Spain Photos

[shots worth sharing]

<p>I've finally got photos from Spain posted. This was a pretty fast-paced Globus group tour (outstanding guide,btw) of southern Spain--mostly Andalusia.) The itinerary included Madrid Tolédo, Granada, Torremolinos, Gibraltar, Ronda, Sevilla, Cordoba & back to Madrid (where we had an extra day thanks to the British Airways strike.) </p>

<p>I took three zooms (Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 28-75mm & Pentax DA 55-300) and two primes (FA 31mm Ltd & F 50 f1.7) I hardly used the 50mm but I was glad to have the other four. Zooms really were the ticket for this sort of trip: I'd guess about 75% of my shots were with the Tamron & Pentax zooms but there were certainly times I was glad to have the 10-20mm and 31mm with me. </p>

<p>After the third pass, I've winnowed the album <a href="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Travel/Spain-2010/11736713_vb55f#828438502_tmydV">(HERE)</a> down to just under 75 photos. It's primarily documentation but it includes a few I'm pretty proud of as photographs.</p>

<p>Perhaps I should add an apology: as this photo (by Clara) suggests, I may not have been particularly well-suited as an ambassador of the Pentaxian nation ;~)</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[jgredline]

<p>Dave, What an awesome photo. I love it. The gallery was also very enjoyable. Nice photography t say the least!.</p>

[laur1]

<p>Very nice album! Thanks for sharing.</p>

[dorus]

<p>...<br>

it includes a few I'm pretty proud of.... </p>

<p>I can see that ! Very nice work, compliments.</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<blockquote>

<p>What an awesome photo. I love it.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>a bit of payback on Clara's part ;~) </p>

[staffan__gren]

<p>Very nice, indeed! What an architectural and cultural excursion for us at the forum! The pictures focus on small details as well as street views, statues, old history, and people, in a pleasant mixture. Even on a monkey in one case (no, it is not a Spanish talking inhabitant, I am sure!).</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>That is an <em>awesome</em> photo of you, Dave! :-D LOLing as I write.</p>

<p>I'll be sure to check your gallery later today.</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>I like the <a href="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Travel/Spain-2010/11736713_vb55f#828440854_YZctA">barrels</a> and the <a href="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Travel/Spain-2010/11736713_vb55f#828442829_KjK9S">train station</a> the most. Was it Atocha station? A very nice mix of general and detail views, Dave. So you enjoyed your trip? Will you seeking my holiday consulting services again? ;-)</p>

[andrewg_ny]

<p>Looks like a fun, scenic trip. Enjoyed your gallery, Dave. I think you're right about the zooms--when you're pressed for time ("OK, back on the bus!"), traveling with others (especially non-photographer sorts), time for swapping lenses or using tripods can be short.</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Thanks for the comments, all.</p>

<p>Right, Steffan, the ape is a resident of Gibraltar (British Crown Colony) not Spain ;~) </p>

<p>Yep, Mis--Atocha. Thanks for providing the proper name--I've updated the caption. I really wish I'd had a tripod for that shot. It was pointed out on our first day in Madrid and I was intrigued and made a point of checking it out when we found ourselves with an extra day. It's a really really interesting piece of architecture with, as you probably know, a tropical garden inside.<br>

<img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/827514436_t2VHR-L.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="600" /></p>

<p>And, yes. it was a terrific trip for all of us--especially, I think, for Clara. </p>

<p>BTW, I discovered this is Sevilla ;~) </p>

<p> </p><div></div>

[hagar]

<p>But Dave they are not offering any reward for his capture! Likely he will run loose for ever!<br>

That's a pretty awesome shot of you..please congratulate Clara, and encourage her to take more :-) I'm sure she has a lot to get even for..<br>

I'll go have a peek at the gallery later this evening..</p>

[shaloot]

<p>Dave, what a photo... that might just go viral... awesome.</p>

<p>Great Spain photos too, but the one here by Clara... priceless.</p>

[bob-c]

<p>Dave, Great stuff. The shot of you is a classic. I think Clara did a great job in capturing the essence of a Pentaxian. Many great shots in the gallery. It must have been a wonderful time.</p>

[hagar]

<p>That is a beautiful set Dave.. Of all my trips to europe, I have never visited Spain.. so it was especially nice to see. </p>

[htarragon]

<p>Dave - Beautiful pictures, nice intimacy, even with the architecture pics. The gates remind me of the Spanish Gate at the Met Museum in NY. Ditto what Staffan said. Spain is a beautiful country. I visited Spain in the 80's and loved it. I should scan some of those pics. Go back and see Barcelona - you'll love the architecture.<br>

Great shot of you! It's the hat!</p>

[jeremy_corbin]

<p>Excellent work Dave! My favorites are the Ruinas and then Bridge at Ronda. I've always wished to get my passport and take an adventure to the old world. Thanks for saving me a trip to the Passport Office!</p>

<p>-Jeremy</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>They'll never catch me, Dave; <em><strong>NEVER!</strong></em></p>

<p>(Thanks for thinking of me and taking that picture, though [blushy emoticon])</p>

[jeff_smith26]

<p>Great Post.</p>

<p>I just spent last week in Spain myself. I shot film and am anxiously waiting the return of my photos tomorrow.</p>

<p>I found it interesting that you never used your 50mm. I took a 35, 50 and 70-300, and I only used the 50mm!</p>

[sigmar_dau]

<p>Dave, an impressive collection, for sure. I like the outdoor street views the best. I think you make a great ambassador for both Pentax and Spain, because you make me want to go there myself.</p>

[hinman]

<p>Dave, I am so proud of the pictures. I really enjoy the collection.</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Thanks again for all the nice comments, folks. Clara's gloating (and rightly so ;~). </p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>What a lovely trip!! Wonderful photos, Dave- I enjoyed them all!</p>

[sharonh]

<p>You might become the official poster boy for Pentax! Wonderful picture. <br>

Really enjoyed the photos, Dave, makes me want to certainly include touring Spain when I get to Europe. Thanks. </p>

[michael_elenko]

<p>Dave,<br>

That photo of you is classic, kudos to Clara for capturing some kind of essence there.</p>

<p>I like the bits of details that you captured in the SM gallery photos. The Arabesque components like the Alhambra fountain Detail are so fascinating. Something about the red fan in the window triggers something dreamy too. I'm still absorbing the shots, but it looks like it was a fine trip. Any particular wines or sherries you want to rave about? Olive oil too--I like the fruitiness (and low price) of Spanish olive oil.</p>

<p>ME</p>

[rparmar]

<p>Thanks for sharing these! Comparing with my own set -- taken in Malaga, Cordoba, Granada and other places in Andalusia -- it is interesting to see we have only one image in common. And even my shot of the Mezquita arches is a different perspective.</p>

<p>Michael: As for wines and sherries, I got in the habit of asking for "vino fino" in order to get a dry Manzanilla type white wine that goes great with food. Certainly what I got differed from place to place, from quite weak to relatively strong and flavourful. The local speciality wines in Malaga and Cordoba are very strong, young and sweet reds. I tried them a few times (had free glasses brought to the table twice!) but they are not my scene. I must say that the bars in Granada are some of the best I've ever had food & drink in. But the most excellent meal was our very first in Malaga at one in the morning.</p>

<p>It's a great part of the world. And wonderful for a photographer.</p>