Joao Dordio on Glass Photography Community

@dordio • he/him • •

Building Glass for iOS and iPadOS. Apple platforms developer based in Lisbon 🇵🇹. Part-time photographer.

The Green Land When I was flying home from Seattle — through Frankfurt — I saw one of the most incredible scenes of my life. This was a 10 hours flight and I was still so jet lagged I couldn’t sleep on the plane. I was binge watching the 4 seasons of Slow Horses — great show btw — when I peeked outside the window as we were flying over Greenland. I was hoping to “see” Greenland but this being a night flight wasn’t going to happen. The lower clouds just made it even more impossible. As we were flying through — in the middle of my Slow Horses episode — I opened the window blind and saw this faded green stripe of light above the plane level. I was in AWE. It was the first time I was seeing anything like it and I couldn’t believe it. I struggled to get my cameras out of the bag, I had my Nikon Z fc and my iPhone — the rest were film cameras. The Nikon ended up doing the better job, because the iPhone struggled a lot. The default camera app kept focusing on the window glass rather than the outside lights — i suppose that’s the LiDar thing working? As for Halide, it just didn’t work at all in getting a proper exposure. I did try Obscura but because I’m on the TestFlight builds it mixed my subscription status and I had no internet access so, no dice. In the process of taking these photos I ended up waking up half the people around me with my excitement.

About joining the Glass team! I’ve joined Glass — as a member — in mid 2021, as my photography was in dire need of a place where it could thrive. I could spend the following 500 words talking about how broken the internet is for folks that, just like me, deeply enjoy sharing photography with others. But I’m not. Not now. Photography is many things to many people. But one could argue that a cornerstone of every photography journey lies within community. Either being a community of 4 friends or thousands spread across the continents. The self expression of sharing through photography is, still, a very powerful thing. Almost in every aspect, Glass fulfilled my expectations of what a platform should be, in this broken internet space we live today. It offered a space where my photos were the main character. Where I didn’t have to jump through hoops and dances (literally) to get to my community. As soon as I landed, and started sharing my photos, the (real) connections started to emerge. Comments, appreciations, stories (not those), experiences, critiques, tips. When I had the opportunity to become a Patron, there was no second thought. Supporting the team building what had become my main and most relevant platform for photography was top priority. I had become friends with Daniel by then and so the conversation around supporting the team had started. I was in between jobs and Glass was the perfect fit. Merging my two worlds of Photography and Development. At the time, due to many factors, joining the team was not possible. So I kept waiting. Luckily, last year a bit before the holidays everything was aligned and I joined the team to work on the Apple platforms of Glass! Finally being able to, not only influence and shape the product I was so dependent on, but to work with the team that is making this little corner of the internet such a special space. To Tom, Stefan, and Daniel I deeply appreciate the opportunity and privilege to work with you.

TL;DR: I finally shot the shot I've been chasing for years! 🦅 📍Sintra, Portugal ————————— If you've been following me for some time, you've probably notice that I have a recurring theme of photographing big birds whenever I can. Near my family's house — in Colares, Sintra — there's a group of Common Buzzards that fly the skies right above our house. When we arrive, the first thing I do is mount the big 600mm lens on my camera and set it up for bird shooting. Then it stays on a easy to reach desk ready to be picked up in a moment notice. This type of Eagle is not rare, it's not even hard to find, but I've been chasing this shot for over a couple of years now. I wanted to get the bird close enough that all its features were easy to see, but I also wanted the bird's pose to be different — unique. I finally did it last week! As it was gliding through the valley, I was able to get it at camera level — instead of those shots from bellow — and was able to capture the wing movement in a peculiar position. A couple of seconds after this shot, the eagle was already behind a tree and nowhere to be seen. I've very very proud of this shot as it's a good showcase that perseverance delivers. Now I have to go back and delete all the hundreds of photos I have of these eagles from the latest years. Check here if you want to see a GIF of all the shots that led to this one! Bonus: see how bad my tracking is 🤣 https://masto.pt/@dordio/110811070812733173

We updated some things. The hardest part? Not sharing a single screenshot of what my Glass icon has looked like in recent times. Keeping this one under the wraps has been truly difficult. You can nerd out here: gls.photo/EOr8JF

Serra da Estrela, Portugal at 2000 meters.

Second year in a row we come to the highest point in mainland Portugal. This time around, the 2 oldest tried skiing. It has been GREAT! My wife is a natural and so am I, we just practice different versions apparently. My version of ski is slightly less upright and even more close to the ground. The kids learn it at blazing fast speed.

Lumnia

Don’t look back.

Abandoned graffiti. Shot with XP4N

This used to be a dock. There used to be a boat. I used to spend my lunch breaks watching the river splash against the pillars.

After what felt like a year, I went out this week with my loved Nikon D500. It’s very much different to shoot with it now. For the past year I’ve been shooting almost exclusively on my film cameras and the Zfc. If with the film cameras the delayed gratification of the result of the exposures is therapeutical, the instant rendition of the photos on the Zfc is great for experimenting. This leaves the D500 in a weird place on my photo bag. I’ve always had a preference over seeing through the actual lens, rather than seeing through a screen, but for my digital workflow (these days) I feel like I need the instant results of a mirror less camera more than a DSLR.

From the archives: a pink tree which I know not the name, acting like a sill for this house.

Through the door you will find what once was called a “Tree”.

The Hou(r)se of Black and White

Hello film friends! I’m traveling to Palm Springs in early March to shoot a company event. My idea is to do it in full on film. The event will be 5 days with conferences and activities outside and also some at night. My idea was to pack 3 rolls of 36 per day. I had thought of using Ilford Delta 3200 and Optiks Motion 500T for the night moments. For the day I was planning on Kodak Gold 200 and then maybe Portra 400 or Optik Color 200. My question is if these film stock choices will blend well with the Palm Springs ambience or not. Also would love all the tips you may have on airplane traveling with unexposed and exposed film. I’ll be using my Nikon F90X and Nikon FE with 28mm / 50mm / 85mm 🎞️ The above was shot with Opik’s Motion 250D from Optik OldSchool

Fallen

Through the glass.

Throwback to the last days of last year. One of my favorite things in the world is to go to the beach during the winter. I don’t really do well with heat, so the beach is only bearable to me during winter days. Kiddos with weather boots on, scarfs and beanies and gloves, and all the cameras on me.

Cutout. 📍 Olivais, Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹

Foggy parking lot. This was taken inside a parking lot, but due to the (extreme) weather (for Lisbon standards) the fog was all over the place. This tunnel led to the exit of the lot, and the lighting was too good to pass on. I was crawling on the floor – while everyone passed me looking worried – taking photos with my phone upside down. Counterintuitively, when I want to be in the moment (in front of me) I put on my headphones to block out the rest of the surroundings. Trying to focus only on the visual inputs and nothing else.

Is it just me or golf courses’ grass always looks unreal?

I’m not much of a visual poet, but I can’t help feeling a poetic antagonism on this photo. The restaurant at the top, is a very well known burger joint in Lisbon – right at the heart of the city in Marques de Pombal. The restaurant flamboyant ambience (and name) directly contradict and depict the harsh reality this man lives in. The boarded up store front also serves this narrative.

I had to exercise patience to get the shot I wanted with this one.

I know street photography is done with wider lenses. But I really prefer the longer focal lengths. Maybe it’s my lack of confidence pointing a camera to a stranger on the street. Or maybe the Portuguese folks don’t take it as well as in other places. The longer lenses allow me to keep my distance. Also, moody and cloudy days are for black and white. 📍Marques de Pombal subway station, Lisbon 🇵🇹

Little moment of lovely friendship between these two!

This is a slight story of regret. Idk how you all navigate the world being so attached to a camera (I’m assuming you’re like me). I’m always looking for the shot. Always seeing things around me through my lens and how I can share a story about the moment I’m in. When we arrive at the reception, the sun was setting and the entire venue was a golden nugget. It was be-a-utiful. The bride and groom arrived before everyone else. Including the wedding photographers. Because I’m friends with the newlyweds, I suggested “do you want me to take some photos with this incredible light or what? I only have the film camera on me, but let’s go?!” To which they soft agreed to, because people were pouring in and they wanted to greet them. I understand… but the lighting tho. So I stepped out of my photographer role and decided not to push on the subject. I regret that. I know that those photos would’ve turned great and far better than the ones they got 30mins later with the “pro” photographers. Not because I’m better or anything like that, but because the moment was better. The opportunity. The lighting was a guest too.

The Alamo mill This beautiful building was part of many surrounding a once water mill. The reflection on the water was too good to pass.

The wedding theme was books. So there was this beautiful leathered armchair, planted in the welcome garden of the reception, with the tables names (book titles you guessed it) for guests to find. Everyone took a photo ofc.

In this part of town (Parque das Nações, Lisboa) almost all the buildings have something to do with the sea or ships. That was the theme - the sea - when the neighborhood was built for the ‘98 expo here in Lisbon. I like how this one looks like a sail from a boat!

Inside view of the MG. The analog and tactile nature of nobs and dials in old cars always makes me yearn for that in today’s modern cars. For one thing, you could do more without looking and processing an overload of information on today’s screens.

Everyone was waiting for the groom and bride to come out, while I was happily distracted photographing the real beauty! This convertible MG got my full attention as soon as I saw it. One of the projects I want to do this year is a Series on old cars shot on film. 🎞️ Kodak Gold 200

Hello everyone! Long time no see. I’ve unplugged from the digital world this holiday season and the result: 5 rolls of film shot in about 2 weeks. But I gotta admit, it felt very very good. The slowness of the process, the keeping in the moment thing. This first month long week of the year has been filed with reconnection, let’s make glass part of that too! 🎞️ Kodak Gold 200