Portugal is an amazing country with fabulous vistas around every corner. I made an 8.5 x 11 inch 2016 calendar as a little gift for you to download to your computer. I have thousands of images so it was hard to choose just six. Share my calendar with a friend and feel free to print it and put it up so that you can see a year at a glance. Enjoy.
All best wishes for 2016!
Marion
Sometimes we go places with our camera in hand and expect to capture images of the usual or those similar to what we have seen before. We may look for iconic scenes or subjects but forget to take the time to see what else may catch our eye.
I’m back from spending a month in the charming village of Sintra, Portugal. I was fortunate to attend the annual Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk on the grounds of the National Palace with 20 friendly Portuguese photography enthusiasts. Our leader, Jose Antunes, (http://joseantunes.com) gave us some guidelines that included only capturing images from within the grounds of the palace but not inside the palace or gardens where entrance fees were required. 
It was fun to walk along the lane at the back of the palace and see the ruins and overgrowth. I also enjoyed people watching and capturing some scenes of young and old having a good time relaxing or exploring the environment.
To see more of my images from the walk, check out my new eBook, Two Hour Challenge, at http://issuu.com/marionmccristall. 
Next time you’re out with your camera, I hope you will take a few moments to look more closely and make images of things that do not normally catch your eye. You may be surprised at how interesting it is and enjoy the fresh new photos you come home with.
Please visit my website http://marionmccristall.com to see more photographs and slideshows.
Some of my photographs can be purchased at http://marion-mccristall.fineartamerica.com
© Copyright Marion McCristall, all rights reserved
Sharing stories and images of everyday activities as well as exciting adventures is one of the many ways we remember them and re-live the experiences again and again. Sometimes when we travel it takes a while to sift through the rich memories and countless photographs to bring it all into focus.
A collection of some photographs from my recent trip to Portugal is ready to share with you. I’m thrilled that the tour I organized was such a wonderful experience for everyone. Jose Antunes, our expert photo pro and guide, and Fernando Picarra. our friendly, extra driver, were encouraging, patient, and more than willing to help all of us create images that will give us memories for years to come. Jose took this photo of me as we were walking towards the sea in Ericeira, a colourful, little fishing village on the Atlantic. 
I hope you will take a few minutes to enjoy my photo essay with images ranging from seascapes to quaint villages, palaces, botanical gardens, Roman ruins, and more of the treasures that “say” Portugal. Click the link to view “The Charms of Portugal, A Photographic Journey”. https://mccristall.exposure.co/the-charms-of-portugal
(Click on images in the article if you want to enlarge them.)
Note: If Portugal is not on your list of places to visit, you’ll want to add it. However, you must be careful as one visit there can captivate and charm you and you’ll likely find yourself returning and telling your own story of “Once Upon a Time”.
If you’re interested in doing some photography in Portugal, contact Jose Antunes to arrange individual or small group outings. http:joseantunes.com
To see more of my images, please visit my website http://marionmccristall.com
© Copyright Marion McCristall, all rights reserved
Going on a small group photography tour is an exciting way to see a specific location through the eyes of others. Being in the presence of those who have a passion for making images can get our creative juices flowing and inspire us to think about what we’re looking at and how to tell the story of what we see.
I lead a photography tour in Portugal in March with Jose Antunes, an esteemed photographer and writer there. As our photo guru and guide, he helped us hone our photography skills and took us to special places where he loves to photograph. During the week we explored everything from landscapes and seascapes to small villages, city life in Lisbon to 2000 year old archaeological artifacts and geological formations from 72 million years ago.
The summer issue of FOTOdigital is online now. Jose showcased a selection of images that my group took during our week in Portugal in the spring. It’s so interesting to see how unique we are and how we pointed our camera at different things that caught our eye.
When you go out with your camera be sure to look at your surroundings with fresh eyes and see what you can capture.
Enjoy photographs taken by our group from Canada, (Gerry, Kitty, Norah, Judith and myself,) in FOTOdigital, (pages 14-47 and 50-63,) and share the link with your friends and family. https://issuu.com/joseantunes
Check out Jose’s website for more information on day tours, eBooks, and the Lightroom and Photoshop courses he offers. http://joseantunes.com
To see more of my images, please visit my website http://marionmccristall.com
© Copyright Marion McCristall, all rights reserved
Travelling gives us the opportunity to see, learn about, and make photographs of places and historical sites we don’t have access to in our local area.
During a recent trip to Portugal I was invited for a private tour of the Archaeological Museum of Sao Miguel de Odrinhas in the Sintra area. It was fascinating to see the large collection of Roman artifacts and other ruins that were so well-preserved and on display.
Discoveries of stones with inscriptions included influences from Italian, paleo-Hispanic, North African, and other origins were found across the region. People had been collecting everything from shards of pottery and tools to huge tombstones and Etruscan sarcophagi for hundreds of years. Scholars started a collection at the site in the hermitage of Sao Miguel in the 16th Century. This beautiful museum has been further developed and modernized so the antiquities could be gathered together in one place for all to see.
There is an extensive library at the museum where researchers and visitors can take their time to learn more about the history of the region. A small chapel, with an ancient graveyard and Roman mosaic tiles embedded in the ground, is still in use today.
Here is a short slide show of some of the images I took during my visit to the museum.
If you are planning to go to Portugal be sure to take time to enjoy this interesting museum. It’s located about a half hour drive from Lisbon. Check out their website for information about displays, educational opportunities, and special events.
http://www.museuarqueologicodeodrinhas.pt/default_en.php
To see more of my images, please visit my website http://marionmccristall.com
© Copyright Marion McCristall, all rights reserved
Today I’m happy to share the May edition of FOTOdigital with you. In an article called Portugal Through My Eyes, Jose Antunes included some of my images from my time in the Sintra area doing photography with him in 2012. You’ll find it on pages 15 to 36. It brings back fond memories of an amazing trip. http://issuu.com/joseantunes/docs/fdmayl14_issuu
I’m still sifting and sorting through the photographs I took the end of March when I led a group of photo enthusiasts there. There are so many that it is taking me quite a while to edit my favourites. I plan to have them ready to share soon.
I hope you enjoy the article, and others in FOTOdigital, and sign up to receive Jose Antunes’ inspiring monthly ezine. It’s free and enjoyed by thousands of readers all over the world. Jose writes photography tutorials for a variety of online sites as well as eBooks. He takes small groups on outings to learn more about photography and to capture images of the fauna, flora, seascapes, and landscapes of the remarkable area of Portugal he lives in. http://www.joseantunes.com
To see more of my images, please visit my website http://marionmccristall.com
© Copyright Marion McCristall, all rights reserved
Easter marks that time of year when everything in nature seems fresh and new again. The buds are bursting open and bright flowers are dancing in spring breezes bringing promises of change.
Today I want to wish you a Happy Easter by sharing this poster. I created it with a photo I took during my Photography Tour in Portugal in March. The image was taken in a lovely little park near the National Palace in Sintra. The flower, with all of the luscious overlapping petals, reminds me of the layers and layers of rich memories I have of my time there as well as how a moment contemplating one bloom can bring happiness.
Wishing you and those you love a Happy Easter!
To see more of my images, please visit my website http://marionmccristall.com
© Copyright Marion McCristall, all rights reserved
Jose Antunes and I have organized a fabulous photography tour in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra, Portugal, and the surrounding coastal area. Our one week photo holiday will include scenic seascapes and forests, visits to palaces and gardens, and the ruins of the 16th C. Capuchos Monastery. We’ll also enjoy a day trip to vibrant, bustling, historic Lisbon. We’ll visit places of extraordinary beauty, (natural and man-made,) have fun. laugh and share days filled with adventure. Details at www.marionmccristall.com
Take a few moments to enjoy this beautiful eBook Jose created to inspire us. We will have the opportunity to photograph some of these awesome sights during the tour.
Click on the link below to read the eBook by Jose Antunes, Portuguese professional photographer, writer, instructor, and tour leader. http://issuu.com/marionmccristall/docs/portugal_phototour_promo2014_issuu_
Our week of photographic opportunities and study is limited to six participants so that everyone will benefit from Jose’s expertise and teaching. Photographers will come away with stories to tell of wonderful experiences, stunning images to share, and a desire to return to Sintra as this fairytale land captures everyone with her charms.
To see more of my images, please visit my website http://marionmccristall.com
© Copyright Marion McCristall, all rights reserved
I am thrilled to share with you my exciting news!
I have put together a Photography Tour in Portugal March 20-27, 2014 and you are invited to join in for an amazing 7 days of photo exploration in sunny and picturesque Portugal.
What’s Included:
Expert photography instruction with Jose Antunes (www.joseantunes.com), renowned Portuguese professional photographer, who will take us to some of his favourite places
Tour led by Marion McCristall, award-winning Canadian photographer, with experience on photo tours in France, Italy, Kenya, Morocco and Portugal
A full day guided day trip to the beautiful city of Lisbon
7 nights accommodation at Colina Flora (colinaflora.com), 2013 Winner of Award of Excellence, eco-friendly, top quality B&B in the hamlet of Pe da Serra near Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals: 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners with wine
Airport pickup & transportation during the tour
** Airfare not included **
Tour Highlights:
– Dramatic seascapes
– Fairytale castles and palaces
– Quaint white washed villages
– Capuchos, 16th Century Monastery
– 200 year old Sao Pedro Sunday Market
– Early morning and late evening photo opportunities
– Classical architecture, stunning views
– Historical sites & cobbled streets in Lisbon
– The romantic Sintra National Palace Cabo da Roca lighthouse
To Register:
March 20 – 27 2014 Tour Cost:
$2700 per person (single sharing or double)
Please email: hello@marionmccristall.com or check out my website for more info www.marionmccristall.com
To download full itinerary and registration forms please click here: Photography_Tour_Portugal
I had a lovely surprise when I received a digital memento of a photography trip I took to Portugal. I studied with Jose Antunes in the most incredibly beautiful Sintra area in March. I was so engrossed in my own image making that I didn’t notice Jose taking pictures of me. I was delighted when he emailed me an e-Book he created that shows me taking photos as well as some of the scenes we both enjoyed. This is a unique memento that I will treasure.
You can read the e-book here eBookMarionMcCristall_V2web
I created a slide show of some of my images called The Charms of Sintra and the West Coast of Portugal. Take a look. http://vimeo.com/43288246
E-Books are great way to share your travel images with your family and friends. Jose created this one in Lightroom 4. It’s time I tried making an e-book as another way to share my photography and adventures. Thanks to Jose for his encouragement and this wonderful digital memento of my trip.
Everything Neat 