Postcards from a bridge, a photo from Porto, Nord

Photographer's Note

I have soon exhausted my stock of acceptable photos from my short journey to Porto at the end of May this year, but I will show a few more before I turn somewhere else. The most famous building in the city is the mighty Dom Luís I Bridge (Ponte Dom Luís I), built between 1881 and 1887 across the Douro river. It featured in one of the photos I have posted recently, but it's so spectacular that I wanted to return to it. I have so many photos from different angles. They all tend to look rather like postcards, but I like them anyway. They also allow me to make comparisons with photos I took near the bridge 34 years ago, in August 1984.

In this photo you can see that the stalls along the river near the bridge have switched from selling fruits and vegetables to the locals in 1984 to providing souvenirs for tourists now. (I apologize for the bad colours of the old scan, and for mistaking this bridge for the older, and similar, Maria Pia Bridge a couple of km away - according to Wikipedia it's a common mistake.)

Here is a larger version. Two more views in the workshop.

ikeharel, jhm, Fis2, snunney, ChrisJ, jean113, papagolf21, Cricri, danos, adramad, macjake, cornejo, PiotrF, COSTANTINO, pierrefonds, mcmtanyel, bukitgolfb301, sacimar, dale54, PaulVDV trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

jhm (211736) 2018-07-14 1:03

Hello Gert,

I look wit much attention to the construction of the iron bridge, this was not my speciality, only build constructions, clinics, schools and other big buildings.
Wonderful panorama view with excellent light and colours.
Composition and presentation are always nice takes care.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John

Fis2 (170639) 2018-07-14 1:15

Witaj Gert!
A very curious fragment of bridge.
Wonderful construction, I love bridges.
Nice scene from daily life.
Good POV, composition and colors.
Well done.
Good weekend.
Krzysztof

snunney (130967) 2018-07-14 1:22

Hello Gert,
I am not sure what is not 'acceptable' about this image, nor can it really be described as a 'postcard'. It nicely blends daily life with some impressive structural engineering. Very nicely illuminated with excellent colour contrasts and very good sharpness.

Royaldevon (85862) 2018-07-14 2:10

Hello Gert,

Oh, I like this!
You have placed people, in an interesting situation spreading across the f/g, with interesting details of light and shade. Then behind, we have sharp details of this magnificent bridge, arching over the f/g and stretching, like a metal caterpillar, across the river. It seems to unite the whole photograph with interest!

The poor musician doesn't appear to be attracting many listeners. The bridge is well seen in this photograph but it doesn't have the dynamism of your main post.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

ChrisJ (171794) 2018-07-14 2:18

Hello Gert,

Good inclusion of most of the bg iconic Porto Bridge. The fg market adds depth and layering to the composition. Excellent sharpness and vibrant colour. The tiered red roofs of the buildings on the opposite shore add interest too. Tfs!

Tue (92302) 2018-07-14 2:30

Hello Gert,
An excellent vertical composition, which includes both a great view of the city with the impressive bridge and the buildings on the other side of the river in the background as well as the lovely impression of daily life with the market in the foreground. The light was wonderful and rendered the colours appealing and natural.
Lars

jean113 (27819) 2018-07-14 2:40

Hello Gert, another interesting shot from Porto.
There is nothing wrong in postcard type pictures, not if they teach us about a place.
Judging by the size of the people on the bridge it is deceptively high.
Good shot of everyday life.
Regards Jean.

papagolf21 (152607) 2018-07-14 3:45

Bonjour, cher Gert,
Un grand merci pour cet album qui retrace le passé et aujourd'hui, une bonne façon de voir les modifications au fil du temps.
Le pont me fait penser à un travail d'Eiffel (simple supposition).
Merci pour ce partage très apprécié.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Cricri (176) 2018-07-14 6:05

Hi Gert
bon cadrage du pont métallique, la vue sur les différents bâtiments de la ville, un coin du marché ajoutant vie a la composition, superbe les WS, belle celle du musicien
Bonne journée
cricri

danos (110407) 2018-07-14 6:41

Hello Gert,
Impressive the view of the metallic arch bridge of Porto,with the open air marker under it to completes the scenery.The blue sky and the presantation of the visitors enhance even more the beauty of it.

Have a good WE,Danos

Nicou (193806) 2018-07-14 7:16

Hello

Mervielleus eimage et ocmpo quel pont de fer quelle forme e tiamge sueprbe captage et vue et ce stand en fond avec la vente de sissus les personnages quelle armature au dessus de ce marché.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

rychem (72187) 2018-07-14 8:09

The first what I could see in your photo was this fantastic structure of the iron bridge, simply great, and people come here to buy ordinary caps and somthing as souvenir, and they arn't interested in the bridge, it is pity
regards Ryszard

pajaran (115779) 2018-07-14 8:55

Dobar dan.
Interesantan i lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad sa lepim fotografijama u radionici, lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak.
Lepe tezge sa robom i konstrukcija mosta.
Lepo mesto da se kupi suvenir.
Zelim vam lepo popodne, sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

adramad (72934) 2018-07-14 9:07

Hello Gert.
Sensational and lively composition with this market on the banks of the Tagus, having above the impressive arch of the metal bridge that joins both sides of the city and one of its icons, very well integrated into this composition.
Good perspective of the image, very pleasing to the eye.
Colorful, sharpness and luminosity are captured efficiently.
Very good composition, magnificent presentation.
Have a good weekend.
Warm greetings.
Luis.

jmdias (115046) 2018-07-14 9:25

gert

I remember I became surprised with the amount of little fishes eating something in a mouth of a discharge pipe in the river. nice this view of the bridge and its elegant lines and I liked the personages and the products here too.
take care

jorge

Silvio1953 (221463) 2018-07-14 9:44

Ciao Gert, lovely composition with beautiful bridge and nice people, excellent clarity, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

kasianowak (17676) 2018-07-14 11:22

I always regret those traditional stalls changing their style so much. Even souvenir stalls can change from fascinating to boring or kitsch as I observed in Kiev last winter. In 2011 you could buy a samovar, Soviet army uniform or dollar banknotes with Hugh Laurie as Dr House instead of a US president. Fast forward to 2017 and the same stall now sells plastic pierogi with "Kiev" written on them and key rings with a piece of plastic lard...
But it's still a nice photo and I really enjoy comparing your 1984 shots to those taken last May. :-)
Best wishes
Kasia

macjake (98402) 2018-07-14 11:42

Hi Gert
I have to say...i'm not sure why people have such a distaste for the 'postcard' type of photo, as you mentioned in your note. There's nothing wrong with a postcard style shot, heck, Mariusz wouldn't have a TE gallery without postcard style photographs - he loves them, collects them, photographs and hunts down postcard views. I do as well. There's almost a negative stigma about them...I see no reason for it. Perfect example is your photo here...so what, who cares if its a postcard. Its a lovely shot, its attractive, it captures peoples attention, it's well worthy of a post on TE and we all enjoy viewing it. Bingo! Done! Happy times right? :) haha

but seriously, its just fine, we need to stop with this postcard = boring sort of thinking. keep posting these :)
cheers
Craig

cornejo (61504) 2018-07-14 12:51

Hello Gert, very good picture of this interesting scene of everyday life with the famous bridge in the background, very well captured in this interesting image, with good sharpness, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good night and happy Sunday.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

GyurMaster (24818) 2018-07-14 13:28

Dear Gert,

Its a nice glimpse, but I think that WS1 is way better. That is a really nice nothing special. Have a nice weekend! :)

Best Wishes,
Gy.

PiotrF (54538) 2018-07-14 14:19

Hello Gert,
An interesting picture from Porto with the construction of the iron bridge in background.
I like nice composition, good exposure, colors and sharpness.
Fine presentation.
Regards
Piotr

lousat (139170) 2018-07-14 16:29

Hi Gert,3 nice and different way to show us this famous bridge,now i know that there are a nice street shop under the its archs,and the 2 WS are interesting and well done too,thanks a lot! Have a nice SUnday,Luciano

ikeharel (113241) 2018-07-15 1:07

Hello Gert,
Colorful vendors stands under the impressive bridge.
Attractive spot found, a nice combined subjects.
Light and different colors prevailing this beautiful photo from a famous location in Porto.
Have a nice sunday,
Ike

COSTANTINO (116377) 2018-07-15 1:33

Hello dear Gert and have a nice day
You wrote that soon exhausted your stock
of acceptable photos the same happened
to me and now I am waiting for my new
trip to Samos island again
I like your description alongside the river
and generally the bridge dominating the
photo it nicely describes scene from daily life
and people walking up and down the bridge
everybody interested in somethong else
welldone
regards
Costantino

pierrefonds (114347) 2018-07-15 13:21

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the activities at the stalls. The point of view is showing the details of the stalls and of the famous bridge. The sharpness is very good. Have a nice day.

Pierre

carlo62 (81265) 2018-07-15 15:18

Ciao Gert
ecco tre insolite foto con questo famoso ponte.
Di solito il ponte è il soggetto principale delle foto, altre volte il ponte viene fotografato insieme ad una parte di città, in questo caso hai fotografato tre situazioni di vita della città in cui è possibile vedere anche il ponte, proprio come un normale abitante del luogo che ogni giorno vive, cammina, lavora con questa architettura sempre presente.
Saluti
Carlo

mcmtanyel (68383) 2018-07-15 17:05

Hello Gert,
Obviously, this bridge is an important landmark in Porto. I have seen it in more than a few people's portfolios. I like this fresh series of photographs that concentrate on what happens around the bridge. Well done! 👍
Regards,
MT

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2018-07-15 19:43

Hi dear Gert

Your Portugal sereis is so poetic at all.
Yes this is your signitured shot, people + one shot!
Human and artificials are nicely matched.

All the best and have a good day! Takero

sacimar (38173) 2018-07-16 5:24

Hello Gert,

good composition with the famous bridge in the back, I like the scene you captured in this place and we can see that it hasn´t changed a lot in 34 years, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

mesutilgim (0) 2018-07-16 11:27

Hello dear Gert,
Nice capture from Porto taken with good pov and layout.
Very good sharpness.
Interesting and usefull notes as well.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

dale54 (17768) 2018-07-16 11:53

gert to you good evening and hello..what a magnificent lively colorful scene along with this amazing bridge! love it! tfs dale

emka (158030) 2018-07-17 12:55

hello gert, So many pictures to see, nice comparison of the new views and these from 1984. This bridge is so fantastic that it deserves to be shown many times. Lovely main picture, with the upper part of the bridge on the diagonal with some small figures of the people going there. A pleasant scene at the souvenir stall. Funny, I have such a serviette like this with the Portuguese rooster (and I have used it during my last trip:)). Kind regards MAlgo

PaulVDV (62846) 2018-08-07 10:01

Hello Gert,
Here I find the buildings that you've presented in your WS at another picture of Porto.
I still can't understand why the sight from above stayed onnoticed to me. I visited Porto together with a friend and then you don't always have as much time for photography.
Very nice combination of the market stall with the famous bridge and the buildings on the other side.
I clearly remember the market stalls.
Your second workshop has nice graphical elements.
Best regards, Paul

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-08-28 12:50

Gert, two customers look interested by the hats and the scarfs sold in that stall established along the Douro river. The old Dom Luís I bridge appears majestically in the bg. Pleasant daily life photo from Porto.