- Alfama, Lisbon, Portugal -

Tags:   woman balcony satellite dish window blinds wall building Alfama Lisbon Portugal Canadapt street

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Brought forward from April 3, 2013
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This is a hurried street portrait of a friend of Rosa's mother, Doña Maria Helena, who we encountered returning from the 'feira' in Loures. She spoke to me at length exuding obvious delight and regaling me with wonderful laughter throughout our conversation. However, given that my Portuguese is limited to being polite when the occasion calls for it, I understood almost nothing of what she said to me. Nonetheless, I was very pleased to make her acquaintance and told her so; in Portuguese of course.

To view a black and white version of this portrait at the 500px site just click HERE. It changes the portrait in some unexpected ways in my opinion. I would be curious to see if you agree?

“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s
another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” – Paul Caponigro

- Loures, Lisbon, Portugal -

Tags:   woman portrait mirth happiness elder Loures Lisbon Portugal Canadapt

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Loures, Portugal

Tags:   woman juxtaposition portrait irony Lisbon Canadapt dignity Portugal

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After 2 agonizing years we are finally off to Portugal once again ... I bring this photo forward from a previous trip to head up my photostream until our return. It will be good to see Rosa's family after all this time. Wish us safe travels if you might - I shall catch up with all of your fine photography on our return. Cheers, Michael
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It was a good test of my cameras ability to withstand rain ... and it passed the test with aplomb. I took a number of photos (see first comment box) but the one above is my personal favourite of the day. There is something about the irony of the message embedded in the graffiti and the position of his umbrella and the 'don't walk' signal. Even the leaping jaguar on his bag seems to fit. Cheers!

- Loures, Portugal -
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'Enigma'

Yes, and that.
We are many things
And not others.

Our caste, our genes, experiences
A mystery to ourselves
Painted false colours in reminisces
And some forget to be conscious
And prefer the dullness of
Satiation of eye and ear
Until death closes them.

To live is pain and joy and beauty
And grief and light and the dark.
Slivers of truth were meant to
Mark purpose and make it
Worth the effort.
To decorate our essence.

Who can extract a man from his extremes
When he thinks he is right?
Who can extract a man
From his vices
When his vices speak loudest?
Who can save a nation
From its ruin
Whilst the few wield their
Dire damages
On the many who march in stupid file
To another brink.

I am at times vortex, my anger spinning
Until it plays out
I am at other times friend,
Able to forgive as I have been forgiven.
May I always be conscious.

C.Hill

Tags:   Loures Portugal man umbrella rain graffiti crosswalk signal light roadway Canadapt

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- Aveiro, Portugal -

It's not often I crop to a square format but occasionally it feels right for certain images. It must be my 'inner-Hasselblad' asserting itself again?

Tags:   door window curtains poster man sunglasses youth green Aveiro Portugal Canadapt

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