Travel photography

Preparing for Barcelona. Only one bag allowed on board at Gatwick airport. So, I’ve stuffed a small camera bag with a Mamiya C330f and 55mm, 80mm and 180mm lenses and film into a backpack. I also have to fit in a Canon 30D with a 17-40mm lens, and some bits.

I have a personal assignment to create some ‘new look’ portraits in a town called Argentona near Barcelona. I’m hoping for some good light to play with. I enjoy shooting on film, there’s such a good feel factor to it. You can praise the digital ease factor but at the end of the day I’m a nostalgic guy and I need that extra step!

Ardeshir lives in Argentona. I met him in Gaza where he was working as a psychologist in a rehab hospital. I want to show him some photographs and talk about Gaza and my possible exhibition at the Amnesty International HQ in London. And other exhibitions of Gaza photography that I want to do.

I have a list of things I need to take. Pack and tick it off the list is the only way to make sure it’s there. At the end of the day, most things you can buy at the destination! Such is the globalness of our privileged lives.

Sunday 20th Jan
Landed exhausted in Barcelona. Need to sleep more than take photographs! Just got a quiet feel for Argentona as Sunday is a day of rest and all the shops are closed. Not sure what tomorrow will bring. I’ll see what the light is like.

Monday 21st Jan
Visited a few people and there were some that I could photograph.

Tuesday 22nd Jan
Barcelona: will feature in the next blog entry.

Wednesday 23rd Jan
Visited a gallery in Argentona which was exhibiting images from WWI taken on a glass plate camera by the great grandfather Cata family of Argentona. I was introduced to Cristina who is in charge of the exhibition. Showed her my Gaza photographs and she asked me to make an exhibition proposal which the panel will consider. Photographed some people and children using the Mamiya C330f and 80mm lens in a low light moody situation. Not the easiest camera to use at slow shutter speeds. Did more portraits in the afternoon on Canon 30D. Will feature them soon. Returned to Gatwick in the evening.

WILL BE UPDATED…

~ by bip mistry on January 19, 2008.