Sagrada Familia Ceiling

Sagrada Familia Ceiling
The ceiling of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona                                Buy Print

The Sagrada Familia has been under construction for a hundred years and it is perhaps the most compelling example of design and architecture on the planet. This ceiling rises maybe two hundred feet from where I stood yet it’s impossible to convey the enormity of the interior. The detail in the craftsmanship and artistry overwhelms your sense to the point that you just have to stand in one spot, look in one direction and try to take it in. So this is one little corner as I stood staring straight up doing my best to take it in.

Nokomis Beach Bridge

Nokomis Beach Bridge
Bridge to Nokomis Beach Florida                                                Purchase print

In the West coast of Florida most of the beaches are on keys which are long barrier islands up and down the coast. The main reason they don’t get washed away in storms is that usually there are dunes with vegetation to prevent erosion. So we have these bridges over the dunes that create a pretty nice entrance to the sea. As leading lines go, these are one of my favorite because they lead to where we all want to be, on the beach and in the sun. Speaking of which, the weekend is about to begin.

Plaça de Catalunya

Plaça de Catalunya
Barcelona’s main square                                       buy print

Barcelona’s main square is a very cool place to hang out, its kind of a new meets old fusion of everything that’s awesome. I was amazed at the number or pigeons that congregate here on account of the vendors that sell bird food. If you feed them you are instantly flocked by hundreds. It was a lot of fun and I took a ton of pictures from every angle. That white building in the back is the Apple store and it seemed there were as many people in there as birds in the square. I would have gone in if I wasn’t so busy having fun with these birds.

Sagrada Familia Light

Sagrada Familia Light
Inside the Sagrada Familia                             Purchase print

I took this in Barcelona inside the Sagrada Familia. The light shining through the stained glass was nothing sort of amazing. Even though the cathedral was plenty crowded you could easily get lost in contemplation as though you were all alone.

In the morning I was at the other main cathedral in the Gothic quarter, but this Antoni Gaudi masterpiece transcends traditional concepts and takes architecture and design to a new level that is quite frankly beyond belief. Regardless of religious persuasion, this is worth seeing.

La Grande-Motte

The town of La Grande-Motte sits along the Mediterranean. All of the buildings were designed by a single architect and convey harmony with the sea and mediterranean sensibilities. I walked around one morning just observing the architecture and sense of theme.
Architecture of La Grande-Motte                                          Buy print

The town of La Grande-Motte sits along the Mediterranean. All of the buildings were designed by a single architect and convey harmony with the sea and mediterranean sensibilities. I walked around one morning just observing the architecture and sense of theme.

Casa Batlló Hallway

Yesterday I was inside Casa Batlló which is a home designed by Antoni Gaudi. It is a priceless example of design and architecture and has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. This is from one of the hallways on the top level. Every nook and cranny is a study in organic lines, ergonomic utility and otherworldly beauty. To someone such as myself who is inspired by design, this house is perhaps one of the most spell binding I have every laid eyes on.
Forth floor hallway in Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Batlló, Barcelona                     Buy print

Yesterday I was inside Casa Batlló which is a home designed by Antoni Gaudi. It is a priceless example of design and architecture and has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. This is from one of the hallways on the top level. Every nook and cranny is a study in organic lines, ergonomic utility and otherworldly beauty. To someone such as myself who is inspired by design, this house is perhaps one of the most spell binding I have every laid eyes on.

Plain Old Sunrise

As compositions go we might say this has no subject, no main actor. Having said that, nothing beats a good sunrise and sometimes we just have to ignore the rules of composition and go with what moves us. In this case, the simplicity of the scene was enough for me. This is an HDR image, I combined four images to balance out the range of light to try and convey what I saw with my eyes. For me, getting up early and standing next to calm water like this is like meditation. It gives me a certain calm that I can carry with me the rest of the day. Calm and simplicity, two things I strive for in some of my images, especially those close to the water. Have a peaceful day my friends.
Another beautiful sunrise on Anna Maria Island in Florida                               Buy print

As compositions go we might say this has no subject, no main actor. Having said that, nothing beats a good sunrise and sometimes we just have to ignore the rules of composition and go with what moves us. In this case, the simplicity of the scene was enough for me. This is an HDR image, I combined four images to balance out the range of light to try and convey what I saw with my eyes. For me, getting up early and standing next to calm water like this is like meditation. It gives me a certain calm that I can carry with me the rest of the day. Calm and simplicity, two things I strive for in some of my images, especially those close to the water. Have a peaceful day my friends.

Chapel in Collioure France

Yesterday we stopped in Collioure which is a French village on the Mediterranean just north of the border with Spain. It's a lovely little place with views of the sea and many cafes and shops. There is a cathedral right at the edge of the sea and then extending out is a smaller chapel. Perhaps a place to wait or pray for mariners, I'm not really sure. Nonetheless the clouds were dramatic so I captured this as I walked out from the church to the chapel. Once out there the wind was brisk and you would surely lose anything not held tight, yet back in the village there was only a breeze. A perfect place for an afternoon.
Chapel by the sea in Collioure along the Mediterranean                               Buy print

Yesterday we stopped in Collioure which is a French village on the Mediterranean just north of the border with Spain. It’s a lovely little place with views of the sea and many cafes and shops. There is a cathedral right at the edge of the sea and then extending out is a smaller chapel. Perhaps a place to wait or pray for mariners, I’m not really sure. Nonetheless the clouds were dramatic so I captured this as I walked out from the church to the chapel. Once out there the wind was brisk and you would surely lose anything not held tight, yet back in the village there was only a breeze. A perfect place for an afternoon.

Getting Up Early

I am always surprised at how many people get up before dawn to see the sunrise. For me I think its understandable because I'm taking photos, but a whole bunch of other folks show up at this ungodly hour, park their cars, and walk out on to the pier, takes some of photos and then just turn around and leave. I'm not sure why I find that so interesting, maybe it's just the realization that there are others doing the exact same thing as me. That's hard to believe. I'm not really sure what to make of that, I suppose its a good thing.
Sun worshipers on the public pier in Anna Maria Island Florida                               Buy print

I am always surprised at how many people get up before dawn to see the sunrise. For me I think its understandable because I’m taking photos, but a whole bunch of other folks show up at this ungodly hour, park their cars, and walk out on to the pier, takes some of photos and then just turn around and leave. I’m not sure why I find that so interesting, maybe it’s just the realization that there are others doing the exact same thing as me. That’s hard to believe. I’m not really sure what to make of that, I suppose its a good thing.

Shore of Lake Hayes

Near Queenstown New Zealand is Lake Hayes which has homes and cottages around its perimeter. Most had kayaks or rowboats laying along the shore. As you can see I was here in the autumn when the leaves were changing and carpeting the ground. Off in the distance to the South is the Remarkables, a mountain range that had already started collecting snow. We were here midday and it was fairly warm without much of a breeze, thus providing a glassy surface to the lake. These still waters are more common first thing in the morning, but in this case we had a rare occurrence in the afternoon.
Still surface of Lake Hayes in the Autumn                                               Buy print

Near Queenstown New Zealand is Lake Hayes which has homes and cottages around its perimeter. Most had kayaks or rowboats laying along the shore. As you can see I was here in the autumn when the leaves were changing and carpeting the ground. Off in the distance to the South is the Remarkables, a mountain range that had already started collecting snow. We were here midday and it was fairly warm without much of a breeze, thus providing a glassy surface to the lake. These still waters are more common first thing in the morning, but in this case we had a rare occurrence in the afternoon.