. Fujifilm X-T5, Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

As the tide was going down, other parts of the beach became accessible, so I headed into its southern part and made a few more photos. The sunset was approaching, so the light was quite good. I used my 10 stop neutral density filter to smooth the water, and to really make the rock formations stand out; one added benefit was to also make the people disappear in the long exposure. The conspicuous lighter sea stacks make a good contrast with the surrounding darker and orange rocks.

On the rocks. Fujifilm X-T5, Fujinon 16mm f/1.4, Lee 10 stop ND filter.

Framed. Fujifilm X-T5, Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Looking around, I noticed a cormorant perched on a rock, silhouetted against the sun.

Sunshine. Fujifilm X-T4, Voigtlaender X Nokton 35mm f/1.2.

Low tide. Panorama from 2 photos. Fujifilm X-T4, Voigtlaender X Nokton 35mm f/1.2.

I wanted to be back on the top of the cliff to watch the sunset, so after a couple of hours, it was time to head back. Again, it is impossible not to stop and make a few more photos. Especially as the light was getting really good, changing fast from golden into softer mauve tones.

Golden rocks. Fujifilm X-T5, Fujinon 16mm f/1.4.

Soft light. Panorama from 2 photos. Fujifilm X-T4, Voigtlaender X Nokton 35mm f/1.2.

And there was also time to see the light being turned on in the Cabo da Roca lighthouse, framed against the early night. What a great way to end this nice afternoon.

The light in the distance. Fujifilm X-T4, Voigtlaender X Nokton 35mm f/1.2.

The Bright Side of the Moon

This is a short piece about a photo walk I did this morning, near my house in Carcavelos. Since it was the day before being full, the moon would set a few minutes before sunrise. This is always a good opportunity to photograph the moon as part of the landscape, with some early natural light in the sky. It permits a better balance between the moon’s brightness and the rest of the composition. Furthermore, the moon is closer to Earth than normal, by about 27,000 km, which makes it a little bit brighter than normal – a so-called “super moon”. In practice, and with the naked eye, the difference is barely noticeable, so forget the social media hype; it is worth it to go out and photograph even when the moon is not “super”. Oh, and “blue moons” are more common than people think.

I left the house about 1 hour before sunrise, with the plan to head for the coast, near the beach of Carcavelos. My plan was to photograph our satellite as it descended towards the ocean in the horizon. I was hoping for clear skies, and I was happy to see that there were only a few wispy clouds; also, the usual fog bank coming from the Serra de Sintra was further away than normal, which was good news.

For these photos, I used the Fujifilm X-T4 camera, Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 lens (I wanted a short telephoto lens) and tripod. During the first few shots, the sky was still dark, creating a large brightness contrast with the moon; even with a negative exposure compensation of 5 stops, it was a challenge to try and preserve some detail on the moon. Still, I made some interesting photos, by including passing cars.

As the eastern horizon started to slowly brighten, so the light began to change very quickly, entering the blue hour period.

Even though I was paying attention to the moon, on my back the light was becoming increasingly golden, and the clouds were reflecting this light, with pink and orange colours. I was in the middle of the transition between night and day.

Turning my camera back to the west, I framed the moon between some rocks, adding interest and context to the composition. The moon and the surrounding clouds were now also reflecting this golden light. I was feeling lucky, because the clouds were adding interest in the sky, but they were not obscuring the moon.

As I said, it was fortunate that the fog bank was really far away, so I could follow the moon almost until it disappeared in the distant horizon. Once the moon was gone, I packed up and went back home for a well deserved breakfast. I always enjoy these photo walks very much.

Note – the title of this article is my homage, with an obvious twist, to one of my favourite albums, that turns 50 this year.

Along the coast near Cabo Sardão, SW Alentejo, Portugal

It is often said that photographing regularly in the same place, or area, can result in boring and repetitive photos. For sure it has happened to me several times, with the resulting frustration. Such is the case of the SW Alentejo and Vicentina Coast Natural Park, where I have been photographing regularly for 30 years. One of my favorite locations is around Cabo Sardão, near the village of Cavaleiro; whenever I can I go there, even if it is only to walk and admire the landscape. The dramatic interaction between the tall rocky cliffs and the constant pummeling of the waves below, give rise to a wonderful natural show.

Adding to the beauty of the area is another factor, which is its geology, composed of folded and compressed strata that is 300 million years old. It is this geology that has controlled the formation of the landscape; in the numerous secluded beaches and small bays, it is possible to see the results of the unimaginable tectonic forces that have shaped the region. Today, even a non-geologist is amazed by the tightly folded layers of different colors that outcrop along the littoral. And all these aspects can be seen in a small area like the one indicated in the map below.

Map of the area between Cavaleiro and Cabo Sardão, showing locations A and B.

When I go to this area, I usually end up near location A, in the top of the cliff. From here, it is possible to look south and see the tall scarps jutting into the ocean. You can also walk along the sandy path to the north, where there are beaches of difficult access. It is possible to go down into them, especially during low tide, when they are more exposed; but be prepared to negotiate some tricky passages and hang on to a few ropes that have been fixed by the local fishermen.

Thus, try to plan your visit during the golden hour and low tide, for the best conditions. I was lucky to get some nice clouds in the sky for added interest. During my visit, I carried two cameras and two lenses, a wide-angle and a short telephoto. And the obligatory tripod and 10-stop neutral density filter for some nice long exposures.

Secluded beach. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens. Long exposure.

Panorama of 10 images. Fujifilm X-T4 and 56mm f/1.2 lens.

Orange consolidated sands. Fujifilm X-T4 and 56mm f/1.2 lens.

On the rocks at sunset. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

The van. The place is popular with campers. Fujifilm X-T4 and 56mm f/1.2 lens.

The next two photos show location B, where I decided to go the following day, also at the end of the day, to benefit from the low-tide. There is a trail that descends the cliff face and allows access to the beach. The folded nature of the rocks is quite distinct.

From above. Location B is the beach at the base of those cliffs. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

Folded. Fujifilm X-T4 and 56mm f/1.2 lens. Long exposure.

Fast forward 24 hours and I am back at Cabo Sardão, walking along the trail that will lead me to the beach at the base of the cliffs and location B. I had walked down there a couple of years back, but the tide was high at the time, so actually going to the beach was new to me. Which leads us to the old adage that even in familiar places, it is possible to find new things to visit and photograph. The path reaches a small valley where a narrow creek runs through; following its course, it is easy to arrive at the beach.

Small pond covered with algae along the creek. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

I spent the rest of the late afternoon, until sunset, exploring the area. The geology is spectacular, but as I said before, you don’t need to be a geologist to admire all the incredible details and surrounding landscape. Being on the beach and looking up the cliffs, will leave you speechless. Because the tide was so low, I was able to walk along the rocks a considerable distance, which was nice.

Panorama of 6 images, showing a general view of this location. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

Convoluted. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

Endless folds. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

View of location A, which is up there. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

Pure geology. Fujifilm X-T3 and 16mm f/1.4 lens.

After this wonderful visit to this new location, I am certain I will come back many times, as there are so many things to explore.

Rural landscape black and white photos, Longueira, SW Alentejo, Portugal

I have recently spent a few days in my house in Longueira, that I normally use as a base to explore and photograph this coastal region. Today I am sharing some photos of the local landscape, which is dominated by rural fields. The first ones are from a couple of trees that are isolated in the middle of the landscape. I had gone for a late afternoon stroll, with my camera and lens, in this instance a short 56mm telephoto lens in Fuji’s X system APS-C format. I selected this focal length based on my previous knowledge of the subjects; I wanted to isolate the trees, while including some of the wispy clouds above. I decided to convert some of the Raf files to black and white, using an Acros preset with the red filter enabled.

Tree and cloud #1. Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 lens.

Tree and cloud #2. Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 lens.

The following day I woke early for my morning jog, and when returning home I noticed a farmer in his tractor, working in the sweet potato fields by the side of the road. I quickly went home and grabbed my camera, this time with a 35mm lens, and made a few photos as the first light of the day illuminated the landscape. Similarly to the tree photos above, I also converted these Raf files to black and white using the same Acros plus red filter recipe.

Working in the fields. Fujifilm X-T4 and Voigtlaender 35mm f/1.2 lens.

Close by there is also an interesting abandoned farm house, that looked interesting under the early morning light, with the clouds above it. I made a few photos of it before returning home on time for breakfast. Quite often, it pays to get out of bed before sunrise, as unexpected photo opportunities might present themselves.