Light & Land Tour
Portugal has a culture and landscape as rich and diverse as any in southern Europe. Despite its relatively small size, this remarkable country with its once legendary maritime and world trade supremacy provides us with a rich and historical tapestry and a multitude of photographic opportunities in three of Portugal’s most photogenic locations.
Our base for this Winter Sun in Lisbon photography tour allows us to see and photograph the best that this wonderful city has to offer. Our hotel is perfectly located a few minutes from the fine Praça do Comércio, which glows golden in the low light of winter, and near the two very different areas of the Alfama district, reaching back to its Moorish past with its maze of narrow streets (always holding promise for photographic surprises) and Baixa, with half a dozen handsome streets reaching down to the water.
Lisbon offers to the photographer a wonderful collection of architectural cameos including the ‘faded chassis’ colouring of the ‘period piece’ trams that are numerous and offer superb opportunities for panning against a background of coloured houses. The famous tram hauled up and down from the Bairro Alto is a must. During our early night photography sessions (which is not very late in the day in January/February!) we will photograph Lisbon as it goes through the magical blue hour, which offers photographers a half hour or so of ambient and artificial light in suitable ratio.
From Lisbon we will make the short trip to the astonishing fortified hilltop village Óbidos, a well-preserved example of medieval architecture. Its superb cobbled streets and whitewashed houses fringed in blue and yellow are delightfully photogenic.
Located in the Greater Lisbon region on the Portuguese Riviera is Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just a 30-minute drive away to the Northwest of Lisbon. Here, we will enjoy breathtaking views across the Sintra Mountains. In contrast, Sintra’s historic centre extensively features 19th century Romanticist buildings. The mountain setting of the town and its palaces, parks and architecture makes Sintra unique and will provide us with some truly excellent photography.
While Northern Europe will battle with the cold winds of winter, Lisbon, Obidos and Sintra will enjoy their seasonal 16 or so degrees offering great photography amidst warm air and hopefully winter sunshine.
For more information and to book your place, head over to the Light & Land website.