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Leica Store Miami is thrilled to announce a special workshop in Lisbon, Portugal, led by one of the world’s most celebrated street photographers, Rui Palha. Known for his timeless black-and-white images and mastery in the tradition of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Rui captures Lisbon with a poetic eye; transforming fleeting everyday moments into photographs full of soul.
Lisbon is a city made for street photography: winding cobblestone lanes, tiled façades weathered by centuries, and dramatic viewpoints around every turn. With Rui as your guide, you’ll go beyond the postcard views to discover the authentic heart of this vibrant, charismatic city. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from a modern master of the craft in the city that inspires him most.
This workshop will allow you to work with a street photography master. Some of the topics that Rui will cover include:
Rui encourages participants to shoot with gear that they are very familiar with. Comfort is also important as you will be walking for a few hours.
You are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop computer or a tablet for the selection and critique sessions on days 5 and 6.
Try to take some time each evening to review your images and choose a few of your favorites for post processing.
You must use the processing software you are most familiar with. Please note that Rui will not be teaching how to use a processing software during this workshop and you need to know how to use the software of your choice ahead of time.
During any of our shooting sessions, feel free to go off on your own to explore. If you want to reconnect at a later time, please contact Juan & David via WhatsApp.
Born in Portugal in 1953, Rui Palha picked up a camera at the age of 14 and never looked back. Today, he is regarded as one of the most respected voices in street photography worldwide. His book Street Photography earned the SPA (Portuguese Society of Authors) “Best Work of Photography” award in 2011, and he has been named among the top street photographers in the world by publications such as “Street Hunters” blog and Top Teny – Top ten of the best. His work has been widely exhibited and featured on the Leica Camera Blog, 121 Clicks, and numerous international platforms. Rui’s work is heavily publicized on social networks, particularly through his Facebook page with more than 330,000 followers.
Rui’s photography is deeply human. He thrives in Lisbon’s streets, connecting with people from all walks of life with warmth and sincerity. “I like low light, rainy days and troublesome places,” he says, “but first and foremost I like people; authentic people.”
For Rui, photography is more than image-making—it is discovery, empathy, and freedom. His approach to teaching reflects that same philosophy: he encourages students not only to master technique, but to see with their hearts.
“Photography is a very important part of my space… it is to discover, it is to capture giving flow to what the heart feels and sees in a certain moment, it is being in the street, experiencing, understanding, learning and, essentially, practicing the freedom of being, of living, of thinking.”
Rui has been using Leica cameras for many years and currently owns the Q2, M10, M Monochrom, Summilux 35mm, Super-Elmar 21mm and a Voigtländer 15mm. Says Palha, “For me the Leica cameras are a perfect tool for street photography. They are compact, discreet and of unsurpassed image quality. The Leica Q is great for situations where you need to focus quickly or there isn’t time enough to change the hyperfocal range. The Leica M is a fantastic camera, allowing the use of different focal lengths with unbeatable image quality. I think I must refer that I loved to use the new Leica M-D, I felt I was transported to the good old days when I only used film”
Palha loves to be in the midst of the people he meets in the streets, alleys and neighborhoods of Lisbon. His friendly and frank posture helps him to gain friendships in the most diverse places. The warmth that emanates from them fills his soul and is the real compensation for his art because it is palpable and lasting, while other awards are ephemeral.
Arrive at Lisbon International Airport (LIS) on or before Wednesday, April 8th. There are several transportation options to get into the city, but a convenient, 20 minute taxi, Uber or Bolt ride will only cost you about 15 Euros. We’ll gather at 6:00pm in the lobby of the Covent Square Hotel for a meet and greet and then we’ll head to our welcome dinner. We’ll get to know each other, go over the workshop itinerary and talk about photography.
Morning
10:00am – Classroom: After breakfast, we’ll gather in the hotel’s meeting room for our first session. Rui will share his work with the group and discuss the challenges of being a street photographer. The following topics will be discussed with examples from Rui´s portfolio:
The importance of composition
Taking advantage of light
Don’t shoot like everyone else
Find your own way (style)
Dare to try new things
Get out of your comfort zone
Approach people and get trust
Try different perspectives and views
Master your camera settings
Post processing – Rui’s workflow. *Please note that you should use the processing software you are most familiar with. Rui will not be teaching how to use a processing software during this workshop.
Lunch Break (on your own or as a group)
Afternoon
Street session with Juan and David until about 5:30pm
– Start at Baixa/Chiado station then walk to Elevador de Bica 3-Miradouro Santa Catarina
– Miradouro Santa Catarina
– Pink Street Shooting and drinks at Pensão do Amor (if open)
– Finish at Cais do Sodré waterfront.
*During any of our shooting sessions, feel free to go off on your own to explore. If you want to reconnect at a later time, please contact Juan & David via WhatsApp.
Morning
Uber or taxi to Monsteiro dos Jeronimos (skip the line tickets included). Spend some time afterwards at Monument of Descobrimentos by the river. (option to shoot at Cultural Center as well)
Lunch Break (several options on the river by the monument)
Afternoon
Street session with Juan and David at Champalimaud and MAAT (Belém) until sunset.
Morning
We’ll head out at 10:00am to visit Alfama, the Lisbon Catedral and “The Stairs” nearby/Fado mural area.
Lunch Break (lunch on your own or as a group – try a famous bifana sandwich!)
Afternoon
At about 3:00pm, Juan and David will lead the group from Elevador de Graca to Miradouro Pedro Alcantara and streets of Bairro Alto during late afternoon (great light!)
Morning
10:00am – We’ll schedule one-on-one review sessions with Rui in the lobby of our hotel. *Please bring your laptop to this session.
Lunch Break (on your own or as a group)
Afternoon
We’ll take the metro together for a photo session at Parque das Nações and Gare de Oriente, in New Town.
Morning
10:00am – Image review (Attendees are requested to bring 20 edited images). Each attendee will have a 1-on-1 session with Rui to review their images. *Please bring your laptop to this session.
Rui will compile a selection of everyone’s pictures, and present an entertaining, thought-provoking slide show with the images taken during the week.
Lunch Break (on your own or as a group)
Afternoon
For those interested, Juan and David will lead a walk from the highest point in Lisbon, Miradouro de Graca, down through Alfama , Castelo de San Jorge, Miradouro Santa Luzia and back to the hotel. Feel free to explore on your own if you like or perhaps revisit one of your favorite locations from earlier in the week.
Evening
At 7:00pm we’ll have our farewell group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
If you’re not extending your stay in Portugal, make your way back to Lisbon International Airport for your departing flight.
