Olhao’s ‘dancing umbrellas’ photographer wins Sunday Times competition

A photograph of the dancing umbrellas of Olhão has won a competition in the Sunday Times, adding to the city’s ever-improving international reputation.

Once the Algarve’s most dangerous, drug-riddled and crime-ridden city, the influx of largely foreign money and property know-how has turned the formerly crumbling city centre into a must see destination, despite the city Council’s well deserved reputation for corruption, financial smoke and mirrors and patronage.

The main commercial streets have been livened up by a multi-coloured display of umbrellas whose photograph won a contest in The Sunday Times.

The photographer, Mark Bishop, captured the multicolored parasols and entrered the image in the Big Shot competition, beating submissions of photos of the Chobe River in Botswana, Mount Robson in Canada and pictures of Stockholm and Senja Island in Norway.

The umbrellas also have been widely shown on social media and have served to liven up the shopping area.

Foto|Mark Bishop