30 days challenge - the end !

So it's the end of the 30 days challenge ! I am very sad - well not really, - to announce that I failed miserably, my willpower is not what it used to be and I couldn't stay away from Facebook or Pinterest ! I didn't spend as much time as I used to but I can't say it was a successful challenge - I promise I will try again in a few months or so.

Meanwhile I've set myself some personal challenges and goals to make some changes in my own little life and if I want something good to happen I have to be willing to put in the work.

Oddly enough, this blog has suffered some changes of direction last year without clear GPS coordinates  on where to go exactly,  quite similar to me or my life so I will be making some changes over the next few weeks/months to give this place a new look...well...a new direction<3

Meanwhile you can follow me on instagram to be up to date with everything.

30 days challenge #offline

   New year - New habits !

Inspired by a friend who told me about this, I decided to start a 30 days challenge that will keep me away from social media and internet in general. The reason behind this is due to the crazy amount of time I spend everyday on the internet most of the times without doing anything productive so I am curious to see how much I can get done without having this "temptation".
There is nothing more satisfying than looking back and feel like you accomplished something you set out to achieve.  

I will return on February the 4th <3 

The Black Rose - speed editing

Hi everyone !

Today is a first on the blog because I'm sharing with you my first ever Speed Editing video. There are thousands of these on youtube so why bother doing one? Well since I've seen them I always wanted to make some of my own but my photoshop skills were so incredibly limited at the time that would make you cry (not that I am a professional now - (very) far from it.
Since then I've been making an effort to learn some new techniques and try them out.

The photo I chose for this speed editing video is from the shoot I did last weekend with the model Andreia Malta. I know the video is not perfect, it was my first attempt and it's the practice that makes perfect so I will try and do more to improve the quality.

I would love for you to tell me what you think <3
- Enjoy!

To see the complete editing process click on the image 

Photography Inspiration

Images from my Photography board on Pinterest 

Next weekend I will be shooting again since August, so I had been searching for inspiration at Pinterest of course. I have some private boards for shoots I also have one public for photography in general and I've been pinning like crazy so if you want you can check the other images here . 

If you have a Pinterest account leave your link in the comment section below and I will be happy to follow you. 

- Enjoy <3

Countryside

The most amazing clouds outside my grandparents house

This past weekend the rain took two days off and we were presented with some sunny days to take beautiful pictures, go for a walk and read outside - bliss !

Mine was spent on the countryside, where the colours are more saturated, the air is cleaner and the sounds are melodic. I don't live in a super busy city but I don't live on the countryside either so it's always good to have a little getaway, once in a while. 

As usual I took some photos while outside enjoying the warm weather :)

- Enjoy !

Old "van" with the most amazing textures to photograph

This reminds me of some countryside painting - don't know why

Cute old chair at my grandparents backyard that my mum wants to repair 

homemade organic jam 

 Sunset from the highway on my way home 

Stand still

Stand Still 
Self-portrait - October 2013

Do you know the feeling of dreaming about something, wanting to do something but never get around to do it? I am not talking about "to do" list items, but instead something deeper, following your dreams deeper. It's like you are stuck and you want to do it but you do not take the first step, you are too afraid. People are living their lives, days are passing but you are standing still, you can't move, metaphorically speaking.

This self-portrait represents that, it's far from being what I had envisioned but I am pretty content with it, since it was my first proper attempt at "photo manipulation".

Let me know what you think !

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarianaMadeiraPhoto
Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/marianamadeira/boards/

Meanwhile I found this quote on Pinterest with the following comment, (I think is quite fitting):

"Fear has the ability to overpower our lives and leave us in a perpetual state of inaction where we don't move forward because we're too afraid of what might be. Fear can also be a good thing. A different view of it is to see it as a way to force you to grow and do things that push you out of your comfort zone. Today I challenge you to doing one thing that you've been putting off but deep down know you really want to do" - Rachel Gadiel






- Enjoy !

Too many thoughts

"Too many thoughts" - self-portrait
October 2013

Hello everyone !

Yes, I'm still alive (otherwise I wouldn't be able to type, but anyway), just to say that I'm well and very inspired to create some new images. 

_____________

A little story about me, photography and being on the other side of the lenses:

I am that person who is always figuring out ways to escape the dreadful moment of "group shots", or escaping from anyone who has a camera on their hands. Little did I know that photography would become such a big/important part of my life. I've met some great people through photography and some not so great, unfortunately. Yes, I photograph because is something I love doing, and often I don't charge a penny, in fact I will spend money out of my own pocket to make something happen and that would be okay if I was a professional or if I was working with professional models, makeup artists and stylists.

It is often that I feel people do not respect my work enough, I don't need a trophy or a pedestal but a thank you and a "I do not change your photos but instead I will respect your work enough to "pay" you for all your work" would be quite nice. This was the main reason I decided to shoot self-portraits because as I wrote on facebook - " I am not the best model, by far, but I am the person who respects my work the most!", despite being so camera shy.

"People will not respect you if you don't respect yourself."

- Hope you like it !

Underrated: Portuguese Photographers I love

It's not unusual to flick through magazine pages and admire the work of well known photographers, although for me it's much more inspiring to be up do date with what the young photographers are doing. I have many international creatives that I love and follow, but this post today is about Portuguese photographers that I've found on facebook/twitter/blogs and other social media channels. 

They are young, talented, they have something unique about their style and are underrated, in my opinion. 

Enjoy !

Jessica Silva 

© Jessica Silva

Some of you may already know her from Miss Tangerine blog since she collaborates often with portuguese bloggers. Despite all of that, Jessica Silva surely deserves some credit. Her style of photography is exactly what I love, fashion photography that it's not too "posey" or studied, but instead, relaxed and laid-back with a twist.
She also has a blog - a very good one, by the way - where she shows her work and the work that inspires her.
I think I liked her work and blog so much because I can relate to her, as far as I am concerned and from what I read, photography is not her full-time job but something that she's really passionate about.

- Jessica Silva's Facebook Page and Blog

João Mendes 

©João Mendes

Another photographer that I've found on Facebook (thank god for social media!) and all  because of a comment he wrote on my page - a super sweet one! I then visited his page and was amazed by his work. In my opinion he excels when he plays with light/shadow and with black and white. I am usually a big fan of people who are very passionate about what they do but are just starting - João Mendes is definitely one of those people!

- João Mendes's Facebook Page

Ricardo Pedro

©Ricardo Pedro

Altough Ricardo photographs fashion related subjects as well, what really caught my eye were his self-portraits ! The picture above - is one of my favourites. I would describe him as a great conceptual/surreal photographer who has potential to be even more amazing in the future, reminds me of Rosie Hardy, Brooke Shaden and ones alike (when they started).

- Ricardo Pedro's Facebook Page


And last but not least...

Madalena Tavares

©Madalena Tavares

I can't remember the first time I laid my eyes on Madalena Tavares's work but since that day I am always checking her page to see if there's something new. She photographs "normal" people with such elegance, style and in a very honest way, I think. Her photos have the Madalena Tavares's colours - as I called them - it's such a distinctive colour palette, so warm and summery. She also seems a very discrete and humble person, so what's not to love?

- Madalena Tavares's Facebook Page

Unshakeable

No matter what is happening around you , good or bad, you need to keep your inner peace in order to stay on the right track.
Successes and failures have the ability to shape you and define you, being - a lot of times - milestones when you look back and analyze that particular times in your life. Although, I feel it's imperative to keep your inner peace in order to keep your sanity and clear mind to see clearly the next few miles on the road that will lead you onto the next chapter of your adulthood.

This self-portrait represents the power of being unshakeable in the face of failures and setbacks.

-October 2013

Oporto - Part III - Serralves

Meet the Serralves garden !

The order in which the photos appear is - more or less - the way I visited it. It is a huge place and 90 minutes weren't enough to see everything, unfortunately. 

I highly advise you to visit it - it's not free though (costs €3), but it's so worth it !

I was lucky enough to go there at sunset - the so famous golden hour - that enabled be to include some lenses flare in some of the photos. 

* You can see the Oporto Part I - here  and  Oporto Part II - here .

Hope you like it ! 

- Enjoy