La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Photo

Photographer’s Note

This time I bring you to another side of the Mediterranean, to the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona, which I believed doesn't need any presentation. Neither does this amazing and really unique building, neither does its architect, Antoni Gaudí.

This imposing church, to which some call cathedral, although it really isn't because as far as I know, a city can't have more than one cathedral, despite sometimes there is a new and an old cathedral and, anyway, it is still unfinished. As a matter of fact, if I didn't know anything about the history of the construction, I would believe that the construction had started just a few years ago, because the interior looks much more like a construction site than a church, and as far as I could learn, the finished church will have more towers and another façade that don't exist yet. My limited knowledge on Architecture and Christian symbolism doesn't enable me to identify much of the amalgamated influences found in the plan and in every detail, but it reminded a mix of Egyptian temple (maybe because of the forms inspired in trees and flowers) and Gothic cathedral, with exuberant carved shapes and details everywhere. Bulent's (batalay) wife, who was accompanying us, commented that she was wondering if the the English adjective gaudy wouldn't have anything to do with Gaudi, the architect. I went to a dictionary and learnt that the the word is derived form the Latin, but the association makes much sense.

The construction started in 1882 and the central nave was finished only in 2000. It is scheduled to be finished in 2026, in time to the commemoration of the Gaudi centenary, but there are many who don't believe that it will happen. It was announced recently that the church will be open for cult in September 2010, which means that the works in the interior have to be finished until there.

A curious detail is that all the funding has been fully private, neither the Church, neither the government has contributed. I can hardly believe that they never did it indirectly, but it is still a matter that admiration.

About the POV (just in case it isn't obvious): this is the ceiling, viewed with an almost vertical angle.

• WS#1: Arcade behind the North façade.

• WS#2: The tip of some of the towers.

Location (latitude, longitude): 41.40358,2.174467 [Google Maps Street View, Bing Maps Bird's eye]

riclopes, lucasgalodoido, leo61, fanni, adores, axiotea, xuaxo, adramad, ChrisJ, Bluejeans, edcone, edal, bakes888 ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

divail (1549) 2009-11-03 19:07

Bonsoir Jose,
Un bel échantillonnage des formes spéciales de cette superbe cathédrale de Gaudi. Les formes abstraites et presque monochrome sont intéressantes et l'ensemble est bien réussi.
Diane

merckcrl (219) 2009-11-03 20:04

Well this is certainly a view of this famous church that I've never seen before. Thanks for posting it.

Urs (2970) 2009-11-04 0:06

Hi Jose

I really had to look several times till I got it , what I was seeing, the ceiling of a church. That's a fantastic view point of taking such a picture, congrats, you have done a great job! Light management is very fine, producing all the hues with natural colors and high sharpness. Also your note is interesting. Well done

Friendly regards
urs

riclopes (33033) 2009-11-04 1:15

Espectacular, José. Ambos gostamos destes vôos picados e esta quase que me põe tonto. O resultado algo abstracto até me pôs momentaneamente à procura de 'formigas' lá em baixo...mas percebi rapidamente que em baixo é onde estamos agora ;-) Este canto do lado direito é poderoso, levando-nos em grande velocidade para o centro da foto. Também gosto do WS2, numa abordagem mais normal e bonitinha de postal.
um abraço,
ricardo

angie-barcelona (1861) 2009-11-04 5:21

Hola!

curiosa perspectiva de uno de los lugares mejores de mi ciudad. Buena combinación de las eternas obras del templo con las columnas ya acabadas... buena!!!

Un saludo,

Gemma

lucasgalodoido (16605) 2009-11-04 5:35

Olá José,
impressionante mesmo estarem construíndo até hoje essa Igreja, acredito que quando pronta vai ficar maravilhosa. Interessantes os detalhes do teto dela nessa imagem, embora não esteja concluídos, e gostei da vista clássica do WS2.
Parabéns e Abraço

leo61 (43438) 2009-11-04 11:32

HI Jose!
Do you have problems with your spine/neck after shooting????
Maybe I can help you,I`m a physiotherapist!!!!!!
A great shot ,with perfect sharpness overall and good depth.
Many fine details to view at this never ending buildingsite........
Regards,leo

fanni (8737) 2009-11-04 13:55

Hello Jose,
this is one of the most interesting and unusual (by the point of view) photos I've seen! This POV is very very impressive and offers to us freedom for imagining... almost a fantastic view!
The Workshop photos are interesting, too (especially the Image #2)!
Best regards,
Elena

rikko77 (6230) 2009-11-04 13:58

Hi Jose
a very original view of the Sagrada Familia. The POV is spectacular and tells us much about the history of this important building. Congratulations and TFS!
Rikk

adores (15609) 2009-11-04 15:40

Olá José!
O pov está excelente, mostras bem o andamento das obras ( que espero andem mais dentro dos prazos que as nossas por aqui:)). Gosto especialmente do efeito das colunas. Os WS também estão bons, mas esta está mais original!

npecanhuk (14126) 2009-11-05 10:26

Olá José!
Apreciei muito esta foto especialmente por seu ponto de vista original, que foi uma ótima ideia, com resultados visuais de muita beleza, que mostram o quão interessante e linda é essa obra inacabada de Gaudí!
Tive o prazer de visitá-la em 2004!
Sua foto me traz excelentes recordações!
Parabéns, abraços e até logo!
Neyvan

axiotea (16145) 2009-11-05 12:06

Olà José
A première vue il est difficile de savoir si l'on a affaire à un pdv plongeant ou bien en contre plongée ;) c' en tout cas vertigineux! Cadrage bien vu (c'était pas évident) et perspective intéressante. Les photos en ws donnent un bon complément à l'image principale.
Amitiés
Marilyn

xuaxo (5759) 2009-11-05 12:13

Olá José,
Este extrordinário monumento presta-se a este tipo de fotos. E tu aproveitaste muito bem. Até o material das obras ficou interessante.
Cumprimentos,
F.

giorgimer (21322) 2009-11-05 13:51

Olà Josè,

we didn't visit the interiors of Sagrada Familia because there was to wait a lot and it was very hot. Nice shot, impressive perspective on the columns, nice light.

Parabéns!

G

Graal (58169) 2009-11-05 23:19

Hi Jose,
unusual POV and glance from the frog perspective. Stunning effect. Good reportage from famous Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. An interesting WS also. Well photojob. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

adramad (3708) 2009-11-06 13:25

Hola Jose.
Una captura espectacular que solo mirarla da sensacion de vertigo, el POV de la captura me parece genial con el contrapunto de la parte construida y los andamios por otro lado, la perspectiva es genial conduce la mirada hacia lo alto. Una luz muy matizada que resulta muy apropiada para el motivo, lo mismo que el suave colorido. Un buen trabajo.
Buen fin de semana y un abrazo.
Luis.
P/D. Los WS son en si otras dos primeras fotos.

danyy (69029) 2009-11-07 0:16

Bonjour José,
une photo très nette et parfaitement exposée qui donne uns sorte de vertige. C'est en plus bien cadré avec beaucoup d'éléments différents.
Mes compliments.
Daniel.

ChrisJ (70335) 2009-11-07 2:55

Ola Jose

Yes, Gaudi's cathedral in Barcelona is justifiably world famous. An unusual upward pov, & the scaffolding adds interest & textural contrast. Tfs. Obrigado!

Bluejeans (32547) 2009-11-09 10:05

Oi amigo ,
Parece que vamos cair :) , o tecto e maravilhoso tem belos detalhes ,estas colunas são magnificas, os trabalhos nunca mais acabam por aqui tem fim ?, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

edal (6571) 2009-11-15 13:40

Ola Jose,
Your photo is very interesting to me, because it shows La Sagrada Familia interior from one year ago. I've just returned from Barcelona and sometimes soon will post a continuation of the long building history of this architectural masterpiece.

Your photo quality is excellent - in sharpness wb and pov.

Thanks for your visit of my Crete photo - you are right about your remark. As we stayed between Chania and Rethimno, it was a one day visit to the Eastern parts of the island, and I've made a mistake.

Best wishes,
Anton

bakes888 (18257) 2009-11-29 23:35

Hi José.
This shot is a little vertigo inducing ;-). Great photo, excellent POV and composition. Well captured and thanks for sharing.
Have a good week, Paul.