Inspiration comes in many different guises, and for a photographer having more interesting things to capture on camera will tend to make your images better. In our endless quest to improve you as a photographer and inspire you to get out and shoot as often as possible, we’re going to suggest some destinations for short breaks or holidays that we know will help you to produce some of your best work. This week it’s Barcelona...

The word ‘vibrant’ could have been invented to describe Barcelona. As soon as you enter the city you’ll be inundated with wonderful architecture and beautiful people to photograph, so make sure you have plenty of memory cards and spare batteries! We recommend a simple set-up – use a point and shoot, CSC camera or a small DSLR with prime lens.

Like every great city, Barcelona has more than its fair share of spectacular sites to photograph. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on:

·         Park Güell – One of Gaudi’s most famous works, Park Güell is a perfect photo walk opportunity with its combination of stunning modernist architecture and beautiful green spaces

·         CASA BATLLÓ – ANOTHER OF GAUDI’S MOST CELEBRATED WORKS, CASA BATLLÓ RISES OUT OF BARCA LIKE A MODERNIST FAIRY TALE HOUSE. IT’S GENUINELY AS STUNNING INSIDE AND OUT, SO MAKE SURE THAT YOU’RE PREPARED TO FILL UP YOUR CARDS!

·         LAS RAMBLAS – OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ‘THE HEART OF BARCELONA’, LAS RAMBLAS IS THE MILE LONG AVENUE THAT DISSECTS THE CITY. YOU’LL FIND THE FAMOUS BOQUERIA MARKET, MUSEU DE CERA AND THE LICEU THEATER ALONG THE ROUTE, ALONG WITH A COLOURFUL ARRAY OF SHOPS AND EATERIES. YOU COULD EASILY SPEND ALL DAY AMBLING ALONG THIS SPRAWLING STREET TAKING PHOTOS.

·         LA SAGRADA FAMÍLIA – GAUDI’S UNFINISHED MASTERPIECE IS ALSO THE MOST FAMOUS SITE IN BARCELONA. THIS STUNNINGLY AMBITIOUS CHURCH HAS BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION FOR OVER 130 YEARS NOW – AND IT’S STILL ONLY 70% COMPLETE. DESPITE THIS, THE BUILDING IS SPECTACULAR TO VISIT AND PHOTOGRAPH BECAUSE OF THE INTRICATE DESIGN INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY WITH DOZENS OF STAINED GLASS WINDOWS FILLING THE CHURCH WITH LIGHT.

LIKE ALL OF THE GREAT CITIES, BARCELONA OFFERS AN ALMOST ENDLESS SERIES OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AND WARRANTS REPEAT TRIPS TO CAPTURE EVERYTHING. IF YOU HAVE LIMITED TIME IN THE CITY WE RECOMMEND BOOKING ONTO ONE OF THE EXCELLENT PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS WHERE YOU’LL BE JOINED BY LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE FOR A TOUR OF THE SITES.

JUST MAKE SURE THAT YOU SEND YOUR BEST IMAGES TO US TO PRINT TO CANVAS FOR YOU!