Hereby I want to make clear that this blog is not dead. No way! With this enthusiastic cry of joy I want to declare carnival season open in Barcelona Photoblog. I know many of you wanted to know about this important event in Barcelona so I have a whole set of carnival images coming your way. Please forgive my irregular posting, I think sometimes we need a little break to gasp for some fresh air. By the way this February my photo blog will be two years old. I don't believe in celebrations but I am happy to be around and be able to share some time with you.
Barcelona photos: Daily photographs of Barcelona, Spain. Pictures of a modern city with travel tips in a personal photoblog. A photography and travel site. Art, architecture, people and traditions. Travel to Barcelona through my camera, know more about our city and towns nearby. Welcome!
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January 19, 2008
Carnival Time in Barcelona!
Hereby I want to make clear that this blog is not dead. No way! With this enthusiastic cry of joy I want to declare carnival season open in Barcelona Photoblog. I know many of you wanted to know about this important event in Barcelona so I have a whole set of carnival images coming your way. Please forgive my irregular posting, I think sometimes we need a little break to gasp for some fresh air. By the way this February my photo blog will be two years old. I don't believe in celebrations but I am happy to be around and be able to share some time with you.
January 18, 2008
Casa Rocamora: Renaissance-Gothic-Inspired Art Nouveau
Casa Rocamora on the corner of carrer Casp and Passeig de Gracia very near Plaça Catalunya.
Manuel Rocamora belonged to a Catalan bourgeois family that was prosperous making tallow candles and soaps. He was a collector of art thanks to his mother. The family industry of spark plugs and soaps was called Rocamora y Cia, and owes its growth to trade with the Spanish colonies of Cuba and Puerto Rico. It was founded as such by Marcos Rocamora in 1845.
At the end of the 19th century Barcelona appears as the great Spanish soap-making center, and all due to the Rocamora family. Its growth is closely linked to trade with the colonies, for this reason the loss of colonial trade meant the bankruptcy of the factory. The factory will close its doors in 1956.
Casa Rocamora, one of the most beautiful representatives of Catalan Art Nouveau with a touch of Renaissance Gothic influence was built by Bonaventura and Joaquim Bassegoda in 1914.
It is not the first time I include this house in Barcelona Photoblog but since the last picture was taken with an old camera which didn't favor the building too much I thought, why not giving it a second chance? Please check my original post: Catalan Modernisme: Casa Rocamora
Labels:
architects,
architecture,
art nouveau,
bassegoda,
buildings,
casa modernista,
casa rocamora,
modernisme,
modernist building
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Passeig de Gràcia, 6, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
January 17, 2008
Coach Drivers in Sant Andreu Quarter, Barcelona, Spain
These two coach drivers were taking part of Tres Tombs parade in Sant Andreu quarter recently. Although I decided to add some effects to the picture, both the drivers and the people in the background were really there, I mean there are no tricks as to the scene. I have only played with photo filters over the image in black and white to visually detach both the coach and the onlookers from the background.
January 16, 2008
Brain Cut at Cosmocaixa Science Museum, Barcelona, Spain
Where did all the knowledge go? In what secret chamber were my feelings stored? Which intricate volutes concealed the mistery of my soul? My nightmares, my childhood, my secrets, all that love, my deja vus, my premonitions, my nostalgy, my fears, is that all erased forever more? My humanity, my morality, my religion, my sense of beauty, my taboos, my sexuality! Oh Lord! What mighty purpose is there behind experiencing life so vividly and having to perish by natural laws?
The brain cut that serves as the inspiration for this philosophical conundrum was photographed inside Cosmocaixa Science Museum. In case you want to know more about your brain take a look at The History of the Brain
January 15, 2008
January 14, 2008
Food in Barcelona: Cheese Cake Detail
Food also has a small corner in this blog if it is made in Barcelona of course. This cheese cake I saw during a chocolate trade show some months ago and is coming out of my archives cause I was having a lot of trouble to find more time for my photo tours around the city. We have been moving our office to another quarter and guess what, I am working downtown so luckily I will capture more interesting shots soon.
January 13, 2008
Modernist Balcony in Barcelona, Spain
This was a dull picture with blown up skies, askew and no size enough to properly crop, but yet it was a beautiful Catalan Art Nouveau (Modernisme) balcony I thought you might like to set eyes on. There are images I shoot so badly that it becomes really hard to use them afterwards. I tried to pretend a soft color, almost black and white with some grain but not on the stained glass windows. Both the balcony and the windows are a little emphasized with some light. I hope you appreciate the architecture in the end which is the main purpose of a wasted hour of image processing.
January 12, 2008
Strong Horse at Tres Tombs Parade, Sant Andreu, Barcelona, Spain
I swear I had never seen such strong a horse although I am aware of morphology and breeds. This animal in the equine world would be the equivalent of a pro bodybuilder on growth hormones. Look at those legs, that's not only hair! And that in the background is not a cardboard rock. No, that was a huge stone on top of a sturdy cart. It makes no sense to force the beast to handle such a heavy load for such futile purpose but traditions are traditions and Tres Tombs parade is no less.
January 11, 2008
Horse Closeup At Tres Tombs Parade, Sant Andreu, Barcelona
January 10, 2008
Columns at Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain
These are some of the 86 Doric columns under the terrace at Park Guell, Barcelona. The place was featured in Barcelona Photoblog a long time ago so here's a link to: Park Guell Columns
January 09, 2008
Serpentine Bench Detail at Park Guell, Barcelona, Spain
Serpentine bench detail at Park Guell by Antoni Gaudi |
A detail of a serpentine bench at Park Guell, Barcelona. Not the first time I show you these modernist benches by Gaudi. Using the trencadis technique he composed curious patterns that not only included color tiles but several other pieces that look like bottle bottoms to me. If you enlarge the picture you will be able to see what I mean.
For those of you who have not visited the park I should say that the undulated benches encircle a big terrace with a view over Barcelona and the sea. More posts about serpentine benches in Barcelona Photoblog: Mosaic Work Called Trencadis by Gaudi, Mosaic Serpentine Benches Landmark of Barcelona and Trencadis Serpentine Bench at Park Guell.
Labels:
art nouveau,
detail,
gaudi,
modernisme,
park guell,
serpentine bench
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Park Güell, 08024 Barcelona, Spain
January 08, 2008
Three Little Pigs Photograph
Three little pigs playing in the straw. I am sorry but it was impossible to catch them all facing the camera, so one of them is clearly being somewhat rude. Those of you craving for more city pictures may be disappointed when I make these abrupt changes of topic. I think it is good to diversify and to create expectations about the future, like, what the heck is gonna show next time? The place, the medieval fair of Suria again. Long time ago, I know, this is from my archives so the poor creatures are not with us anymore.
January 07, 2008
Park Guell, Barcelona - Entrance Tower With Spire And Trencadis Work
This is a detail of one of the two towers at the main entrance to Park Guell (Olot street). Both buildings were once the houses of the park's keepers. In the picture you can see a narrow spire crowned by a four armed cross as well as a small mushroom-like cupola with some oriental reminiscence and the peculiar battlement around the edge, an ackward combination you only associate with fairy tales or very wild dreams. Notice the impressive trencadis work of the roof, in other words, the mosaic composition created with irregular shards of tiles omnipresent in Gaudian architecture.
January 06, 2008
Collier Making Charcoal - Medieval Occupations at Suria
This collier making charcoal, is a black and white picture rescued from my archives and taken long ago in the annual medieval fair of a town called Suria. The man, a neighbor of this fortress village, was impersonating a coal burner next to this sort of rudimentary pit kiln. Back in medieval times there were lots of occupations which are long forgotten now or that have considerably changed. Read more and check pictures of old trades in my previous posts about Suria: The Potter, The Stonecutter and The Basket Weaver. Today's image looks better if enlarged.
January 05, 2008
Children Photography: Tres Tombs Parade, Sant Andreu, Barcelona, Spain
This two children were driving a small coach in the Cavalcada dels Tres Tombs (Tres Tombs parade) in Sant Andreu district, Barcelona. I won't give you details about the parade because I want to concentrate on the kids' pose and due to the fact that I will post many more related images next week. I have pointed out sometimes in this blog that I love the way children behave in front of the camera showing that part of the soul we stubbornly try to hide every single day of the year. Take a look at each of them, dressed in elegant aristocrat costumes...the boy is concentrated so much on the reins that nothing in this world could distract him away from such magic experience; and what about the little girl, with that stern look, half conceited, half irritated and still finding some time to wave a hand with noble grace. Children can always surprise you with the most spontaneus gesture and they almost always look great in pictures, but still there are ways to take the most out of that sudden improvisation. Here are some tips about children photography:
The Complete Guide to Children Photography: This is a good course to get a general idea about how to approach a child in photography to get the best results in your pictures.
Depth of Field: DOF is used consciously or by chance but to make the best out of it we must know how it works in detail. Discover this excellent tutorial about DOF.
January 04, 2008
Boats on Sant Pol de Mar Beach Near Barcelona, Spain
A glimpse of Sant Pol with some fishermen boats lined up on the sand in the middle of the winter it is always a pleasure to the eyes. To know more about this beach and its town visit my previous posts: Sant Pol de Mar, Maresme Coast, Catalonia, Spain and Sant Pol de Mar, Maresme Coast, near Barcelona.
January 03, 2008
Sant Jaume Square: View of Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona, Spain
Sant Jaume square with Palau de la Generalitat in the background, a place many of you will remember if you've ever been to Barcelona. In case you haven't, you ought to know that Palau de la Generalitat is the headquarters of the Government of Catalonia and of the Presidency of the Generalitat. The building was originally designed by architect Marc Safont and erected under his supervision in XV c. over a previous property bought by the Council, further undergoing important structure transformation and blending of architectural periods. The façade and two important sections are of renaissance style but once the Courts took over the building in the XVIIIth century the chapel was extended and the bell tower was crowned according to the predominant Gothic style. In 1914 a major restoration was carried out to recover the palace to its original preservation state right before the occupation by the Courts. Those works were directed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, the prolific modernist architect many times featured in this blog as for example in my post: La Diputació (Barcelona Provincial Government) not to be mistaken with La Generalitat!.
January 02, 2008
Modernist Balcony, Ali Bei Street, Barcelona
Catalan Art Nouveau also called Modernisme treasures real beauties when it comes to balconies. Take a look at this building for example at carrer Ali Bei with protruding windows covering part of the main balcony. A long time ago another building on the same block (about two doors away) was featured in Barcelona Photoblog: Art Nouveau Balcony
January 01, 2008
Butterfly Shot to Welcome the New Year
To celebrate the start of a new year and though this poor white lepidopteran aka butterfly is long gone since I took this picture in Sant Pol de Mar last October, I decided to show you something fresh that mitigates the sad and transcendental mood portrayed in the previous post, that is, last year!
December 31, 2007
Sunset Farewell at Barcelona Port
To kiss goodbye 2007 I should have published this image in due time. As it is written somewhere in the stars that my daily posting mission is too heavy a cross to carry sometimes, I come to you from the future to talk about the end of the year.
I had chosen this elder couple looking far away in the distance, perhaps taking their last pictures of Barcelona before turning back home, to make some kind of allegory about time, age, hope and whatever good thoughts this image may inspire. I let you with them watching the sun slowly set over Montjuic mountain. Tomorrow it will be just another day on earth, let's take the most out of it.
I had chosen this elder couple looking far away in the distance, perhaps taking their last pictures of Barcelona before turning back home, to make some kind of allegory about time, age, hope and whatever good thoughts this image may inspire. I let you with them watching the sun slowly set over Montjuic mountain. Tomorrow it will be just another day on earth, let's take the most out of it.
December 30, 2007
December 29, 2007
Ecuadorian Dancers Wearing Traditional Costumes
These dancers wearing traditional costumes of Ecuador were part of an event organized in Nou Barris quarter some months ago. The picture I recovered from my archives since I forgot to show you in this previous post called Bolivian dancers.
December 28, 2007
Sarcophagus in Pedralbes Monastery
Although part of the tomb of Queen Elisenda de Montcada which you can see in the Pedralbes Monastery Museum site, this one is a small sarcophagus where the Queen is represented as an abbess and not wearing the crown as the sculpture on the main tomb.
December 27, 2007
December 26, 2007
Musician Playing Celtic Melodies
This woman was playing celtic tunes with this beautiful anglo concertina in Sant Iscle de Vallalta near Barcelona.
December 25, 2007
Portrait of Miguel by Lourdes Martin, A Powerful Image I liked in 2007
Miguel by Lourdes Martin Cabrero was the portrait I liked the most in 2007. Lourdes Martin was awarded the Silver Lux Award in the Portrait category by AFP (Pro Photographers Association). Lux are one of the most prestigious photography awards in Spain. The ceremony was held during past Sonimagfoto 2007 event at Fira de Barcelona, Montjuic. This image belongs to Lourdes Martin. I just wanted to express my admiration for her portrait and in a way promote the most recent work of Spanish photographers.
December 24, 2007
Branch Fantasy
December 23, 2007
Australopithecus Afarensis: Lucy at Cosmocaixa Science Museum
Australopithecus Afarensis, in this case the female called Lucy as part of the Civilized Matter exhibition in Cosmocaixa Science Museum, in other words, a narration about the evolution of man in the last 100.000 years (more at the official Cosmocaixa site, although not in English). Perhaps you want to know about australopithecus or even the story of Lucy itself so I recommend this site where you can admire another reproduction of the famous afarensis that goes by the name of Lucy.
December 22, 2007
Fallen Leaves
December 21, 2007
Lepiota Procera or Parasol Mushroom, Sant Iscle Mushroom Fair, Barcelona, Spain
This species of mushroom or bolet known as the Parasol Mushroom (lepiota procera) I photographed at Sant Iscle de Vallalta Mushroom Fair near Barcelona. Remember to check my previous post about this fair called Gathering Wild Mushrooms or Bolets in Catalonia.
December 20, 2007
Holy Scene: Prayer
To follow with my holy scenes series I will let you alone with this intimate moment of reflection and prayers.
No matter what your religion is or even in case you don't have any, I think it is easy to admire revolutionary men like this, call him with whatever name you choose, that someday, somewhere in time, decided to sacrifice for the sake of his fellowmen.
Check other post here: Holy Scene at Pedralbes Monastery Exhibition
Labels:
holy,
holy scene,
pedralbes,
religion
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Baixada del Monestir, 9, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
December 19, 2007
Priest Sculpture in Pedralbes Monastery
To complete the scene here is the other religious icon located to the right of the sculpture in my previous post: Religious Sculpture in Pedralbes Monastery
December 18, 2007
Religious Sculpture in Pedralbes Monastery
This small figure is located in a small crypt located upon entering Pedralbes Monastery cloister, following the right wing corridor. I can't tell you who this is, shame on me, I know. To highlight the mystery and solemnity of the icon I have burnt the borders of the image and rendered a lightning effect on the face with photoshop.
One thing I am sure of, the figure is related to Queen Elisenda de Montcada who secluded herself in the Monastery of Poor Clares in Pedralbes as a nun after the death of her husband, King James II of Aragon, also known as James II of Barcelona, called The Just.
She died there on June 19, 1364 and the tomb can be visited.
Labels:
pedralbes,
religious sculpture,
sacred art
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Baixada del Monestir, 9, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
December 17, 2007
Barcelona Coat of Arms
Barcelona coat of arms can be appreciated on this lamp post located in Passeig de Lluis Companys near Arc de Triomf. The city coat of arms is a blend of the arms of the counts of Barcelona and the arms of Aragon. It was conceded to the city on July 4th 1345. The cross is that of St. George who is the patron saint of the city. In case you wonder what the lines mean (red on yellow in the flag and original coat of arms) you should know that the red ones stand for the blood that the French emperor Charles the Bald drew with the blood of the Count of Barcelona, Guifré el Pilós on the golden shield of the Count.
December 16, 2007
Fountain in Pedralbes Monastery, Barcelona, Spain
This is the Pedralbes Monastery cloister fountain in the light of the morning sun. I like two things about the scene, first, the light on the water and second, the face of that small girl almost hidden behind the fountain.
Suggestion: I created a list with voting system where you can add your city daily photoblog. Other lists created in the past have worked for my ranking in search engines but of course this is completely optional and it is meant to promote the group.
December 15, 2007
The Triumph Arch or Arc de Triomphe in Barcelona, Spain
This is another picture of the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona. As you noticed I have been enjoying a long deserved holidays but from this post on I have prepared a series of images in a row to compensate for all the sloth in the past. I suggest you check my previous post about Arc de Triomphe.
December 14, 2007
Chocolate Fountain in Barcelona Chocolate Trade Show
This chocolate fountain or whatever the technical word is, I shot during the Chocolate trade show celebrated in Barcelona not long ago. When I see this I can't help thinking of Hamsel and Grettel story about a house of marsipan, chocolate and sweets of many a kind. Besides that reminiscence I also think of lyrics, and this is weird, like in the Lucy in the Sky song, when it says, "with tangerine trees and marmalade skies". You can call me paranoic! Hey, Merry Christmas everybody.
December 13, 2007
My Christmas Picture of a Holy Scene in Barcelona, Spain
This could be my Christmas picture of the season, although some similar ones appeared in Barcelona Photoblog recently. Holy scenes captured in Pedralbes monastery that look more beautiful perhaps than the traditional miniature representations of Jesus in Bethlem that you can find on the streets these days. I mean, they look more solemn and inspiring but of course you may have your own opinion about this musing of mine.
December 12, 2007
Gaudi Animals on Nativity Façade, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
Weird creatures contemplate tourists from above while they visit Sagrada Familia cathedral. Animal sculptures, so common in Gaudi's art nouveau buildings, accentuate the mysterious halo around the temple mixing up Paganism and Christianity with unusual harmony according to my humble and lay appreciation of course.
December 11, 2007
Detail of Faith Hallway or Entry in the Nativity Façade, Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
This is a detail of the Faith hallway or entry located to the right of the Nativity façade in Sagrada Familia. It is an image of Jesus in his carpenter work bench. To get a better idea examine other sculptures from this façade featured in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: Turtle Holding Pillar, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Herod's soldiers Slaying Children and Adoration of the Magi
December 10, 2007
Homemade Cookies Shop in Carrer Princesa, Barcelona
At carrer Princesa there is this wonderful shop called Demasié with an extra motto written on the window - galetes exageradament bones (something like: "exaggeratedly delicious cookies"). Demasié was founded by the Escursell brothers, who also run a famous chain of chocolate shops known as the Xocoa group. Demasié specializes in cookies, and the idea is to make emphasis in homemade products. Due to the good quality and presentation of the cookies the price may be sometimes set accordingly.
December 09, 2007
Ferrets: Captive Animals in Las Ramblas, Barcelona
Among the many captive animals you can buy in Las Ramblas stalls there are these ferrets. Apparently they are cute and make good pets but keeping them in a cage is not what nature had in mind. The noise, the lack of freedom to move in such a small space, the great amount of people coming and going or stopping by to watch like this girl provoke stress in many of these creatures. If you enlarge the picture you will notice how the ferret on the right is stubbornly biting on the bars of the cage.
December 08, 2007
Carnation Fresco, Flower Stall, Las Ramblas, Barcelona
Of course this is no fresco, these are real carnations, as shot in a flower stall at Las Ramblas, Barcelona. I added a very subtle pastel effect and it is meant to draw your attention from the distance. It is a very common image, so I took the liberty of playing with it. Although it is almost imperceptible. Here are three pictures that appeared in Barcelona Photoblog in the past, taken in the same place: Flower Bouquets, Flower Stock Photography (notice the same carnations below) and Flower Bouquet at La Rambla dels Flors
December 07, 2007
Exotic Animals? - A Gecko's Life
Exotic animals in Barcelona like this gecko I photographed on a marble slab are part of a big market in the city although some species of Geckos are common in the Mediterranean. As I am no expert I am going to recommend a good link about the world of geckos: Geckos Unlimited. I prefer to see them in the wild though!
December 06, 2007
Crested Gecko or Rhacodactylus Ciliatus: Exotic Animals in Barcelona
Crested Gecko or Rhacodactylus Ciliatus is one of the exotic animals you can find in Barcelona, well at least it is an exotic animal for us. This is not the first time exotic animals appear in Barcelona Photoblog: Exotic Animals in Barcelona - Marsupials and Exotic Animals at Las Ramblas
December 05, 2007
Modernist Window, Fundació Dr. Robert, Sant Pau Hospital
Not so spectacular as the stained glass windows in previous posts but attractive to the eye as well, this modernist window is overlooking the staircase inside Casa de Convalescencia (Fundació Dr. Robert) in Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona.
Labels:
modernisme,
sant pau,
stained glass
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 171, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
December 04, 2007
Modernist Stained Glass Windows: Fundacio Dr. Robert, Barcelona
Inside Fundació Dr. Robert in Sant Pau Hospital, Barcelona you can see these beautiful stained glass windows around the cupola of the aula magna building.
Labels:
art nouveau,
casa de convalescencia,
modernisme,
sant pau,
stained glass
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 171, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
December 03, 2007
Sagrada Familia Stained Glass
December 02, 2007
Sagrada Familia Cathedral: Stained Glass Window
December 01, 2007
Taking Photographs at Port Vell, Barcelona: Romantic Couple
This is a picture of another picture. A young man taking some photos of his girlfriend. I wouldn't dare say they are Japanese tourists but you know the cliche about who is more fond of shooting at everything that moves. She looks like some model to me. The light was great right before the sun went down over Montjuic mountain. The Port Vell area was crowded and lots of tourists were waiting to pass to the other side of Maremagnum bridge towards Las Ramblas. Some others were trying to capture a good sunset shot, me too! But I couldn't resist sneaking into this couple's private world and snatching a moment of intimacy.
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