Ramblas Lady Statue Lost in Her Own Thoughts

Walking the Tightrope of Las Ramblas

If you have ever been to Barcelona, you know that Las Ramblas is not just a street. It is a living, breathing beast. It is a kilometer of pure chaos that stretches from the city center down to the sea, packed tight with tourists, flower stalls, bird sellers (once upon a time), and the constant hum of a thousand conversations happening at once. It is the sort of place where you have to watch your wallet, watch your step, and watch the world go by all at the same time.

I have walked this pavement more times than I can count. Usually, I am just trying to get from point A to point B without bumping into someone dragging a suitcase. But every now and then, I stop. I stop because amidst all that movement—the rush of the locals and the wandering of the visitors—there are these islands of total stillness. The living statues.

You have seen them. They paint themselves in silver or gold, or they dress up like cowboys, dragons, or historical figures. They stand perfectly still, defying the human urge to itch or blink, just waiting for the sound of a coin hitting their hat so they can come to life for a few seconds. It is a fun little game. We pay a euro, they move, we smile, and we keep walking.

But recently, I realized that the "show" is not actually the most interesting part.

The Mystery of the Lady in Red

I took this photo on a recent walk down the boulevard. It stopped me in my tracks, not because of what she was doing, but because of what she wasn't doing. She wasn't trying to catch my eye. She wasn't posing. She was just... being.

She was sitting there, engulfed in this massive, incredible dress. The texture of it looked like crushed velvet or maybe dyed paper, layered in deep reds and burnt oranges, like a volcano or a dying fire. It is a stunning piece of costume design.

I do not know whether she impersonates a flamenco dancer or an opera singer. Maybe she is supposed to be a character from a specific play I don't know, or maybe she is just a generic symbol of "Spanish Passion" invented to look good in tourists' vacation photos. Honestly, it doesn't really matter who she is supposed to be.

As I said in a previous post, human statues in Las Ramblas are much more interesting when they are offstage, when you see the person behind the character. That is exactly what I saw here. The curtain was down, even though she was sitting right in the middle of the street.

The Moment the Mask Slips

There is something really vulnerable about catching a performer on their break. When they are "on," they are untouchable. They are protected by their paint and their props. They are staring right through you with a practiced, intense gaze. But when they take five minutes to rest? That armor falls off.

In this shot, you can see the contrast so clearly. Look at the background. You have the yellow construction poles—ugly, bright, and utilitarian. You have a guy in white work clothes walking past, and a woman in jeans on her phone, rushing somewhere. That is the real world. It is grey, busy, and undistinguished.

Then you have her. A splash of fantasy sitting right on the dirty pavement. But look at her posture. She is slumped over a little bit. She is holding a fan, but she isn't using it to flirt or pose; she is just holding it because her hands need somewhere to go. She is looking down, completely lost in her own thoughts.

The Hardest Performance of All

I stood there for a moment and just wondered what she was thinking about. Was she counting how much money she had made so far? Was she thinking about how much her feet hurt? Maybe she was making a mental grocery list for later, or worrying about rent, or just wishing the construction noise behind her would stop for five minutes.

It hit me then. Lost in her own thoughts, this lady is in some way acting. She is in the middle of yet another performance, the most difficult, the most demanding: trying to make a living in the real world.

We tend to romanticize street artists. We think it is a bohemian, free life. But looking at her, I saw the grind. I saw the work. It is not just about standing still; it is about the mental stamina it takes to put on a costume, paint your face, go out into the heat or the cold, and rely on the kindness of strangers to pay your bills. That is a heavy weight to carry, heavier than that dress she is wearing.

Reflections on the Sidewalk

I think that is why I love this photo. If she were looking at the camera and smiling, it would just be a postcard. It would be a souvenir. But because she is looking away, it becomes a story.

It reminds me that everyone we walk past on Las Ramblas—or any street in any city—is putting on a show of some kind. We all have our costumes. Maybe you wear a suit and tie to the office; maybe you wear a uniform; maybe you put on a "customer service voice" when you answer the phone. We all freeze up and play our parts when people are watching.

But we all have those moments, like this lady, where we just need to sit down and stare at the ground for a second. We have to drop the act and just deal with the reality of being tired, or stressed, or bored.

So, the next time you are walking down Las Ramblas and you see one of these statues, go ahead and drop a coin in the hat. They earned it. But take a second to look for the person underneath the paint, too. The interesting stuff isn't the robot dance or the frozen bow. The interesting stuff is the human being who is working hard to make a little bit of magic in a loud, busy, messy world.

Marilyn Monroe Human Statue: The Backstage

Marilyn's Real Stage: The Curb

If human statues in Barcelona could pick their spots at will, I am pretty sure this guy impersonating Marilyn Monroe would have chosen the famous air vents up on the Passeig de Gràcia sidewalk. It would be the perfect fit. But instead of that iconic scene, he has to compete down here with a bunch of other statues in the thick of Las Ramblas.

The competition lately is fierce. You have the impressive rivals that are really hard to beat, and then you have many others that are, frankly, a bit ridiculous. There are way too many of them recently. But as I always say, my friends, crisis sharpens your survival skills, and the boat is already full of survivors.

Order in the Chaos: New Rules Coming

It sounds like the free-for-all is about to end. Local authorities have plans to limit the number of statues starting January next year. We are talking about a cap of just 30 performers, selected by the quality of their act. They will be working in two shifts—15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon—and they will be confined to a restricted area exactly between the Pla de la Boqueria and the Arc del Teatre square.

Artists will actually have to send in a CV to get a spot! Also, imitations of animals or characters carrying weapons will be banned. Let's see how it all ends, as some attempts at regulation were made in the past with zero success.

The Intimacy of the Backstage

Hey, I almost forgot about Marilyn here. You know what? I actually prefer capturing these moments over the performance itself. This is the "backstage" session, right out in the open. It is when living statues are in the intimacy of their preparation, or taking a breather.

In this shot, you don't see the glamour; you see the grind. He is crouching down by his equipment box, maybe fixing his lipstick or grabbing a quick bite, completely lost in his own thoughts. He might be wondering what the heck he is doing standing on a pedestal all day without twitching a muscle.

It is a reminder of the human element. As I always say, please help the artist behind the statue. Don't pretend they are just part of the street furniture or Las Ramblas decoration. They are working hard.

Ramblas Angel

The Golden Angel Returns in Full Color

If you have been hanging around the blog for a while, this golden figure might look familiar. I actually featured this specific performer quite some time ago in a post I called Angel or Devil, a popular living statue in Las Ramblas.

Back in that post, I was really focused on zooming in on the intricate details of her face paint. But looking back, I realized I owed you a proper full-size shot to really show off the scale of those massive majestic wings. She is seriously impressive to see in person on the street.

Getting Experimental with the Edit

As you can see, I decided to have a little creative fun with the processing on this shot today. The background is a total pop-art explosion. I used a heavy radial blur effect in Photoshop (shout out to good old CS4!) to create that intense sense of motion and dizzying color.

I admit, this style might be a little "too daring" for some tastes, but honestly, sometimes you just have to experiment and have fun doing it. I think it makes the steady, metallic gold of the statue really jump off the screen against the chaos. Have a great week, everyone!

Some Exciting Blog News

On a completely different note to start the week, I wanted to share something cool. Barcelona Photoblog was kindly listed among the "50 Most Amazing Architectural Photography Blogs" by Photography Colleges. It’s a really good guide to check out if you are looking for online photography tuition.

I want to say a big thank you to them for the mention. It also reminded me to share my own Architecture and Sculpture in Barcelona set on Flickr with you all again. It’s a big collection of pictures, many of which you can find buried deep in my blog archives as well, all gathered in one place.

Las Ramblas Devil? Please, Dial 666

Las Ramblas Devil? Please, Dial 666

Satan, Beelzebub, Lucifer, Mephistopheles, the Prince of Darkness... or simply the Devil. There are a thousand names for the eternal antagonist, the "slanderer" (if you want to get technical with the Greek diabolos), or as we call him here, El Diablo.

Most religions have their own definition of this malevolent entity, but one thing is true: there seems to be a general acceptance that evil exists. Some place it in hell, others in a parallel dimension, or maybe inside a black cat. If we want to get materialistic about it, maybe it is just a glitch in our neural connections—a result of a lousy childhood or the fact that we chewed on too many plastic toys when we were toddlers.

The Root of All Evil?

Of course, on a bad day, we might just think the devil is our boss, our mother-in-law, our bank creditor, or maybe even Marilyn Manson. But walking down Las Ramblas, the manifestation is a little more literal.

Judging by the massive, textured horns on this creature and that heavy shoulder armor that looks like it was stolen from an Orc in The Lord of the Rings, I’d say this is a pretty practical example of a downtown demon manifestation. I went with a gritty black and white edit for this shot because I think it brings out the textures of the mask and makes him look even more like an ancient gargoyle.

Careful Who You Call

If you look closely at the background, you can spot the logo of a public telephone booth right behind him. It makes for a perfect, slightly ominous coincidence. So, beware of who is next in line when you use a public phone in Barcelona! You never know if you might accidentally dial 666.

Ramblas Cowboy Wishes You a Happy 2010!

Golden Greetings from Las Ramblas

On behalf of the Ramblas Cowboy—that famous human statue you really can't miss on Barcelona's most renowned street—I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year. Now, he is not technically my acquaintance, I don't know the guy under the paint, but I am sure he can back me up on this greeting. Judging by the warm smile he always seems to wear, even when frozen solid, he must be a great guy.

Chasing the Christmas Lights

I actually woke up today with a specific photo in mind: catching his shimmering golden figure against the backdrop of the city's Christmas lights. The final shot came out a little different than I planned—he’s caught here in a really dynamic, mid-action pose with that golden pistol drawn, rather than standing still—but I think it works even better.

He is practically glowing against those cool blue bokeh lights hanging in the plane trees and the warm blur of the shops behind him. In the end, I am just happy I walked down to Las Ramblas. You could really feel the good mood everyone was sharing as the year comes to a close. It’s a great atmosphere down here right now. All the best to everyone!

Angel or Devil, A Popular Living Statue in Las Ramblas

Angel or Devil? The Golden Enigma of Las Ramblas

If you walk down Las Ramblas often enough, you start to recognize the regulars. And this one is by far one of the most attractive—and popular—living statues on the entire street. It is a golden angel, showing off a set of impressive wings that you can spot from quite a distance away.

From afar, the figure seems purely majestic. But standing right in front of him (or her?), the vibe gets a little more complicated. All in all, the angel seems sweet and gentle, offering a frozen welcome to the tourists passing by.

A Closer Look at the Texture

However, if you take a close look at this portrait, you might not be so sure about which master this angel works for: God or the Devil. There is something about that texture—the way the gold paint cracks like dry earth or ancient bark—that gives the statue a wild, almost pagan look. The heavy "dreadlocks" framing the face add to that primal feeling.

And then there is the smile. It’s bright, sure, but look at the eyes. There is a spark there that could be benevolence, or it could be mischief. Click on the image to view the big format and tell me: what do you see? Is this a guardian of good or something a little more sinister? Maybe it represents some mythological being I am not aware of, but it definitely leaves you wondering.

Human Statues: Make-Up Time

The Open-Air Dressing Room of Las Ramblas

When you are trapped in the living stream of Las Ramblas, being shoved along from one end to the other by the crowd, it is easy to forget the obvious: these human statues are not part of the urban furniture. They aren't a permanent exhibition like the streetlamps or the paving stones.

No one comes and unloads them from a truck to gently place them on their improvised pedestals early in the morning. They are anonymous Barcelona citizens, made of flesh and bone. They are permanent residents or temporary visitors who rely on this unstable, tedious, and physically demanding activity to make a living.

From Citizen to Character

I love this shot because it shows the "before." They have their assigned areas, their timetables, and their official permits, but the transformation happens right here on the ground. To attain that wonderful final look we are all familiar with, they sometimes need more than an hour to be ready.

It is not strange to see them arrive partly dressed to save time, sitting cross-legged on the cold stones. Here, her "vanity table" is just a small stepladder and the pavement. You can see the focus as she applies that elaborate pink and black eye makeup with a tiny handheld mirror, ignoring the world walking by. The contrast between the fantasy of the costume and the mundane reality of the plastic water bottle and the gym bag really hits home.

The Risks of the Trade

After all that preparation—fitting into impossible costumes and applying layers of paint—it may happen that the weather suddenly plays tricks on them and spoils the performance. Of course, no insurance company will compensate for the cancellation of the show, nor will the City Hall sympathize with their cause.

Las Ramblas certainly wouldn't be that great without the living statues, so any help to pay for such a respectable effort is always more than welcome. Of course, I don't tip them if I capture them before the acting begins, as in this image—this is just a candid moment. But when they are "on stage," I try not to sneak between tourists to steal a picture. A good smiling face, nicely caught in connivance with the camera after you have expressed your gratitude (and dropped a coin), can really make the difference.

Carnival 2009 in Barcelona is Coming!

Carnival 2009 in Barcelona is Coming!

Get your masks ready, because next Saturday a big parade will take place here in Barcelona to celebrate our Carnival. Now, I know our celebration isn't as world-famous as Rio or Venice yet, but trust me, it is getting better and bigger all the time.

Since I obviously don't have pictures of next week's parade yet (unless someone lends me a time machine), I thought this incredible pirate character would do the trick to help us start getting in the mood. Nothing says "costume party" quite like a pirate, right?

A Study in Silver and Orange

This living statue is a perfect example of the detail these performers put in. The texture of the silver paint on the face and that battered hat makes the artist look like cast in solid metal. But what really grabs me is that pop of orange eyeshadow.

It is such a striking contrast against the monochrome grey of the skin. It gives the whole expression a certain intensity, a bit of life amidst the "statue" effect. It’s that kind of theatrical flair that Carnestoltes is all about.

There are many sites online anticipating the festivities, but if you want the official info, you can check out the Carnaval site. Hmm, looking at it now, I really hope they update it soon with the final schedule!

Human Statue Lady at Las Ramblas de Barcelona

A Moment of Fragile Beauty

This is yet another human statue at Las Ramblas, but she feels different from the rest. While some performers go for shock value or comedy, she projects a sense of beautiful, fragile delicacy. She stood there on this incredibly populated street, completely still, looking almost like a porcelain doll amidst the stampede of tourists.

Painted in Light and Glitter

I was immediately attracted by the details of her face. The makeup is stunning—those swirling green glitter patterns against the purple eyeshadow and the bold teal lips really pop. But it’s not just the paint; it’s the atmosphere.

The background is a soft, blurred wash of cyan and purple light coming from the nearby store signs, and it frames her profile perfectly. She looks "hieratic"—like a sacred statue from an ancient temple—dignified and lost in her own world. Don't forget to check the labels below if you want to see more living statues, and definitely click the image to view the big format so you can appreciate the texture of the glitter.

Soldier of Fortune - A Human Statue

Halt! You Shall Not Pass (Without Tipping)

"Stop! Hold it right there! You miserable, lousy scoundrel. I swear upon my sword that you will not flee from Barcino without tipping me first."

Okay, he didn't actually say that, but judging by that fierce expression painted onto his face, he was definitely thinking it. I mean, look at him. He is locked and loaded. "Yes, you, what are you staring at? Give me that black box with lightnings inside." (I assume that is how a Roman centurion would describe my camera with a flash).

The Fierce Centurion of Barcino

This guy is intense. The teal and gold patina on his armor is fantastic—it gives him that weathered, oxidized bronze look, like he has been standing guard since the Roman Empire actually ruled this city. The details are great, from the "SPQR" standards behind him to the muscle cuirass and the sword pointed right at the cheapskates in the crowd.

"Just one miserable denarius? You must be out of your mind? Oh, that's better, euros will be fine."

He is definitely one of the more intimidating characters on the street. If you missed my previous post about this specific living statue and want to see another angle of his impressive gear, please visit: Human Statue of Warrior at Las Ramblas de Barcelona.

Biker and Skeleton in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

Cycling with the Skeleton Crew

If you are a regular on Las Ramblas de Barcelona, you definitely know this duo. It is a familiar sight: the man and the skeleton, pedaling in tandem through the static crowd. It is one of those mechanical setups that is just fun to watch, as the skeleton mimics every move the biker makes.

I was actually used to watching him dressed in completely different colors—usually darker, more steampunk tones. (You can check out his old look in my previous post: Human Statue in Las Ramblas - Biker). But this time, he has reinvented himself with a ghostly, textured white finish that makes him look like a statue carved from rough stone.

A Thumbs Up for the Camera

The details here are great, from the tall top hat down to the round sunglasses that add a bit of "cool" to the spooky vibe. And he is a pro; he had no problem pausing his eternal bike ride to pose for the camera the second the coin hit the bottom of his tin can.

That thumbs-up is the universal sign of "transaction complete" on the Ramblas. I also like how the background—the "Vien" sign and the hotel entrance—frames him perfectly in the city's hustle, even while he and his bony friend are frozen in their own little world.

Human Statue's Boot Detail in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

A Pistol in the Boot

They say you should never judge a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes... or in this case, until you've stood perfectly still for hours in his heavy silver boots.

This is just a detail shot, I know, but sometimes the boots tell the story better than the face. In Las Ramblas, the difference between a good statue and a great one often comes down to these little details. An old, rustic pistol tucked into the side and a heavy, thick coat of silver polish over the leather (and the jeans!) really give the character that final, gritty touch.

The Ambiguity of the Scoundrel

Sometimes, looking at these details, you can't quite tell whether they are impersonating a pirate, a bounty hunter, a cowboy, or just some generic sort of scoundrel. But believe me, it is fun to watch them perform regardless of the specific label.

It creates a nice mystery—is he about to draw that gun, or is it just for show? One thing is for certain, though: bootlickers should definitely avoid this area. With that much metallic paint involved, there is a very high risk of indigestion.

Human Statue of Warrior, Las Ramblas, Barcelona

A Greek Warrior on the Ramblas

Mystery solved. While I was scratching my head earlier trying to place this armor, it turns out we are looking at a Greek warrior sporting a classic Corinthian helmet. And honestly, knowing the history just makes the statue even cooler.

The Corinthian Crest at Sunset

I photographed this warrior just in front of the Liceu concert hall in Las Ramblas. I usually catch these artists in the full, harsh daylight, but this shot was taken at sunset, and the atmosphere is completely different.

The fading light catches the massive crest of that helmet perfectly. The paint job is fantastic—that teal and gold combination mimics the look of ancient, oxidized bronze (or copper) that has survived centuries. Standing there against the warm, blurry lights of the theater, he doesn't just look like a street performer; he looks like a sentinel from the ancient world keeping watch over modern Barcelona.

Save the Earth: Portrait of Human Statue in Las Ramblas, Barcelona

Rescuing Mother Nature from the Archives

I decided to dig into the hard drive today and rescue an old character from the archives in a shot I hadn't published before. It is this incredible "Mother Nature" figure—or at least, that is what I call him. It is definitely a he, but the spirit of the character is pure Earth.

He is dressed as some sort of tree or forest deity, covered in earth-toned body paint with delicate vines tracing up his arms and face. But the real showstopper is that headpiece. It looks like a mass of dried roots exploding backward from his head, defying gravity as if the wind is permanently blowing through them.

The Missing Sphere

In this particular angle, the transparent sphere he usually holds is almost hidden, tucked away near his chest. You can just barely catch the glint of the glass. If you want to see the full setup where the sphere is totally visible, you should definitely check out my original post: Street Artists in Las Ramblas - Human Statue.

There is something about his expression here—solemn, looking off into the distance, hand raised—that feels like a warning or a plea. Maybe "Save the Earth" isn't just a catchy title; maybe it's exactly what he is trying to tell us while we rush past him to buy souvenirs.

Seasoned Human Statue II in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

The Seasoned Statue Returns

Here is another shot of a street artist—a human statue—that actually appeared in Barcelona Photoblog a long, long time ago. You might remember him from my previous post: Seasoned Human Statue Sitting in Las Ramblas.

I call him "seasoned" not just because he looks like a veteran of the street, but because of that incredible weather-beaten look he cultivates. The metallic silver paint settles into every line and furrow of his face, making him look less like a person and more like a piece of galvanized steel that has withstood decades of storms.

Suiting Up in Silver

His previous photo focused mostly on his face, so it didn't really show off the suit too much. I thought you would like to see this angle because it highlights the costume work. The jacket, the tie, the shirt—everything is stiff with that same textured silver coating.

He looks like a businessman frozen in time (or maybe carbonite), pausing for a moment of reflection amidst the chaos of the boulevard. Even his glasses seem caught in the transformation. It is that commitment to the "heavy" look of the materials that sets the pros apart from the amateurs.

Marble Living Statue With Lady In Las Ramblas, Barcelona

A Touch of Marble and a Lot of Friendship

Since today's post is going to deal with awards and friendship, I couldn't think of a better image to start with than this one. What better symbol of connection is there than a handshake? Here we have one of those anonymous Barcelona street artists—a "marble" statue completely draped in white cloth—breaking his frozen character to share a warm moment with a tourist.

I love the contrast in this shot. You have the cold, rigid appearance of the statue, mimicking stone right down to the draped fabric and the face covering. And then you have this lovely lady in a bright turquoise dress, wearing a smile that is as sunny as the street itself. She looks proud and happy, like a child meeting a hero. It’s a funny, sweet reminder that behind the "stone," there is a person smiling back.

You Made My Day Award

Speaking of making people smile, I was absolutely thrilled to be granted the "You Make My Day" award by Beautiful Places blog (Update: 2025 link not available anymore). It is a wonderful site that you should visit often, and I want to say thanks so much to them. It really means a lot to me that you chose my blog.

As part of the tradition, I want to pass the torch to 5 blogs that always manage to make my day a little better. A big thank you to these creators for always being so supportive and friendly. It is a real pleasure to know you, and I highly recommend everyone check out their creative work:

• Secrets by Quintarantino
• Com Imagens by Daniel and Carol
• Nashville Daily Photo by Chris
• Wailea Daily Photo by Kuanyin
• Momentos by Dsole

The Rules (and a Note)

Please don't worry if you break the chain; I won't consider it rude at all since I am not a huge enthusiast of strict rules myself. But mostly, I just like that someone thought of me, which is really flattering. So, I took my time to think of people I care about, like you guys.

For the record, here are the rules I was given:

1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that you like (update: as 2025 first two are not working anymore).
2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.
3. Display the "You Make My Day" logo (I put it on my sidebar).
4. Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs or emailing them.

Mermaid Human Statue in Las Ramblas, Barcelona

The Little Mermaid's Day Job

Once upon a time, there was a little mermaid. But this wasn't the Disney version singing happy songs; this was a sad and lonely little mermaid, working nine to five out of the water just to make ends meet in Las Ramblas, Barcelona.

You can see it in her posture. She is slumped over, clutching that little purse made of shells, looking completely lost. She probably only wanted to go swim with her father in the deep blue sea a few miles away from the Barcelona port, but let's face the facts: human money is much better than devaluated seashells in her underwater world right now.

A Fish Out of Water

It is a tough life indeed. Imagine wearing all that heavy silver makeup, your scales getting dry in the hot Spanish sun, and having to deal with thousands of stingy, strange creatures with no tails staring at you like you are the school of fish.

The detail on her costume is impressive—from the silver-braided "hair" to the shell bodice—but the real story is in the fatigue. Yeah, it sounds like a fairytale, but human statues in Las Ramblas are real people with real bills. They need the money, so let's give them some coins to take back home because they really deserve it.

Daily Photo Recommendation

On a side note, a picture I really liked today comes from the City Daily Photo group: Free Parking by Hyderabad Daily Photo, India. I really like the silhouette of the road against the sunset and the incredible amount of cars in that huge traffic jam. It makes our traffic here look like nothing!

Human or Living Statue: Goblins in Las Ramblas, Barcelona?

The Mystery of the Silver Silhouette

Some days ago, I posted about a mysterious character in Las Ramblas, asking if he was an Elf or a Vulcan. Well, I am back with another angle on the same mystery.

Generally speaking, it is not very attractive to capture a person's nape in photography. The back of someone's head is usually boring unless the faceless silhouette is expressive enough against the background. But this time, I think it works. The living statue was just as stunning from behind as he looked in the side profile picture.

Goblin, Elf, or Alien?

I still don't know if this is a goblin, a space traveler, or what. But looking at the detail—the silver fabric gathered at the point of the hat, those oversized pointed ears painted to match the skin—the man was definitely well disguised. The silver paint creates this great metallic texture that pops against the blurred city street behind him.

Some Photography Recommendations

Since we are dealing with people photography today, I am going to suggest a few links that are worth your time:

• A Flickr set about the inhabitants of Papua, New Guinea by Eric Lafforgue. It is absolutely stunning work.
• My own set about Human Statues or Street Artists on Flickr.

Mermaid Captured in La Rambla, Barcelona

Fishing for Sirens on Las Ramblas

I captured this mermaid with my trusty Nikon D70s while going on a little "fishing expedition" for human statues along Las Ramblas. And let me tell you, there were plenty of fishy things in that sea of tourists—mostly pickpockets and trileros (shell-game swindlers) trying to trick people with their cards. Those are dangerous species you definitely want to avoid playing with.

The Modern Odysseus

But this encounter was different. I felt charmed and subdued by her irresistible, silent chant. In the spirit of Greek mythology, I almost tried to tie myself up to that black cast-iron lamp post standing right next to her and cover my ears like a modern Odysseus to resist the temptation.

But it was no use. She pulled out a small jewel box covered in shells, insinuated a silver-painted smile, and I succumbed instantly. One more euro for the catch of the day!

A Marvel of Marble Human Statue

A Marvel of Marble on the Street

This is, for me, one of the greatest human statues at Las Ramblas de Barcelona. The texture, the costume, the way he holds the pose—it is all top-notch. But I have to admit, taking this photo wasn't exactly a walk in the park.

The Challenge of Shooting White on White

It was surprisingly hard to capture these white colors properly. As any photographer knows, the camera's sensor (or CCD, for us old-school shooters) can easily be fooled by large bright or dark surfaces. It tries to compensate, often making the picture look too grey or blowing out the highlights depending on where you focus.

I think I managed to balance it here, though. You can really see the "marble" details—the grey veining painted onto his face and the folds of the cowl are incredible. And that expression! The guy was smiling at me right after I gave him one euro. Sometimes a picture is worth the money, and these street artists really deserve it for the effort they put in.

A Little Art News

On a different note, I have some exciting news to share. Barcelona Photoblog has been invited to be part of Saatchi Gallery Online. It is a massive, free showcase for photographers and a world-leading interactive resource for the art community. It’s an honor to be included. You can see some of my pictures over at Saatchi Online if you want to check them out!