Throwback Thursday: “Three of One in Barcelona”

This week’s LAPC “One subject, three ways” hosted by Patti was so much much, that I prepared a second port. My first contribution was published on Saturday.

This time, I take you back to my visit to Barcelona in February 2014. I went there with some friends on our annual carnival escape. Many of my images are already here on my blog. For the challenge, I’m focussing on a modern and iconic building right at the beach: Hotel W

 

 

 

A wonderful challenge and again a great opportunity to look through the archive and discover the images from a different perspective.

Maybe, I was able to inspire you to dig in your archive and find some images, you can publish your images on your blog and set a link to Patti’s inspiration post. Don’t forget to tag it with the tag LENS-ARTIST, so that we can find it.

Take care!

Ray of Light

Monochromia

Basílica Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona

More of my images can be seen at my own blog.

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upwards

Monochromia

More of my images can be seen at my own blog.

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spinning down

Monochromia

More of my images can be seen at my own blog.

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Monochrome Madness 4-45

 

When I read this week’s theme, an old movie came up to my mind: Telephone from 1977 with Charles Bronson as the Russian officer Major Grigori Borzov, who is sent to USA to try and stop sleeper agents who will mindlessly attack government entities when they hear certain coded words spoken to them at the telephone by another Russian agent with the name Nicolai Dalchimsky. He picked the sleepers (a relict from the Cold War) from his list of all Russian sleepers based in the USA by using their Initial to ‘write’ his name (Dalchimsky) at the map of the USA (i.e. Denver, Atlanta, Louisville, Cincinnati, Houston – you got the idea). While Nicolai Dalchimsky tries to rise the 3rd World War, Grigori Borzov tries to find and eliminate him silently.

This telephone, instead, is not in the USA,it hangs in Barcelona, Spain.

This is my contribution to Monochrome Madness organized by Leanne Cole. Look at here site on Thursday (Australian time), to see many more monochrome images created by many other talented photographers from all over the world.

I’d also encourage you to participate. The conditions are  published in each of her Monochrome Madness posts.

Take care!

Chaos on the desk

Monochromia

More of my images can be seen at my own blog.

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Light Beam

Monochromia

Inside Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

More of my images can be seen at my own blog.

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Monochrome Madness 4-16

Looking back to my trip to Barcelona in spring 2014 and especially to this amazing building designed by the genius architect Antonio Gaudi.

This is my contribution to Monochrome Madness organized by Leanne Cole. Look at here site on Thursday (Australian time), to see many more monochrome images created by many other talented photographers from all over the world.

I’d also encourage you to participate. The conditions are  published in each of her Monochrome Madness posts.

Take care!

Throwback Thursday: skyward

 

Feb 28th, 2014, Barcelona

ISO 400, 62mm FX, f7.1, 1/1600s

Take care!

WPC: Ornate

This week’s topic for the weekly photo challenge by “The Daily Post” is “ornate”

Who is the one, who owns the crown in being a genius of decorating architecture way over the top? Antonio Gaudi!

 

Take care!

(as usual, you can see the photo enlarged, when clicking in it)

What’s left from Barcelona?

There are many more stories to tell, and many photos more to show (and even to take). During our days in this city with a large history we were able to scratch the surface a little bit. We collected some impressions, visited some (in our opinion) important places. But, all of these is nothing compared to the history, collected over the centuries. In my opinion, one can travel on and on, and every time walking through the streets of Barcelona, she can find new places telling new stories. Just like any other place, too!

In this final post on Barcelona I assembled some photos taken in the former olympic area, the Ciutadella Park and the archaeological excavation area with remains from the ancient roots of the city.

Next week, I’m going to start my next series. It is on Iceland, as I already mentioned.

Take care!

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Monochrome Madness 45

This photo is taken from my Barcelona series.

Inside St. Maria del mar I captured this nice sun ray coming inside from one of the stained glass windows.

I’ve posted some more photos from this church last Thursday.

This is my contribution to Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness.

Take care!

(as always: click on the photo to see them in a bigger size)

Btw: There is still and exceptional offer until January 19th. In this offer MacPhun includes 9 Exclusive Video Trainings from famous European photo Pros as a gift, when buying at least two Pro Apps  (Tonality Pro, Intensify Pro, Snapheal Pro, Focus Pro & CK+) with up to 30% discount. Simply click on the banner below to get more information.

Basílica Santa Maria del Mar

This church is located near by the ocean. It’s also next to the zoo, the olympic village and the olympic marina.

As you can see, this church is old and is used by the mariners.  Before sailing in other countries, the mariners came here to pray for a good journey, good sailing winds, good businesses, no dangers and a well coming home.

This church is quite hidden between the old houses here in the tiny roads. It was a victim of several severe fires. So, not all painted glass windows are still in place. But, the remaining ones will give you an idea of the skills of the window painters, who created those windows.

Take care!

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Barceloneta

Visiting Barcelona isn’t complete without visiting the beach.

This beach isn’t old. It was reconstructed of the 1992, held in Barcelona. This wonderful beach is located directly at the old town of the city. Follow the street La Rambla downhill and you reach the ocean. Once, Barcelona was crossed by a river. But, the river was most of the time (almost always) without water. Thus, they transformed the riverbed to a street: La Rambla! And this broad street leads you to the harbor and the marina, both located at the ocean.

During this cold, wet and dark time of the year, here in the northern hemisphere, a little bit of color and warmth is very welcome. So, enjoy!

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4

When I put this photo from Barcelona online on G+, I got a comment from a Russian Woman, Ирина Остапенко (Irina Ostapenko). By using the integrated translator, I was able to understand her writing, although the translation wasn’t perfect (like almost always).

Now, I tried to translate it into English.

Four Elements

Like sand slips though your fingers,
or time from previous lives – all in vain.
You know, a little life does not happen,
Just all depends on you.

Like water spilled from the mountains flow
It was gone and did not return.
For you let it be a life lesson
Paving the way of error.

As the fire burns around obstacles
All that was passing will fly away.
The past is no longer necessary to keep,
You repent, may God forgive.

Wind opens your door wide-
The Soul set free to walk.
Water running through the sand will wash away the sins of all,
So, she does not die in the fire …

I guess, my translation isn’t perfect. Just in case, someone of you is able to write a better translation, feel free, you can find it below.

I feel, the idea in this text fits perfectly to our current situation: between 2 years. 2014 is nearly over but left memories, 2015 is around the edge and bears hopes and wishes.

Here is the original text:

ЧЕТЫРЕ СТИХИИ

Как ПЕСОК сквозь пальцы убегает,
Время прожитое – прожито все зря.
Знаешь, мало жизни не бывает,
Просто все зависит от тебя.

Как ВОДА прольется с гор потоком,
Было и обратно не вернуть.
Для тебя пусть будет жизнь уроком,
Из ошибок выстилая путь.

Как ОГОНЬ сожжет вокруг преграды,
Все что было мимо пролетит.
Прошлое держать уже не надо,
Ты покайся, может Бог простит.

ВЕТЕР настежь дверь твою откроет –
Душу выпусти на волю погулять.
Сквозь ПЕСОК ВОДА грехи все смоет,
Чтобы ей в ОГНЕ не погибать…

At night at the ocean shore

One night, we were out at the ocean shore to enjoy the lights.

Enjoy the smell!

Enjoy the wind!

Enjoy the silence!

Keep the colors in your heart and mind!

Take care!

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The school at La Sagrada Familia

Right next to the church you can find a small school set up for the workers kids to educate them and to teach them. In that time educate was a rare and expensive good. By teaching the workers kids, they offered them a career as a worker on the building site. While teaching them the basic math and tool handling they were able to get skilled and qualified workers. On the other hand, the kids got an opportunity get a job and to make their living. Keep in mind, other big cathedrals were constructed and build for at least decades. The construction of the cathedral in Cologne, for example, lasted more than 600 years! Thus, several generations of people were supposed to make their living on working on this cathedral. And, even after finishing such a building, some stonecutters will stay with the cathedral works to renew and repairs several parts every now and than.

Take care!

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Below La Sagrada Familia

 

Below the church you can visit the workers area. Here you can find old paintings, plans, small model of different parts and so on.

You can reach this area also from the place before Christmas front. Leave the building and turn right. Follow the path leading you down, below the building.

Here, you can also find one of the two gift shops. 🙂 (The other one is on the Easter front side).

Take care!

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Monochrome Madness 40

For this weeks Monochrome Madness I want to take you to France. This is Abbaye de Jumièges in the Normandy. I took it a few years ago in April in early spring.

I picked it and processed it again with Tonalty Pro for this post. I gave it a slight vintage look, because in my opinion this look supports the mood of this photo.

As usual I started with preset and modified it afterwards. Therefore I gave it a slight sepia toning, a slight vignette to simulate a faint lens and a frame that brings a used-look. I know, there are many people, who don’t like frames around photos. But especially in photos with a vintage look, I like frames.

You know, I started photography many years ago and during my early years I also took many photos on black-and-white film. And, I also developed these films on my own im my own darkroom. I also did my own prints. Every sheet of paper had to be put under the enlarger and was hold by small plates to ensure, the paper lays flat under the enlarger. And, guess what, these plates hindered the light to exposure the covered parts of the paper and … left the frame!

So, you know, why I like frames around my bw photos every now and then.

Take care!

(as always: click on the photo to see them in a bigger size)

 

 

The glass windows of La Sagrada Familia

This post on La Sagrada Famila is dedicated to the glass windows, as you might have guessed by reading the title.

So, I don’t want to say much more. Enjoy the colors!

 

Take care!

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Inside of La Sagrada Familia

Here we are! Inside one of the most amazing buildings I’ve ever seen!

This church has extremely much light inside, compared to other churches. Not only because of the glass windows at every side, but also from above. The whole church is inspired by a forest. Huge trees (the columns) are carrying the roof of leaves and branches. Between these leaves the natural light is able to reach the ground. Here you have the same, light channels are leading light from the sky inside the church. Also a technique, Antonio Gaudi used before: in Palau de la Musica. Even the big plates with the symbols of the evangelists are illuminated from behind by natural light.

The photo above was my first photo inside, right on our way to the towers, when the inside wasn’t much crowded. On the other hand, this inner circle with the benches was guarded, to give prayers a room.

Take care!

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Monochrome Madness 38

Todays photo for Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness is taken in Barcelona earlier this year. Those, who follow my blog on a regular basis, might have recognized the photo. I was one of the photos in the gallery from the towers of La Sagrada Familia and I showed it last week already. But, that’s not completely true.

Although the photo, taken inside one of the towers, is a natural-born monochromatic photo, I converted it to bw with MacPhun Tonality Pro. I started again with one of the basic presets and adjusted the controls to bring out the fine structures in the stones. (btw. just in case, anyone is interested in a complete walk-through, just drop me a line).

These towers are really tight and you really need your hands. I guess, each stop is only 50 cm broad and you can’t pass anyone before you, expect on one of the few platforms or bridges to the neighbor towers. As you can see, you have a handrail on the right. On the left you have none, but the staircase is so steep, that the winding stone limiting the steps will be your handrail on to left.

The photo is taken handhold with an ultra-wide lens, a so-called fisheye. Beside carrying a tripod is forbidden, as I mentioned in my post last week, you won’t have enough room to set it up. Thus, your camera should be able to bring good results even in high iso. The downside of using a fisheye is, pay attention to your feet, hands, jacket and other visitors. You will definitely have some disturbing objects in your photo, if you don’t.

Take care!

(as always: click on the photos to see them in a bigger size)

Btw. I’d encourage you to give it a try. You can download a trial version for free and you can still use a 10% discount by using this code: solaner10

above the city and the narrow paths back to earth

You can also visit the towers of La Sagrada Familia. Currently the church has 8 towers, four at the Christmas front side and four at the Easter front side. The plan is, to build another four on each of the other sides. These twelve towers will represent the twelve apostles. The next four will be set up inside the circle of the twelve and representing the four evangelists. All of these will be towered over by one middle tower, representing Jesus Christ. When visiting the church, don’t forget to exit the building at the Christmas side and have a look at the model, showing the church in its finished state. It’s really amazing. I included a photo of each of the four sides of the church in my gallery, although they aren’t good. The model is behind heavy mirroring glass 😦

But, back the towers. As I wrote above, you can visit the towers and have to decide for one of the two sides, when ordering your tickets. Beside choosing you entrance time while buying your ticket, you have to choose the time for entering the towers, if you want. We were extremely lucky to have chosen 9:15h for our visit of the towers. Later I met people, who were unlucky, because to towers became closed because of heavy wind. When we were there, the Easter side towers were closed, so we were on top of the Christmas side. The elevator is reachable from the outside. It’s a bit hidden and now signs led us in the right direction. So here is my description: Leave the building at the Christmas side and turn left. There you can find a quite smaller entrance bringing you to the elevator. It’s forbidden to bring a bag, rucksack or so with you, but they have lockers (with a glass front) to store your bags.

The small elevator brings up to four people to the top of the tower. You leave it at the bridge level (look at my photos in the post on the Christmas front to get an idea). On your way down you can change the towers at several places. The stairs are really extremely narrow, so a bag or a rucksack really would hinder you.

Beside interesting details, you have a fantastic view over the city and the beach.

Enjoy!

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The Easter Front of La Sagrada Familia

Last week I introduced you to the Christmas Front of La Sagrada Familia. This week we walk around the church to the opposite side and have a look on the Easter front, where you can find the entrance for the common visitors.

Here we have a very different sculpturing style compared to the Christmas front. The complete story of easter is modeled in stone around the entrance. Try to find the roman soldiers and look at their helmets. What do you see? I see, they are looking gust like the fairy chimneys on to of Casa Milà.

When comparing the buildings, Antonio Gaudí has built, you can always find similarities. His whole designing live was inspired by organic structures and he used these ideas always.

Next, we’ll go inside the church and visit the towers.

Stay tuned!

Take care!

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The Christmas Front of La Sagrada Familia

The Christmas Front was the first of the four fronts, to be finished.

This is one of the side entrances to the church. This entrance is for guided groups. The entrance for the common people is on the opposite side.

I really advise you, to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the enormous queues at the cashier desks. When we arrived at about 8:30h the queue already surrounded one side of  church, approximately 300-400m. (And we were there on early March!). Our tickets were for 9:00h, so we passed the queues and went straight to the entrance on the Easter side, opposite to the Christmas side.

I’ll show some more details from the Easter side in my next post. The Christmas front is rich decorated with small and filigree details. Very hard to take photos of these details because of its size and the distance.

The both finished fronts are completely different. Not only in their theme, but also in the sculpturing style. Both of them are fantastic.

Antonio Gaudi was inspired by organic structures. Leaves, animals, shells, trees, fruits, flowers and many other organic structures gave him ideas for modeling his buildings. You can find all of those structures in nature.

Take care!

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