Toillets de Belém, a photo from Lisboa, South

Photographer's Note

If you are looking for the WC when visiting the Tower of Belém, then you won't find it on the parapet of the tower as this sign suggests. The WC was behind me, but some prankster had turned the sign around.

Nevertheless, it gave me the opportunity to compose a photograph a little different to all the others of the Tower of Belém that have been posted to TrekEarth,

This photograph is dedicated to fellow TEer, Ricardo Lopez, and his wife Ana, whom I caught up with for a coffee yesterday at the Tower of Belém. It's always good to meet fellow TEers when traveling, and we had an interesting chat about our respective travels.

Belém (or to give it it's full name, Santa Maria de Belém) is located on the northern shore of the River Tagus, about six kilometres west of Lisbon's city centre.

According to Wikipedia, Belém is famous as the place from which the great Portugese explorers set off on their voyages of discovery. Perhaps Belém's most famous feature is its tower (in Portugese - Torre de Belém), whose image is much used by Lisbon's tourist board. The tower was built as a fortified lighthouse late in the reign of Dom Manuel (1515-1520) to guard the entrance to the port at Belém. It stood on an island in the middle of the River Tagus until the course of the river was diverted by an earthquake in 1777; the tower had previously survived the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.

Wikipedia does not state when the WC was built.

riclopes, Mondaychild, wodigori, ktanska, AiresSantos, Buin, euryan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

riclopes (35577) 2006-09-20 7:12

Olá David, indeed a smart composition of this so well known monument and so much posted here that I never did it my self, even working so nearby. Santa Maria de Belém is actually my place of birthday, so this makes it even a better dedication, which I so much thank you, as well as the nice time spent with you yesterday.
I was really curious and I see that the result of your shot is a very funny image and it seems that's what you've got in Portugal, regarding your previous post of Bairro Alto :)
The quality is impressive and the late hour shows beautiful lighting and attractive colors.
Nice to see the Cristo Rei in the far distance - the view of Lisbon from upthere is spectacular...
Did you manage to make a fair ride to the aeroport?
Best wishes,
Ricardo

Mondaychild (378) 2006-09-20 7:50

Very nice compositon, very funny. I like that you there is as much space for the Torre de Belem, as for the WC-sign (I mean, both have the same height in the photo).
You could have cropped the lady in the left (as she doesn´t have any thing to do with the theme of the photo)

BTW: What is the tower in the left background of the photo? Is that also something famous?

fabio_ts (13696) 2006-09-20 11:03

A funny image for a humorous approach David, .. I like the result, compliments!!

ciao,
Fabio.

ktanska (45094) 2006-09-21 3:15

Hi David,
I also find signs turned around funny. I guess it's not uncommon anywhere.
But I think your composition is just too obvious this time. I'd suggest taking a few steps back to show the sign smaller. And placing the tower more to the left.

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2006-09-21 3:34

Very nice clear shot with several elements of interest, such as the sign (which is hilarious) , the beautiful tower with an exceptional light highlighting all the details of its least photographed side, the guy on the left taking another shot of the tower and as Ricardo mentioned, the beautiful Cristo Rei on the other side of the river. Well done.
Antonio

Giorgio (11279) 2006-09-23 1:46

- Funny composition! Maybe but I like I acknowledges it, because this tower is beautiful, very good PoV, well done!
giorgio

Stepan (27210) 2006-09-23 4:13

Funny pov to have a humoristic compo. The light and the colors are beautiful. That's a great compo.
Stéphane
PS : As far as I can remember, Belem is not so far from the city center and this is not a 200 euros risky journey ;=))

AiresSantos (56155) 2006-10-11 3:47

Hi David,
It's funny this situation. Well seen and done. I like the POV. Very good light, colours and defnition.
My best wishes,
Aires

Buin (42580) 2006-10-12 12:59

Hallo David!
You've got a wonderful sense of humor and your picture as well.
It gave me a big smile - and what more could a photo do!?
By the way, this picture is perfect in each respect and combined with the note in the best sense of TE!
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

euryan (8442) 2006-10-24 1:55

Very funny and original shot David, but also very good. The lighting on the tower looks great and you maintained the details in the shadows as well as the bright highlights very nicely. I also enjoy all the small details like the man taking a photo, the woman on the bench, the Cristo Rei, and the 25 of April Bridge in the background. But the best part is that WC sign :-)
Regards,
Ryan

ben4321 (9875) 2006-10-29 4:32

A stunning building David, and one that I'm sure you'll agree is hard to photograph well.
Something about it's location and surroundings makes the job of the photographer here a tricky one.
I like what you've done heret though, the sign provides a humorous touch and the image works well overall.
Cheers,
Ben

sebcz (2345) 2006-10-31 3:56