Polka Dot Shoes

Okay ... I'm going to make a big BIG admission.

This photo was photoshopped. Yes. Truly.

It was taken outdoors. She jumped, I shot it.

I then extracted the image from the background and used a gradient, lens flare and lighting effects.

I'm learning to feather better but overall I'm pleased.

Once in awhile my inner child surfaces and I get a burst of creativity.

Believe me, if I can do it, YOU can too!

Thinking, scouting, working

She's been in Barcelona for almost a decade, that I'm aware.

She walks with a stoop, has worn similar clothing in the 10+ years and exuded an aura of mystery.

I like this photo a whole lot.

The picture above is the first photo I took of her.

This day, the sun light was at its best.

She was walking and pacing in that way when one is "asking" for money from the tourists.

I looked around the Cathedral to observe any persons of interest, (meaning YOU!).

I turned and I saw her sitting with the light enveloping her.

I clicked, wouldn't you?

May be the last photo I take of her but I've learned never to say never.

Adeli de Gràcia

Every once in awhile there appears a person who has a unique and distinctive look, in that good way.

Usually, as a street photographer, I look for that person. Someone who might look different from the norm, dress different, act different, and in today's world it seems like the norm might be the new different.

Sitting at McDonald's and to my right is a young man with hair piled so high ... higher than I've ever seen or ever noticed. Rather than take a candid photo, I approached him and while he didn't understand why I would want to take his picture, he agreed.

His name is Adeli of the barrio of  Gràcia. He had a smile that lit up the room, eyes that twinkled and a warm demeanor that made me feel good.

Do you see what I see?

Spanish Geisha

Okay ... I'm going to make a big BIG admission.

This photo was photoshopped. Yes. Truly.

It was taken outdoors. She jumped, I shot it.

I then extracted the image from the background and used a gradient, lens flare and lighting effects.

I'm learning to feather better but overall I'm pleased.

Once in awhile my inner child surfaces and I get a burst of creativity.

Believe me, if I can do it, YOU can too!

Antonio

He sits each morning on a special ledge in a special neighborhood smoking his special cigar. 

 

His name is Antonio, an observer.

And,

His greatest pleasure is YOU!

Erase Una Vez

Or ...

Once Upon a Time,

I was able to put my toes into my mouth.

No. It's really true.

Could you?

And, more importantly, can you now, hmmmm?

Treasure

About 20 years ago I was given this baby photo.

As far as I know, it's the only infant picture of this child who, at the very least, was 9 months old decades and pre-decades ago.

barçalunacy as a child

I treasure and protect this photo and today I finally scanned it.

So, I delight in it's existence and share with the world this picture of

Me!!

The Year of the Tiger

On behalf of the entire family, Nisha wishes everyone a Happy Chinese New Year.

Now, some of you may wonder why her photo was chosen ... hmmm?

Well, I was trying my darndest to get GOOD solo pictures of the other girls but I failed.

Her photo was the simplest and I was able to do a photoshop treatment I was dying to try.

I hope you like it!

Personality Counts

I first saw him walking on the street a few blocks from where this photo was taken.

I saw only his back but he had a strut that would've put John Travolta to shame and I was interested.

So ... to my surprise and a smile on my face I found him, "singing" into a tin cup and oh, how I wished he would walk that walk.

You would have liked him. He had an exuberant and electrifying personality that would make any street performer proud.

I love the street artists and got to know some of them pretty well in Barcelona.

A street-performers life is very hard and a little kindness (like a coin or two) in their direction wouldn't be a bad idea for either you or them.

I invite you to view my flickr photo gallery of the these special people who made my life a little bit richer.

View barcalunacy's Barcelona’s Street Artists FLCKR photoset.

Lip Service

World! This is Safia, my grand-daughter, at exactly 3 months.

Yes, I know what you're thinking! I am tooo young to have children of children.

Anyway, I want to think that she was looking at me with keen interest but I fear she was giving me the slip of her tongue.

Ah ... they start so early, don't they?

Aside Note: I have a great tip for you that I've learned the past many months since I've been back to the USA. If you want to improve your street photography, just photograph children.

They are quick, suffer from attention deficit disorder and unpredictable.

Your shoots will dramatically improve.

Wild!!

Want to make a little girl happy?!

Just buy her a new outfit.

Works ALMOST all the time.

The Girl With No Name

For those interested, I don't know who she is, except that she had a pretty face, raven hair and exotic eyes.

The Girl With No Name

She was sitting in a booth at the county fair with no patrons and truly I don't know what she was selling.

But, I thought she looked nice and you would too, after looking at pigs, cows and chickens all day.

The Middle Child

She is the second of 3.

Her oldest sister, Rania, just turned 3 and we have been celebrating her birthday for the past 3 days and will continue I daresay the next 23 hours.

Three weeks ago, a third sister, Safia was born.

So ... I am afraid my poor 15 month old grandchild is temporarily suffering the middle child syndrome.

The Middle Child

To compensate for her status, I am posting this photo to memorialize her.

She's a pip, full of energy, with 4 new teeth this week and, suffering the terrible 2's after just turning ONE.

She's a ham and loves her photo taken. I adore her and her plump cheeks to death.

World!

Meet Nisha.

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.

Eusebi

He's a special guy whom I've been getting to know just a bit lately.

Because of Eusebi's unassuming, quiet demeanor and child-like innocence, the young waitresses, at a café I frequent, lavishly nurtured him, much to his delight.

Eusebi

Barcelona, 2008

He sings American tunes "out of tune" but he's got charm and grace.

His weapons of choice are a crayon and pen.

For pocket change he will do a portrait of you and yours.

Here's mine.

Eusebi's Drawing of Luna
Barcelona, 2008

Envious?

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