This amused me far more than it probably should have. I was thinking I should do a quick post about Barry, the TV show, which I’ve been binge watching recently. It’s awesome, love it. You should totally watch it if you like a bit of dark humor. So, I did a little search on my portfolio for “Barry” to see if any images would fit… this is what the SmugMug algorithm decided you should see. From the Barri Gòtic area in Barcelona. Anyway, less chat from me, more watching Barry for you. (OMG, I LOVE Hank… so funny…)

Barry

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2010-09-22 04:33:21
• CameraNIKON D3X
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time15
• Aperture4.8
• ISO250
• Focal Length17.0 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias+2

The beautiful Barcelona is home for fanciful masterpieces of Antonio Gaudi. I thought I’d had pretty good grasp on the architectures of Gaudi’s but I didn’t anticipate the subtle interior design when I get into some of his buildings.

This is the Casa Batlló. I was surprised by every turn when I was inside, and it was always inspirational. I wonder whether you have ever played Myst? This place reminded me of Myst–except Gaudi had come up with the ideas so long ago–in 1877! And those designs were not only for beauty but large sums of functionality built-in too. Simply moving cool air from room to room is stylish and unexpected.

The Window of Life

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2010-09-22 07:40:05
• CameraNIKON D3X
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time1/1000
• Aperture2.8
• ISO800
• Focal Length14.0 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias

Of all of Gaudi’s masterworks, this is definitely the most impressive. It’s a shame he never got to see it before he died. The guy is an absolute genius. To be able to design all of this on paper is just well beyond my scope of creativity. It would be hard enough just doing it with today’s computers and architecture/design programs.

I did get some special access here to be able to go up to the balcony where the Pope gets to chill when he comes for services. The photos up there were also quite spectacular. I could have spent all day in here.

Barcelona, Spain

The Gaudi Masterpiece

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-30 08:27:25
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

It’s not often that people pair churches with amusement parks. Maybe that is the way forward for religion though given numbers are dropping all over the place. Lure in the kids…

Speaking of Tibidabo it reminds me of Friends, which reminds me of my Russian friend Olya who learned a lot of her English (and cultural knowledge of America) from watching Friends back when she lived in Russia.

Exploring Tibidabo

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-30 19:28:48
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time2
• Aperture32
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

Gaudi’s masterpiece here in Barcelona is probably the most stunning religious structure I’ve ever been inside. I was lucky and I was given special access to a few areas only the Pope gets to visit. He has like is own “Papal Balcony” where he can kind of lord over the congregation. I suppose if you’re the Pope, you just get anything you want. You’re like, hey, I want my own balcony, and then the church just kinda does it for you. This cathedral broke ground way back in 1882 and they are still working on it. It’s probably taking them a while to complete this amazing behemoth because the Spanish have four-hour lunches.
From the Worship collection on Foundation.

The Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, Spain

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-30 08:35:26
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

We were lucky to get a little bonus access to the Sagrada Familia and were able to get into the upper floors. These are quite hidden from the ground level and I never would have known they were there otherwise. I didn’t have to do anything special to get access, just a bit of planning ahead of time with their PR team.

Gaudi’s Masterpiece

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-30 09:44:53
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time4
• Aperture16
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

I kind of wish I had a wide-angle lens for this photo, but I had a new Hasselblad and I only had a limited number of lenses. But, that’s okay because it forced me to find the most interesting thing to fit inside of that rectangle. You may notice that it has a 3:2 ratio, which is the default for the Hasselblad (I believe). I kept it in that original ratio rather than re-cropping it.

Gaudi’s Masterpiece

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-30 08:30:34
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time1
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias

This guy was quite the visionary to design all of this in his mind. It’s too bad he never got to see it in person. They’re still building the cathedral and I think it’s gonna be another 20 years or so. When you’re inside, however, it looks to be almost 100% complete. The first time I went I didn’t even realize you could go inside, so I missed that opportunity. I don’t know why I didn’t at least go and ask… that’s not like me.

Colors of Gaudi

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2017-04-30 08:49:13
• CameraX1D
• Camera MakeHasselblad
• Exposure Time4
• Aperture11
• ISO100
• Focal Length30.0 mm
• Flash
• Exposure ProgramManual
• Exposure Bias