Living in Alfama Photo

Photographer’s Note

Alfama, one of the most known quarters of Lisboa, for its typicality, for its inhabitants, but mainly, and IMO, for its beauty and mood.
There is something which cannot be expressed by words about Alfama, there is a sense in it which can only be lived if we got there and feel it by ourselves.
Alfama, is history, is soul and is inspiration.
It canbe considered poor and very degraded, but it's also those two things that gives to Alfama its soul, and it's also it's typical architecture with the old houses and tiny streets, one of the reasons that makes it one of Lisboa's main attractions to whom visits the city.
Visiting Lisboa without strolling slowly thru the streets of Alfama, is like going to Paris and not going to see the Eiffel tower or Le louvre or its typical quarters, I understand the comparison might be controversial :).

About the photo - this is nothing more than one of the many little squares that exist in Alfama, and one of those charming characters we might found all around its streets.
I was sitting on a bench enjoying a bit of a rest, earing the conversation of some persons nearby me, and was surprised by this charming old lady slowly moving around.

Hope you enjoy it!

kiks, leo61, syd1946, JanD, bostankorkulugu, leonorkuhn, macondo, rigoletto, josepmarin, belido, Cretense, AiresSantos, bakes888, Bluejeans, riclopes, Angshu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kiks (6017) 2009-10-10 11:49

I visit this place and indeed i understand your words very well. I enjoy your story and the photo. The choice of B&W enchange the mood you talk about.
Best regards
KIKS

leo61 (43122) 2009-10-10 11:54

HI Paulo!
It`s now 25 years since I`ve been there but I remember the relaxed mood very well and loved it.Good to know,it`s still the same.
A good B&W shot and composition with this old lady walking the steep street and the typical house in the background.
It`s a very good exposure and great daylifeshot.
Regards,Leo

ninaL (19386) 2009-10-10 12:29

Wow !!!
I certainly crossed you !
But I wasn't in Alfame the 4 october, just the 3 and the 5...I will wait a little to work my other photographs, beceause I am very tired by my travel and by my helth problems during all my stay in Lisboa. For the while, it is my favorite city in Europe, but I have not visited all countries, of course...

Great scene, representing very well the atmosphere of Alfama.

Best regards. Grazyna.

syd1946 (17851) 2009-10-10 13:09

Hello Paulo,
Nice to comment a photo from you after a long time...I like the strong color contrast of black and white,made the scene more powerful.A great combo of life and architecture...

many wishes,
Thomas

emka (21173) 2009-10-10 14:00

Hi Paolo, Living in Alfama must be hard for elderly people. Beautiful black and white photo, strong constrast. Nice place.

Regards

Malgorzata

JanD (14538) 2009-10-10 14:32

Howdy Vato Law!
Amazing Black and White art shot. Wonderful scene. Good POV and composition. Original effect.
Regards.

papera (5062) 2009-10-10 14:44

Ola' Paulo,
this is a beautiful tribute to the Alfama and its unique atmosphere. I spent a week in Lisbon and much part of it I was walking up and down the Alfama...
and although colours are one of its most distinctive traits, I find the b/w here entirely appropriate - the light and the old woman passing by are better enhanced by your choice for monochrome.
have a good evening,
c.

bostankorkulugu (33450) 2009-10-10 16:04

this is a beautiful shot paulo... the light and contrast, the way you placed the lady in the compo, the tight framing without the sky, they all work in great harmony... good stuff indeed... all the best... korkut

leonorkuhn (13513) 2009-10-10 17:05

Olá Paulo,

Ótima composição. A Alfama é realmente acolhedora e as pessoas são simpáticas. A arquitetura dela é charmosa e vale a pena uma visita, sem dúvida.

Abraços
Leonor

ribeiroantonio (21789) 2009-10-10 22:27

Alfama é para mim o bairro mais bonito de Lisboa. E durante os Santos Populares então é fantástico.
Gosot muito deste P&B que ficou com bom contraste e com a senhora muito bem colocada no enquadramento.
António

macondo (13035) 2009-10-10 23:57

Hello Paulo.
I have listened to much Fado music for many years, and would love to return to visit this quarter of the city again, since I haven't been in Lisbon for more than 30 years. I am sure the Alfama has changed to some extent since then. It was incredibly poor in those days.
I love your photo, because of the way you have cropped it. Just showing the top half of the old lady is sufficient, allowing her form, labouring up the hill, to contrast with the many perpendicular lines of the houses and their windows. Marvellous choice of b/w, and the sun shining through her hair and on her arm is a delight, too. Great work.
Regards,
Andrew

rigoletto (26064) 2009-10-11 1:56

old buildings, old people, old slopy streets with cobbled stones, old stories of love and hate...
these are the things which make a city attractive for me. added values like beaufiful ladies, a mild, mediterranean weather, a soft breeze from the sea carrying the tempting smell of delicious food and sea salt, street musicians, horse carts, antique shops, cafes and bars... make it even more attractive. i guess lisboa has them all.
a b&w beauty with vintage taste in it. can be regarded as an invitiation cover for alfama...
all the best,
deniz

josepmarin (33711) 2009-10-11 5:26

Olá Paulo,
no es fácil conseguir una buena foto basada en el blanco y negro, hay que ser un buen fotógrafo, y lo has conseguido con esta composición.
Precisamente es el B/N y la gama de grises jugando con la luz y las sombras en esta escena urbana, y la presencia de la vieja señora en el primer plano, lo que hace esta foto diferente y especialmente atractiva.
Excelente trabajo, amigo.
Un abrazo,
Josep

belido (16169) 2009-10-11 5:41

Olá Paulo,

aqui você nos presenteou com uma composição de arquitetura e vida cotidiana bem trabalhada. A atmosfera foi totalmente transferida através de sua versão em preto e branco. Gosto do enquadramento fechado e do crop quase quadrado, fazendo com que a atenção se vire à fachada e à senhora que passa. Belíssimo registro!
Abraço,
Carlos

marietom (31790) 2009-10-11 13:05

hello Paulo,

scène typique des rues de ta ville. Jolie composition noir et blanc.
Bonne soirée
Marie

jasmis (49966) 2009-10-11 23:38

Splendid street life photo in superb B&W tones.
Regards.

Cretense (55406) 2009-10-12 3:13

Hello Paulo!

I was missing your excellent daily life scenes, with the great combination with some interesting architecture elements, such as this one! Great framing and composition, perfect choice of b&w! Congratulations!

Hercules

AiresSantos (41692) 2009-10-13 23:24

Ola Paulo
Uma foto muito boa de Alfama a preto e branco. A senhora de idade contrasta muito bem com o ambiente
Excelente definicao e contraste
Um abraco Amigo
Aires

PS - Apesar do meu tempo agora ser pouco alinho numa passeata com o pessoal

bakes888 (18055) 2009-10-14 0:16

Hi Paulo.
Nice candid shot. An ideal scene for BW treatment and nicely converted. Well timed and thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Bluejeans (31887) 2009-10-14 11:37

Oi Paulo ,
Uma imagem bem real da cidade de Lisboa com estas zonas tradicionais a ficarem com uma população bem idosa , boa escolha pelo preto e branco , bons detalhes, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

riclopes (32907) 2009-11-09 2:46

Olá Paulo, gosto tanto desta que gostava de ter sido eu a tirá-la :) O que me costuma mais falhar neste tipo de fotos é o foco que está perfeito aqui. Se calhar a lentidão da velhota ajudou ;-) Até poderia pensar que ficaria melhor à esquerda, mas não. Está muito bem onde está com um belíssimo pano de fundo e a 'fuga' por aquela ruela a equilibrar com a senhora. Nem sinto falta de cores aqui o que não é muito frequente em mim. A tua série de alfama está excelente.
Um abraço,
ricardo
p.s.- está tudo a correr bem por aqui. Eu estou a gostar muito da experiência e a cidade é mais activa culturalmente do que imaginava. Espero que esteja tudo bem convosco. Estão os dois convidados para vir passar cá uns dias :)

Angshu (33480) 2009-11-18 1:10

Ola Paulo
Good exposure in this shot, which turns out well in B&W. Like the tight framing with the houses covering the entire frame and the BG. The passing old lady certainly adds to the compo. Good daily life shot!
Best Regards
Angshu