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Agradecemos imensamente a Deus pelo livramento , por não ter acontecido nada de grave conosco , nem com ninguém . Vale ressaltar que contamos com todo o apoio e carinho dos militares para que saíssemos em segurança . Meu carro não teve a mesma sorte : ficou “ preso ” na fortaleza por 40 dias . Apesar de a experiência ter rendido uma boa história para contar , confesso que dispenso mais emoções como essa .
Todas as sessões fotográficas foram especiais , emocionantes , cada qual por uma razão diferente . Não tenho palavras para descrever minha felicidade ao ver este trabalho finalizado – sem dúvida , uma oportunidade única de demonstrar todo o meu amor por Niterói . Espero conseguir exaltar toda a beleza dessa cidade incrível através das minhas fotos e causar as mesmas sensações maravilhosas que tive em todos que apreciarem essa obra , que tem o propósito de divulgar as riquezas niteroienses não só para os que aqui residem , mas para o mundo todo .
Antonio Schumacher
I was born on August 8 , 1980 in Niterói , the city where I grew up and live today . I am the youngest son of America Barbosa Silva and Antonio Duarte Silva , loving parents who taught me values based on honesty , loyalty , compassion , respect and love . My mother is a warrior , who has always been at my father ’ s side and has dedicated many years of her life to caring , in an exemplary way , for me and my sister .
My father , a man of great character , had many friends , but he always made it clear that his priority was family . Unfortunately , in March 1994 , when I was just 13 , a tragic accident shortened our relationship . It was the saddest moment of my life , because I lost my hero , and a huge void opened . But , as the saying goes , what you do in life echoes in eternity . His example , even in the brief time we lived together , was enough to make me the man I am today .
In addition to him , and especially after he died , my uncle Laécio Duarte – a person of character and values remarkably similar to my father – also became fundamental in my education , as a second father figure .
Today , at 40 , I thank God for having a beautiful and united family supported on the pillars raised by my parents . I married my beloved Sandy Gomes in 2009 and we had two beautiful children – Bruna , born in 2010 , and Caio , in 2013 –, fruits of the great love of an eternal union . My family is my biggest incentive and main inspiration .
My baptismal name is Antonio Duarte Silva Junior , but in my adolescence , when I turned 18 and bought my first car , I received the nickname of “ Schumacher ”, due to my driving skills . I thought it would be momentary , but the affectionate nickname accompanied me for many years . And when I started my journey as a photographer , I adopted it as a stage name .
I started in photography 10 years ago , first for Anuário Niterói Design , DB Editor ’ s main product , company which I am an owner partner alongside my beloved and competent sister , Franciane Barbosa , and where I work more closely in the area of architecture and design , segment that I am passionate about and led me to hold a hundred sessions across the Brazil .
Sebastião Salgado , Brazilian and world-famous photographer , even focused on a different segment than mine , is a great reference for me . His inspiring photos have taught me that patience , angle , and precision are pillars in the work of excellence of any photographer worldwide .
I am from Niteroi with so much proud and completely in love with my city , with a true reason : Niterói , the famous “ Smile City ”, is charming . Beaches more beautiful than the others , breathtaking views , historic and tourist spots to leave any visitor speechless .
Looking at some other materials with images of the city ’ s wonders , I realized that the content was superficial , usually depicting only the facade . Hence my idea of making a photo book of Niterói , from a different point of view , where I explored all of this and also aerial drone clicks and internal angles with a focus on architecture , providing the public with a different perspective of each location .
My sister totally embraced the initiative and increased the material with a short story of each point photographed . However , the project was kept for about four years . Thanks to the Niterói ’ s Incentive-to-Culture Law , Franciane and I were able , with a lot of dedication and resilience , to obtain the necessary means to accomplish this beautiful dream together . She also accompanied me in most sessions and was responsible for the making of available on the book ’ s website .
All the pictures contained in this work are my own . Many of them belong to my personal archive , but most were made especially for this unpublished publication . Some photos were captured in risky conditions , such as the session in which we used a drone in an area with high magnetic interference , which makes it difficult to pilot the device in such a way that we could have lost it . Another great challenge was the Serra da Tiririca , because , in addition to its immensity , the points photographed are difficult to access and the weight of all the equipment becomes an aggravating factor .
The session that I highlight as the most tense and complicated was the Santa Cruz Fortress . When my sister and I were at the scene , we were informed by the military that a large part of the rocky access coast had slid over the runway , making it impossible for any person or vehicle to enter or exit . At first , we would have to stay overnight , however , after an inspection by the Civil Defense and Army engineers a few hours later , the unit officials informed us that it would be possible to cross on foot . Even fearing a new landslide , we decided to leave and so we did , with the help of the military , walking over the fallen stones , wearing borrowed boots , and lighting the way only with the flashlights of cell phones .
We thank God immensely for the deliverance , for nothing serious has happened to us , or to anyone . It is worth mentioning that we have all the support and affection possible from the military so that we can leave safely . My car was not so lucky : it was “ stuck ” in the fortress for 40 days . Although the experience yielded a good story to tell , I confess that I do not need more emotions like that .
All the photo sessions were special , each one exciting for a different reason . I have no words to describe my happiness at seeing this work finished – surely a unique opportunity to demonstrate all my love for Niterói . I hope that I will be able to exalt all the beauty of this incredible city through my photos and cause in everyone who appreciates this work the same wonderful sensations that I had , which has the purpose of spreading the wonders of Niteroi not only to those who live here , but to the whole world .
Antonio Schumacher