the shade and brush

Joana Saramago Photography

2010-09-13T13:50:00.001+01:00

Please continue following my work on my new blog.
http://joanasaramago.blogspot.com/

Este blog está acabado. A sério!!
Agora há um novo com mais do mesmo e com um nome mais fácil de decorar: o meu!!!
:D

cont.

2010-08-29T13:36:00.000+01:00

As promised on my previous post, here are the missing photos.

To see more, just go to my flickr page.

The dance show:

Mão Morta at Optimus Alive, Lisbon 2010

Mão Morta at Paredes de Coura, 2010

And the submarine.

July and August

2010-08-23T00:07:00.000+01:00

A lot happened to me in the past two months.
Because I injured my leg, I had to leave my dance group and the rehearsals for the show.
So, that's two bad things already. The injury was pretty tough and I couldn't move my leg for a couple of weeks. I stayed in bed long enough to get to the conclusion that I'm not nineteen anymore, I never wanted to be a professional dancer, and the long I stay, the greater the odds of getting injured again are.
So the third bad thing is, I'm putting my beloved contemporary dance class on hold for now.
I love my dear teacher, I love my colleagues, it breaks my heart every time I think that I have made the choice of stepping out.
I went to the show as a mere spectator. I took only photos on the last stage rehearsal. I wanted to see the show as everyone else does.

A few days before this show, Jorge Ferraz Trio played in Nimas to release their first album. I was there to shoot it properly.
Then Mão Morta played a few gigs here and there, they played in Lisbon at the Optimus Alive festival and more recently at Paredes de Coura festival.

Between shooting gigs with an aching leg, I've been working lots at the magazine.
One of these days I woke up and switched on the computer to read the news and check the the weather. I read something about a submarine recently bought being very expensive to the country.
This vessel was due to arrive on that day. And then I got dressed, had something to eat and left to work.
I cross the river by ferry almost everyday. I had already forgotten all about this submarine story when I looked outside and there it was.
I took a few pics of it just for fun. And then I kissed my Canon G9 for being such a good girl.

I'm trying to post some pics here to go along with all this text but my poor old mac is giving up. The poor thing needs to be replaced soon!! It never let me down 'till now. It's so full of photos and software that it can't just cope with it any more. Lately I've only been able to use it to browse the internet and check my emails. It seriously needs to be formated and reinstalled.

Finally and just to end this post, I've decided to go back to school, I'll be studying photography for real, starting a 18 month course in October. I miss school, I miss being taught things.

And most of all I will be finally be studying photography, my favorite subject of them all.

You can see photos of the gigs I mentioned above in flickr.com/joanasaramago. I will try to upload the submarine ones as soon as I can.

LX 9-6 #13 #14

2010-06-18T17:08:00.000+01:00

The last ones of the batch.
These are photos #13 and #14 of LX 9-6.

LX 9-6 #12

2010-06-17T09:58:00.000+01:00

I stood up and pretended to take pictures of Cacilhas through the window.
I'm still waiting for the day when someone gets mad at me for pointing the camera at them.

This is photo #12 of LX 9-6.

LX 9-6 #11

2010-06-16T14:30:00.000+01:00

I guess he was just tired.

This is photo #11 of LX 9-6.

LX 9-6 #10

2010-06-15T11:40:00.000+01:00

It's the end of the day and people stand waiting for the ferry to dock.
I prefer to cross the river by train just because it's more comfortable and clean but I love the river Tejo. It takes only 10 minutes to cross to the other side but those 10 minutes are therapeutic. Plus, it's cheaper...

LX 9-6 #08 #09

2010-06-14T12:29:00.000+01:00

After I took these shots a security guard came to me and told me in some sign language that I couldn't take photos in there. I was inside the ferry station, a place that's been full of tourists lately. I stood in the same spot for over 10 minutes, playing with the camera. Obviously I looked like a spanish/french/dutch/german terrorist and they thought I could harm the place somehow. The way I was approached was very funny. The guard came from behind and touched my shoulder. then I looked at him and he did this face of "my lips are sealed but no no, no camera, no camera". Even after I appologised in Portuguese, he kept communicating in his way...
strange people. At least he was polite and never asked to see the camera.

LX 9-6 #05 #06 #07

2010-06-13T11:37:00.000+01:00

So I got of the Metro in Baixa and walked all the way to Terreiro do Paço. This is a beautiful plaza, but for the past 12 years has been under construction for various reasons. In 1997/8 started the works to extend the Metro line to Sta. Apolónia. The works lasted for many, many years. Then they finished these works and started new ones, this time to improve the sewage system. And when we thought we could enjoy the praça again, BAMM!! the Pope comes to visit and the city hall decided to spend a few more dimes in embellishing it for the Pope mass.

LX 9-6 #04

2010-06-12T16:19:00.003+01:00

Something tells me that a lot of guys will like this photo.

This is photo #04 of LX 9-6.

LX 9-6 #03

2010-06-11T12:29:00.000+01:00

Lucky for me, the yellow line now intersects with the red in Saldanha. And the new platform is very nice. It's got phrases and drawings of Almada Negreiros (I may be wrong, please enlighten me if I am). Lisbon's ahead of London in this. The metro stations are all different and artistic.
You can pop in the train and visit them one by one. They reflect the best of portuguese artists and architects.

This is photo #03 of LX 9-6.

LX 9-6 #02

2010-06-10T12:27:00.000+01:00

I'm trying to bring this blog back to life. I feel I don't have the time to use the internet anymore and Facebook takes away all the time I had left for blogging. I guess I should just quit playing farmville and do more interesting things.
One thing I used to love in London was taking photos while going to work or back home. I always thought it's transports had this unique feel... almost every photo i'd take on the Tube, looked good (I said almost).
And that's very hard to get in Lisbon! Or I can't see Lisbon in the same way.
Anyway, yesterday I left work early and then I went for a walk in Baixa (downtown).
I took a whole bunch of photos and will post one every day.

This is photo #02 of LX 9-6.

LX 9-6 #01

2010-06-10T01:15:00.000+01:00

Today I got to leave work at half past six. This is photo #01 of LX 9-6.

Mão Morta - Coliseu dos Recreios

2010-05-01T00:23:00.001+01:00

Awesome concert yesterday.
Mão Morta just released a new album, Pesadelo em Peluche, with a massive gig a Coliseu dos Recreios in Lisbon.
I've got more photos on my flickr page, and you can listen to the new single Novelos de Paixão at myspace.com/maomorta.

It's been a while....

2010-04-10T11:53:00.002+01:00

It's been quite a while since I last wrote anything here.
The thing is, this winter was so long that I just lost any will to blog at all.
I'm like lizzards and turtles. If the sun is shinning, then I'm happy. If it rains like if we're in some northern european country, then I'm not and I just don't want to do anything else apart from what I already have to.
So just a quick update for my 3-month absence:
January: working a lot, dancing a lot.
February: working a lot, no fancy-dress parties for Carnaval, dancing a lot.
March:working a lot, two dance shows, new camera!!!
April: worked a lot so far, will shoot nice things with my new camera. Will buy some new photographic equipment. Will get out in the sun in short sleaves. Will go out more.

And now, some photos:
In March the class performed twice at the local theatre.
These photos are from a stage rehearsal. At some point I just thought that I couldn't let it pass without taking some pictures. So I grabbed my (new!!!!) camera and shot it.
I have to thank the girls that they are already so used to my presence with a camera that don't even bother to say anything. When I'm shooting them it's like I'm invisible, they're comfortable and they want to be photographed, so no-one does funny faces, they just dance. And I love them so much that I just want to take photos of them all.
more pics here.

Jorge Ferraz Trio posing for me

2010-01-17T21:50:00.001Z

Me&Ringo : self portrait

2010-01-01T19:21:00.000Z

Lisbon #15 Happy New Decade everybody!

2009-12-31T10:28:00.000Z

A year ago I wrote this. My advice to you this year is: do not pay any attention to anything I might say as I don't follow my own advice.
I didn't do any savings, I bought a new tv and I quit from a job I didn't like.
Having said this, I got to be more creative, this was my busyest year ever.
I've learnt how to be a better Photographer and a better Designer, my mind is full of new projects and I wish I had 48 hour' days so I could fully develop my ideas.

The photo I'm posting today was taken last week. It's Lisbon' downtown at night (well, at 7pm), a few days before Xmas.

Lisboa #13

2009-12-25T11:00:00.000Z

Xmas eve went fine, Santa does read my blog. :D
He brought me a Gorilla Pod, Miguel Cervantes' Don Quixote (twice!!), a CHOCOLATE FONDUE and a lot of other things.
Thank you Santa! You're the man!

This photo is for Santa!

Lisboa #12

2009-12-24T18:58:00.002Z

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I just wrapped all the presents and cooked the usual, fantastic, fabulous, OMG, rice pudding.
Did I mention before that I'm H. M. Queen of Rice Pudding?
:D

A photo for you.

stats

2009-12-06T20:42:00.000Z

When people reach my blog through a search engine, this is what they are really looking for.
Here are some answers that might be useful. The numbers below correspond to last month's hits.

Yes I took some photos of Sons of Albion once or twice. I guess I should thank them the opportunity because the blog and gallery get lots of hits every day just because of Logan Plant cheek bones.
Why should someone want to use photoshop to look old and tired?? beats me. I can teach you to use it to look 10 years younger if you want.
5 people where looking for the word "satanic" plus "the number of 666"! OH MY GOD!! I wonder if I had written the word Jeova! (I guess I will have Jeova witnesses for visitors from now on - sorry guys. No Jeova stuff here, only satanic. or so it seems.)
dente do ciso is wisdom tooth.
"loonar zero pinhole camera shots". I've assembled one Loonar but the film's still inside. Honestly, I don't think the photos will look any good.
"mao morta free albums blogspot" Now, now. You should buy the albums. Not look for them online for free! Go to Cobra Discos.

By looking at these and other stat results I realised that my old blog "Pastilha Elástica" is getting half of the hits this one gets. Which is kind of awkward since I stopped writing there YEARS ago.

The numbers:

23    23.96%    sons of albion book
8    8.33%    digital vs film
3    3.13%    crazy photographers
3    3.13%    shade and brush
2    2.08%    how to shade so that the portrait face looks old and tired
2    2.08%    a onde comprar produtos london brush the number 1 preto
2    2.08%    sons of albion the book
2    2.08%    the train brush
2    2.08%    cinema sao jorge terrakota
2    2.08%    forecast lisboa 10 days
1    1.04%    the shade and brush
1    1.04%    satanic readings
1    1.04%    dente ciso ingles
1    1.04%    satanic brushed
1    1.04%    brush mão
1    1.04%    the number of 666 photo
1    1.04%    comidas alemãs brush
1    1.04%    loonar zero pinhole camera shots
1    1.04%    brushes satanic
1    1.04%    loonar paper camera
1    1.04%    give digital photos nostalgic 35mm film feeling
1    1.04%    brushes shade
1    1.04%    transit brush
1    1.04%    barfly camden
1    1.04%    sons of albion
1    1.04%    the shade & brush
1    1.04%    tactile exhibition
1    1.04%    depeche mode
1    1.04%    shade people brush
1    1.04%    hole on ex loonar
1    1.04%    brush de oraes
1    1.04%    satanic lisbon
1    1.04%    olive tree dance blog
1    1.04%    loonar pinhole
1    1.04%    dos dedos
1    1.04%    'sons of albion' book
1    1.04%    s_it=hf_talktalk_cl_ws_registered&q=sons of albion book&rp=
1    1.04%    brushes priest
1    1.04%    sons of albion portuguese
1    1.04%    so that
1    1.04%    film vs digital feeling
1    1.04%    mao morta free albums blogspot
1    1.04%    shaded pictures of dancers
1    1.04%    london busking dan beaulaurier
1    1.04%    satanic brushes
1    1.04%    joana saramago
1    1.04%    sons of albion audio book
1    1.04%    guestem.blogsport.com
1    1.04%    glucose líquida lisboa
1    1.04%    shade housing uk
1    1.04%    satanic brush
1    1.04%    bruch bordado no imac
1    1.04%    a book sons of albion
1    1.04%    shade brush
1    1.04%    sofia tonicher
1    1.04%    old portuguese sayings
1    1.04%    book sons of albion

H1N1 is in da house = lots of photos to edit.

2009-12-05T18:38:00.000Z

Me and my boyfriend got the season's flu, i. e. the H1N1 virus.
It affected us in different ways. He's throat got very sore, lost his voice, had fever for 3 days in a row. I got extremely tired, had some bowel "trouble"and very powerful headaches.
This made us really stay at home taking care of each other. We don't go out for anything because it's wet and cold outside and we could get worse AND we could pass it on to others which we don't want either.

During all this time I've been organising my millions of photos. I never get them printed because it would be to expensive but now I want to make some old-fashioned photo-albums. I'm so addicted to photos that not even in my flu misery I could take a rest. I started editing everything I had on my backup CDs.
I got round to a lot of photos I love and I found these three that are very special.

One day I moved to Ealing W5 (London).
It was a nice place to live and although my flat was crap and had a smelly carpet, it also had 2 great windows that led to the back of the house.
I spent A LOT of time looking out of the window. I fell in love with the big tree that was so close I could touch the leaves and with the birds and squirrels that lived in it. I could also see the office were I worked.
I guess that having no TV to watch made me spend more time looking at what was going on outside.
One day my neighbors were having a party. With fireworks. I always thought that it was the dumbest thing to do, to play with fireworks in your own garden.
People can get hurt, can cause a fire, etc. Nothing happened this time but I was very woried they could set MY tree on fire.
Nevertheless, and as I said, I'm addicted to the stuff, I grabbed the camera and started shooting.

Dear Santa...

2009-11-30T18:05:00.001Z

Dear Santa.

I would be very happy if I could get these few things this year.
Let me just remind you that I never misbehave at all and try very hard to achieve my goals.
I'm fully aware that you're not the richest man (people), but I'm not asking for a mansion.:D
Having said this, here's my list of toys:

Gorillapod - I need the medium one (SLR-Zoom), not the smallest
Wacom Intuos 4M (Top priority - also the medium size. can do with the smallest)
Flash Canon 580EXII + transmitor
Canon 50D - body only. (I know, too much to ask)
Biotherm AQUASOURCE NON STOP - ran out- the best hydratant I've ever used
Cervante's Don Quixote (can be in Castellano for a change)
Set of tupperware® containers. (must be rectangular shaped, no round stuff please, no chinese stuff either)

Other than these, any book about advanced photography or advanced (graphic) design is welcome, I also like expensive make-up (read the word expensive please - lancome, clinic, something like that). I also need some new jewellery, can be cheap as long as it's nice. No gold or bling-bling.
Chocolates are always welcome, off course.

:D

PS. Santa, don't you forget that my birthday's on the 24th December.

Depeche Mode

2009-11-15T12:36:00.000Z

I waited months for this day.
I bought my tickets in August waiting for the best concert of my life. It wasn't the best but it was close.
(the best was still the one NIN gave at the Brixton Academy).
I could only take my compact camera that is better than most compacts *but* on high ISO makes so much digital noise that photos look like they're made out of popcorn.
Here are the only 4 I could edit.

Sofia, as fotos são para ti.

the geek side of me

2009-10-29T15:36:00.001Z

My study room at home is a bit messy and needs some work done.
It's far from being nice and comfortable. As I'm not wealthy enough to get a interior designer to do the stuff for me, I try to do it myself with the tools I can reach.
We're two people living here, we need two desks. At the moment, there's one desk and one PC stand/desk/cabinet with no space for anything else but an old monitor and a keyboard.
And then I thought of ikea. Of course. Where else could I go to buy cheap furniture? Moviflor? No way.
This is when the geeky side of me begins to function... I could just look at their catalog, measure up the space... *or* I could draw the room along with everything else to see if the desks fit.

new banner

2009-10-04T00:15:00.002+01:00

do you like it?
:D

Bread and concerts

2009-10-03T23:58:00.000+01:00

First of all, I'm sleepy so don't expect much of this post.

I recently shot two gigs.
One was of Mundo Cão. What a great band!
I went to see them in Leiria performing for the Fade In festival.
We stayed with them for the evening and had a great time.

The second band was Jorge Ferraz Trio playing at the Teatro Reflexo in Sintra.

So far, they've been playing in venues with low light conditions so the photos usually turn out to be crap, but this time the venue was pretty good. the floor was red and there were two ikea lampshades near the musicians.

the outcome was good I guess.

And the third topic for today is....
.
.
.
.
tada!... I bought a bread-maker machine! (Well my dad did, to be honest)

We tried it today and it's amazing! Very good in deed!
I did it according the recipe on the flour packet. It said to just add water.
Here are some pics:

my holidays (part one)

2009-09-14T22:32:00.001+01:00

this year I could only take a week off.
I first went to Porto to watch the bf playing. I had a hell of a time.
After the concert I went to a club and danced until nearly 7am.
I hadn't done this for years and years and my neck did hurt a lot for the following days.
I've got no photos from the club but there are some from the concert here.
A couple that I like a lot:

After Porto we headed to the Algarve (or as they like to call it now "Allgarve" - damn brits!).
All I can say is that I had a wonderful time.
I played tennis (tried to), swam a lot, and didn't do much more.

what time is it?

2009-09-10T23:10:00.000+01:00

11pm.
23:03
And I'm still at the office.

Yesterday, I worked until 10.45pm. Let's not forget i start at 10am most times.
That's what I get by working in a magazine. And the most amazing thing is that I like it.

:D

...#2

2009-08-22T23:43:00.002+01:00

the things I wanted to talk about

2009-08-11T15:30:00.003+01:00

1 year has passed
On August 5th 2008, I packed my things and put myself on a plane to Lisbon.
Leaving my friends behind was very painful because I knew that I wouldn't see them again so soon .
I wanted to go back in six months and it didn't happen and now I don't know when will I be able to pay them a visit. One thing I know for sure. I 'll go straight to Ealing as soon as I can.
On the other hand I've been *very* happy since I'm back at home. Close to my boyfriend, family, friends, pets, working, it's sumer (35 ºC today!!!)... just the way I like it.
The only thing that's really missing in my life is in fact everything London has to offer, my dear Londoner friends, my salary back then and Marks and Spencer.
OK, Topshop as well.

Prayer
I'm no religious person but I must say a prayer. I have to.
here it goes.
Dear God,
Please keep Dave Gahan out of trouble.
I've got a ticket to see Depeche Mode in November.
Please don't let them cancel their tour dates again.
This is a once in a lifetime concert and I bought the ticket before everyone else.
Thanks,
(end of prayer)

Migraines...

Last week had to go to the doctor.
I was having such strong migraines as I never had had before.
So strong that my ears hurt, my eyes were red and even my tonsils were sore.
every little noise I heard would be a torture.
And this lasted for 8 days!!
Now I've got lots of exams to do, I must find out where the migraines come from.
The good thing is I'll be doing a full check up..

another prayer
ps.
God, can you end my migraines?
thanks!
I owe you one!

work, work, work

2009-08-05T20:09:00.004+01:00

I've been working long hours and didn't have the time yet to post a few things I want to tell.
(it's 08:20pm and I'm still sitting here at the office).
I'm keeping a list on 'google tasks' (says the geek in me) so I don't forget a thing.
One of the things, and that I must not forget to write about, is that i'm celebrating today a year of pure happiness!...
:D

...#1

2009-08-02T17:41:00.003+01:00

satanic readings - the forbidden book. for some.

2009-07-16T21:17:00.004+01:00

i'm a bit tired. the day was exhausting today.
i'm working long hours everyday but I shouldn't complain because I like to work 'till late.
On my daily commute I've been reading this AMAZING book I bought more than a year ago in London. I'm addicted to it. it's magical. I find myself reading it in the escalators, walking on the street, whenever I can.
In order to fully understand the book you must know Londoners, hindu indians and muslims.
You should also be aware that some mythological characters exist is more that one religion.
There's a lot to learn from this book and if you don't understand bits of it, just google to find the answers.

I've heard about this book since it was written I guess. And I was always curious to know why there was a fatwah against it's author and publishers. I learned from wikipedia that people have already been killed for translating this book so I'm only posting links here. No names. We never know what kind of fundamentalist wackos are surfing on the web, do we?

You can buy it from amazon for a fiver and it's totally worth it.
You won't regret it.
I promise.

just because

2009-06-28T22:13:00.002+01:00

just because everyone is posting about MJ, let me just say that I don't believe he's dead.
that's right, I think he moved to some retirement home for pop gods and he's hangin' around with elvis and marilyn.

When I got to work the day before yesterday(?) and my colleague asked me if I knew that MJ was dead, i replied "MJ dies?? can he do THAT??"... I still don't believe it but I never believed that he REALLY existed anyway. I'm an atheist, that's the problem!

working and dancing

2009-06-22T23:44:00.009+01:00

Ok, I'm a bit tired and feeling sleepy but there are a few things i want to post here.
First of all, I'm working for/at revista Proteste.
It's a magazine that campaigns to protect the consumers rights. Something like "Which?" in the UK and a lot of others in Europe, Brazil, USA and Australia.

Second, Dave was here for a few days. He wants to buy Sintra and revamp Ginjal in Cacilhas. He also loves the weather here (who doesn't) and the sardines! Grumpy Dave did like a lot of things around here after all!

Third, the dance season is over, we had the final show this last saturday.
Dave was there do take a few pics.

The first ones I'm posting here are Sofia Tonicher's, she borrowed my camera and took a few shots during the rehearsals. The others are the ones Dave took during the show.
I've got to say that someday I'll be remembered as the one with a very mean face.
Nevertheless I must thank them very much for taking the photos. I never get to be shot and this time I was. :D:D

Tonicha's pics:

Dave's pics:

Ramp and More than a 1000

2009-06-12T17:10:00.002+01:00

Last saturday's gigs at Incrível Almadense. More pics here and here.

Ramp

More Than a Thousand

Me on TV - not this time

2009-06-03T17:40:00.003+01:00

I was just invited to be on a tv show via webcam/skype. This one.
They said they were interested in me because I'm a portuguese photographer living and working in London.
Come on guys, you can do better than that! How about doing some homework? How about:
"Hmmm I hear that this girl is a portuguese photographer living in London, let me GOOGLE her name!
What?? she no longer lives there? How about that! I'm glad her life is spread all over the internet, otherwise I would've made a fool of my self! and by 'myself' I mean the production team!"

JEEZ!!!

Anyway, It could've been my 4 minutes of fame via skype.

On the job

2009-06-01T11:02:00.003+01:00

In rare occasions, I'm photographed while shooting. The last time it happened in a concert, Dave caught me doing my mean face #1. (I look like out of a horror movie when I'm concentrated) .
This time, my cousin was there and took the pics.
They are blurred and far from sharp but I like them a lot.
I really do! :D You can see that I'm happy doing what I like most (I smiled for my cousin)!
So, thank you Inês for being there. For me, these pics are perfect the way they are!

old archives, digital vs film, feeling nostalgic.

2009-05-28T19:56:00.005+01:00

I just found this photo in my old archives.
I took it 7 years ago when I practically knew nothing about photography.
By then, digital photography was still a distant dream for amateur photographers and I used several 35mm cameras. I enjoyed developing my photos so much that I made plans to have a black and white laboratory at home. I wanted to make my own fine art prints.
It's amazing how things have changed in 7 years.
Before, we had to think properly prior to shooting because the roll wasn't eternal like a memory card can be. If a couple of photos were good in 36exp. roll, I would be happy. And then I would look into the next roll.
Another thing that made the difference was the film it self. We had to know all sorts of things about that specific negative film because there were a whole lot of different types. Some grainier than others, some sharper, high contrast, low contrast, etc.
And after thinking about the film we had to make plans for the future, i. e. think of the paper we were going to use to make the prints, what kind of developer (for the film *and* for the paper), if we were using other chemicals like selenium, it was nearly endless, it took time and expertise to get good results.
But a photo was a project.
I miss the stench of the chemicals. I miss being alone in the dark trying to put the film in the spirals. It was a great deal! Really it was! It was exciting to know that we couldn't fail any step or our beloved photos would be ruined, bland, dirty. Even washing the film was difficult because of lime-scale deposits.
And then I bought a digital camera, and I never developed my photos again.

The lab was turned into a closet and the enlarger is in the box.
Digital photography is much safer than analog. You take the pic, put in your computer and with a bunch of preset actions your photo can be ready. You don't need to sit in the dark anymore and you depend on high quality computers with super graphic cards in it. You need a good screen, good computer skills, and you need to know a lot of new words like colorspace and white-balance.
No more old-school dodging and burning. No more cardboard masks and thin wires to hold them. No more wet photos, no more contact sheets, no more analog. Photography stayed almost the same for 100 years and then changed in less than 10. Some people still do it the old way. I wish I still could just for the fun it used to be.

Hope you like the photo anyway.
I still do. In fact I just had it printed and will frame it et all.

I've got to share this with you

2009-05-27T17:03:00.001+01:00

sorry, portuguese speakers only

LOLOL!!!!!

Palmiers

2009-05-26T18:46:00.003+01:00

Some time ago Lua posted this.
I confess that ever since she said it was "pim pam pum easy" that I wanted to give it a try.
here's the result.

Catholics

2009-05-17T20:28:00.003+01:00

This weekend Cristo Rei celebrated it's 50's anniversary. Catholics came from all over the country to celebrate this with processions and huge masses and what not.
As I went to Pedro+Pat's for dinner and the candle-procession (following the image of the Virgin -our lady of Fátima) passed by their doorstep, I took a few pics from the window, not much to see except lots of people holding candles.

Housing Options

2009-05-15T22:15:00.002+01:00

A couple of years ago I learnt from a Portuguese friend living in London about the shared-ownershiph housing scheme. The tenant buys a share of the flat and the council owns the other share. It seemed very good and as I was starting to hate landlords, I registered with them. I wanted to own a flat in London. Even if I had the council as the landlord.
After my registration, I never heard from them again. Until today.
I received this email:

Dear Home Seeker,

Thank you for creating an online account with Housing Options as part
of your search for a quality, affordable home.

If you're looking to make your move sooner rather than later, we'd
like to help you make the most of Housing Options by offering you a
more comprehensive home matching service.

To take advantage of this opportunity, take the next step, complete
your Housing Options online application at:

http://www.housingoptions.co.uk/ho2/

You will need to go to step 2 and click on Apply. From here simply
follow the instructions.

Our online application form is a quick and secure way to apply for
affordable homes available in London and we have teams on hand to
talk you through the application form step-by-step should you need
any help along the way. If you need any help you can either email
housingoptions@mht.co.uk or call 0845 230 8099.

If you have recently submitted an application, or used a paper form,
please disregard this email.

We look forward to helping you make 2009 the year you make yourself
at home!

Best regards,

From all at Housing Options

To which I replied:

Dear Housing Options,

Thank you for your email but I registered in your website almost two years ago.
I no longer live in the UK so you can forget about my subscription.
Once again I thank you for your promptness in replying to my email.

Kind Regards,

Amazing!

Kumpania Algazarra, Terrakota and Olive Tree Dance

2009-05-10T23:22:00.003+01:00

More pics here, here and here.

Gran Torino - Great movie

2009-04-27T10:44:00.003+01:00

I went to see it on saturday and I would go again. And so should you.
Clint Eastwood keeps getting better! Too bad its said that this was his last role.
Some reviews just say that Dirty Harry is back and that the film is empty.
Walt, the polish war veteran played by Eastwood, appears to be a racist old man that hates everything that moves and is not white. He fought in the korean war and has some resentment against asian people. Another thing that upsets him is the fact that his neighborhood that was once white, is now populated with asians, that are mostly good people, just ordinary families, but that make him feel like he's the odd one now.
When we see the movie we can realise that everyone's got a foreign background. Walt's white friends are italian, irish, polish, and they all swear racist jokes at each-other. This is just how they're used to mingle. And this makes us understand that maybe he's not racist at all. He's just a grumpy old man with an politically-incorrect vocabulary.

Crazy Photographers' Night Out!

2009-04-24T12:07:00.002+01:00

I went out yesterday with my friends from Lusa.
Needless to say that I had lots of fun!!

More photos on the "Crazy Photographers' Night Out" set.

Mão Morta in Braga

2009-04-20T14:42:00.002+01:00

Mão Morta no Cinema São Jorge-4

2009-04-17T13:23:00.001+01:00

Mão Morta no Cinema São Jorge-4
Originally uploaded by Joana Saramago

Mão Morta's photos of last gig at Cinema São Jorge in Lisbon are already online so take a look.
The concert was 2 weeks ago and somehow difficult to shoot.
The lights were placed behind the artists and as the venue is a old cinema theatre, the seats reach the edge of the stage.

I confess I'm in need of more bands to shoot, my blog and flickr gallery are starting to look like they were Mão Morta's.
If you play in a band and need some promo pics, just drop me an email and I'll see what can be done..
:)

at the stadium

2009-04-16T20:11:00.004+01:00

This photo was taken a few weeks ago by Inácio Rosa at the Belenenses Stadium after the Belenenses-Amadora football game.
I was carrying my tiny camera and a heavy tele-lens. Almost like a pro.

I should upgrade my own memory.

2009-04-13T16:45:00.006+01:00

(Note to myself).
1. When the washer/dryer is working, it has water inside. Hot water.
2. When it's drying my clothes it reaches very hot temperatures.
3. I should always check my jeans' pockets for things before putting the machine to work.

Things like Compact Flash memory cards.
Amazingly, it still works.
Not all is lost.

ANTZZZ!!

2009-04-07T21:24:00.005+01:00

These little buggers are *starting* to piss me off!
They open little tiny holes between floorboards and bring sand from outside into my house.

EVIL !!!! 666 photos

2009-03-31T17:40:00.001+01:00

EVIL !!!! 666 photos
Originally uploaded by Joana Saramago

ANTS

2009-03-26T22:42:00.002Z

My flat is under attack.
Hundreds of ants patrol the kitchen, corridor, living room, balcony...
I've already placed traps and I hope they all die and leave my home-sweet-home alone.

Another cover!

2009-03-19T22:10:00.003Z

The Priest is (was) back!

2009-03-18T23:51:00.007Z

Yesterday I went with C. and F. to see the Priestfest.
For those of you that wave no clue of what it is, I can tell you straight away that it's not a church event.
It started at 7pm with Testament, then came Megadeth (GLORIOUS!!) and then the festival host, Judas Priest.
I was there to see Megadeth. Judas Priest is not my thing but hey, it's heavy metal.
I like the noise, the drums, the guitars... I don't like the singer, he changed outfits a dozen of times. Worse than Cher, believe me. In the end he even took a very noisy motorcycle to the stage.

As I only took my G9 to the gig, the photos aren't as perfect as I would wish.

(Dave Mustaine is still my favorite Dave. Sorry Hodg, you come second. :D)

my first football pix

2009-03-16T20:51:00.003Z

Yesterday I went to shoot a football game.
Believe me, it's hard.
I had never shot sports before and it requires some practice that I don't have yet.
It's hard to get the players, the ball, the goal and the field in the same frame.
Nevertheless, it was a great experience.
And because I always take my friends in consideration, here are some pics for them.
(the ladies, off course)

:D

Dancers in backstage

2009-03-15T12:35:00.003Z

Yesterday we danced/performed "Barrigas de Areia" at the local auditorium to open the Quinzena da Juventude festival.
As I can't dance and take photos at the same time, I took these photos in backstage while we waited for our turn to perform.
More photos on flickr.

I love fridays like this.

2009-03-08T16:52:00.006Z

Last friday I went to Porto.
The trip to Porto (from Lisbon) can be made by train and takes approximately 3 hours. Some people like it, I just don't like trains.

But I went to Porto for a reason!
The bf was playing in Teatro Sá da Bandeira and I couldn't miss the concert for anything in the world!
SMIX SMOX SMUX opened the show. They're still newbies but they're quite good already!
The singer, Filipe Palas has a great sense of humor and the audience was *very* amused.
After they played, Mão Morta came to the stage and set the house on fire. Really.

Click here to see the whole set.

My first cover - A minha primeira 'primeira página'

2009-03-08T10:19:00.001Z

I'm allergic to Twitter

2009-02-25T18:22:00.003Z

I use to suffer from a rash caused by cell-phones ringing all the time with Twitter messages...
After almost 2 years of existence of the damned thing, I finally got myself a Twitter account.
I noticed that everywhere I go now, people (more specifically, journalists) talk A LOT about how wonderful Twitter is and how important it is in our lives.

I am one of those people who check their emails all the time.
I've got a few blogs of my own, I update my myspace, my facebook, my flickr every now and again.
I've also got other accounts on other networking sites.
Every time I can, I check google reader for updates on other peoples' blogs.
I also read portuguese and english online papers.
As I don't have a Blackberry or an iPhone I know that I'm not completely internet-crazy yet but now that I've got a Twitter account I don't know what to do with it.

For those who still don't know what the heck it is, it's a personal live news feed for geeky journalists and other geeky people.

N'est ce pas, Deda?

Lisboa #11

2009-02-25T16:11:00.002Z

Metro de superfície, Pragal, Almada.

Lisboa #10

2009-02-20T13:25:00.001Z

On the train - Bridge 25th April - Lisbon

2009-02-19T23:22:00.000Z

Euromillions

2009-02-14T11:52:00.000Z

Once again, I didn't win a thing.

Blue - Lisboa #8

2009-02-11T20:04:00.000Z

It's been a long time since I last did one of these

2009-02-10T23:56:00.001Z

Lisboa #7

Na ponta dos dedos - tactile exhibition for visual impaired people

2009-02-06T17:29:00.002Z

Museu do Oriente, Lisboa

A Esquadra do Rego - Rego's police station

2009-02-04T19:54:00.002Z

Just so that you know...

2009-02-01T11:23:00.002Z

For the past 2 weeks I've been dreaming about the same thing: photos, cameras, lenses, news...
Today I was all excited about a new lens that is due to arrive soon. A 70-200 f2.8. But in my dream all I had was concern because the stupid thing was a fake and the zoom wasn't 70-200 at all.

Lisboa #6

2009-01-19T20:05:00.000Z

Portuguese saying

2009-01-07T17:29:00.002Z

Não há fome que não dê em fartura.

want some toast?

2009-01-06T14:00:00.003Z

THIS is a GREAT IDEA and I want one!!!

If I only knew about this a year ago, I wouldn't have spent a fortune on toasts at the office's cafeteria.

Happy New Year

2008-12-31T11:16:00.002Z

I wish you all a Happy New Year.
I also wish that you're not hit by the crisis.
Don't spend all your money on plasma screens and game consoles. I'm sure your non-HD tv works just fine.
2009 is going to be a tough year. Be brave. Keep your job even if your boss is a pain in the neck.
Put money aside every time you can.
Shop for clothes only in the Sales (this goes to the TugasUK).
If you have a bank account in Portugal (or Euro zone) and another in England, transfer some money (now while there's almost no difference) to the english one and keep it there. The GBP will rise again sometime and your little euros will be big.
Smoke less or quit smoking, do some exercise, drink less, have more fun and be cool. Be creative. Do new things be artistic!... Even if you're an accountant and your job is boring, you can still be creative! Put some colour on your spreadsheets!

As for me, I'm starting 2009 with a new job, doing what I like. It's a fine 2009 start for me and I'm very happy!
I'm still half-sunk in the flu epidemics that has hit PT, but it's ok because people say my voice sounds like Demi Moore's. Apparently, it's sexy!

And now, I'm off to the kitchen to do cheesecake and brigadeiros. The party will be at Zaka's and according to her blog, she's also got the flu. :)

PS: DAVE, your pudding's just arrived!!
:D:D:D THANKS!!
hmmmmm!!!
:D

Puerto Nariño, Amazonas

2008-12-30T19:04:00.001Z

Puerto Nariño, Amazonas
Originally uploaded by joaop

My good friend João Pedro went to South America on a photographic journey and shot this beautiful portfolio.
Every time he travels, he turns himself into a better photographer.
Click on the photo to view the whole thing.

self portrait

2008-12-28T02:45:00.000Z

playing a little bit with photoshop...

Christmas update - 2008

2008-12-27T16:44:00.004Z

This Christmas was a bit different with a kid in the house playing Santa.
She handed every present one by one and very quickly. She did a great job!
I got some books, DVDs, cash to spend, kitchen utensils, a Diana, chocolates and some other little things.
My Santa never forgets that my birthday is on the 24th so he's always very generous!
I ate loads, i never eat bacalhau because it's too chewy so my grandma did Carne de Porco à Alentejana for us, the meat eaters.
And then so many desserts!
That's the best thing about Xmas in Portugal
You get to eat LOTS of pudding!

Another decade...

2008-12-24T11:40:00.001Z

...begins!
I wish I was 19 forever.

Lisboa #5

2008-12-23T13:49:00.001Z

Mão Morta @ Sesimbra

2008-12-22T21:54:00.003Z

Lisboa #4

2008-12-21T19:32:00.000Z

Lisboa #3

2008-12-20T22:51:00.001Z

Lisboa #2

2008-12-19T11:16:00.002Z

5 days

2008-12-19T00:42:00.002Z

5 to 30

Lisboa #1

2008-12-18T21:27:00.004Z

The city where I was born, the capital of Portugal, a sunny city with lots of history. A place that could be a tourism empire and is not.
This photo *can* be the first of a series.
I find Lisbon much less attractive than London and I can now say that it's even less attractive than Dublin...
Of course it's got beautiful spots but it needs care and lots of money to be revamped and not in a million years that will happen.

what' you lookin' at?

2008-12-15T11:29:00.003Z

Smix Smox Smux playing live @ Musicbox

2008-12-13T19:14:00.002Z

I went to see SMIX SMOX SMUX yesterday.
They are a band from Braga and they will soon be known to the general public for sure.
They're very good and the singer/guitarist (SMOX Filipe Palas) knows how to catch the audience's attention.
This photo shows SMIX the bassist!

OMG!!!!!!

2008-12-02T02:33:00.001Z

Santa! Santa! Santa! Santa!!!!
I want a SPY LENS!!!

my cat :D

2008-12-02T00:10:00.001Z

my cat :D
Originally uploaded by Joana Saramago

I'm danish!

2008-11-25T21:21:00.001Z

I took this silly test and learnt that I'm not portuguese after all!
I'm Danish!!
WOW!!!

You Are Denmark

Well known for your happiness, you live a high quality life.

You are compassionate, articulate, and polite.

You tend to be quite reserved. You prefer to be around those you know best.

You value equality. Modest and humble, you are not concerned with personal success.

What Country Are You?

Err99 - the pronounced death of my camera

2008-11-25T10:31:00.004Z

My camera is now sending me messages. It says that it's ill and needs new parts.
The "error 99" is known for being a generic error. Maybe the camera/lens contacts need some cleaning or maybe the thing needs a new shutter.

My next camera won't be an entry-level one for sure.

I'm ill as well. After two weeks with a stupid cold, I have now lost my voice.
I might send my tonsils along with the camera for repair.

Barcelos

2008-11-23T20:15:00.005Z

Went to Barcelos, in Minho - close to Braga, to see the b playing.
If you're English then you probably have been to Nando's and are familiar with the colourful rooster. Barcelos is the rooster's hometown. We had rooster for dinner there and it's AMAZING!!! Roast rooster stuffed with sweet chestnuts and roast vegetables + plums on the side. YUMMY!!
The dessert was an hour and a half of rock&roll at the local theatre.
The band - the usual :)the best!

Raquel Mendes and Célia Casca

2008-11-18T18:09:00.007Z

My friends Raquel and Célia have recently created two blogs to promote their work.

Most of my friends studied Architecture. I remember when they had models to present and had no time or skills to do it.
Raquel is a gifted Architect that makes realistic (and beautiful) architecture models. Her work is absolutely amazing. She works mainly for other architects and is now expanding her client portfolio to Uni students. If you're in Uni and need help, just email Raquel.
Her blog is called Maquetes de Arquitectura.

On a similar subject, Célia (talented artist and a Civil Engineer to be) has specialised in Feng Shui and will be giving a course in Almada next month. Her blog is called Casa do Ki.

Braga

2008-11-17T12:31:00.003Z

This weekend was spent in Braga.
The boyfriend had a rehearsal there and I went along.
Braga is a small town in the region of Minho (Northern Portugal. I say "small" because you can go by foot everywhere. The town centre is clean and pretty, has lots of history related to the Catholic Church and has a church in every corner. A bit like every other spanish town I know.
Wikipedia has a fine discription of Braga, so if you're curious to know more, just go there.

While I was wondering arround, I found out that Braga's got a few poets.

"If christ would come back to the world made by his father, he would have to go away or he would be killed again"

"Give me wine to drink my love, water I cannot have, it has leeches and I'm afraid to die."

beautiful poetry...

10.017!!!

2008-11-10T13:14:00.001Z

This blog has been visited more than ten thousand times!
:D

cheesecake

2008-10-31T19:41:00.002Z

There are 3 things I *need* when I think of them.
One is chocolate, the other is a fine packet of crisps. the third one is a Marks and Spencer slice of cheesecake. And there's no M&S in Portugal!!!!
AARRRGGHHHHH!!!!
I WANT CHEESECAKE!!!!!

weekend

2008-10-27T14:13:00.002Z

Remember this public performance I mentioned some time ago??

and what about this tv show?

Lisbon (moaning about)

2008-10-24T23:12:00.004+01:00

As I had an appointment today near Praça de Espanha, on my way back I decided to go by foot to Cais do Sodré. It was a lovely warm afternoon and I wasn't in the mood for public transports.
If you know Lisbon it might seem a long walk but comparing to the walks I used to do in London it's nothing. Those walks going from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus and then Piccadilly Circus and then getting lost in the Soho while trying to find to Covent Garden, were exhausting comparing to the walk I did today.
It's amazing how Lisbon's so small to me now.
I was hoping to take some pics, as some anonymous person suggested here in the blog, some Lisbon Postcards, but Lisbon doesn't seduce me in the same way that London does.
No doubt that if you have never been to Lisbon, you will love it, but where is everyone? There aren't any crowds in Lisbon. Not even of tourists. I like crowds, I like to see busy people going to work, shopping, or just walking... In London I could photograph random people in the crowds. I can't do it in Lisbon.
And the locals go everywhere by car. Lisbon is full of cars. Why can't people do as I did today?
Walk! Yeah, it takes longer but if everyone walked or took the bus/metro, the traffic wouldn't be as chaotic as it is and the shops would have people inside.
What's the purpose of a Louis Vuitton or a Mango shop in Avenida da Liberdade if no-one goes there?
The Mayor of Lisbon, or the Cityhall or whatever/whomever has the power to do this, should implement a congestion charge.
Half of the cars would be left at home, people would use the streets and where there are people, there is commerce. The shops would sell more, people would feel better because they'd walk more and on top of it all, the city wouldn't be as polluted as it is.
People would save a mini-fortune in petrol to spend in elsewhere... like in clothes! wouldn't it be GREAT??
The colours for the season this Autumn are Cyan, Purple and Orange (more like carrot). The colour I see every single portuguese person wearing are beige and brown. Complete Dullness!
And this WHY??? Because everyone goes everyone by car!!

I'm moaning too-much today.

new things

2008-10-18T20:37:00.004+01:00

1. I added a wish list for Xmas to the blog.
2. There's a 'followers list' (sign in, please)
3. I changed that part where I said I was living in London.
4. Oh, and the washer/dryer arrived today! Yeah!!

Loonar Goupe

2008-10-15T21:58:00.003+01:00

The last time I went to the Tate Modern shop I bought lots of stuff.
Stuff that I wouldn't find here in Portugal.
I bought a DIY paper pin-hole camera. For a camera, even a toy-camera I thought it was cheap so it went into the shopping bag very quickly.
It's the third DIY pin-hole camera I buy in museums. Life's hard, none of the other cameras worked well so as you say in Portuguese "Não há duas sem três" and I bought this one to give it another try.
It's a Loonar Goupe Hole-on Ex.
Today I put it together, it's not perfect but at least I didn't have to do *the* pin-hole.
It's hot an on/off switch and the lens is detachable.
Very posh for a paper camera.