They say a photo speaks a thousand words. The Pearls of Portugal photo contest proved that to be true.
With countless photos submitted to the Pearls of Portugal Facebook and Instagram pages, the world has possibly just seen its biggest outpouring of appreciation for the beauty that Portugal holds within its borders.
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Celebrating the beauty that is living in Portugal
The purpose of the photo contest was to showcase Portugal in all its wonder via photography of all kinds.
Contestants were open to submitting photos, regardless of their skill level or how professional their equipment was. Even photos taken with a smartphone camera were fair game as long as the photos followed basic image size requirements.
The Pearls of Portugal website stated that they wanted to “give everyone a chance to see [Portugal] through one another’s “eyes” and share their view.” And the winning contestants did just that, all while proving their photography skills in a big way.
Let’s look at the winning photos and the talented photographers behind them.
1st place winner: Tiago Araujo
The title of 1st place goes to Tiago Araujo. His winning photo captured the heart of Portugal in a single shot. Which is truly what the photo contest was all about. In doing so, he earned a Sony A6000 camera.
The drone captured Araujo’s photo and showed a small lake and two narrow paths jutting out onto the water, each ending with a wooden pavilion.
The location, in central Portugal, is called Pateira de Espinhel. Only people that are living in Portugal or know the area well would know to find this beautiful off-the-path spot.
The winning photo, taken from above the lake, captures your imagination. So much so that upon examining it, you may find that you can’t stop looking at it.
The deep emerald greens of the vegetation-covered lake and the rich earthy oranges that paint the surrounding trees give the viewer an idea of how overpowering Portugal’s nature truly is. Furthermore, it creates a longing to explore more of central Portugal, the heart of the country.
2nd: Bruno Biscaia
Placing 2nd in the contest is Bruno Biscaia. His stunning photo of the Santa Justa lift in Lisbon is intriguing and satisfying to the eye. The photo was taken from an interesting angle: the underside of the lift.
As disorientating as it is to gaze up at a large and awe-inspiring object, the photo is a clear snapshot of the unique charm and character that so many people living in Portugal or just visiting love about Lisbon.
As the 2nd place winner, Biscaia took home a DJI Mini 2.
3rd Place: Ricardo Fernandes and Miguel Vilaça
Coming in third are Ricardo Fernandes and Miguel Vilaça, earning them both a Fujifilm Instax Mini.
Fernandes’s photo shows a jaw-dropping and expansive night sky. Set above a rocky formation, the dark sky is lit up by a brilliant milky way, a delicate falling star, and an unnamed explorer with a flashlight.
The night photography was captured in Algarve, in Portugal’s southernmost region. Those living in Portugal and people fortunate to vacation there know that the region is famous for its stunning beaches, sandy coves, and cliffs that overlook the Atlantic.
Vilaça’s photo is a colorful and dreamy capture of one of Portugal’s famous chapels, “Capela do Senhor da Pedra,” at sunset. The vibrant pink and orange clouds cast a fiery reflection on the surrounding water.
Built in 1763, the old seaside chapel is a well-known place to visit among tourists and people living in Portugal. Vilaça’s photo is a great representation of how beautifully Portugal preserves its beaches and its unique historical treasures.
Are you feeling inspired to explore Portugal?
It looks like the country of Portugal is finally getting the recognition it deserves. It’s one of the world’s happiest countries, with a low cost of living and an even lower crime rate. This explains why more and more people have made moves across the globe and are now happily living in Portugal.
Photo contests bring out the most beautiful sides of living in Portugal. Even the less picturesque sides of the country are worth exploring, capturing, and sharing with the world because they are full of character, pride, and history and brimming with natural beauty.
