GoodBye Castelo Branco Photo

Photographer’s Note

GoodBye Castelo Branco

I say GoodBye Castelo Branco after five years living and working in this friendly City.

By professional reasons, I leave to Lisbon, with some friends in the heart, like JB and JM, but the life continues.

In hot afternoon, with temperatures about the 40 degrees, I took my last photos of this city.

My last tribute - A Visit to Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco (meaning "white castle") spreads over the eastern slope of a small hill rising from a vast plateau. In 1851, the town was thus described by Alexandre Herculano:
«The Beira Baixa, when one looks round, looks like a plain, and on its middle rises the hill of Castelo Branco, whose eastern slope the town brightens.» The situation endowed Castelo Branco with all the features of a fortress town and, for centuries, determined its purposes and duties. Its defensive function is witnessed by the Castle, erected in a good strategic position, from where, in a clear day, can be seen all of the upper course of the River Tagus, right up to the border.
I suggest you begin by visiting the Castle, which has, through the ages, undergone several works. The Church of Stª. Maria do Castelo has got a Romanic origin, and its bare interior houses the memorial stone of the poet João Roiz de Castelo Branco, whose poems are part of the master songbook of the early 16th century, Cancioneiro Geral. Go down towards the Praça Velha, the borough's core until the 19th century. In this square there used to be the old Town Hall, the Celeiro da Ordem de Cristo, the Pelourinho (the pillory, in the meanwhile destroyed) and the first Paço do Bispo da Guarda (the palace of the bishop of Guarda), whose existence was kept in the local toponymy - Rua do Arco do Bispo ("Bishop's Arch's Street").
Carry on towards the Sé (the cathedral), through Rua de S. Sebastião, admiring its 19th century palatial houses, products of the time's eclecticism. The church of S. Miguel - now the Sé Concatedral - started as a Gothic structure, but was greatly modified in the 17th century. With the promotion of Castelo Branco to town, in 1771, and the creation of the corresponding bishopric, this church became one of the most representative buildings of the community's beliefs and ways of life.

sergio1, Paolo, Tue, gypsygirl58, Telo, pasternak, falves, Kititit, carper, jhm, luisafonso, cjmm, Scharan, ribeiroantonio, sabyasachi1212, PixelTerror, efigesta, berek, john_c, TeresaT, ChrisJ, riclopes, fabio_ts, cunejo200, pablominto, Elaine_Blath, alvaraalto, alive, elmec has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

maki (0) 2006-07-24 5:37

Hi Aires,
Nice picture for saying goodbye. This is exactly such atmosphere of the last day somewhere. But don't be sad, this is not so far from Lisbon. You can everytime come here and see it... I was close to this place before 2 weeks. :o))
regards,
maki

ryno (4590) 2006-07-24 5:38

Hi Aires, what I like about this photo is the wonderful, sharp clear early evening light. One can almost feel the freshness. Also a superb reflection. Well done on capturing a very serene image!

Paolo (40694) 2006-07-24 6:14

Hi Aires, amazing shot, with a dobule view of the same court and castel!
excellent reflection and amazing colours.
thanks, ciao

Tue (25608) 2006-07-24 6:18

Hej Aires,
A very nice shot with a beautiful light. The very clear reflections are great too, a beautiful atmosphere is over this place. The birds in the sky are fine details. Good work!
Hilsen,
Lars

gypsygirl58 (1329) 2006-07-24 6:19

Hi Aires,
I really like the reflections and wonderful colours in this pic. Very calming.
Cheers Tina

pasternak (13214) 2006-07-24 6:23

Very good shot, Aires, very poetic, I like the reflections here, the symmetry is great!

All the best in Lisbon,
Alexander

Telo (307) 2006-07-24 6:25

Olá. gostei muito desta contribuição. que foto de despedida! o ambiente crepuscular foi magistralmente capturado. A imagem reflectida no lago está muito bem conseguida e toda a composição reflecte uma despedida sofrida, conforme se percebe na nota de despedida.

Obrigado pela contribuição!

jone (3229) 2006-07-24 7:05

Hi Aires,
great photo for goodbye... good composition, perfect reflection...
All the best,
J.

falves (1403) 2006-07-24 7:10

Olá Aires,
Bonita composição. As cores estão fantásticas e os reflexos no lago estão maravilhosos.
Boa sorte para o novo periodo que se aproxima.
Aquele Abraço
Fred

barrufeto_77 (25697) 2006-07-24 7:21

Hi Aires.

I suppose I have the same pity as you have if I lived in a place like this.

Excellent lights & reflections!

Rgs, Oscar

Kititit (813) 2006-07-24 9:40

hello,
another great photo.
sunset is beautiful but the colours don't look natural.
pov is great.
love the reflexions on the water and the birds flying
great note.

carper (64546) 2006-07-24 11:47

I had seen it this morning Aires,
Not an easy shot but you handled it very good, nice composition, good reflection, and a good quality, very fine job.
gr. jaap

jhm (82201) 2006-07-24 14:23

Hi Aires,

A very difficult determination after five year work and life in these lovely city, back to Lisbon!
You took a very beautiful mirror picture of this evening image, splendid for looking or a morning image maybe!

Have a nice day,
John

faraujo (1303) 2006-07-24 18:13

Olá Aires
Algo me intriga na localização da tua foto?!!?
Quanto à foto não se gosto mais do relexo ou do original!!!:-)
Está perfeito, mas acho que a tionalidade das paredes está um pouco azulada, algo que poderia ser corrigido, certamente tinhas o balanço de brancos em automático. è um risco porvezes a máquina engana-se!
Á parte disso, gosto...
Parabéns
Filipe

luisafonso (858) 2006-07-24 18:28

Bonita foto Aires. A forma excelente de dizer Adeus. Eu deixei a cidade com pouco mais de 2 anos, por isso pouco a reclamo para mim (embora tenha lá voltado durante a minha juventude todos os anos para ver a família). Mas ela pertence-te um pouco. Gostei muito das fotos que nos deixaste e vou ter saudades. Voltando à foto, gosto do tom monocromático da cena e daquela pincelada de cor quente ao centro. A composição simples, é muito bonita. Obrigado.

Vato_Law (11660) 2006-07-24 18:52

Olá Aires,
Deixas uma bela foto na despedida de Castelo Branco. As cores suaves,e os reflexos dos edificios na agua estão fantasticos. Gosto desta atmosfera de fim de atrde que aqui mostras.
Um abraço e sê bemvindo a Lisboa.
Paulo

Scharan (13951) 2006-07-24 23:18

Olá Aires
Foto de uma composição lindíssima; o reflexo na água é um dos mais bonitos que já vi, a luz do sol favoreu muito dando um tom leve de dourado. Parabéns.
Grande abraço,
Vera.

ribeiroantonio (21859) 2006-07-24 23:48

Acabei de dizer à TeresaT que ia passar no Alentejo as minhas próximas férias em Portugal. Mas com fotos como esta vou ter de tirar uns dias para ir visitar Castelo Branco, uma cidade que conheci quando era miúdo e vivia na Sertã.
Está excelente, esta foto com os dois edifícios, um de cada lado, e o pôr-do-sol pelo meio.

PixelTerror (86038) 2006-07-25 4:37

Ola Aires,
A nice PoV here to show the sunset reflection of the castle structures, I like how this still water acts as a perfect mirror, the flying birds are an added bonus. Good luck in Lisboa !
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

cjmm (4019) 2006-07-25 7:19

Boa noite Aires,

Parece que nos dois estamos de mudanca, no meu caso estou me instalando en Sáo Paulo, tambén por questoes profisionais (e agora sim, náo tenho excusa para náo melhorar meu Portugués escrito!!!).

A foto é muito bóa, com ótima composicáo e cores luz maravilhosas.

Parabéns e muita sorte con a nova etapa!

Un abrazo,
Carlos

efigesta (12181) 2006-07-25 9:38

Ola AIres
nao conhecia bem Castelo Branco e com as tuas fotos fiquei a amar essa cidade, pena que estejas de partida de la, mas estou a ver que vou apreciar agora mais LIsboa (lol)
boa foto esta com cores fabulosas

abraço
Manuel

berek (28849) 2006-07-25 10:14

Ola Aires,
gerat reflection again from you. i like framşng and light. take care. have a nice day.
Berek
Meaning Sense :-))
Framing :-))
Idea :-))

john_c (24635) 2006-07-25 11:01

Hi Aires,
A superb tribute to this town, with good reflections and subtle tones and hues. There are many vertical structures in this photo that give it strength and you even managed to include some birds in the sky, which nicely emphasizes your theme of leaving...Perhaps though unwanted freedom. Well captured.
John

TeresaT (10733) 2006-07-25 19:21

Olá Aires,
Muito bonita esta foto que escolheste para a tua despedida da simpática cidade de Castelo Branco.
Os reflexos na água parada estão perfeitos.
Os tons esbatidos do céu tamb+em estão excelentes.
Um bom trabalho.
Beijos
Teresa

nofer (3186) 2006-07-25 23:57

Lindo...! Muito bem executada, como sempre.
Cores, POV, tudo.
Está difícil voltar, tenho visto suas fotos estão muito boas. Parabéns.
TFS
Reynaldo

ChrisJ (70019) 2006-07-26 3:51

Olá Aires

I hope Lisbon is good to you. I like the superb color & reflections here. Tfs!

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2006-07-26 4:05

Hi Aires,
Superb sharp picture. The light is just magical and you have got the angle right to get those beautiful reflections.
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

riclopes (32957) 2006-07-26 5:09

Olá Aires,
Bonito tributo à cidade de Castelo Branco. Confesso que só lá estive uma vez e não a conheço muito bem. Tens aqui uma imagem "dupla" espectacular. A luminosidade de fim de tarde permitiu-te tirar o máximo proveito destes reflexos. O ângulo e a composição estão perfeitos e para dar um toque mais poético a esta despedida até apanhaste dois pombos a voar.
Um abraço amigo,
Ricardo

pat0500 (21513) 2006-07-26 6:16

Dear Aires,
I can understand your regret but boy, did you put it nicely on the paper and this for eternity in memory ! Very nice shot with this fabulous reflection in the water... Even the sun is saying "goodbye"... nature felt the emotion with you.
Keep up to good work also in Lisboa !
Patrick

fabio_ts (13674) 2006-07-26 7:15

Lights is fantastic here and add to reflection a magic atmosphere.. really well captured Aires, a great shot, bravo!!

have a nice day,
Fabio.

cunejo200 (7157) 2006-07-26 16:48

Hi Aires,
The atmosphere is quite appropriate for a goodbye. Really good exposure and colors. Best wishes. Danilo

Dragonheart (8393) 2006-07-26 17:16

Hello Aires,
Good capture with beautiful reflection in the water. Good POV, peaceful shot.
Well done,
Regards,
Vivek

ahmetgedikli (21799) 2006-07-27 1:06

Hi Aires,
Lovely shot and nice contrast... POV, colors, light and reflection are excellent.
Best Regards...
Ahmet

pablominto (40402) 2006-07-27 2:24

Hi Aires,
Another low lighting photograph, and let me add... very well managed!
The reflection is awesome, the clarity not standing back to reality!
Some great colours and fine details in this well composed creation, very well done!
Greetings,
Pablo -

rosaline (0) 2006-07-27 4:11

Hi Aires
This is an impressive tribute to this town you've given 5 years to. The reflection is nice and placid and has great symmetry too. A nice, and fitting tribute, but no doubt you'll return one day in the future to take more shots.
Cheers
Aubrey

Elaine_Blath (6170) 2006-07-27 4:45

Hi Aires,

so beautiful, so calm and peaceful, this light and colours are amazing, the still waters so special...well done!

take care, ivana

markstaples (15670) 2006-07-27 6:24

A beautiful shot Aires. One could even believe that the water were a mirror given the impressive reflections. All is so peaceful. Lovely work.
Best wishes
Mark

alvaraalto (5229) 2006-07-27 17:48

Hi Airos,
A "cool" picture even if the temperature is 40 degrees. (we only have 35)
Also a beautiful farewell to the place you are going to leave. Nevertheless, I think Lisboa will also be very photogenic.
groet Rob

izmirli (3019) 2006-07-27 18:56

merhaba my friend aires
beautiful pool and reflection.very good composition and note.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

alive (926) 2006-07-28 7:10

olá..
está espectacular esta foto.. Meus pais são de Castelo Branco e eu vou muitas vezes à cidade e é das fotos mais belas que já vi de Castelo Branco..

parabens...

prezntime (3945) 2006-07-31 10:44

Hello Aires. Hope you having a nice rest on your holiday. A very striking goodbye. Perfect POV with beautiful reflections in the still water. The hint of colored light giving such a nice atmosphere.
Excellent,
Chris

sergio1 (12150) 2006-08-01 5:17

Hi Aires

I like very much this sunset picture with great reflections. The contrast and sharp are very nice. Excellent shot.
Sergio

elmec (12194) 2006-08-02 1:52

Hello Aires!
Such a great reflections of the wrchitecture!
I like the warm light in the back!
Very good done!
Best regards!

anesugur (16800) 2006-11-05 13:49

Ola Aires,
Excellent composition and pov.
The reflections on the water are superb.
Very clear and good quality shot.
Best wishes. Uğur

dias (123) 2007-05-20 10:38