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Marco Vidal on chasing the blue hour with film

Twenty minutes of perfect light, a medium-format camera and a lot of patience along the Douro.

Marco in the studio, Porto.
Marco in the studio, Porto.

Marco opens the studio door at eight, coffee in hand, already talking about the light. "Mornings are for colour," she says — Porto is still quiet, and the big north window does most of the work.

A street photographer chasing the blue hour along the Douro. Marco shoots on medium-format film and releases each series in small numbered runs.

Where it all starts

Every series begins with a walk and a sketchbook. Markets, tram stops, the corner of a kitchen table — Marco collects small moments and lets them sit for weeks before turning any of them into a finished piece.

I want people to feel the temperature of the day when they look at my work — not just see it.

— Marco Vidal

Early sketches for the new series, pinned above the desk.
Early sketches for the new series, pinned above the desk.

From the easel to your wall

Once a piece is finished, it is scanned at high resolution and colour-matched by hand against the original. Only then does it go live on Salon — available as an art print, canvas or aluminium, in four sizes.

"Knowing someone chose my work for their home is still the best part," Marco says. "Every order notification feels like a small exhibition opening."

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