September 18, 2012

Street photography, Barcelona style...

Who needs reality TV when everyday life proves to be so much more interesting.  All you have to do is open your eyes and pay attention.  I'm ALWAYS mesmerized by people, especially when I have "James Dean".  I'm just usually too reserved to actually take the shot.  Okay...I'm SCARED.  There I said it.  I know...you are shocked by that aren't ya?  Alas, it is true.  I have no idea what I fear the person will do to me.  Truth be told I can probably out run the average Joe, OR sweet talk my way out of a situation.  Just ask Thing #3 who sat in the car while I trespassed with my camera the other day.  She told me not to do it.  I told her to not tell me what to do (and I wonder where she gets her 'tude from).  Yep, I was caught red-handed by the owner of the property.  Yep, I'm pretty sure she was bummed I didn't get into any trouble with the guy.  Luckily I'm not too reserved to employ my sweet talkin' skills.  Note to self:  remember to rub Thing #3's nose into my mad life skills.



"Strolling the Gothic Quarter"
Barcelona, Spain


But for some reason, when I was in Barcelona I was enthralled to the point that I abandoned my normal reserve and actually TOOK some photos, ala'  street photography style.  I mean, I kinda felt downright sleuth-like.  Like a REAL photographer vs. the "poser" shutterbug I sometimes feel like. I don't know what got me over the "reserved" hump.  PROBABLY the fact that I'm sure most Europeans have enough to talk about and roll their eyes at when they see American tourists...so I felt I was "nothing special" in their eyes.  Just another silly American tourist taking photos of EVERYTHING.  Seriously senora, you find that cobblestone fascinating?



"Give Me Strength"
Barcelona, Spain




"Swimming Upstream"
Barcelona, Spain

(Yes, I know I've already posted these two shots.  But I like them.  And I wanted to see if you've been paying attention.  Okay, okay....truth is....I just like them.)



I guess I wasn't THAT daring because so many of my captures were from the back,  so that I wasn't spotted.  BUT, I would just like to point out that to even get a good photo from behind STILL requires some stalking talents. AGAIN, Thing #3 was appalled and waiting for me to get into trouble.  And AGAIN...my mad life skills got me thru undetected.  I'm a mom after all.  Stalking is second nature.  So I'm gonna pat myself on the back, and say BAM to Thing #3.  And I hope she is now wondering if I stalk HER anywhere other than on Facebook!!!




"Cigarette Break"
Barcelona, Spain


She HAD to have seen me, right?  I find sometimes if you are REALLY obvious the subject thinks "No WAY is she being THAT obvious in taking a photo of me...it must be that pigeon on the ledge behind me she is aiming at."  Sort of a reverse psychology thing going on.  Again...mad life skills.




"Easy Rider"
Barcelona, Spain


Another street photography tip...give the subject something to aim at.  Playing chicken with an oncoming moving vehicle is a tried and true street photography strategy.  I mean.."I" tried it and it was true.  At least you know you'll get him centered in the frame that way.  You can always jump out of the way at the last second.  Timing is everything folks.  Life skills?  DEF!!!!

Even the dogs...I had to make sure they weren't actually making eye contact with me. Because if I am to be honest...if he had seen me, I don't think I could have out run him even tho my legs are significantly longer.  Another life skill, knowing your strengths and weaknesses.



"Guard Dog"
Barcelona, Spain



But probably the most important life skill I employed with street photography in Barcelona was the ability to be one step ahead (even tho I was actually a couple of steps behind), to be aware of your surroundings, to anticipate...



"Girlfriends"
Barcelona, Spain


Because, we all know the universal fact that boys WILL be boys.  Doesn't matter if you are in Boise, Bucks County, or Barcelona.  I saw THIS one coming a mile kilometer away...


"Girl Watcher"
Barcelona, Spain


And THAT my dear Thing #3 is probably the most important mad life skill I can give ya.  Boys are just so dang predictable, the earlier you learn that...the better.  WINNING!!!!!


--Kathy

linked to:  Our World TuesdayInspiring PhotographyTuesdays Around the WorldSweet Shot Tuesday52 Weeks of Happiness,, Tones on TuesdayMidWeek Blues

40 comments:

  1. I am so laughing out loud this morning Miss Kathy!! Loved this post, AND I get brownie point for paying attention because I do remember those first two shots and I quite like them too....I quite like them all actually!

    Some day I hope to get to Spain, I was born there no less, and to England to see the places of my roots - you know the ancestrial kind - nothing gray about it!

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  2. Beautiful shots of a beautiful country. Love all the people you captured.

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  3. These are all wonderful! Love the dog in the doorway!

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  4. Seriously LMAO@"I'm a mom...stalking is second nature!" Smh...you are a mess and1/2. This is such a funny coincidence. I told you the other day folks would be able to hear me shouting in Barcelona about my 1st craft booth. Now, here you are today writing a post on Barcelona. lol ♥the pic of the "Easy Rider." That alley way so reminds me of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico. Yes, boys will boys, and grow up to be grown boys! lol

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  5. What a lovely and funny story. Thanks for the beautiful photos and the tips for street photography!

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  6. I love all your travel pics! And you've got some awesome life lessons there....men....so predictable ;)

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  7. Your street photography lessons are great! Sneaking a photo of people is something that makes me feel so uncomfortable that I seldom, ok...almost never do it. Every photo is fantastic, but the two girls in b&w is beyond fantastic.

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  8. Terrific street photography and thanks for the lessons. Oh I am so hoping I get an opportunity to walk those lovely streets of Barcelona, or Paris, or London or....!!

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  9. Lmao!!! Oh your wit could get you out of any situation- that I'm sure of!!! Fabulous post And pics Kathy.

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  10. These photos are AMAZING! I love street photography. :)

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  11. Funny...yes. But all of your tips are helpful! I think it's scary to take a photo so a stranger because I know what I'd be thinking if someone shot one of me. Truth be told....I probably wouldn't DO anything, but just wonder what I was doing or what was showing. I love your Swimming Upstream photo.

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    1. I know if I saw someone aiming a camera at me, my FIRST inclination would be to to make sure my dress isn't tucked into my underwear, haha.

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  12. Wow, both humerous as well as informative.....bravo! Oh by the way, I think that guy was looking at you wondering why you were stalking those girls.....:)

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  13. Very wise advice! Really like your last photo - there's so much movement in it, if that makes sense.

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  14. Awesome shots! I love the scenes from other countries. Such a different culture than the beaches of So Cal.

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  15. I love the 'Easy Rider' image although the 'girl watcher' made me giggle.

    Mollyxxx

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  16. Wow photos...i love the daredevil motorbike on the street below the towering houses....fabulous. Thanks for joining easy tuesday...

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  17. Gorgeous!! You are seriously making me long to travel!!

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  18. I like Barcelona, Kathy. Thank you for showing your pictures. They brought back memories. We stayed three nights in a hotel with our room looking out on Las Ramblas. Were the mimes performing while you were there?
    ..

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  19. These are absolutely FABULOUS! You definitely have some MAD life skillz woman!

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  20. Thank you for sharing your post at our blog hop, easy tuesday! thank you. these photographs are spectacular!

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  21. Beautiful street photographs! And a fun post. You'll have to tell me where you were trespassing so I avoid bumping into the owner too!

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    1. You are safe Becky...unless you are heading up to State College and see the most FABULOUS fence along route 322. Then you might be in trouble :)

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  22. Haha! I laughed out loud while also oohing and ahhing over every single photo - I'm so glad you got the courage to take people photos while in Barcelona, so that I could enjoy your results! Wonderful images!

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  23. loving these photos. Thanks for the morning giggle too. xo

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  24. Seriously....these are the bomb@!! Love them!!Thanks for taking us there
    Laurie @ Pride in Photos

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  25. What wonderful pictures and how fortunate you were to get to visit! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  26. Interesting series (and story). My favourite is the easy rider with that deep perspective. Also like your NF Inspiring Photography entry with the figure against the coloured graffiti.

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  27. Your photos are Gorgeous. I am loving all of them. And of course you had me giggling the whole way through. I just wish I could write like you.

    Hugs~

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  28. Well aren't those fantastic. I could just sit & let myself get pulled in all day!

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  29. These are so great. I so want to venture out of my comfort zone and begin to do some 'street' photography. These are really good.

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  30. I love your post, once again :) and I'm fascinated by this city: Barcelona. I wish I could go back there soon ;)

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  31. Oh Kathy, these are just AMAZING images!! Fantastic captures! WOW! And you crack me up! Your writing is the BOMB my friend, and your photography is right there beside it. Wonderful work!

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  32. lovely shots. I´m impressed that you were able to get such a pelasant light in yoru shots.

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  33. Love all the photos. I always wonder about the same thing when I snap a photo of someone. Will they run after me, will they care or will they turn and pose instead of giving my the candid shot I really want. The one of the rider and the dog are my favorite.

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  34. love your braveness. or, stalkerness. whichever. you got great shots! :)

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