Interlude: Not for the faint hearted

Just for a change, I’m going to add a couple of off-the-cuff images from this afternoon. I noticed the web earlier in the week, but it looked abandoned. Today, though was this magnificent spider, just sitting and waiting for his lunch. I managed to grab a couple of images before lunch, then after our lunch

Surfing Photography at Praia da Barra

Our most recent surf session was at the Praia da Barra. As soon as we saw the waves, we knew that this was a challenge. The forecast was for waves of 1,5m, but they seemed to be more like 2-3m, and far out from shore. This time I wasn’t able to get some close ups of

Surfing Photography at Praia do Areão

Our most challenging surfing photography session was held at the Praia do Areão, near Vagueira. The waves were fabulous, but the fog was thick. After a couple of hours, the mist started to clear and we got much better photographs, but by tht time it was time to leave. Here are a selection from the

Freestyle Surfing with Afotografia

Although we’ve been a little quiet just lately, that’s not to say we’ve not been getting out and about. We’ve been fortunate enough to be selected by Beachcam.pt to be the local surfing photographer for the Aveiro area of Portugal, which includes Praia da Barra, Praia da Vagueira and the Praia do Areão. As such

Surfing Photography at Praia da Barra

Our most recent surf session was at the Praia da Barra. As soon as we saw the waves, we knew that this was a challenge. The forecast was for waves of 1,5m, but they seemed to be more like 2-3m, and far out from shore. This time I wasn’t able to get some close ups of

Surfing Photography at Praia do Areão

Our most challenging surfing photography session was held at the Praia do Areão, near Vagueira. The waves were fabulous, but the fog was thick. After a couple of hours, the mist started to clear and we got much better photographs, but by then it was time to leave. Here are a selection from the day,

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Gamma Ray

The last band we saw at Vagos Open Air was the German Power Metal band, Gamma Ray. The band was actually here as a replacement for the British band, Saxon, one of whose members had an accident, but Gamma Ray delivered a fabulous performance which delighted the audience. Setlist: (Welcome): Anywhere in the Galaxy, Men, Martians and

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Iced Earth

The first band of the evening was the American power metal band, Iced Earth. This was their first visit to Portugal for a long time, and they seemed to be enjoying their visit to Vagos Open Air immensely. With a hugely enjoyable set, Iced Earth performed two encores and left the crowd wanting even more.

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Rotting Christ

The rather unusually named Rotting Christ, an extreme black metal band from Greece, took to the stage at Vagos. Fronted by Sakis Tolis, on guitar and vocals, Rotting Christ were magnificaent, delivering a frenetic set which the crowd enjoyed immensely, setting up the festival for the evening performances. Setlist: The Forest of N’Gai, Athanati Este, Kata ton Demona Eautou, King of

Miss Sumol Cup 2013 – National Surfing Championship

Following the Body Board Championship at Miss Sumol Cup 2013, the following day was the national surfing championship. Won buy Carina Duarte (in pink), this was an exhibition of stunning surfing, which I hope the photographs portray.

Miss Sumol Cup 2013 – Women’s Bodyboard Championship

Today we were lucky enough to be able to go to the Miss Sumol Cup 2013 for the Women’s Bodyboarding Championship. This was the first time we had covered a tournament instead of individuals, but we had a fabulous day. With the tide out, I was pushing the lens to it’s limits, but everything worked

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Interlude

On the second day of the festival, the crowd really started enjoying themselves… During the performance of the Greek black metal band Rotting Christ we had the first crowd surfers, which everyone, surfers, band and crowd alike, really joined in with. Of course, of all of the photographers in the pit one of the crowd

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Tarantula

Keeping up the arachnid theme, Web were followed by the veteran Portuguese Heavy Metal band, Tarantula. One of the first heavy metal bands in Portugal, Tarantula, fronted by Jorge Marques, provided a powerhouse performance. Setlist: Spiral of Fear, Afterlife, Dark Age, The Nature of Sin, You Can Always Touch the Sky, Changes Coming, Face the Mirror

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Web

Day two of Vagos Open Air kicked off in style with the Portuguese Thrash Metal band Web. Setlist: Life Aggression, Mortal Soul, Awake, (In)Sanity, Beautiful Obsession, If Only There Was Light

Volta a Portugal – 5th Stage, Carris and Oiã

We were lucky enough this year that the Volta a Portugal passed right outside our office. Sadly, when it came to TV coverage, they missed us out, but fortunately we were there to cover the historic day that the Volta a Portugal passed through Carris…

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Evergrey

Keeping up the Scandanavian influence, Moonsorrow were followed by the Swedish progressive metal band, Evergrey. With an epic 14 song setlist, Evergrey haunted the audiencee. Sadly, I had to leave before the end of Evergrey’s performance, so missed the last few tracks, and also the bands Sonata Arctica and Lacuna Coil. Setlist: When the Walls Go

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Moonsorrow

After Bizarra Locomotiva at Vagos Open Air came Moonsorrow, a pagan metal band from Finland. According to Wikipedia, the band ‘incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound’, and call their music “epic heathen metal”. They certainly got the approval of the crowd, and gave a rousing performance. We even saw some Finnish flags being waved. Setlist: Unohduksen lapsi, Köyliönjärven Jäällä, Taistelu Pohjolasta, Sankaritarina, Kuolleiden Maa

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Bizarra Locomotiva

The second band of the first day at Vagos Open Air were Bizarra Locomotiva, an industrial metal band from Portugal. Fronted by vocalist Rui Sidónio, and accompanied by Miguel Fonseca on guitar, Alpha on keyboards and Rui Berton on drums, Bizarra Locomotiva took the festival to a whole new level. Set List: A Procissão dos Édipos, Egodescentralizado, Desgraçado De Bordo, Gatos Do Asfalto, Engodo, O Anjo Exilado (guest

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Secret Lie

Last weekend (09-10 August), Vagos hosted the annual Metal Festival, Vagos Open Air. With a strong line up, as ever, the festival opened with the Portuguese band Secret Lie. Including adaptations from Vivaldi, and a sneak listen of a song from their new album, Secret Lie got Vagos Open Air 2013 off to a buzzing

Vagos Open Air 2013 – Iced Earth

The first band of the evening was the American power metal band, Iced Earth. This was their first visit to Portugal for a long time, and they seemed to be enjoying their visit to Vagos Open Air immensely. With a hugely enjoyable set, Iced Earth performed two encores and left the crowd wanting even more.