Lens-Artists Challenge #292: People Here, There & Everywhere
I am not good at photographing people. So, when I read that Tina’s challenge this week was to “share images of the people we’ve captured along the way,” I was not quite sure what I would do. Although I don’t do portraits, there is one thing I like to photograph: people celebrating what makes them feel good. I do not feel threatened to photograph them publicly. A public event is an open invitation for photography.
I love watching people at the Circuit of the Americas, the Q2 Stadium, and public religious celebrations. I also like when people parade for their rights or walk to enjoy a day without cars. Public events let us see people for who they are. For this post, I will focus on people’s voices of faith and freedom in three countries: Peru, Portugal, and Brazil. When we travel, we plan some things and leave others to serendipity. That happened during our visits to the countries I named above.
When we visited Peru, one must-see location in our itinerary was the Colca Valley. We spent the night in Chivay, a small town at 11,971 feet (3,651 m) above sea level. It is the gateway to exploring the Colca Canyon and traveling to watch condors in flight. Not only did we see that, but we also witnessed a beautiful religious celebration in Chivay. Besides people’s expressions of happiness singing and dancing, we also marveled at their elaborate costumes. You can see why I photographed them when you click the photos below.
The next stop is Portugal. We arrived in Lisbon on a significant holiday. I had not planned so, but April 25th in Portugal is a national holiday known as Freedom Day (Dia da Liberdade) and the Carnation Revolution (Revolução dos Cravos). It commemorates the overthrow of a dictatorship in 1974 and the country’s transition to democracy. It was beautiful to walk around that afternoon on Freedom Avenue (Avenida da Liberdade) and see people peacefully walking on the avenue, and some even had carnations in their hands.
It was also great to walk around Lisbon and Porto and see how vibrant those cities are. The restaurants along Augusta Street (Rua Augusta—in Lisbon) are a wonderful place to stop, grab a drink or meal, and watch people go by. However, nothing surprised me the most than seeing the crowds at St. Catherine’s Street (Rua Santa Catarina) in Porto. I thought there was a stampede, and something might have happened. You can see that in the photo below. These are clear examples of freedom to shop or people-watch!
Finally, I will share a government initiative in São Paulo, Brazil. A few years ago, the São Paulo government decided they would close the busiest avenue in the state on Sundays and only allow pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. The program has been met with tremendous success. People can walk in the middle of the street and enjoy live music and artisans selling their art. Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista) is the commercial and financial center of São Paulo. Twice, we have been there to enjoy this freedom from motorized vehicles. It is a wonderful feeling to experience that freedom in a city of 12.3 million people.
There you have it: people here, there, and everywhere. It was a great follow-up to Patti’s challenge last week, cityscapes. I cannot express how wonderful it was to travel through your beautiful photographs of the many cities you shared.
I am looking forward to seeing your responses to Tina’s challenge. Please leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post and use the hashtag “lens-artists” in your post.
Join us next week when Sofia introduces a new Lens-Artists challenge. We look forward to your participation. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.
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Wind Kisses
You plan like we do, Egidio. A few on the agenda and the rest serendipitous. In this post, I love the brilliant colors of the ceremony in Peru. And… off the people subject, the condors are impressive, aren’t they?
Kudos to the government in San Paulo. What a great way to gather a community, and encourage business for local artisans. You always bring the best of the best to us, Egidio.
Egídio Leitão
Donna, thanks for the feedback. Yes, condors are amazing. Seeing them in flight was very special for us. I’m happy you liked the post and photos. Thanks.
Inside the Mind of Isadora
Great selections, Egidio. I like that your photographs have bright colors.
I think photographing people can be difficult if they are posed. Natural
fun moments showcase spontaniety. I enjoyed viewing your photographs.
Isadora 😎
Egídio Leitão
Isadora, first off, thanks for the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the photos. About colors, sometimes I have to pull back on saturation. I notice that macros sometimes tend to give the appearance of stronger colors. The proximity of the lens gives our eyes a different view of the subject. I like bright colors.
Inside the Mind of Isadora
I enjoy bright colors too, Egidio. Thanks for the info on macro photos. I try not to play with editing too much since I’m not very skilled yet. I did say yet ~~~~ : )
Leanne Cole
These are wonderful Egidio, the colours are great.
Egídio Leitão
So thankful you liked them, Leanne.
restlessjo
So frustrating when photos don’t load properly, but I did persist and I got there in the end, Egidio. Loved the Peruvian ones, especially.
Egídio Leitão
Jo, several people have reported problems when using the Reader to see the post. Is that your case or did you open a browser window directly outside the Reader? If you want to try that, here’s the link:
https://egidio.photography/staging4/voices-of-faith-freedom/
When I open the link in a browser outside the Reader, everything loads correctly. However, if I use the Reader to see the post, the images are not loading. Thanks for the feedback and patience.
restlessjo
I didn’t use the Reader because you’re not showing up in there, Egidio. I visit when I spot you in someone else’s comments. Silly, isn’t it?
Egídio Leitão
Jo, that is very odd. Several people saw the post in the Reader. That is odd. Thanks for the feedback.
Anne Sandler
What great images and presentation on this challenge Egidio! I loved the colors and joy exhibited by the people. Your blue light photo in Portugal was especially beautiful. And I do like the idea of closing a street dedicated to business to cars on Sunday. We have a street in Sacramento City that is always blocked for this and it’s a treat to walk the few blocks.
Egídio Leitão
Anne, your feedback is so meaningful to me. Thanks for the compliment and kind words. It’s great that you have a street always closed to traffic. It stimulates people to walk more and interact with others.
Cee Neuner
You’ve photographed some fun activities and city life. Wonderful post 😀
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Cee. Were you able to see all photos? Some people have reported not having the images load properly.
Toonsarah
It took me several reloads to be able to see your images but it was worth the effort! I especially love the vibrant colours from Chivay – how lucky to catch the parade while there, perfect traveller’s serendipity 🙂
Egídio Leitão
Sarah, thank you for the feedback and patience. I don’t know what is happening. I opened the site using two different computers and tried both Chrome and Firefox. Everything loaded correctly. Are you seeing the post via the reader or the site directly? It seems others had issues with the Reader. Again, thanks for being patient.
Tina Schell
Especially loved your collage on this one Egidio. None of us are very fond of photographing people. That’s one of the reasons I love nature photography – the subjects never mind LOL!
Egídio Leitão
Thanks, Tina. I wonder if the issues with seeing all images are related to the Reader. When I go to the site, all images load correctly. I tried that both in Chrome and Firefox. I’ll have to investigate further.
photobyjohnbo
For some reason, the Reader didn’t show all of your images, only links. I went directly to your post and had to reload to have all the images load in. Interesting bug, thanks WordPress. >grin<
I love that blue hour image in Lisbon and the colorful costumes in Peru.
Egídio Leitão
Now that makes three of you. I can’t replicate the problem. I opened the post in two separate computers and used both Chrome and Firefox. All images load properly. Go figure. Now, I open the post from the site, not from the Reader. I wonder if the Reader is the culprit… Anyway, thanks for the feedback.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
I don’t know why but I could not see most of the images.
Egídio Leitão
Ritva, you and Tina have reported that. I don’t know what is going on. I opened the page on both Chrome and Firefox on two separate computers and all images loaded. I’m trying to find out why some people can’t see them. Thanks for the feedback.
Aletta - nowathome
Lovely colourful photos Egidio! I also don’t do photos of people unless I know them!
Egídio Leitão
Aletta, thank you very much for the feedback.
Aletta - nowathome
You’re welcome 😁
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Che viaggi meravigliosi!
Egídio Leitão
Grazie.
nesfelicio
These are wonderful shots, Egidio. Those colorful costumes in Peru showcase the culture, beautifully captured. The pedestrianized street in Sao Paulo is impressive! The busiest street in a city of 12.3 million people. That’s certainly liberating!
Egídio Leitão
Nes, I thank you for your compliment.
solaner
Indeed, it’s not easy to photograph people. Even in the public as a street photographer. I‘m also usually quite shy to ask people for permission. But being away from home it’s easier for me. And it becomes easier after each question. Have a business card (not full information, only a name and an email address specifically for these purposes) with you to hand it over if your subject wants to get the image.
Egídio Leitão
Thanks for the feedback, André. If I can’t do it with a zoom lens, I won’t do it. On the other hand, if I’m at a public event, I’m more comfortable photographing people. Also, when traveling, I am comfortable. I do have some business cards and will try to remember to use them in the future. I normally just hand them to other photographers to swap info.
solaner
You‘re welcome. I also use a standard zoom for these and my primes only for planned model shoot. But, my current standard zoom is so good, that I even sold my primes.
Egídio Leitão
André, since last fall I have been using a bridge camera, the Lumix FZ2500 (I think in Europe it’s the FZ2000). Anyway, that camera offers so much versatility for macros and zoom that I have not used my regular Sony most all the time.
solaner
Ah, great. Good images are made from the photographer‘s mind and imagination, not the gear. As long as the photographer masters his/her gear, everything is good. 👍 😊