Madrid Scenes (3 pics)

Richard

The sun came out for the first time in weeks yesterday, so I took a walk and caught these. All were shot with a 20D and Tamron 28-75 f/2.8.

In the Plaza Mayor: The dramatic lighting was all the camera's doing . I was really surprised by the results considering it was a bright, sunny day, but I like the way it turned out.



Like all big cities, Madrid has its grittier side:



Two common sights are old statues and construction scaffolds. The building in the background used to be an elegant old hotel. It is being "reformed" and will become a Hard Rock Hotel. Oh well...




Hope you like them. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Cheers,

eye-max

#1 Henri Cartier-Bresson & ‘The Decisive Moment’, very nice

erich6

Awesome Richard! Please keep posting your pictures of Madrid. I'm planning on a vacation this summer and certainly would appreciate any tips on photo locations.

I'm reading several travel books but nothing beats the real experience of those that live there. Great to see a bit of Madrid through your eyes.

I've read that many "old" buildings are being renovated in Madrid...sometimes at the expense of losing true historical value sites. Is this something that a strong issue in Madrileno politics?

Also, look forward to any pictures you can take during the Fiestas of San Isidro.

Regards,

Erich

Richard

eye-max wrote:

#1 Henri Cartier-Bresson & ‘The Decisive Moment’, very nice

High praise indeed. Thanks. Cartier-Bresson knew what he was doing. I just get lucky once in a while.

Richard

Thanks Erich. Be sure to get in touch with me when your travel plans are clear--I'd be delighted to show you around Madrid. The wonderful light and contrasts between old and new make it a great place for photography. You can see more in my Madrid gallery on Smugmug (including a couple of shots from last year's San Isidro celebration).

By law, the façades of old buildings may not be changed in the historical center of Madrid. Interiors, however, are under no such restriction. I am guessing that the coming Hard Rock Hotel will still have its lovely Victorian exterior but the lobby will be filled with electric guitars and neon signs on the walls. The restrictions also do not apply to the shop windows on the ground floor, so it is easy to miss the fact the nearest Starbucks or McDonalds is actually in a beautiful old building.

germaine_sba

I especially like the picture of the old men talking. Don't you love it when you get a picture that's so much better than you thought it would be?

Congratulations.

Richard

germaine_sba wrote:

I especially like the picture of the old men talking. Don't you love it when you get a picture that's so much better than you thought it would be?

Congratulations.

Thanks, Germaine. I sure do. Too bad it's more often the opposite.

erich6

rsinmadrid wrote:

Thanks Erich. Be sure to get in touch with me when your travel plans are clear--I'd be delighted to show you around Madrid. The wonderful light and contrasts between old and new make it a great place for photography. You can see more in my Madrid gallery on Smugmug (including a couple of shots from last year's San Isidro celebration).

By law, the façades of old buildings may not be changed in the historical center of Madrid. Interiors, however, are under no such restriction. I am guessing that the coming Hard Rock Hotel will still have its lovely Victorian exterior but the lobby will be filled with electric guitars and neon signs on the walls. The restrictions also do not apply to the shop windows on the ground floor, so it is easy to miss the fact the nearest Starbucks or McDonalds is actually in a beautiful old building.

Sounds good Richard, and thanks for the rundown on what's happening out there. I'll check out your gallery.

Cheers,

Erich

Nee7x7

You really have a wonderful eye for the many interesting things in your beautiful city, Richard! I also especially love that one of the men talking. The play of dramatic light and shadow and texture and the way the men are grouped in the one burst of light...it's a simply fabulous shot!

Bravo!!!
~Nee

Richard

Nee7x7 wrote:

You really have a wonderful eye for the many interesting things in your beautiful city, Richard! I also especially love that one of the men talking. The play of dramatic light and shadow and texture and the way the men are grouped in the one burst of light...it's a simply fabulous shot!

Bravo!!!
~Nee

Thanks Nee. BTW, I loved your latest challenge entry. Good luck.