WORLD PRESS PHOTO @ CCCB

Today I had a lovely afternoon with my friend Raul Bonatiu. 
We went to Lost&Found a second hand market in Barcelona Franca train station, and met up with some of his friends who had a camera stand and clothing stands. There was a tonne of cool stuff and I regret not buying anything. It's still on tomorrow though, so maybe I'll go back. Then we went to eat tapas and walked around some stores. Before finally heading to CCCB, Barcelona's centre of contemporary culture, to see World Press Photo. 

The exposition was haunting, it's so impacting to see all of the damage that has been done in the past year. The beautiful photography that has come out of it all helps to shine a light on the issues and to make people reflect on it more. What I couldn't stop thinking though, was that some of the photos really shouldn't exist. These things shouldn't happen. But then I guess I'm being idealistic. 

Check out the gallery here. 

These next two photographs with a description taken from World Press Photo's website were two that really pulled on my heartstrings. 

Photo & text (below) from http://www.worldpressphoto.org/photo/world-press-photo-year-2011-0

Fatima al-Qaws cradles her son Zayed (18), who is suffering from the effects of tear gas after participating in a street demonstration, in Sanaa, Yemen, on 15 October. Ongoing protests against the 33-year-long regime of authoritarian President Ali Abdullah Saleh escalated that day. Witnesses said that thousands marched down Zubairy Street, a main city thoroughfare, and were fired on when they reached a government checkpoint near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Some demonstrators retreated, others carried on and were shot at again. At least 12 people were killed and some 30 injured. Ms Qaws—who was herself involved in resistance to the regime—found her son after a second visit to look for him, among the wounded at a mosque that was being used as a temporary field hospital. Zayed remained in a coma for two days after the incident. He was injured on two further occasions, as demonstrations continued. On 23 November, President Saleh flew to Saudi Arabia, and signed an agreement transferring power to his deputy, Abdurabu Mansur Hadi. Saleh’s rule ended formally when Hadi was sworn in as president, following an election, on 25 February 2012.

Photo & text (below) from http://www.worldpressphoto.org/photo/2012-brent-stirton-ci-1?gallery=2634

31 August 2011

Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine

Maria, a drug-addicted sex worker, rests between clients in the room she rents in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. The country has the highest incidence of HIV/Aids in Europe and, according to a UNICEF report, one in five sex workers is living with HIV. Maria says she remains HIV negative.

These next photos are my own... 

INSTAGRAM

@fotosinbarcelona

ALEXIS REYNA

My first fashion show.

The show was held in Plaça del Rei, on the 25th of January 2012. Despite having been there before I had never realised how beautiful it was.  The show made the inside of the building come alive and the music was haunting, as were the models and the clothes were amazing. The collection featured a lot of androgynous slouchy suit pants and dark capes and hoods, with metallic splashes of colour and a male model in a white bridal gown. 

If I had to pick a piece to wear it would have to be the orange oversized blazer worn by the beautiful girl with the afro. She was a favourite for me as was the male model with short hair on the sides, long and sleeked back on top pictured wearing the floaty almost feminine cape. 

I love the concept of androgynous clothing, men in layers and dresses and girls in pant suits.

Mi primer desfile. 

El desfile tuvo lugar en Plaça del Rei, el 25 de enero, 2012. Aunque habia estado ahí antes, no me habia cuenta de lo bonita que es la plaza. El espectáculo hizo que el interior del edificio cobrase vida y la música era inquietante, al igual que los modelos y la ropa eran increíbles. La colección contó con una gran cantidad de andrógenos pantalones de traje desgarbado y capas y capuchas negras, con toques de color metálico y un modelo en un vestido de novia blanco.

Si pudiese haber elegido una pieza de ropa para ponerme, hubiese sido la chaqueta grande de color naranja que llevaba la chica con el afro. Ella era mi modelo favorita, también me gusto el modelo con el pelo corto a los lados, que llevaba la capa femenina.

Me encanta el concepto de la ropa androgena, chicos llevando capas y vestidos, y chicas en trajes.

SANTA EULALIA, PASSEIG DE GRÀCIA, 93

From/de: http://www.santaeulalia.com/es/tienda/

I LOVE Santa Eulalia 

I have decided to start writing my blog in Spanish as well! 
As I've been living in Barcelona for almost 6 years now there's really no excuse to be lazy!

Santa Eulalia is the oldest department store in Barcelona, dating back to 1843. Check out its website here to find out more about the history and see what brands they have in store. It is so luxurious with a small selection of the most gorgeous brands. It's famous for its tailor made suits for men and it has a cute cafe with a terrace that you can find on the first floor. 

These are some photos that I took there about a year ago now when I took a friend there for a steaming pot of tea on a cold evening. I think it's such a nice place to go instead of a busy café. Put on your most luxurious warm winter coat and gloves, take a walk on Passeig de Gracia and stop in for a pot of tea. Enjoy!

Me ENCANTA Santa Eulalia

He decidio empezar a escribir mi blog en castellano también! 
Como llevo casi seis años viviendo aqui en Barcelona, creo que no tengo excusa para ser vaga! 

Santa Eulalia es la tienda de lujo mas antigua de Barcelona, la primera tienda abrió en el año 1843. Echa una vista a su pagina de web aquí para informarte mas de la historia de la tienda y para mirar que marcas hay ahora en la tienda. Es tan lujosa con una selección pequeña de unas marcas fantásticas. Es famosa por sus trajes de hombre hechos a mano y tiene un café monísimo con una terraza en la primera planta. 

Estas fotos son de hace un año mas o menos, de un día cuando fui con una amiga mía para tomar una taza de té en el café una tarde cuando hacia mucho frío. Creo que es un sitio ideal para ir a tomar algo en vez de ir a un bar de tapas con mucha gente. Ponte tu abrigo mas lujoso y guantes, dar un paseo por Passeig de Gracia y pasar por una taza de té. Disfruta! 

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY INSPIRATION

These photos are not mine. They are by Joe Lasky. 

They are all taken in Barcelona. He entitles them as Barcelona's Rear Window.

I love the ones taken from a birds eye view as they show life from a different perspective, and it is as if you're watching the world go by from your balcony. When people don't know their photograph is being taken you capture them at their most natural. 

Check out Joe's website: here where you can purchase the photographs. 

He also has a studio in Barcelona in Plaza Santa Caterina – El Borne.

I hope this inspires you to take some photos of what you see around you, wherever you are.

IMPOSSIBLE: WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY

This evening I visited Impossible, a small gallery on Carrer Tantarantana, number 16 (if you're searching for it on Maps on an iPhone it's Carrer d'En Tantarantana, 16) and saw the polaroids taken by Landry Ajavon. I really enjoyed seeing them all and especially liked the flower polaroids which I was told by Isabel, the girl working there, have a deeper intimate meaning to the photographer. I will have the opportunity to interview him soon and I will find out why. Until the interview, here are my photos. See how you think the phrase "When the cat's away, the mice will play", or in spanish "Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan" applies to the photos. 

Here is the link to the gallery's website: IMPOSSIBLE

Photo credit: Scott Crawford

WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY

WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY | Polaroids by landry from mydogispolite on Vimeo.

(I'm really starting to look like a sex maniac)

When the cat's away...

No one really cares where the cat is.

We are more interested in the dancing mice.

We don't ask where it went, or when it will be back.