Photographs from Lisbon

Returning to Lisbon, I felt a familiar excitement. A first visit often feels like an introduction to what’s possible. Everything is new, but within a few days, you begin to understand the city’s rhythm, its distances, its opportunities, and even its quirks. Four years later, I was back with a different perspective.

Each time I travel, I’m reminded that this moment might be my only one here, standing before these scenes, experiencing them in real time. I raise my camera, take the shot, and move on, knowing that opportunity may never come again. It’s a mindset that changes how you see everything. We often tell ourselves we’ll return, and sometimes we do, but that feeling usually comes from how vivid the experience still is, how fresh the adventure feels, and the desire to relive it in a new way.

This time, I gave myself more space. Five full days with an open itinerary meant I could embrace early mornings and sunsets and still allow time to rest. Lisbon delivered exactly what I had hoped for: beautiful scenes and incredible light, as expected from a city known for its photogenic charm.

While I had a list of places in mind, many of my favourite moments came in between, the unplanned, unexpected scenes that unfolded naturally. That’s one of the most compelling parts of travel: the uncertainty. You never really know what you’ll encounter or which moment will turn into your favourite photograph.

Photo 1 - Seagull over Lisbon

I approached this photo in a way similar to one I took in Porto. Seagulls are easy to overlook in Lisbon; they’re everywhere. While some see them as pests, they’re also part of the identity of many coastal cities.

I took this shot on my last morning, heading back to the hotel to change as the day heated up. It was near the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, one of Lisbon’s best viewpoints. As I paused to take in the view, several seagulls circled overhead. I tried capturing a few shadow shots on the rooftops below, but they weren’t quite working. After watching them for a bit, I managed to catch this frame.

What makes this photo work, for me, comes down to a few elements: the balance between the frozen moment and the sense of motion in the seagull, the metalwork on the left side of the frame adding structure, and the layered view of Lisbon in the background. Combined with the selective focus on the bird, it all comes together into a clean, cohesive composition.

Photo 2 - Driver and Tram

I spent about 15 minutes in front of the Lisbon Cathedral, partly because I was out of the direct sun, but mostly because of the light. At that point in the day, strong shadows stretched across the scene, creating some great contrast. I experimented with people passing through, trying to capture silhouettes, but while those shots worked technically, they lacked impact.

What I really wanted was a tram moving from shadow to light, and I captured that, but this frame stood out. The combination of the tram, which immediately places the scene in Lisbon, and the classic car’s driver adds something special. From what I can recall, he had stopped briefly, likely for someone or something ahead, and that moment brought everything together.

I could have cropped tighter, but I think that would have reduced the impact. Leaving the composition wide preserves a large area of dark negative space, nearly three-quarters of the frame, which, in my view, gives the image a stronger sense of depth and drama through the shadow.

Photo 3 - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT)

This shot really pushed the width limits of the 23mm. I wanted to include both the sun and a portion of the bridge, because that combination is what makes the image, especially the small section of the bridge in the bottom right.

What I like most about this photo is its simplicity and its contrast. It brings together modern architecture, the museum, and the bridge’s more typical and classic design. There’s also a visual contrast in the shapes: the smooth, flowing curves of the museum against the sharp, rigid angles of the bridge.

I was really excited when I saw this image on a larger monitor. At the time, I wasn’t thinking through every element in detail; I was mainly focused on framing the sun and including the bridge. Initially, I wanted more of the bridge in the shot, but I’m glad that didn’t happen. The smaller portion works better, subtly guiding your eye from the top of the frame down to a natural endpoint.

The MAAT itself is a fascinating subject, standing in stark contrast to the more traditional architecture found throughout central Lisbon.

Photo 4 - Belém Tower Selfie

Belém Tower is one of Lisbon’s must-see landmarks, and my goal was to capture that sense of anticipation. I didn’t want to photograph just the tower itself; I wanted an image that reflected its pull and the experience of being there. As you approach, there’s a natural buildup: the tower comes into view from a distance, with pathways gradually leading you closer.

People were scattered across the grounds, taking photos from various angles. I captured a few wider shots that worked well, but I was more interested in compositions that included people as a focal point. This frame stood out the most: it appears to show three friends taking a selfie with the tower in the background, capturing a shared moment in one of Lisbon’s most iconic settings. This was captured with the 23mm at f/2.

Photo 5 - Truck Driver

Both of these were captured early in the morning. I set my alarm for 5 a.m. to get out and start exploring Lisbon while the city was still quiet. Going on this trip, I had two things in mind that I wanted to push myself to focus on in my photography: depth of field and motion.

I started by taking a few shots of a shop across the street. It was closed and empty, but really, I was easing into the day and getting comfortable with the camera. As a few cars passed by, I stood along the narrow sidewalk and began experimenting with introducing motion into the frame.

I tried it with a couple of vehicles, but nothing quite worked. Then this delivery truck came through, and this was the result. The motion blur is definitely subtle but still noticeable, and that actually works in its favour. You still get a sense of movement while making out the driver’s details. It was shot at 1/320 sec.

Photo 6 - Lisbon Street Light

This photo was taken less than five minutes before the previous one, just a few steps away at the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. The city was still quiet; the day was beginning. The sun was rising, and the streetlights were still on. The timing of this was perfect: I remember that seconds after I lowered my camera, the light turned off, along with several others. Just in time!

It’s a simple composition, and at the time, I didn’t expect much from it. What caught my eye was the graffiti on the lamp and the way the light cut through it. If you are wondering, the lower portion, mostly in shadow, is actually part of a beer advertisement.

For me, this image is a reminder that some of the most understated shots, the ones you don’t overthink, can end up being favourites. It’s often the small details that help tell the broader story of a place.

Conclusion

Lisbon provides a wealth of photographic opportunities, and being up early, I had much of it to myself some days. It’s not essential, as it seems like you can find great opportunities at any time of day in Lisbon.

As this was my second visit, I was very excited to get back into the city. Coming with some background and experience, I had a better idea of how I wanted to approach things and where I wanted to be. I was so excited to see these photos, and many of them were even better than I anticipated. Truly a wonderful city to explore.