Bolsa Palace Dome, a photo from Porto, North

Photographer's Note

Please open the photo by right clicking it, you'll be glad you did.

Continuing with my shots from the Bolsa Palace in Porto, I'll show you three photos of the Inner Courtyard.

First of all, the lighting on the computer I'm using doesn't look very good, its very dark. I hope the image you're looking at isn't dark. It's much brighter on my laptop. I really hope it doesn't come across as a poorly lit shot.

Anyways...the inner courtyard is called the Patio of the Nations. It has an Octagonal Dome with glass panels, and surrounding it are 20 Coat of Arms. In the WS i'll post a closer shot of that.

Again, its hard to get a sense of size here...but even with my 8mm super wide angle lens I couldn't fit it all inside the frame. This place is HUGE.
Which probably doesn't translate in the photo.

I'm glad to hear a few of you have said you haven't seen or heard of this Palace in Porto. Its a hidden Gem in the City. There is another hidden Palace in Porto that i'll post next :) Maybe you haven't seen that one as well.

PaulVDV, ikeharel, pierrefonds, Fis2, Royaldevon, jhm, ktanska, foxy, ChrisJ, jean113, worldcitizen, COSTANTINO, clic has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

PaulVDV (55547) 2021-02-23 1:52

Hello Craig,
I had to compare your main photo with your first WS a few times to be sure that it is the same courtyard and the same dome.
Also on my computer the picture is a bit dark but the view upwards is fantastic. I suppose you were standing with your back against the wall to achieve this excellent position.
Fantastic composition!
It seems to be so quiet there on your pictures.
I have to remember this building if I ever go to Northern Portugal again.
Best regards, Paul

Silvio1953 (207031) 2021-02-23 2:13

Ciao Craig, great POV on fantastic dome, excellent exposure, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

holmertz (93602) 2021-02-23 3:57

Hello Craig,
This is not too dark on my computer screen, it's just right. WS #1 is a bit dark on the other hand, showing so much more of the lower levels. The main photo is really magnificent, not just for the architectural details but also again for the fine symmetry. You obviously make an effort to place yourself in the right spot. No snapshots for this kind of pictures.
Best wishes,
Gert

pierrefonds (104478) 2021-02-23 4:55

Hi Craig,

The scene is impressive. The point of view is showing the details of the Bolsa Palace dome and of the walls. The light is giving good colors rendering. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Fis2 (156772) 2021-02-23 5:08

Witaj Craig!
A very interesting set of photos.
Great interior and details.
Excellent POV, colors and sharpness.
I like this pictures.
Nice presentation.
Have a nice day.
Krzysztof

Royaldevon (76744) 2021-02-23 7:50

Hello Craig,

It is a real problem, how to crop a building, when it is too big to fit into your camera's lens. This is really a super shot, it's sharp, it has an excellent central feature and, on my monitor, definitely isn't dark.
The w/s, showing the glass panels, on the other hand, is much darker but I can see the clock through the glass!

You have made this shot incredibly symmetrical, obviously you had your tripod with you!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

jhm (204011) 2021-02-23 9:43

Hello Craig,

You took this picture out of a low position with a nice sight on the interior tower with a perfect light.
Nice composition perfect of colours and sharpness.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ktanska (40519) 2021-02-23 10:05

Hi Craig,
All these architectural details are wonderful on this square space. An I really like how the form has transformed as a result of super wide lens. Darkish exposure fits well with the atmosphere.
Kari

Tue (83032) 2021-02-23 10:41

Hello Craig,
Fantastic shot looking up from one of the corner of this beautiful courtyard, which has got so many wonderful ornaments. The repetition of the many arches is also very attractive, just as the golden tones around the wonderful glass roof. Very well done.
Lars

foxy (2175) 2021-02-23 11:21

Hello Craig,
Everyday before dinner, I would drink a small glass of Port wine and I haven't been to Porto :-)
When things get back to normal, if ever.....well, I'm glad to see Porto through your excellent photography.
Very very interesting place and so much in details. I wouldn't know how to start , you make it so easy. I have learned a thing or two ( more ) from you.
Nothing wrong on my computer screen, just perfect so as all the two WS. To be honest, the darkness added the charms and making it eerily still.
Thanks for sharing this 'Porto Gem'.
Loong

lousat (130627) 2021-02-23 14:09

Hi Craig,3 beautiful photos even today from this incredible building, I read that you did not manage to insert everything despite the wide angle pushed, it must be really immense. I like your merit of photographing these places, I'm a symmetry freak and these shots are absolutely perfect. No loss of brightness and excellent details. I look forward to seeing more hidden gems from Porto, for the moment a big thank you for these. Luciano.

ifege (33629) 2021-02-23 19:12

Hi Craig
Definitely worth going large. An absolutely spectacular palace and photo. Very effective use of the wide angle lens. This building alone would make a visit to Porto (which I've never done) worthwhile.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (136290) 2021-02-23 23:33

Hi Craig,
great architecture and so well framed photo, so photogenic result with graphics,excellent sharpness and perfect exposure, tfs, well done.

emka (153356) 2021-02-23 23:45

Hello Craig, I am not a fan of such big distortions, as you know, but here it works very well. Terrific composition. I like the symmetry and colours, not important even if a bit dark. Fascinating Stock Exchange building. If ever I go again to Porto, I must see it.
Best regards Malgo
You understood me wrong. it was not you with the tour, I was in Portugal with a tour. many years ago. But sometimes, it is for me the only way to see some places, where there is no public transportation and I can't rent a car. How could I travel alone in Iceland in winter?

ChrisJ (161162) 2021-02-24 23:38

Hello Craig,

A superb interior architecture shot that reminds me of some of the arcades in Bucharest. Good sharpness and a fine upward pov. Well managed light levels. Tfs!

jean113 (22585) 2021-02-25 8:47

Hello Craig, three excellent shots from this Palace.
The symmetry is wonderful. In the large version we can clearly see all the details, it is an amazing building.

We were due to holiday in Portugal last June, postponed to October, now I don't know when! But if we eventually get to Porto, this is where we will be heading.
Kind regards, Jean.

worldcitizen (14458) 2021-02-25 11:24

Hello Craig,
This is gorgeous. The repetitive architecture, together with that glass dome, create such a majestic view. You handled the difficult lighting perfectly, too.

abmdsudi (89415) 2021-02-27 1:21

Hi Craig
An exquisite interior capture of a well known palace, the immense detail, impressive pov, striking colour and clarity are something to behold. Indeed, a fabulous architectural piece. Congrats
Best regards

vjmite (5248) 2021-02-27 2:38

Hi Craig,
A pleasing photo of this ornate palace, with a strong geometrical feel. I like how the angle of the shot gives the dome a kite shape. Good light control in difficult conditions.
Vince

GyurMaster (21759) 2021-02-27 10:49

Hello Craig,

You have done some serious work here. Its a well-considered and executed architectural shot for sure. Even the lights, were in favour for you. I had to add it to my favourites.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

COSTANTINO (105027) 2021-02-27 22:58

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
and a happy sUNDAY
original version
fantastic and difficult
constructions with
impressive architectural
details very well composed
great pov on this fantastic dome
excellent exposure with fantastic
colors
regards
Costantino

clic (23952) 2021-02-28 7:16

Hello Craig
Given the perfect lighting in high, mid and low tones and a surgical symmetry, I first wondered whether this picture was neatly generated by a computer, as they can do for movies backdrops, or rather really photographed and masterly cropped for a stronger impact!
Cheers

mkamionka (62300) 2021-03-01 4:16

Hi Craig,
amazing interion and one which I have certainly missed while visiting Porto. Portugal is an amazing country with so many places to photograph. I feel a need to revisit some places but there were so many which I didn't see at all.
Life is not enough really, and now the travel is not possible at all. How is your son taking all the trips you drag him to?
Great geometry here, very rich interior well taken,
M