The Kiss Heard Around the World

A striking couple they were, walking and holding hands, a scene not uncommon in Barcelona.

I was sitting and tweaking my camera (a usual pastime)

The Kiss Heard Around the World

When suddenly, through my viewer, I saw the couple immediately stop, embrace and kiss in that passionate way,

All the while holding each other YOU wish would last a lifetime.

Wow! When they finished, she looked at her and all of Barcelona breathed a sigh.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Thumbs Up!

She stands out.

Almost hard to do with the decor lit in bold bright blue neon lights.

Thumbs Up!

Oh, the obvious to you might be her beaming orange hair, but really, she colors your grin with her contagious smile.

FYI: Me (obviously) outside looking in AND her hair has NOT been post processed.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A Recipe for Disaster

Scene: April in Barcelona

Before taking a photo of this couple, I observe:

playa Bogatell

Autumn clothing

One bottle of water.

No sunscreen.

Warm sun.

Deep sleep.

No Beer.

In my book, that adds up to skin melt down.

A Model of Perfection

She's young, tall, willowy, great skin with a big smile and bright eyes.

Her name is Ashley and,

A Model of Perfection

Yessss ... she's a model aspiring to make the big time.

Maybe YOU can help her!

¡Cosa Pobre! (Poor Thing!)

By the best of the very best photographers, I've been taught that when you don't have a tripod use a level surface, a pole, a tree, cup your arms to your chest, ANYTHING to hold that camera steady.

Squat and shoot!

And, according to my own experience,

Wear comfortable clothing!

This woman was brave for two immediate reasons:

Her dress and her shoes.

She took several pictures that were not to her liking, kept falling and making the funniest faces of displeasure.

I took my pictures of her that I liked and left her there squatting.

The obvious: she lacked stability in the absence of a tripod and a good teacher.

Danger

It was a nice warm day and we decided to go to plaça de Rius y Taulet.

As we approached the corner, we heard good jazz sounds.

There were lots and lots of chairs set and occupied. The crowd was standing room only except for this one young lady.

plaça Rius y Taulet

She sat there, she sat there you see with the sun shining brightly and its rays framing only her ... or so it seemed.

And that is the reason I took the photo.

But I suspect you have asked yourself the proverbial question:

Can sitting on cement for long periods of time cause derrier bunionitis?

Ah, you see, I know how concerned you are for the poor little thing!

And,

I don't know the answer.

Silly writing and I almost amused myself.

Would YOU Trust this Man?

At the bottom of Las Ramblas overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is the statue of Christopher Columbus otherwise known as Monumento a Colón.

 Monumento a Colón

You can ride an elevator to the top, something I have never done, and probably take impressive photos.

Atop of the point, Columbus sits appearing majestic, assured and POINTING EAST.

History tells us that he wanted to find a new route to India and China and we all know where he finally landed.

I guess he will never learn.

Her Eyes Are My Window

I loved her before she was born ... something I thought impossible.

Her Eyes Are My Window

Now, with her opinionated 2 1/2 years of age, her passion for life, curiosity and unconditional love she has burrowed herself so deep into my soul ... that no poem, song or book could ever capture.

Maybe my photo did.

P.S. This photo was taken in a moving van ... I was not driving.

View barcalunacy's Travels beyond Barcelona FLCKR photoset.

Fireworks_July4, 2009

 Fireworks_July4, 2009

Recycling

When you meet or see people on the street sometimes you can't help but ask WHY and What The …

I met him as you see him; a person obviously trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Recycling

So, was the helmet a

New adaptation of a sunscreen?

Desire to be alone?

New diet device?

Was he protecting himself from picking his nose or from putting his elbow into his ear?

You be the judge!

He is Rodrigo, a jewelry designer of amazing talent. We met him and his friend, Raquel, on carrer de las Carolinas and we liked him WAY before we actually saw his face.

I would show you the picture but we will keep Rodrigo incognito only to protect the less dangerous.

People are GREAT and Rodrigo was no exception.

View barcalunacy's People of Interest FLCKR photoset.

View this photo and others I've worked on in barcalunacy's Photos Retouched (Redux) FLCKR photoset.

Sixteen Years Without Moving a Muscle

He was grayed hair, smartly dressed and had an appealing face.

I saw him looking out the window shielding the sun from his eyes with his one hand.

But he looked worried and sad.

Who was he waiting for or was he watching someone who had just left?

Had he received some terrible news?

I watched for what seemed like a long time and the old man had not moved as if he were in shock.

I didn’t know what to do. So I took a photo hoping to catch his attention.

He didn’t react.

I moved in closer, took another photo and he didn’t even flinch.

I was surprised, concerned and worried.

Sixteen Years Without Moving A Muscle

I was now so close to the window he would have to be blind not to see me.

His eyes appeared glazed. He was transfixed in this position as if he were made of wax.

So, I took another picture, hoping that the sound of the camera and the sight of ME,taking photos like a MAD Woman, would alert him to my presence,

And then,

Oh, my,

You wouldn’t believe,

I was stunned,

He was a figure from the Wax Museum!

Here’s egg in my face.

View barcalunacy's People of Interest FLCKR photoset.

View this photo and others I've worked on in barcalunacy's Photos Retouched (Redux) FLCKR photoset.

Santiago de Chile

For those of you who don’t know me, I’ll let you in on a little secret.

I’m enchanted, fascinated, awe-struck and nosy when it comes to people in the public eye. Is it just me or are you like that too?

Santiago de Chile, 2006

While living in the United States I was probably the very FIRST subscriber of “People Magazine” when the first issue came out. (I might be dating myself here.)

Remember when the Enquirer Magazine was a newspaper that you didn’t tell anyone you read much less bought?

But, I, I stood proudly in the supermarket line with my Enquirer face-up, looking defensively at those around me, as the paper glided on the conveyor belt toward the cashier. (For those who are not familiar with the Enquirer or People Magazine, they are “gossip or rag” magazines of and about anyone famous, like Star Magazine in Europe.)

So you can imagine how I felt when I saw this fellow. He appeared invincible, manly, and sexy. Maybe you can’t imagine so I will tell you that I stopped dead in my tracks. Literally!

He was dark and handsome, just like the famous Sean Connery of the movies. I hope I don’t have to tell you movies are “real life”. No?

Folks, I’d like you to meet Santiago of Chile and what a wonderful, kind character he was and just a little bit leery of my companion and me. (Hmm .. I can’t figure out why).

One interesting tidbit he told us. He was living in Barcelona with a British woman. He could not speak English and she could not speak Castellano.

Interesting, I thought … maybe that’s the secret to lasting relationships.

You learn a lot walking the streets.

View Santiago and others in barcalunacy's People of Interest FLCKR photoset.

A Shadow of the Man He is: Redux

The past day or so has been a lot of fun learning how to transform a picture from color to an acceptable (at least to my taste) b&w photo.

I've been using the adobe photoshop channel mixer and love it to death.

If you want to feel like your back in kindergarten, just play with any imaging software.

An ipernity member, named Pappion, again suggested making the photo b&w and deepening the shadow on the wall.

So ... I did just that and voila!

A Shadow of the Man He Is: Redux, 2009

This is how the photo originally looked below.

A Shadow of the Man He Is, 2008

See any difference?

When you really think about it, the photo and the story is of a shadow and shadows as the eye see it has no color. No?

Anyway, the story was originally posted and I think you might like it so you can click HERE.

I think you really don't want to miss creative writing at its worst.

Enjoy!

Innocent Sultriness Redux

I belong to two (2) photo storage sites, one flickr and the other ipernity and for the past 6 months, I've been spending a lot of time on ipernity.

A recent ipernity contact, named pappion, whose photos I like very much, for their color, composition and interest suggested that I redo this photo.

Pappion said:

Personally I very much like the composition and lighting. If the photo were mine though here's what I would change ..... I would desaturate the reds a bit ( many of your pics have very saturated reds for my tastes) I would also go in and clone out whatever the little gold/silver spot is between her lips.

While I can appreciate ... To read the rest of his comment, click here.

So, I've redone the photo and I think it looks much better.

What do you think?

Innocent Sultriness Redux, 2009

I cloned out the bright spot on her left side, took out what looked like bubbles between her lips (only g-d knows), used curves and levels removing the reds and making her more bright.

Pappion was right about the red tones in my earlier photos as you can see here.

Innocent Sultriness, 2006

My camera then was a konica minolta Z2, known for overly exaggerated red tones. In those days, I did not have photo imaging software.

For those of you who wish to read the original post about her, click here.

She still generates interest and I am pleased.

Shady Character

This is a goat, but, you probably already know that.

Goats are fun and they are cute to look at.

They are funny and in many ways act like us humans.

Shady Character, 2009

For example, while some humans smoke grass, the goats eat it.

Many humans eat junk food ... like cookies, candy, potato chips and generally overeat even good foods.

Goats are the same. They eat overeat green leaves, plastics, metals and rubber.

How do I know so much about GOATS?!

Ah, my fraternal grandmother had a farm with all sorts of animals and the goat was king or queen. That's what the goats thought and I knew that.

You see, I did know because out of all my cousins and friends I was each and every goats target.

When I came out of the house, the goats lined up in a single file (they must have been military goats) and waited for me to take a few steps and voila!

I was charged and let me tell you those horns are no laughing matter.

Can't you tell by this goat's demeanor that maybe just maybe I could be his next toy?

I think that was what he was mulling over.

But! I fooled him ... I wasn't going to let my past catch up with me.

Let him look for another ninny.

View barcalunacy's Travels beyond Barcelona FLCKR photoset.