As an appreciator of great photographers such as Annie Liebovitz, Sebastiao Salgado and many others, I had never really considered stepping behind a serious camera and actually be able to snap a good photo myself.  But sometimes passions sneak up on you, and after discovering I couldn’t continue to inflict anymore needless abuse on my tiny Canon PowerShot SD300, it was time to move up, meet a staid contender and learn the art more seriously.

The Camera I use on Algarve Buzz
A reader of this blog recently asked what photo equipment I use, and until this past January all the photography on this blog was done with my little compact Canon PowerShot. I’ve since retired this loyal friend, to casual use, and invested in a digital SLR - the Canon 40D.

All the photography on AlgarveBuzz is now shot:

• with the Canon 40D, and two lenses:
• Sigma 17-70mm, f/2.8-4.5, DC IF Macro and
• a Canon 50mm, f/1.4.

I prefer natural light over anything else, and the Algarve has plenty of that, so hardly need flash, but when necessary I use a Speedlite 580EX II and that’s about it. I will admit (and warn) however, after being bitten by the bug, I’m haunted by a long list of photography equipment, that I’m certain would bring much happiness to my life…

Photography Workshops in Algarve
Like any hobby, photography needs practice, and the ability to dominate the tools to get the best results.  If you like digital photography, and have invested in good equipment, aside from good lenses, and taking care of your equipment, I highly recommend getting some instruction from a pro.

I’ve been fortunate to sharpen my beginner skills with the very talented José Goulão, a well known Portuguese Photo Journalist (equally gifted with the patience of a saint), who’s recently begun teaching photography through workshops here in the Algarve, at Educa+Plus a newly formed school focusing on all things digital.

If you come across one of his workshops - run - don’t walk to sign up, because these classes fill up quick.  Until now the workshops have been mostly in Portuguese (there is always someone available to translate), but a good source tells me English instruction might be available very soon. Educa+Plus is open to suggestions for future workshops, so don’t be shy to give them a call. I found both the facilities and the instruction a worth while investment.

Educa+Plus - Photography Workshops
Tel: +351.91.808.0808 ask for Paulo
Email:photoworkshops@educaplus.pt
Location: Faro, Algarve

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday 9:30 until 12:30 and 2:00pm until 5:30pm while closed on weekends.

Brian was kind enough to invite us to the opening, but sadly we missed the event. However, the evening was very well attended with food provided by the Câmara Municipal de Lagoa and Vida Nova wine supplied by the Adega do Cantor.

The paintings themselves were greatly admired by professionals and public alike and a number of paintings were bought within an hour of the opening. Serious interest has been shown in several others.

*Photos provided by Brian Mehl

(photo credit: neatonjr)

Those of us who love summer can still squeeze out a few more relaxing trips to the beach, and those looking or things to see and do, can enjoy lots of sailing activities, music, theater, and of course take in the many art events that are happening all month long.

This summers calendar was so packed, I hardly had time to write, and now that I think of it, sleep, and managing all of the photos has proven chaotic, but not complaining, there’s still lots to see and do.  So, if your looking for something to do in Algarve in September,  you will have plenty to choose from. If your planning a holiday to the Algarve, consider getting a few good nights sleep ‘before’ your trip.

Download the Algarve September Calander

With that said, now you understand why I’ve written so little about food and wine during the last couple of months. So, what have we been eating? Simple but delicious foods like this well known Algarvian salad, takes no time to prepare and is a great meal to take with you to the beach or a picnic.

Salada de Grao e Atum
1 Can chick peas
1 Can tuna, drained
1 Egg, hard boiled
2 Tbsp. Onion finely chopped
1 Tbsp. Parsley finely chopped
Olive oil
White wine vinegar
Salt & Pepper

1. This salad can be served warm or cold. Drain chick peas and warm in microwave if you desire a warm salad.
2. Place chick peas on bottom of individual bowl creating a small mound, then add a think layer of onion, then a thin layer of parsley.
3. Drain tuna, add a layer on top of parsley, cut egg into round slices or waters and place on top. Add a sprinkle of onion and parsley, salt and pepper and then drizzle olive oil and a light splash of vinegar.

That’s it, all done. Pour a glass of vinho verde and enjoy, then head for the beach…summer won’t last forever. If you choose to pack this salad, simply boil the eggs before hand and pack the rest, can be made in to a large salad to be shared as well.

(photo credit: .bullish)

International Guitar Festival
Date(s): August 13 to 30
Location: across different cities
http://guitarralgarve.com/festival/index.php

Although the Algarve is far from the birth land of Reggae, our warm tropical weather and relaxed spirit of sand, sea and sun, often feel like a perfect second home for this uplifted yet deeply rooted, seductive rhythm. So, I was thrilled to hear we’re entering two weeks of Reggae sounds with severals concerts; one in Loulé , the other on Faro Island beach and another in Sagres with a collection of new artists mixing old and new Reggae sounds for us to enjoy.

SuperBock Surf Fest 2008
Various Artists
Date: Thursday, August 14 to Friday, August 16
Location: Sagres
complete info

Praia de Faro
Jah flock and the DJ Ricardo Selectah
Date: Saturday, August 16
Time: 10:30pm
Location: Suigeneris Bar & Lounge in Faro Beach
www.suigeneris.pt

Loulé
Various Artists
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 8:30pm
Location: Praia eo Calçadão, Quarteria
www.cm-loule.pt

Photo credits: top left, top right and bottom left.

We along with our seafood addict friends and family, headed down to the Festival do Marisco this past Monday to get our fix. The smell of grilled, stewed, sautéed and delicious fishiness filled the air and caused many a line up. But I’m happy to report this year we got our first fish stew in record time, the line up for traditional pork and clams…wasn’t quite so fast, as a few of us discovered. But the wait provided great opportunity to watch the cooking madness and enjoy some cold Super Bocks while our stomachs rumbled in anticipation.

As part of the Festival, there are plenty of artists scheduled to perform nightly. This years opening night kicked off with the sounds of Orishas of Cuba, a band able to get even a seafood stuffed crowd moving to the wee hours.

Year after year this festival in the Algarve always lives up to the expectation, we highly recommend it to fellow seafood addicts.

Seafood Festival Olhão
Date: August 11 - 16, 2008
Time: 7pm till 1am
Location: Olhão Marina
Cost: €12.50 and €4 for children ages 4 to 12 (details)

Last year’s event, where Bob Sinclair performed on the same beach, attracted 80,000 plus. And this year, Tiesto with his international following, has the possibility to attract that many people again in Praia dos Pescadores as a free event.

Tiësto in Albufeira
Date: August 10, 2008
Time: 10pm
Location: Praia dos Pescadores, Albufeira
Cost: Free event “open to all”

About Tiesto
Tiësto is the artistic name of Tijs Verwest (born on the 17th of January of 1969). He is a musician and trance DJ from The Netherlands and one of the most famous DJ’s of today. More about Tiesto on Wikipedia.

(photo credit: Celuloso)

August 1st – 25th
Sasha Summer Sessions
Praia do Rocha, Portimão
sashasummersessions.com

August 8th – 17th
Portimão Sardine Festival
Riverside area, Portimão
Tel: 282 40 700
More info

August 9th- 17th
Silves Medieval Festival
More info

August 11th – 16th
Olhao Seafood Festival
Olhao Marina
www.festivaldomarisco.com

August 14th
Algarve Beach Party
Praia da Batata, Lagos
Tel: 960 272 710
www.algarvebeachparty.com

All August
6th International Sand Sculpture Festival
www.fiesa.org

A musical sensation from Canada and four time musical vocalist of the year, Diana Krall’s voice is best described as colorful, engaging and inviting.

We’re excited to hear her perform live classics such as Fly me to the moon, the look of love, S’ Wonderful and many more.

Diana Krall Albufeira
Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Location: Albufeira Marina
Cost: 30 Euro
Tickets: fnac, Worten and www.ticketline.pt