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BARCELONA “SOUL OF THE STREETS”

El Borne, Encants, El Raval, Gracia, Gothic Quarter, Sant Marti

MOROCCO

SAHARA

PORTUGAL

ANDALUSIA

BARCELONA

PROVENCE

Our Barcelona 6-Day Soul of the Streets Photography Workshop is part of a series designed specifically for enthusiasts and aspiring street photographers. This photo tour is designed to run individually or back-to-back with our other European Street Photography destinations; our guests have the option of extending their experience in street photography beyond Barcelona.

Barcelona is one of our favorite destinations due to its abundance of photo opportunities; Barcelona is one of Europe’s premier destinations for the global traveler and one of the first destinations incorporated by PWA. While many associate Barcelona with its Modernist architecture, and in particular works created by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, there is so much more to offer the photographer seeking to create candid, spontaneous images out on the street. Likewise, thanks to wonderful backgrounds for adding context, environmental portraits play a large part in our shooting experience.

For street photographers, Barcelona will not disappoint. Thanks to an open and friendly society, the locals are some of the most engaging subjects found anywhere in the world. The city is home to a multi-cultural society while also proudly retaining its Catalan traditions. From tattoo-clad youngsters on skateboards to market traders sharing kind words with elders, Barcelona offers an extraordinary insight into the lives of its residents. Each neighborhood has a unique footprint, though they somehow manage to harmonize.

Wandering around the various districts, it quickly becomes apparent how diverse the various classes and backgrounds of the locals really are, yet all call this dynamic, vibrant, and engaging city, home. Likewise, the contrast from wide-open boulevards to the labyrinth of tiny pedestrian streets makes for the most wonderfully photogenic contextual backgrounds. The right light is vital to illuminate our subjects, and the itinerary has been carefully designed to capture scenes according to their location during optimal lighting conditions.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light but also to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not only go home with images to be proud of but also use your newfound skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.

In addition, you will learn how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region, and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas, and great fun. We cannot think of a better location to express your creativity than the dynamic city of Barcelona.

Barcelona is one of our favorite destinations due to its abundance of photo opportunities; Barcelona is one of Europe’s premier destinations for the global traveler and one of the first destinations incorporated by PWA. While many associate Barcelona with its Modernist architecture, and in particular works created by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, there is so much more to offer the photographer seeking to create candid, spontaneous images out on the street. Likewise, thanks to wonderful backgrounds for adding context, environmental portraits play a large part in our shooting experience.

For street photographers, Barcelona will not disappoint. Thanks to an open and friendly society, the locals are some of the most engaging subjects found anywhere in the world. The city is home to a multi-cultural society while also proudly retaining its Catalan traditions. From tattoo-clad youngsters on skateboards to market traders sharing kind words with elders, Barcelona offers an extraordinary insight into the lives of its residents. Each neighborhood has a unique footprint, though they somehow manage to harmonize.

Wandering around the various districts, it quickly becomes apparent how diverse the various classes and backgrounds of the locals really are, yet all call this dynamic, vibrant, and engaging city, home. Likewise, the contrast from wide-open boulevards to the labyrinth of tiny pedestrian streets makes for the most wonderfully photogenic contextual backgrounds. The right light is vital to illuminate our subjects, and the itinerary has been carefully designed to capture scenes according to their location during optimal lighting conditions.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light but also to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity so that you not only go home with images to be proud of but also use your newfound skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity.

In addition, you will learn how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region, and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas, and great fun. We cannot think of a better location to express your creativity than the dynamic city of Barcelona.

Group Size

4-8 Guests

Experience | Difficulty

  • Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
  • All cameras and camera phones are welcome
  • Moderate schedule
  • Travel by metro or car
  • No elevation changes and lots of walking
  • (non-photographers also welcome)

Weather | Sun

September – Temps 86/75 F 30/24 C Sunrise 7:23 | Sunset 8:13 (20:13)

Includes

  • 6 Days
  • Travel, Street, people and urban photography
  • Professional photographer | guide
  • Photo walks & discussions
  • Small group size (4-8 guests)
  • 4-star hotel
  • Breakfasts
  • 2 Dinners or Lunches
  • Local transportation

Travel Information

Arrival & Departure Airport: Barcelona (BCN) – Transfer time to hotel 30min
Our adventure begins at 11 AM on the first day and ends at noon on the last day.
Travel Visa: A visa may be required depending on your nationality. Go to iVisa to find out.

Accommodations

Barcelona – Pulitzer Hotel, Hotel Banys Orientals, Acta Atrium Palace or similar

Helpful Links

> Photographing Modernist Barcelona – by Laurie Cohen 

Photographer Leader

Photographer Leader

Laurie Cohen

September 7-12, 2024
September 6-11, 2025

*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

Barcelona 6 Days

Day 1 | Barceloneta - El Borne

We will meet in the morning at our hotel in Barcelona, where we will introduce ourselves, discuss the days ahead, and discuss our photographic goals. As the workshop is specifically designed for street photography, we will briefly go over how the time will be used each day, the etiquette between the other photographers in the group, and how taking candid photographs of strangers is perceived by the locals of Barcelona. As avoiding harsh light is crucial to capturing subjects at their best, our days will consist of shooting based around the morning golden hour and afternoon golden hour to capture scenes full of shadows, contrast, depth, and saturated colours. After sunset, we will take advantage of the lower light levels by adding movement with slower shutter speeds. We will take a few hour’s break in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest.

We start our day by heading to the beachfront through the famous Las Ramblas. Strolling down this pedestrian boulevard at our own pace, we will become acquainted with our environment while getting into our stride for the days ahead. Street photography usually requires many potential subjects wandering around. As the Ramblas cuts through the Raval and La Ribera districts, the large quantity of pedestrian traffic crossing through it beckons us to start shooting.

Arriving at the seafront in the Barceloneta district offers a glimpse into the lives of the locals as they exercise along the palm-lined promenade and relax at the beach by the Mediterranean Sea. Barceloneta has an interesting mix of urban decay and urban renewal that makes for some great contrasting scenes. During lunch at one of the local restaurants overlooking the port, we will go over the fundamental principles of street photography, styles, techniques, camera settings, and how to approach our subjects in a variety of situations.

In the afternoon, we will head to one of our favorite neighborhoods for street photography. The Borne district is a myriad of narrow, Medieval streets lined with tall residential blocks. Designer boutiques, cafes, art galleries, restaurants, and markets make this area visited by locals from around the city as well as the locals that reside here. In Medieval times, parts of the Borne were actually located at the shoreline. Due to a shortage of space, a landfill was added to extend the city into what is now the Barceloneta neighborhood. With wonderfully decayed backgrounds together with the directional late afternoon light, the avid street photographer can be rewarded with stunning images from the Borne. In the evening, we celebrate with our Welcome Dinner at one of our favorite local restaurants. (D)

Day 2 | Arc de Triomf - Encants - El Raval

On day two, we start the day with a pleasant walk through the wide boulevard leading up to the Arc de Triomf – the gateway for the World Exhibition. Located on the Passeig Lluis Companys, the huge Modernist-style lamps lead up to the structure itself. The stark red brick of the arch is adorned with sculptural motifs evocative of the neo-Mudejar style at the time. An early example of Urban Modernism, this predominantly brick structure, adorned with decorative tile and wrought iron, has an interesting Moorish style. The early morning light creates long shadows as the locals pass by the saturated red bricks.

Continuing our itinerary, we arrive at the Encants market. One of the oldest flea markets in the world, it has been running continuously since the 14th Century. Until 2013, traders would lay out their wares in a chaotic mess in a designated open area. Since then, the market has been transformed into one of Europe’s most impressive buildings. This purpose-built 3-storey structure has a roof like nowhere else. Set at different angles, an amazing mirrored canopy covers 500 stalls, a mix of antiques, books, ornaments, clothes, furniture, and just about every item of junk you can think of. This location makes for a great morning of photographing the locals in a wonderfully photogenic location. The flea market makes up part of Sant Marti – the district with the most recent urban development and transformation of the former industrial area of Poblenou.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Raval – Barcelona’s oldest district. Situated on the south side of the Ramblas, the Raval was located within the city walls until they were knocked down in 1859 as the city began to expand. In contrast to the Eixample neighborhood with its perfectly placed octagonal buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and Bentleys parked in front of top-designer stores, the Raval is typically known for its large-scale immigration, poverty, and other social issues. Unsurprisingly, this makes the Raval probably the top location for street photography in the city. Laundry-clad facades line winding, narrow streets. Graffiti seems to be everywhere, as are the amazing photo opportunities.

One of our favorite hangouts is outside the MACBA [Modern Art Museum]. An open plaza with pedestrians passing through, skateboarders come to meet and practice their skills in front of the glass facade. Behind this building, you will explore another great spot where people add scale to an impressive blend of classical and modern architecture at the CCCB [Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture]. But just wandering around the residential areas, searching for directional lighting at the numerous intersections, composing little elderly ladies in front of urban decay as they come back with their groceries from the market to a friendly chat before photographing tattoo-covered subjects that are often willing to oblige to be photographed – the Raval is the kind of location that you can return to time and again. (B)

Day 3 | Gothic Quarter - La Boqueria - La Ribera

On day three, we start early at the Gothic Quarter during the morning Golden Hour. This district is especially beautiful at this time of day when the light makes the wonderful stone architecture glow. Deep shadows and directional lighting create depth and atmosphere. These types of backgrounds are best suited without crowds of people but rather picking out individuals when they pass into pockets of light at the decisive moment. Historical documents claim the true history of Barcelona began right where the Gothic Quarter stands today because this is where the Romans laid claim to the land and built their first settlement, which was fortified by the addition of a thick wall that rose to a full 60 feet and boasted 78 towers. Within the Gothic Quarter lies the old Jewish Quarter [known locally as El Call], and is notable for containing the oldest Synagogue in Europe. As well as housing the Santa Eulalia Cathedral dating back to the 13th Century, the Gothic Quarter retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into quaint open Plazas. The Gothic Quarter is undoubtedly Barcelona’s most photogenic section of the city.

When the light gets harsh, we will head to the famous La Boqueria market at the Ramblas. Local farmers have been trading here since as far back as 1217. Initially a meat market, by the 14th Century, farmers sold their products here that were grown around the villages surrounding Barcelona. Today, it stands as one of the world’s premier markets with its excellent scope of quality local and international gastronomic products. Apart from the enormous variety of fresh products on offer, there are some excellent tapas bars located here. It’s not every day that you see people dining as a butcher passes by with a Jamon slung over his shoulder. As the light is lower inside the market, it is also a great place to practice adding movement to our shots. The fun, dynamic, and lively Boqueria Market is an excellent location for environmental portrait photography.

Making use of the wonderful light during the afternoon Golden Hour, we will wander through La Ribera and explore the labyrinth of cramped residential areas. La Ribera is one of the areas of the quarter of Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i La Ribera of Ciutat Vella [the Old City]. This is the perfect area to go over the various camera techniques and settings that we have learned to date. Due to the fast-paced nature of street photography, deciding which settings to use and consequently navigating around the camera quickly means there is a lot to learn. We aim to simplify the process and help you take control of the camera, as well as show you the importance of patience, predicting a scene, engaging with your subject, and being confident in your surroundings. (B)

Day 4 | Gracia District - Eixample - Gothic Quarter

On day four, we will head to the metro station and the Gracia district. Dating back to the 17th Century and previously a separate village outside of Barcelona, Gracia was integrated into the city when the Eixample was constructed. Gracia is known as the most authentically Catalan neighborhood of Barcelona. In contrast to the multicultural districts located around the center, Gracia is known for its Catalan traditions and celebrations. The Catalan language is spoken far more here. Even the restaurant menus are often only written in Catalan. Likewise, you will see more pro-independence flags and graffiti here than anywhere else in the city.

Gracia residents make up a surprising mix of older people, young families, pro-independence nationalists and anti-establishment youth, known locally as Okupas. This quaint district is self-sufficient in its unique way. Markets, stores, cafes, and restaurants abound, and you get the sense of a village environment compared to the bustle around the Ramblas. Our morning will be spent wandering around the area, searching for subjects that reflect this authentically unique district. Gracia is better for picking out and isolating individual subjects than the busier and more crowded areas of Barcelona.

From Gracia, we will walk down through the Eixample district – Barcelona’s iconic stretch of the city between the Old Town and the smaller residential neighborhoods. Perfectly symmetrical octagonal blocks cover the entire area, creating a grid pattern of long streets with intersecting corners created for horse carriages to park in order to alleviate traffic. The tree-lined streets, together with the diagonal street [known as Diagonal] that cuts through the entire maze of the city, are a hallmark of Barcelona.

Mixed lighting, incredible backgrounds, and a myriad of cycling lanes create significant opportunities for panning shots of the cyclists – one of the most popular forms of transportation for the local residents. Continuing on our walk, we arrive at the famous Paseo de Gracia, the beautiful wide boulevard that is lined with high-end fashion stores, chic restaurants, and upmarket apartments. This street also contains some of the most famous landmarks, such as Antoni Gaudi’s Casa Battle and Casa Mila. Modernism is found throughout and provides excellent contextual images of chic fashion aficionados that pass by our frame.

As blue hour approaches, we will head out with our tripods to capture the Gothic quarter at night. This district is a favorite for many photographers when capturing images during these lighting conditions. Electric blue skies and the texture of the stone walls are emphasized when the street lamps turn on. Using slow shutter speeds together with the atmospheric backgrounds and directional lighting allows for movement in our shots – perfect for including people in motion when adding an artistic element to our frame. (B)

Day 5 | Sant Marti - Forum

On Day 5, we head through the neighborhood known for the old textile industry. Sant Marti is the neighborhood that flanks the northern sector of Barcelona and is continuously going through a complete reformation. Here, you will see the contrast of urban decay in the old textile factories and apartment blocks that housed blue-collar residents, contrasting with some of the city’s most avant-garde and striking architecture. Young, hip, tech employees arriving to work, mixed with locals that have resided here for generations against backdrops of some of the most ultra-modern architecture that can be found in this district. Likewise, some of the city’s most amazing street art is located here, thanks to the emergence of renowned artists using the old facades of factories as their canvas.

Life revolves around the highly modernized Diagonal Mar. Towards the end of the 20th century, the city made an emphasis on the redevelopment of the Poblenou district within Sant Marti. The influx of companies developing new technology, such as renewable energy, has created a base in this District, together with modern hotels, cool design spaces, and shopping areas. Using the ultra- modern architecture that lines the Diagonal Mar street as a backdrop, and thanks to the concentration of workers and residents in Diagonal Mar, make for good street photography opportunities and eventually arrives at the district at the end of Diagonal Mar, known as the Forum.

The Parc de Forum is the open area by the seafront that contains ultra-modern architecture, including the stark white Telefonica building, the blue triangular Forum building, and the Photovoltaic Pergola. The huge solar energy roof aligning the coast is one of the latest hallmarks of the city. The stunning architecture in this area makes for great images emphasizing scale, where subjects in negative space also incorporate context in the hi-tech architecture. Likewise, the Forum building, with its striking textured blue facade, makes for the use of color in compositions.

In the evening, we will spend time going over our selected images to date. We believe that critiquing our images will help us understand what makes an image stand out from the crowd. Being self-critical and striving for quality rather than quantity is crucial to becoming a successful street photographer. We will enjoy our farewell meal at one of our favorite restaurants serving traditional Catalan cuisine. (B) (D)

Day 6 | La Ribera

On our last day in Barcelona, we will take advantage of the early morning light by heading out early to visit other sectors of La Ribera. This myriad of tiny streets makes up the labyrinth of the Old City that feels like a maze with absolutely no urban planning involved. And this is precisely what gives the neighborhood its unique charm. As the sun rises, the light filters through the narrow streets, creating fantastic scenes full of contrast and depth. This makes for a variety of photo opportunities, from using telephoto lenses to isolate subjects at the precise moment to wide-angle lenses to include amazing street art and urban decay.

As our morning photo walk on our Barcelona adventure comes to an end, we will exchange contact information and bid you farewell. Some in our group may extend their stay by joining us on our optional 2-day itinerary that is based on photographing the stunning architecture and heritage sites. (B)

(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (E) Excursion

 

May all who come as guests... leave as friends®

 

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OPTIONS AND BENEFITS

Pricing

All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in boutique hotels in the 4-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels which offer cultural, historic and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. Breakfast is included only if included in our room rates.

Private Guided Adventures

We offer amazing private guided photo adventures, cultural tours and vacations for individuals, couples, families and groups. We can customize any of our published adventures, as well as others, to meet your individual needs, schedule, budget and interests. This may include the finest 5-star accommodations, business-class travel, and private guides and fixers who are able to make the impossible possible. If you are not interested in a photo-centric vacation, but you love our approach to private travel, we will be happy to design and deliver an amazing adventure focused on travel, culture and cuisine. Click here to request a quote. Feel free to call us at 1-888-834-0288 or contact us for more information.

Travel Insurance

We offer travel insurance through the internationally recognized Travelex Travel Insurance Company, as well as evacuation and medical transportation insurance through MedJet, one of the best in the industry.

The cost for travel insurance can be as low as 4% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason. Travelex Insurance Services is a BBB Accredited business with an A+ rating. Click here to learn more about why you should consider travel insurance.

Rewards Program

Start earning points today and SAVE $200 - $900 off future trips!
Simply register for one of our amazing photo adventures and begin earning points today!

How The Program Works
For every adventure reservation you make with Photo Workshop Adventures, you earn valuable points which you can redeem on your next trip. This is a great way to save up to 8% off future trips. Our Rewards Program is designed with three tiers: Orange, Gold and VIP Members. Points may be applied towards balance payments on your next trip, or you may choose to accumulate points for a free trip in the future.

ORANGE REWARDS
All guests begin with our Orange Rewards Program (Level 1), which earns 4 points for every dollar you spend. You begin earning points immediately after your first trip. A $5,900 spend earns 23,600 points with a value of $236 USD.

GOLD REWARDS
With our Gold Rewards Program (Level 2), you earn 6 points for every dollar you spend. Orange Members who reach 120,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 4-6 trips), automatically move up to Gold Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 35,400 points with a value of $354 USD.

Additional Gold Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers

VIP REWARDS
With our VIP Rewards Program (Level 3), you earn 8 points for every dollar you spend. Gold Members who reach 350,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 8-12 trips) move up to VIP Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 47,200 points with a value of $472 USD, (8+/-% discount).

Additional VIP Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
  • Ability to Gift or Transfer points to others
  • Receive complimentary airport transfers at the destination location*

Redeeming Your Points
Redeeming your points couldn’t be easier. You can always log in to your account to check your points balance. When you are ready to book your next trip, register and pay your deposit. When you go to pay your balance you will be given the option to apply your points and receive a discount.

THINK ORANGE Magazine

Subscribe to our Think Orange Magazine and eNews. THINK ORANGE is a wonderful mix of stories and tips related to travel, photography, adventure, culture, art, technology, cuisine, lifestyle, people and more. Our objective is to immerse you in a world you may only fantasize about. Raise your awareness and inspire your creativity. Perhaps even help make you a better photographer. We deliver similar experiential experiences that our guests enjoy on our photo adventures. Like all of our adventures, our blog is “photo-centric”, while also allowing you to experience all the nuances and cultural aspects of travel and adventure. Welcome to our world. We hope you enjoy. Our eNews is a great way to receive information about upcoming photo adventures, exciting new destinations, photography tips, special offers and more. Subscribe today!

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Give someone you know a Gift Card, good toward any of our Photo  Adventures, Photo Tours, Private Guided Tours, Online Courses, Prints or Merchandize. Our beautifully personalized eGift Cards and Certificates are delivered to you electronically. They are fully transferable and have a 2 year expiration date. They are available in any amount from $100 to $5000. It makes a great gift for anyone who loves photography, travel or adventure. Order now, or email for more information.

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