Rich Rings Photography

When I turned 40 I decided I would go to Europe at least once a year for the rest of my life. I was doing very well until the COVID pandemic hit. I was actually in Scotland when it first hit the UK so that was 2020 handled, but I wasn’t able to get overseas in 2021. For most of 2022 I thought it would be the same but thankfully the pandemic eased a good bit and I was able to get to Portugal (Lisbon and Madeira specifically).

The underside of the viewing platform at the Elevador de Santa Justa

I was originally going to participate in a workshop on Madeira, but that got cancelled TWO DAYS before my flights. I quickly rearranged my plans for my time on the island and flew to Lisbon. I pointedly decided not to brood on the injustice of my plans being changed around and dove into the trip embracing some photography that I am not normally used to. On my first full day I took at walking photo tour with Miguel at Photowalks Lisboa. This was a great decision and I can’t recommend Miguel’s tour enough. Actually I am disappointed I didn’t have the foresight to book an evening tour later in the week…next time maybe. We walked through the Alfama district and Miguel encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and try some “street” photography.

Shooting (literally) from the hip is quite different from the deliberate, considered approach I usually take towards photography. It was uncomfortable and it was challenging and it was fun. I’m not sure that the shots would be considered praiseworthy, but it is something I will likely do more of in the future.

There was a time when I used to tell people that when they saw a photo of mine in black and white, that meant I had screwed up the exposure and a B&W conversion was the only thing that saved it. That is no longer true for the most part and I found myself shooting a lot of B&W on this trip.

My walking tour with Miguel was not only challenging artistically but also physically as I did not take his advice and catch an Uber or Bolt to our meeting place, but instead walked from essentially sea level to the highest point in Lisbon, Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte. My watch kept track, and by 9:00 am I had climbed up and down the equivalent of 44 flights of stairs. I was exhausted by noon and had to get some lunch.

That’s enough for tonight. More on this trip later.

I’ve been working on bringing my website up to snuff and even adding a way for people to purchase prints (and other products with my images on them). You probably already know this since you most likely found this blog through my website but if you haven’t seen it yet please feel free to visit Rich Rings Photography.