In the countryside

[Paulo Bizarro]

In southwest Portugal, it is very easy and quick to go from the coastline to the rural interior. Just 20-30km inland, the landscape changes. A quick and yet natural transition from the sea to the country.

Of course everybody and its dog has moved from the country to the cities in the last 30-40 years, and so there are many abandoned places. However, lately, and with all the economic crisis and high unemployment rate, quite a lot of people are moving back to the rural areas. Trying to start up small agricultural and farming projects.

So these are just some shots from a trip going inland from the coast. Some more here:

http://blog.paulobizarro.com/?p=234

Regards

[thejimmy86]

I especially love the first one!

[Richard Pearlman]

I really like the black and white processing. I especially like the old farmhouse image. The juxtaposition between the blurred clouds and the abandoned farm house is interesting.

[DwayneOakes]

Interesting tree in the second image with nice cloud back drop, b/w works
for me with the black tree, white clouds and some grey mid tones.

Dwayne Oakes

[Paulo Bizarro]

I especially love the first one!

Thanks. I was rushing to get this photo... the cloud cover from the coast was coming inland pretty quickly, a few minutes later there was no sun. I just had the time to set up my tripod and shoot. This tree is really big, this shot is from a 20mm lens.

[Paulo Bizarro]

I really like the black and white processing. I especially like the old farmhouse image. The juxtaposition between the blurred clouds and the abandoned farm house is interesting.

Thanks Richard. These days I convert to B&W in LR. Been thinking about the so often mentioned Silver Efex programme, not sure if it adds value to my images.

I noticed the old farm house as I was driving. I used the Lee Big Stopper to drag the clouds a bit, like time passing through and the house turning into ruin. I shot this with my 20mm lens; for these shots I prefer to go a little wider than required, because after perspective correction, some image area is lost.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Interesting tree in the second image with nice cloud back drop, b/w works
for me with the black tree, white clouds and some grey mid tones.

Dwayne Oakes

Thanks Dwayne. This is the same tree as in #1. I was lying with my back in the ground shooting upwards...