In April of 2023 I packed a single backpack, and took off an an experience that would prove to be one of the most artistically fulfilling trips I have had so far. Stepping onto the train in Lisbon, and watching the city pass by on our way to find our apartment that we would call home for the first few days of the trip was exhilarating.
The sun was already up when we got off the train a few stops from where we should have, but couldn’t wait to start exploring, even with our massive backpacks slowing us down.
On this trip, I made the decision to bring one camera, one lens and a drone. The Fujifilm X-T3 and Fuji’s 50mm f/2 prime. On previous trips I have brought multiple bodies, multiple lenses, and the drone. It was always nice to be able to see a photo, adjust my equipment as I saw fit, and then take the shot. That said, it also weighed me down, and took up valuable bag space. I was worried going into the trip that I was going to miss out, or be limited in what I was able to shoot. It turned out to be the complete opposite.
Walking through the streets of Lisbon, I was able to find ways to make my photos, and tell the stories I wanted to be told in a more creative way. I was no longer worried about what lens, or whether an ASPC or Full Frame sensor made more sense for the shot. Now, I was more present. I had to read and react to the city, the people, and all the other variables you can avoid when you have multiple zoom lenses.
I quickly found my groove, shooting a mixture of reflections through shop windows, and just playing with light and shadows. Stories unfolded in front of me that I was able to experience, rather than fiddle with my cameras. Now, I was getting my shots, but also getting an experience.
After a few days in Lisbon, we rented a car and began our journey north. I started getting nervous that my 50mm was going to limit me as we stepped out of the city and into beaches, and landscapes. Our first stop was to Cascais. We had tried to make our way there by train, but the “train arrives in 10 minutes” turned into an hour of waiting, and no train. We wandered the relatively quiet streets for a couple hours, before getting back in the car and making our way to the cliff lined beaches north of Lisbon.
Rather than taking the path down, we forged our own trail down to one beach. This involved a little more rock climbing than we were anticipating, but made for a few great photos, and an awesome story.
Up next, was Nazare. The beach famous for big wave surfing. It wasn’t big wave season, but it was still magical in every sense of the word. The sun was setting, and families were hanging out, just taking in the “small” waves.
The end of our Portuguese road trip had us in Porto. The city was smaller, but just as interesting as Lisbon. The slower pace let us slow down, and relax with a glass of port of two.
Going into this trip, I was concerned that I had backed myself into a corner with such a small photography kit. As we explored, and interacted with Lisbon, Porto and everything in between, I realized that more gear doesn’t mean better photos. Sure, there’s a chance that if I had a longer or wider lens I could have gotten better, more perfect results. I learned that the perfect photo isn’t the one with the best composition, or the one that has the perfect lens used. It’s the one that tells a story.
Focusing on gear wasn’t going to make the photos better. Being present, and immersed was what made the difference, and what had me leaving Portugal feeling more creatively fulfilled than I had in a very long time.
Thank you for reading, I’ll see you soon.
Ben