Mosteiros Beach

Sunset on the Mosteiros beach, Portugal.

A story behind:  Some people say that all over the world there is 90% of average landscape ( uninteresting to the human eye ) and there is as little as 10% of miracles. I strongly disagree. Take this Mosteiro beach. When arriving most people see only unpleasant wind and dark sky. But the truth is that even this kind of landscape shines here and there and the experienced eye is being seduced all the time. Eyes stop and wide open and the admiring requires much more that the optical system. Many times you need to train your eyes to see. 

The name Mosteiros beach comes from the old legend. Back in XVth century when the first European explorers spotted this strange rock formations they thought this was a monastery ( port: Mosteiro ) building. 



Gear: Nikon D700. Nikkor 16-35 mm. ND reverse 3 stop. Tripod. Rubber boots. Bashed by heavy, November waves.

Aperture: f/18

Shutter speed: 1,6 sec

Exposure bias: +0,3 EV

Focal Length: 16 mm

ISO: 200

Place taken: Mosteiros beach, Portugal.
 

Date taken: Thursday, November 21th, 2012. 18:36.

Maciek.

Cuenca, Spain.

The old catherdal of Cuenca, a few minutes after the sunset, Castilla - La Mancha, Spain.

A story behind: We spent 2 fantastic days traveling across the Castilla La Mancha region in Spain. The weather, lodging and food were great. 

Gear: Nikon D700. Nikkor 16-35 mm. Handheld.

Aperture: f/5

Shutter speed: 1/30 sec

Exposure bias: -0,3 EV

Focal Length: 16 mm

ISO: 3000

Place taken: Cuenca, Spain.
 

Date taken: Sunday, November 18th 2012, 17:00

Maciek.

A view from my window

Arrabida bridge, although built in 1963, continues to be a splendid example of the modern architecture.

A story behind: November is the best month to take sunset photos from my window. The soft light travels  along the river  and deep into the city. Slow shutter speed added extra linear movement of the water in the river. Unfortunately it was moments before the night bridge illumination was turned on. 


Gear: Nikon D700. Nikkor 16-35 mm. 

Aperture: f/16

Shutter speed: 21 sec

Exposure bias: +0,3 EV

Focal Length: 16 mm

ISO: 400

Place taken: Porto, Portugal.
 

Date taken: November 14th 2012, 17:24

Maciek.

12:25 from Regua to Porto

A mirror reflection of the train and the autumn vines growing on the steep  hills.

A story behind:  This was a perfect Monday morning as we traveled along the banks of the Douro river. I stopped the car and managed to take a photo of the passing 12:25 regional train from the town of Regua to Porto.  
The train ride is one of the highlights to any tourist trip to the UNESCO protected Douro region. The railway line runs alongside the river. 

Gear: Nikon D700. Nikkor 70-300 mm.

Aperture: f/10

Shutter speed: 1/1000 sec

Exposure bias: 0 EV

Focal Length: 120 mm

ISO: 400

Place taken: near Picinho, Portugal.

Date taken: Monday, November 12th, 2012, 12:25

 Maciek.

At the Titanic prow

A stone pier at the Foz beach, Porto, Portugal.

A story behind:  Shooting long exposures with a human model can create many challenges. First you should convince a man or a woman to allow you to make a photo (unless it is a self-portrait).
Second the sudden and unexpected movements of the model may also ruin your photo. 

This is the end of the stone pier at the beach of Porto, Portugal. Picture taken on Thursday morning just before the rain has come. I used shutter speed of 1 second to maintain the mood of the moment and lyrical look with a smooth sea and little cloud movement.


Gear: Nikon D700. Nikkor 16-35 mm. ND reverse 3 stop. Tripod.

Aperture: f/11

Shutter speed: 1 sec

Exposure bias: +0,3 EV

Focal Length: 16 mm

ISO: 50

Place taken: Foz, Porto, Portugal.
 

Date taken: Thursday, November 8th, 2012.

Maciek.

Last Monday in the Lousa Mountains

Castelo de Arouce built in year 1080, early morning, Lousa mountains, Portugal.

A story behind:  Autumn in the Lousa mountains came rather early this year. The leaves turned colourful. The air was crisp and cool.  Soon by last days of November these trees will become bare with the first near zero temperatures in the mountains.

This Monday we had a beautiful ride around the peaks of the Lousa Mountains visiting partially abandoned famous schist villages.
All around it has been quiet and serene - wonderful time to explore.


 Gear: Nikon D80. Tamron AF 28-75 mm.

Aperture: f/3,2

Shutter speed: 1/60 sec

Exposure bias: +0,3 EV

Focal Length: 62 mm

ISO: 125

Place taken: Lousa, Portugal.

Date taken: Monday, November the 5th, 2012, 9.57 a.m.

Senhora de Piedade chapel, Lousa, Portugal.

Maciek.

Just after sunset

The Arrábida bridge, Porto, Portugal, built in 1963, is a splendid example of the modern architecture.

A story behind: This picture was taken just a couple of minutes after the sunset and shortly after the night illumination was on. 
The fast moving clouds on the slow shutter speed of 48 seconds make an image more dynamic.


Gear: Nikon D700. Nikkor 16-35 mm. Polarizer. 10 ND-Stop.

Aperture: f/11

Shutter speed: 219 sec

Exposure bias: +0,3 EV

Focal Length: 16 mm

ISO: 50

Place taken: Porto, Portugal.
 

Maciek.