Discovering Lisbon Through Street Photography
Exploring Lisbon One Step at a Time
Arriving in Lisbon for the first time, I made my way to Praça dos Restauradores by metro, tempering my expectations as I ventured into the unfamiliar. The thrill of photographing a new city always promises fresh perspectives; there is an allure in rounding every corner, wondering what might unfold in front of the lens. Lisbon, with its distinct character, offered that same tantalising potential but also a sense of the unknown.
Unfamiliarity is often a double-edged sword, fuelling inspiration while presenting unique challenges. Navigating a new environment can be daunting. There is an art to learning a city’s rhythm, understanding its layout, discovering the right spots, and finding ideal lighting conditions. All these elements—place, people, and light—must come together to create a compelling photograph. Without an insider’s knowledge, though, there is the inevitable sense of missed moments slipping by.
Lisbon is a popular tourist destination, offering a captivating blend of historical charm and modern vibrancy. The city unfolds like a tapestry of visual delights, where centuries-old architecture melds seamlessly with contemporary urban life. In neighbourhoods like Alfama and Bairro Alto, the narrow, cobbled streets brim with character and colour, and visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to museums, churches, parks, and galleries. The city also boasts an efficient and easy-to-use transport system of trams, metro, buses, and ferries, making it an accessible and convenient place to explore. Add to this the delicious local cuisine, and it is hardly surprising that Lisbon remains a magnet for visitors.
A quick online search, particularly on YouTube—now a favoured platform for street photographers—confirms that Lisbon is firmly on the radar for many street photographers. But what motivates us to visit a place? Is it the cultural richness, the visual appeal, or simply the urge to follow the crowd? For me, the city’s aesthetics and deep historical lineage were the primary draws, though I must also confess to being intrigued by Lisbon’s growing reputation on the “must-visit” list for street photographers. While I have not seen as much street photography of Lisbon as of other cities, the work of photographers like Rui Palha and André Paxiuta sparked my curiosity, inspiring me to explore Lisbon’s narrow, and at times crowded, streets firsthand.
Finding a Sense of Place in Street Photography
During this brief visit, my focus was visual rather than cultural; I wanted to begin understanding Lisbon by walking its streets and capturing its unique character step by step, frame by frame. Gaining a “sense of place”—a phrase that may feel overused yet holds real significance—is something I believe is essential when photographing a location. It requires an understanding of the environment, its atmosphere, and its idiosyncrasies. This connection starts off as a rather superficial impression, but with time and repeat visits, it grows into a deeper appreciation and awareness that ultimately influences the direction of the photography itself.
This leads me to consider intent. When approaching a commissioned travel photography assignment, I take a structured approach. The client’s brief and the typical tourist views of iconic buildings and landmarks often shape the photography. Shot lists are prepared, and a specific mood is determined—whether it be picturesque, with blue hour imagery, or a more documentary narrative style. In these cases, planning is paramount, ensuring a shot list and schedule that fulfil a defined goal.
In contrast, I tend to approach street photography with what might be called a “no-mind” approach, free from preconceptions. Drawing on the Zen concept of “beginner’s mind,” this way of seeing invites me to observe the world without bias or intention, allowing each moment to reveal itself as it is—unfiltered. Here, I navigate the urban environment without a predetermined route, letting curiosity be my guide. This approach shares something with photographers like Garry Winogrand, who once said he photographed things “to see what they looked like photographed.” The resulting images are often raw and unfiltered, and the process can be unpredictable. As I review the photographs from this trip, they carry a textural quality that, to me, embodies Lisbon. Is this the whole story? Not at all; these are merely tentative steps.
The Impact of Digital Platforms on Street Photography
Looking through these images, I find myself reflecting on how photography is consumed today. For many of us, Instagram and YouTube have become the go-to platforms, replacing books and traditional exhibitions with digital showcases where images can be shared instantly, reaching what we hope is a global audience. And yet, the way we consume imagery has become increasingly transient. The rapid, scroll-based experience reduces photos to fleeting moments, often devoid of context; textures and details are stripped away by the screen’s reduced size, further limiting the viewer’s ability to appreciate the effort and intent behind each photograph.
It is a sobering thought, knowing these images will reach more people on Instagram than through this post. And yet, for better or worse, these social media spaces now shape how street photography is shared and experienced.
Final Thoughts
Lisbon lives up to its reputation as an excellent location for street photography. I spent three long days walking, covering about 40,000 steps each day, which I find to be an ideal duration, as additional days can become tiring and less productive. On the whole, I am happy with these early efforts at capturing the city; however, piecing together a cohesive collection will take time, and I look forward to returning.
But in this age of digital platforms, where we consume and discard images with a fleeting glimpse, I am left wondering whether the time, effort, and expense can be justified when the images are viewed out of context and at a size that does little justice to the original photograph. Perhaps the real beauty of street photography lies in its quiet demand for patience and mindfulness—an invitation to slow down, observe, and let each image tell its story in its own time. I wonder, then, whether we might rediscover a slower, more intentional way of engaging with photography—one that allows us to truly see.