Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jan 29, 2012, 5:51 pm
In the cloister of the Cathedral of Barcelona there is a beautiful fountain decorated with flowers that reminds you of idyllic gardens, of some paradise lost on earth. It is the Sant Jordi fountain. Surfing over the soft cushion of its water jet once a year you can see a fragile eggshell that seldom...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jan 22, 2012, 5:23 pm
Near the forum area and Diagonal Mar, new hotels and office buildings see the light of day like flowers in the spring. Once, we were told that the height of new buildings would be controlled in order to respect traditional Catalan architecture in the city. There were times when only Hotel Arts and M...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jan 9, 2012, 5:26 pm
Here is a view of Parc de l'Escorxador or Parc de Joan Miro with the famous Dona i Ocell (1982) by the famous Catalan sculptor (Joan Miro Barcelona, 1893 - Palma, 1983). This shot was taken from the roof of Las Arenas shopping center. The colors are enhanced because I thought the whole scene was rat...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jan 2, 2012, 6:20 pm
A beautiful example of phonograph or Gramophone invented by Edison in 1877. This vintage record player can be admired at Casa Mila aka La Pedrera by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona.
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Dec 27, 2011, 6:16 pm
The new year is around the corner one more time and in these times of crisis, we should invest in more secure markets, some prefer gold, I prefer my family. Here's my daughter impersonating the black swan I think. Watching them grow to become teens, watching their ambitions, their plans for the futu...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Dec 20, 2011, 5:15 pm
This beautiful balcony partly covered in stained glass can be admired on a house at 26 Calle de la Diputación in Sant Sadurni D'Anoia not far away from Cavas de Freixenet, the renown Catalan cava cellars. This is the exact spot in town to find Cal Calixtus (1885) which is the name of this beautiful...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Dec 14, 2011, 5:46 pm
The Three Chimneys or Towers of Fecsa's old power plant which are visible from almost every spot in the city of Barcelona have been featured in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: The Three Chimneys in Sant Adria del Besos so I will not repeat the content of that post. In this case I only want to say t...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Dec 6, 2011, 6:39 pm
El Tio de Nadal or Cagatio (Christmas log, pooping log or shit log) a piece of wood that kids hit on Christmas eve or Christmas day with a stick so it poops presents to the beat of a monotonous song (here is a good example of Caga Tio found on Youtube), is deep rooted in Catalan traditions and stran...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Nov 22, 2011, 4:26 pm
When you step into Casa Mila's rooftop, you enter a surreal realm of uncanny figures begotten in the womb of some eerie creature or conceived in the unfathomable labyrinth of a very insane but wise mind, figures that remind alien chrysalides about to eclose or deceiving chess pieces that seem to mov...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Nov 16, 2011, 6:39 pm
Sometimes an abstraction can be created out of the most unusual things. It is all in your head or on many occasions inside mother nature's head which is more complex and experienced. Any odd root, next to the soil where it is supposed to grow is no big deal but what if we put it upside down against ...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Nov 7, 2011, 6:13 pm
Shards of tile, irregularly distributed creating harmony out of an apparent mess. Somewhere some symbols may be found left behind by the artist on the tile. This a detail of one of those chimneys on La Pedrera or Casa Mila's roof. If you want to see how trencadis looks here is an arch found on the s...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Nov 2, 2011, 6:53 pm
How can a place evolve so much, how can you witness the pass of time by taking a glimpse at just one odd corner of your city? You can easily guess in this picture which building came first: yes, Casa Fajol also known as Casa de la Papallona (Catalan word for butterfly) dating back to 1912. Is it pos...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Oct 24, 2011, 5:48 pm
Some cava bottles (Catalan 'champagne') on a rack, at Freixenet cellars in Sant Sadurni de Anoia. More to come in next posts.
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Oct 15, 2011, 5:54 pm
This nail, bolt, stud or whatever the rusty thing might be called, was piercing a very old beam outside a famous Cava (Catalan 'champagne') company which I plan to feature in coming posts. Being passionate about rust and textures in general, I thought this image was a good way to introduce tomorrow'...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Oct 10, 2011, 6:22 pm
White Lupins (Lupinus albus) or Altramuces are normally taken as a pickled snack food that accompanies beer in Spanish bars, as for example in Andalusia. It is very nutritious although I don't like it much. I've read it is rich in protein. I still think they taste bitter. Sorry for not being very ta...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Oct 5, 2011, 5:38 pm
There comes a time you really don't know what to do with a picture that went wrong somehow. Shall I use BW or sepia? Or shall I be bold enough to simply post it as is? There are purists and photo editing enthusiasts and everyone must cast their verdict but in the end the first person to be happy wit...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Oct 1, 2011, 6:10 pm
 Here is a panoramic view of Plaza España (sp) or Plaça d'Espanya (cat). The name of the place has been mispelled on purpose in the title of this post cause Google seems to have problems with Ç and Ñ, two letters that you won't find in an English keyboard. In fact it is possible that you are no...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Aug 29, 2011, 2:52 pm
Inaugurated back in March, 2011 this shopping center that arose from the "ashes" of an old bullring is clearly one the best examples of modern architecture in Barcelona. I took some more pictures of the surroundings and from above that I will post someday but not too many of the building as such. Ma...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jul 30, 2011, 8:29 pm
Apocalyptic weather, ominous skies, gusty winds with hail hitting on windows, branches violently torn off  nearby trees and hundreds of calls for help received at the fire department. It all took but one hour although it seemed like a cyclone or the arrival of a tornado. I was afraid the window pan...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jul 26, 2011, 5:04 pm
Bar terraces abound in Barcelona but not all of them are so quiet like this at Sant Felip de Neri square in Barri Gotic and that belongs to Hotel Neri. Besides the evident beauty of the whole square, the central fountain, the baroque church of San Felip Neri and all the history behind this mysteriou...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jul 17, 2011, 4:37 pm
I am no clothing expert and when I shoot maybe I look for a certain expression or a peculiar scene and not for how people are dressed, well, not that often I mean. This is not a fashion blog. But I reckon sometimes some colors are striking and even certain dresses stand out in the crowd. This is wha...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jul 11, 2011, 5:23 pm
Nothing like indulging in the lusty flavors of a given ice cream when the summer time comes. There are lots of delicious small temptations to try during the season, but certainly there is nothing so voluptuous like a tasty ice cream. Choosing our flavor, while swimming in a sea of hedonist stimuli p...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jul 5, 2011, 5:49 pm
Yet another famous actor in papier mache at the same shop at carrer del Bisbe, near Plaça Sant Jaume in Barri Gotic, Barcelona, the one and only, Mr. Jack Nicholson with his eternal smile. Dr. House who appeared in a very successful post here in Barcelona Photoblog in the past, has been moved as yo...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jun 26, 2011, 6:56 pm
This is Plaça Sant Felip Neri, a small and very quiet square in Barri Gotic, Barcelona. If you go up Carrer del Bisbe and take the narrow street on the corner of the archbishopric to the right, you will come across an archway that leads to this magical spot protected by leafy trees pierced here and...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jun 25, 2011, 6:35 pm
I am not sure about the status of this guy. I don't know whether he is homeless, drunk, a combination of the two or simply an intoxicated tourist who knows? I just noticed there was a wonderful light falling on him while lying there on that granite bench at Portal de l'Angel street in Barcelona, one...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jun 24, 2011, 5:44 pm
It is not unusual to find African hawkers selling false Louis Vuitton and Carolina Herrera handbags in Barcelona. Holding the ropes tied to their blankets (sp. manta) they quickly pick up the merchandise in case the police show up. This picture was taken at Passeig de Gracia although it could have b...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jun 19, 2011, 3:08 pm
Like I said, the beauty of Barcelona city as seen from Mirador del Alcalde in Montjuic mountain overlooking the metropolitan area will leave some good memories in your mind maybe as colorful as the wonderful tattoos shining bright on this girl's shoulders.
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Jun 11, 2011, 4:45 pm
Although not precisely a bicycle enthusiast and certainly not an expert rider, I must admit that it must be a thrill moving around Barcelona on a bike. The more bicycle friendly the city gets the more frequent it is to find groups of riders exploring not only the small alleys of the old part of town...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - May 31, 2011, 6:16 pm
In Catalonia when we make things we make it big like say, this modest, tiny, insignificant bread. Hansel and Gretel would have had bread crumbs enough to leave a generous trail behind them, feed the birds and make a nice toast at the end of the road. Pa de Pages is, I quote: "...a rustic round loaf,...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - May 23, 2011, 6:50 pm
Anvil and hammer. Two tools that changed the history of men. This picture was taken in Vic at a local fair. Sorry I haven't been around here lately. I have not forgotten about the blog. It's just that I am too busy, not so much to post but to take pictures. Anyway I'll keep trying.
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - May 16, 2011, 5:04 pm
Sometimes it is hard to talk to you about nice shops in Barcelona without making the whole post look like a commercial. This is not an ad. You have my word on that. When I browse for places I would love to visit I enjoy reading about interesting spots and I really don't mind some promotion in posts ...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - May 9, 2011, 3:28 pm
Skateboard pals, taking a breath under one of those beautiful modernist lamps at Passeig de Lluis Companys in Barcelona. I have been out for some days so forgive me for leaving the blog a little unattended. It is great to rest for a while along the way. Next month I change gear so I hope photographs...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - May 4, 2011, 6:01 pm
A scene I found interesting the other day at the beach. An outdoor barbecue grill very near the water at Illa de Buda in Delta de l'Ebre. It is easy to find places like this in Catalonia but they are usually inland. There is a whole ritual around making fire and cooking around such public grills. Yo...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - May 1, 2011, 6:22 pm
Nothing you haven't seen before. Just a fishing lead hanging from a rod and a beach. Although this activity is regulated and there are certain hours and areas to fish, walking under a nylon line along the shore is something very common here. I only tried fishing once to find out I am not patient eno...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Apr 26, 2011, 4:58 pm
Friendship, love, hate, happiness or sadness are a universal asset, inherent to the human race. Friendship knows no creed. Anyone that is able to love, to be kind, to do good, to cultivate friendship is a person and not "the source of all evil". We tend to stigmatize religion, we foolishly fear the ...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Apr 17, 2011, 3:28 pm
Watching a forest fire from your own window is one of the saddest views you could ever have. This afternoon a small fire swallowed part of the woods on this hill at Collserola mountain. Now that I write this, at night, everything seems to be under control, but mother nature is not always that lucky....
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Apr 15, 2011, 11:09 am
The art of spinning a piece of clay, shaping it up with your bare hands until it becomes a jar, an amphora, a pitcher, a mug or whatever has been always a fascinating process for me. I remember pottery workshops at school and how clumsy I was. But if obtaining an object out of the blue may look myst...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Apr 12, 2011, 5:00 pm
Who said a female fishmonger had to be rude, shabby and smelly. Well, I guess they smell of fish of course but certainly these girls have a wonderful look. I realize my comments are stupid but I wanted to muse on cliches around professions. I don't know in your country but at least here I remember o...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Apr 7, 2011, 6:48 pm
Shopping in the most expensive street in Spain is risky for the wallet and yet there are some stores along Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona where you can adventure into compulsively squandering your monthly salary. While on a shopping spree though, it is easy to pull out the plastic magic wand usually k...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Apr 4, 2011, 6:02 pm
I did not really know what title to choose for this image. The man facing the woman in the poster, standing under a beautiful ceiling lamp was the first thing I wanted to show but then on second thought I realized that the Llongueras hairdresser in the background, run by a well known coiffeur in the...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Apr 3, 2011, 6:11 pm
Selling balloons on the street is an occupation almost inherent to gypsies in Barcelona but this man and two other at Passeig de Lluis Companys, in the Arc de Triomf area, seemed to be Portuguese, maybe gypsies too, who knows. I suppose this activity is regulated but they always look worried and vig...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 30, 2011, 5:55 pm
Pottery is an art that goes hand in hand with the history of man and civilization. It is said that the first known pieces were found in Japan between 400 and 10,500 BC (see A history of Pottery). Along the way,  a slow wheel or tournette was substituted by the fast potter's wheel around 2000 BC. Po...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 24, 2011, 6:03 pm
This image speaks for itself so I won't bore you with the place and what was happening. Well, it was in Barcelona and there was this man making soap bubbles in front of some kids. I tried to stand behind the man so you could see what that small kid was witnessing and more or less participate in the ...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 20, 2011, 6:38 pm
Gymnastics is that stuff that always made you feel envious back at school when you saw the guy next to you showing off in front of that girl you had a crush on, easily making a handstand and walking on both hands, doing pull ups with just one arm, the flag, the L-sit, you name it. Still after so ma...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 18, 2011, 6:06 pm
Here is yet another angle to better appreciate Barcelona's Arch of Triumph (Arc de Triomf). This time as seen from Passeig de Lluis Companys, a great site to bask in the sun, reading under a wonderful modernista lamp, ride a bike, jog or just walk. The place has been described here in Barcelona Phot...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 15, 2011, 7:15 pm
Barcelona shops have been evolving from a small commerce model with scarce impact in the international arena into a more powerful network of famous brands both foreign and local which have chosen the downtown area to promote and sell their products. Passeig de Gracia for example has become the most ...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 11, 2011, 11:11 am
Casa Mila also known as La Pedrera, by Antoni Gaudi, as seen from above is a magnificent sample of fully functional organic Art Nouveau design. Notice the undulated eaves, the arched attic walls that used to hold the washrooms, the small windows not always at the same level to allow ambient light an...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 9, 2011, 4:56 pm
Art has many ways, just as mother nature never stops surprising us with her capricious designs. The creativity of man knows no boundaries and a good example of that is the work of Catalan genius, Antoni Gaudi. In this image, the staircase at Casa Mila also known as La Pedrera is just a staircase, a ...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 7, 2011, 4:26 pm
There are occupations that do not seem to change much throughout centuries. Take a look at these musicians dressed in medieval attires impersonating those wandering minstrels going from town to town entertaining the crowd for gratuities and think of how this eventually derived into today's buskers. ...
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Carlos Lorenzo posted an article on Barcelona Photoblog - Mar 4, 2011, 6:40 pm
Obama British Africa Pub at Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 603 is an interesting place decorated with pictures and sculptures depicting the colonialist past of Great Britain in Africa. Gin, rhum, ales and stouts, the usual thing, you know, but imbued with that special mood. Coincidence or not, to ...
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