Pavilhão Chines

A Brazilian illustrator friend who is an intrepid traveler emailed me tips on places to go on my one free day in Lisbon and insisted, "Whatever you do, go to Pavilhão Chines in Bairro Alto, it's a cafe full of drawings and gadgets, wonderful!" Indeed, it was. At first, I couldn't settle into a place to sit because each room was more incredible than the room before; collections on the walls ranged from dolls to hats to toy soldiers to every kind of collectible imaginable. When I noticed the strikingly beautiful and tall beer taps on either side of the bar, I decided to sit at this counter. Miguel, photographed here, was interested in my lens and the 200 photos I had taken that day as he had nearly the same camera.

My lens only goes down to f/4 and it was dark so I had to use my camera flash. The photos I took without a flash were too grainy and out of focus. Sigh . . . the constant dilemma of not wanting to carry the external flash, yet being disappointed with the results of the camera flash. All in all, I was pleased with the overall image.

[David Price]

This image has loads of character. You should be pleased.

[Gloria]

I love the blue of his vest. Very nicely done

[Bob]

Like you - I try and avoid flash whenever possible (due to my incompetence at using it!) but this is a lovely photo with a loads of interest.

PS Thanks for you guidance re themes and competitions...

[Michael Van Krey]

so much to take in! the blue in the vest allows ones eyes to rest in a "cool" spot for a bit. it'd make a tough puzzle!

[❀ Lynn]

Wow...there's so much to see....and the whole place is like that? Wow!

[Ruth Hill]

Nice shot, tricky conditions, especially with all that glass. I sometimes put a piece of tissue over the flash to diffuse it a bit, might that work?

[Junko Y]

Thanks for all comments! @ruthhill75 - do you mean tissue paper as in the kind that is used for wrapping gifts? Or tissue as in Kleenex? Do you use a rubber band to attach it to the camera? Thanks for tip.

[Ruth Hill]

Either is fine, whatever you have to hand. I just fold it and tuck it round the flash but a rubber band would be good if you had one, or a paperclip, ...whatever comes to hand. Looking forward to more of your very interesting pictures and commentaries. :)

[Lisa Stein]

Looks like a fascinating place. I can imagine there are photo opportunities galore. This one has such interest and character. Well done!

[Laurie Higgins]

This is an awesome photo! I hate it when I have to use flash too, so I was so happy to see Ruth's tip as well. @ruthhill75 I have to take photos of food in dark restaurants for work, and I will surely try the tissue trick! Let's compare notes on what works best.

[Pam]

I think it is great! Love the mood of this.

[Paul "Snapchap" Everest]

For some reason, your pics haven't been appearing on my newsfeed but I will make a point of dropping by. Love this picture. The barman looks totally at home. Your focus is sharp and the picture is colourful and tells its own little story. What more could you want from a photograph?

[bardejov]

Very inviting place. Great shot, bartender adds a nice punch to it.

[Junko Y]

Thanks, all! Now I'm actually LOOKing for an opportunity to try out the tissue-over-the-flash trick!

[joey d.Muli]

so many cool things to look at---i think,i need a drink for now---:)