Interview about Prt Architecture Photography , winner of the A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award 2022
This series features the very traditional and unique buildings of Porto, Portugal. It is one of the oldest European centers and its most famous for port wine. The historic houses are interpreted with a pastel dreamworld of dust and dawns, golden gutters and clouds are supporting the surreal but peaceful vibes. Porto's traditional buildings are perfect to create a surreal, pastel dreamworld with clouds.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsPorto’s architecture has a charm that feels almost frozen in time. The pattern of the tiles give the buildings such a unique character. When you’re in the city you can feel the surreal, dreamlike atmosphere and I wanted to capture that within my work.
The pastel palette mirrors the light-hearted spirit of Porto and its colorful facades. I chose these tones to bring out Porto’s vibrant charm and create an inviting, dreamlike world within each frame.
I left the buildings quite raw and gave them only a minimal retouch. So pretty much every imperfection is still visible to the viewer, the background/sky however is strongly retouched which creates the dreamlike atmosphere.
I looked for structures that offered unique perspectives, such as inspiring stonework around the windows, repetitive shapes or unexpected patterns. These compositional elements allowed me to create striking images that are both true to the architecture and reimagined in my own visual language.
Working in narrow, bustling streets was a challenge, but it encouraged me to adapt. You get to be creative with your point of view, having a zoom lens is key. Sometimes there is a better view to a building a bit further away when you least expect it.
The clouds contribute to the dreamlike atmosphere, lending an ethereal, almost weightless quality to the buildings. By incorporating a soft sky and subtle cloud details, I was able to elevate the series from simple architectural photography to a more evocative, surreal interpretation of Porto.
I didn’t have to remove things from the buildings, the raw shot of them are beauty in itself. I removed the surroundings to isolate each building so the viewer is only focused on just one building at the time. Of course there is always some tiding to do, such as remove wires, lamp posts or tree branches.
The golden gutters were a way to add a subtle layer of magic to the images. Porto’s architecture has such rich textures and ornate details, and by accentuating certain elements in gold, I could play with viewers’ expectations and draw attention to smaller, often-overlooked features. This touch of whimsy aligns with my vision of Porto as a city of hidden wonders, enhancing the fairytale quality of each photograph.
Wes Anderson’s meticulous symmetry and unique color schemes have always inspired me, but I wanted to interpret these elements in a way that felt authentic to Porto. I took inspiration from his style in terms of colors, but I stayed true to my minimalist aesthetic and passion for surrealism. This balance allowed me to create images that nod to Anderson’s style while distinctly reflecting my own artistic voice.
I hope this series inspires other photographers to see historical architecture as both documentation and artistic expression. By blending minimalism, surrealism, and storytelling, I aim to contribute to a fresh perspective on architectural photography. For Porto, I hope these images offer an enduring, imaginative record of the city’s beauty and heritage, encouraging viewers to appreciate its unique architecture through a new, more poetic lens.
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