For me, the best trips have the luxury of time: time to do nothing and soak up everything. In Granada, I could have gone to a museum or visited the Capilla Real to see the tombs of the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella (and Juana and Philip—yes, the one they named the Philippines after). Instead I chose to just sit down, walk around and watch people.
Oh, and photograph them, of course… with my new 60mm lens! Every shot is a small victory in my war against shyness; maybe one day I’ll actually be bold enough to ask someone if I can take their photo. For now, I stand from a distance, fascinated by people and charmed by the many surprises of daily life elsewhere…
… such as a retro-cool jazz ensemble singing dixie and swing hits from the 1920s and 30s, right in the middle of Plaza Bib-Rambla. Listening to them felt like being in an episode of Boardwalk Empire.
So much fun, and so stylish too!
In the streets of the Albayzin: the Hogwarts Rondalla.
I kid, I kid. I don’t know what else to call a band of merry old men in long black capes, playing the guitar and singing with such gusto that they attracted an impromptu street party around them, with lots of laughing, dancing…
… even advertising. This enterprising fellow was waving his signboard in time to the music, hoping to draw the street party into his bar. Funny.
Some of my favorite subjects, after the jump…
When I was in college, photographing people while traveling usually meant sneaking pictures of cute guys with the patented “I’m taking a picture of my friend, but really focusing on the guy behind her” move. (Admit it, you’ve done that too!) I guess I’ve really gotten old, since I now find myself fascinated by totally different subjects.
Like babies and children. Even if you don’t have baby brain as I currently do, the perfect preppy cuteness of Spanish toddlers is a hard thing to resist.
While shopping for baby clothes, I realized that Spanish little girls’ clothing are essentially mini versions of old lady clothes. That’s not as bad as it sounds, because dressing like your lola in Spain could actually mean looking quite glamorous. Take Sartorialist abuela with her fur stole, tailored blush coat, leather loafers and red lipstick; I believe this is what they call postura.
Check out abuelita’s Sock Bun 2.0. Very current!
Much as I am partial to babies and old people, there are just some subjects that cry out to be photographed. Such a long-haired, dark-eyed Spanish poet.
Yes, ladies, this fine specimen actually writes poetry. In fact, he he types them out on an old-school typewriter and hands them out for free (or for small change) on the Carrera del Darro. De nada, chicas. You’re welcome.
Do you photograph people on your travels? What kind of subjects are you drawn to?
