This is the first blogpost I’ll be uploading containing photos from my recent trip to Barcelona. We visited La Boqueria on the last day, which you may think is an odd place to start. Well, I am odd, and it was one of my favourite places to photograph, despite the grumpy stallholders.
La Boqueria is a huge indoor market just off the famous La Rambla in the centre of Barcelona. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations and is usually pretty crowded.
It’s also one of Europe’s oldest markets, with mentions of it going back as far as 1217. And you thought Cardiff market was old, huh?
The actual building it’s currently housed in is a little younger, with construction beginning in 1840. The fish market in the centre of the market opened in 1911, and the roof which is still in place today was added in 1914.
Walking around La Boqueria is an interesting experience. Tourists probably match locals 1:1, some of the stallholders seem to be very annoyed that tourists show up and take pictures – one shouted “Senora! Senora! NO PHOTO NO PHOTO!” at me, which seems so odd. This is one of the top tourist destinations in Barcelona, so you would assume that the stallholders would be used to it by now. Other stalls clearly cater entirely for tourists, with pre-packed fruits in English language packet.
The colours, amount of produce, freshness and beauty of it makes it a dream for photographers, especially someone such as myself who is absolutely in love with food photography.
I only spent about 45 minutes in here, but I took stacks of photos, some of which I present below. I hope you like them, and look out for more photos from Barcelona very soon.
I am going to reccomend your Blog to various associates of mine, I think you are definately on the right track.I found your blog on Aol
Thanks – that’s very kind of you! π
Great! Thanks for the share!
You’re welcome! π
Wow…beautiful pix (despite grumpy stallholders…).
π
Ah, they’re not so bad… I’ve come across worse! Thankyou very much! π
I love the colors in the pictures! You gave me a craving to cook now.
Thankyou! So beautiful to look at, great memories too! π
Absolutely gorgeous colorful photos of all types of beautiful foods! I can’t wait to stop at the market and find something to cook for the evening. I have to admit, it was the figs that caught my eye first.
Do you live nearby? If so – JEALOUS! π Glad you like the photos!
Holy canoli, I’m in awe. Those are such gorgeous shots. I want to go there and just stay in that marketplace all day. Man, what a feast. Simply beautiful.
http://valentinedefrancis.blogspot.com
Thanks so much – it’s an intoxicating place, hope you get to go there some day π
Amazing shots!
Thanks!
I’ve been there too and it’s a stream of color and texture produced by candy and meat…a strage market where eclecticism, commercialism, and poverty converge into a mini global food and tourist spot.
Yes, it is a most intriguing place – I can see why they get a little annoyed with the tourists, but at the same time, anything that encourages people to come and have a look around and hopefully spend has to be good, right?
Beautiful colours and amazing photos – exceptional effect of them all ‘listed’ down together like this. Love it. Am worried about those pears tho; do they look like they’re lined up as offensive weapons to you? π Many thanks for posting
Haha – I’d never looked at them like that before!
So glad you like the photos, I was pretty pleased with them too, just brings back such wonderful memories too π
Wow Wow Wow! This is so colorful and fresh.
Thankyou so much – glad you enjoyed it! π
Loved the big pile of shrimp photo. Made me hungry.
Me too…. and I don’t even like seafood π
gorgeous! i went to barcelona a couple years back and this brings back so many great memories…i hope i can go back someday. great post:)
I hope I can go back someday too! Thanks π
wow, this is so beautiful and colorful π love it and now I’m hungry.. congrats on FP!
Thanks so much! I’m blown away!
I was there very recently and miss it very much. I wish there was something like this in San Diego.
I wish there was something like this everywhere! π There is a local market near me which is quite good, but I would feel scared to take photos in the – the attitude to photographers in Britain is pretty terrible right now…
Beautiful photos!! I love the markets in Spain, all the new things I find and the goodies I’ve now grown accustomed to. La Boqueria is a great one!
Do you live in Spain? Jealous!
Amazing post! π
Thankyou!
Very amazing pics! Love these market pics!
So kind of you to say – thanks very much! π
Everything looks beautiful. I love the figs.
Thanks Aileen – I love the pink flesh too π
Beautiful photos!
Thankyou so much!
These are mouth-wateringly gorgeous. Makes me want to go back!
Me too! π Thanks!
What a beautiful, colorful market! I wanna go!
You should!
Great pics, thanks for thinking about my city for your post. I love bokeriaΒ΄s market, I love going from time to time, it is amazing. Great pics!
Wow – your city – I’m so jealous! I have lots and lots more photos still to come from your beautiful city – please stay tuned, hope I do the rest of it justice!
After seeing the pictures I’m very hungry
I can only look at my post when I’ve just eaten… ha! π
Great photos! I also just blogged about La Boqueria. Such an awesome spot isn’t it?!
Amazing! I love it – I will check out your blog too!
Love the photos! They take me back to when I visited Barcelona in May! π
Beautiful city isn’t it? Got to say, it’s probably my favourite in the world… so far anyway! π
What a beautiful array of delights!
Thanks Antoinette! π
Beautiful pictures!
Thankyou Gema!
Everything is so fresh and perfect-looking! Like it’s all hand-selected and individually transported. Amazing! Can I shop there from now on?
It was so beautiful in there, I probably could have spent another day photographing and come away with another set of wonderful images… yum! π
Fab Fotos!
Thankyou! π
I’m living vicariously through these photos! Everything looks amazing there. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I have tonnes more Barcelona pictures ready to post… just gotta find a spare hour or ten! π
I never understood some “NO PHOTO” policies. Even in the malls in Canada, the salespeople will throw a fit if you take a picture of your friend trying on a silly hat.
Oh well, I’m glad you got some great photos anyway! Looks beautiful. π
No me either – so silly! BUT that said, the attitude here in Britain is so much worse than this, I would be too scared to take photos like this at all in my local market, which is incredibly sad π¦
Gorgeous photos and everything looks SO delicious! The colors are so vibrant and beautiful. Thanks for sharing and congrats on being freshly pressed!
Thankyou so much – I am blown away to be freshly pressed, my emails have gone through the roof! So glad you appreciate them!
I loved it!
I’m Catalan and I”ve been living in Barcelona for a couple of years now. It’s nice to see familiar things being freshly pressed. Thanks!
Thanks! I’m very jealous, I love Barcelona, probably my favourite place in the whole world – I have tonnes more pictures coming up, I just need to blog them! π
Beautiful Pictures! What camera do you use?
Thankyou! I used a Canon EOS 60D for these pictures, coupled mostly with my 60mm macro lens, but I also used the 30mm f/1.4 Sigma lens and occasionally the Sigma 10-20mm lens π
I love Canon. For some reason the lens on ours broke. 400$ to fix it. π¦
Oh no – which lens was it? I have insurance, it’d break my heart if any of my stuff broke I think….. also I can be a little clumsy sometimes!
I’ve been there once, was super-over-crowded in the middle of February! But still lovely,anyway
I was surprised it wasn’t more crowded when we went – it was around lunchtime, but it was October, so I guess most of the tourists were gone π
H-u-n-g-r-y!!!! Now I know why our daughter gained weight in Barcelona:-)
Haha! It is a very tempting place!
Yum! I love this place!! Amazing photos π
Thanks very much! π
I went here in 2009 and took similar photos! I remember thinking it was the brightest, most colorful market ever–and we returned twice for those beautiful fresh-blended juices! Cheers!
I read about it in all of the guidebooks but somehow I didn’t expect it to be THIS good – so jealous of people who live nearby!
Great food and market photos. What a treat for the eyes!
Thankyou, glad you like them! π
Beautiful photos! The colors are gorgeous. I am so happy I saw this post, I am going to Barcelona next year. I can’t wait to visit La Boqueria! I’ll come back for more of your posts from Spain.
Thankyou so much – if you subscribe (you can always unsubscribe later…) you will see all the posts I have coming up, probably at least 3 more π x
Colours are amazing… love the βcandyβ fish!
Hehe – me too! π
My best friend and my grandfather + cousin traveled to Barcelona this year and I heard rave reviews! It’s close to the top of my “must go” list! π Nice pics!
Thankyou so much! It’s probably my favourite place in the world (well, so far… so many more places I want to explore…) You have to go!
Such amazing photos. If you are not a professional food photographer- you should be! They look good enough to eat! (yes, pun is intended…lol)
Aw thankyou so much! I’m not a professional food photographer, but it is one of my (many) dream jobs! π
Just drop me off at the candy shop and forget about me.
Haha… you could spend a while… and a small fortune there huh?
I am a professional food photographer and I’ll tell you that you have a calling that needs to be answered. Food is one of the hardest things to shoot and you have the knack for it. Brilliant work!
Thankyou very much, that is an amazingly kind thing to say! I used to have a food blog, but other projects and so on got in the way – perhaps I need to get back into it a bit more π
I love all of the vibrant colors!
Thanks very much!
Wow , i’m actually going to Barcelona soon & this will be one of the places i definitely have to see. I love the photos . Great work π
Thankyou so much! It is definitely a must-see destination… just be prepared for grumpiness π Totally jealous that you’re going to be there soon, it’s my favourite city!
these are beautiful.
Thankyou so much! π
Fantastic photos!!!
Thanks very much – very kind of you to say so! π
Nice work!
Ask the stall (or boat or house etc.) owner for permission before you shoot – that makes them feel like at least they are part of the process. If you don’t know the local language just point to your camera and give a thumbs up. They’ll get the hint.
That is a good tip – at first I didn’t realise it would be a problem because there were so many other photographers taking pictures… but after I got shouted at, I tried to get eye contact each time! π
Beautiful photos. Very vibrant. I lived in Spain (in Seville) for four years as an early teen. Want to return someday. Thanks for sharing. Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Thankyou very much – I want to return right now! π
The pictures are SO gorgeous. Great job! I’m excited for more π
Thanks! Did you see the photos of La Sagrada Familia I posted? I have tonnes more from this beautiful city still to come… stay tuned! π
Great photos! You gave Barcelona a very colorful picture. ^^
Thanks – glad you like the post! π
Superb post! It reminds me of my visit to Barcelona with my family during my teens. We had lunch at one of the stool-side stalls, serving all fresh seafood. Man was it the most simplistic but yet oh so delicious lunch ever. Dad got a bit of a shock as bill came with a bit of a bite, however we did eat enough food to keep us going all day and he always said “You pay for good food”. Your pictures are beautiful & nostalgic, thank you.
Thanks so much, glad it brought back some happy memories for you. I love Spanish/Catalonian food, would love to go back some day soon and sample some more! π
Lovely photos! I added a few to my food photo collection π Thanks so much for sharing!
Thankyou! Glad you liked them! π
haha looks like its fun to go that place.
It definitely is! π
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more lucsious photo of figs! Thank you for sharing your talent π
Why thankyou – the figs seem to be very popular! You’re welcome – thanks for looking and taking the time to leave a comment… π
Thank you for sharing. I appreciate it. π
You’re welcome – thankyou for looking! π
Amazing! I wish we had colorful markets like that in the U.S.!
I wish they had them in the UK too! π
Wow, great photos. It’s amazing how artists see things this way, I walked through this marker and while it was interesting to look at, you were able to really capture the variety, colors, and interest of the place.
Thanks so much!
Beautiful!!!!
Thanks! π
love these! brought back good memories of barcelona… and thanks for leaving out the lamb heads–those are creepy!
Haha – I must have missed those, sounds odd! π Thanks!
Really great photos…you must have a nice camera? My canon snapshot is not getting it done. I may be heading back to Spain and Europe as a whole for some writing and travel, I will definitely check out this market. Suerte.
Thankyou – I like to think there’s a little bit of talent behind the camera too π It’s a Canon EOS 60D though, in case you’re interested π
When I was in Spain, We went to the South (Marbella, Mallaga, etc.)
The food did not look any thing like that at all, as a matter of fact it was horrendous.
Makes me jealous, unless you are that good of a photographer?
Cheers
-Ron
Ha – I assure you, it was all delicious to look at with the eyes too, no Photoshop trickery going on here! π
I spent several days in Barcelona over the summer…loved taking pictures in this market!! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome… I wish I was back there now! π
I don’t often see figs with such colour, which is what grabbed my attention, cute presentation too.
Very informative post!
Thanks very much – the figs do seem to be very popular π
Omigawd — these are wonderful! I too love food photos, thought I haven’t been able to shoot a market in many years. When I lived in Montreal during my early 20s and was in photography school, i used to love to walk to the Atwater market from my flat and shoot the food. I was working mostly in black and white then, and color adds so much more to food photography. But it was lovely in black and white back then, too.
There’s a very small farmers market where I now live in Sault Ste. Marie in Northern Ontario, but not much to shoot. I may one day next summer drive into town on a Saturday morning and take some shots of the thing, now that I’m so inspired by your work.
Great stuff. Loved that you’re Freshly Pressed because it enabled me to find you. Keep up the great work, and I’ll check back often…
~darren.
And I agree, as a professional image maker myself (I’m the Creative Director/Owner of my own commercial video production company, you certainly have a knack for doing food photography. There’s certainly a market out there for someone as talented as yourself!
WOW! Thankyou! π
love your photos, thanks for sharing… i’ve been there 5yrs ago and it’s one of my favorite places in barcelona..
Me too – loved it! Thanks for the nice words!
Stunning photos. Markets are usually my favorite destinations while traveling because they contain so much life. You’ve captured that notion beautifully with these photos.
Thankyou so much for your kind words! π
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I remember being in that market buying provisions for an overnight train to Lyon years back. what fun! You might enjoy this post on world marketing:
http://raxacollective.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/to-market-to-market/
Congrats on the Fresh Press, these photos really bring La Boqueria to life!
Thanks very much for the kind words! π
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t want you taking pictures… especially of food, that doesn’t really make any sense. I’m glad you took them anyways, because they turned out great and the colors are just amazing! The candies look especially yummy!
I guess they are just a bit fed up of tourists taking pictures but not buying anything – after all, a tourist isn’t really going to be buying a giant raw fish! But at the same time, I think, anything that encourages visitors and potential customers should be welcomed π
Thanks for sharing nice Information.
You’re welcome – thanks for looking! π
thank you for your sharing,i love the city
Me too – I think it’s possibly my favourite π
this market is totaly incredible! and your photos show it!
my photo-expresion of barcelona is here: http://lookorsee.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/made-in-barcelona/
hope you will enjoy it as much as i enjoy yours π
Thankyou very much – I will take a look at your pics later π
very detail oriented pics..
Thankyou for your comment, not sure whether it’s a good thing or not, but thankyou anyway! π
i am so hungry now!
it looks so delicious and full of colours!!
It is amazing! π
the pics are awesome….. many thx for the eye candies
Thankyou for your kind comment – you’re welcome! π
Beautiful and colorful pictures. I would also add that if you’re going there try to eat some tapas at the restaurant/stall called PInoccio, keep in mind it will be crowded so get there early or be patient. Patience usually enjoys a glass of wine or beer – just sayin’!
Thanks! And great tip too π
Great photos, I’m always too scared to take any there, the women of the fish stalls in the middle are especially scary! I’ve been 7 times to Barcelona, usually to coincide with the Primavera music festival but always renting an apartment for the weekend so we can take advantage of the markets to cook for ourselves, it’s not the cheapest market but it’s worth it for the experience.
Yes I agree – it was one of the women from the fish stall that shouted at me, since there were so many people taking photos I hadn’t realised it would be a problem – I was a bit more cautious from then on, looking for approval most of the time. π
Hi Amy
Awesome pics!!!!Loved them all.Even i wanna go to Barcelona……
Thanks Sylvia!
Look very attractive..thanks
That’s a very kind thing to say – thanks! π
It’s one of the most colourful and amazing markets of Spain, but if you go to a little town you can find little markets with the same charm: always fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and meat everywhere. It’s really nice buy there more than in a supermarket. And the merchants aren’t usually grumpy but focus in their work π
Fair point Patricia – I’d love to see some more markets. There’s a market close to my house, but I’d be a little frightened to take pictures there, the attitudes in Britain are not very free.
If you walk until the back door of the Boqueria, where there are not sooooo many tourists you’ll find some great line in bars and restaurants. It’s not a place for a full meal, rather for a tapas selection. Also the products selling there are a little cheaper and it is easier to shop!
π
Oooh – thanks for the good tip, I will try to remember that next time I visit, which I hope will be not before too long!
Absolutely love this place!
Me too – I wish there was something like this near where I live! π
Lovely photos! I was “drooling” as I scrolled down! Haha!
Haha – nice, thanks! π
Wow those are some beautiful photo’s amy! I can’t believe I missed this when I was in Barcelona. But hey, just another reason to return there one day!
Also, I don’t get why he told you not to take photos! It’s fruit, not prototype robots…
Ha – love your comment…. maybe that’s what prototype robots will be disguised as! π Thanks for your kind words… π
Good post! I like it and nice….fish and ok
Thanks a lot! π
Wonderful! I was there like two month ago. So colourful!
It’s such an amazing place isn’t it! π
Very cool and Good Pictures!Enjoyed!:)
Thanks very much – so kind of you to say! π
colorful pictures!!!
so much fresh fruit and cute chocolates! i like them all, hope one day can have a trip there!
I hope you get to go too – it really is a wonderful place! π
Hola Amy,
Wow, extraordinary pictures! Wonderful coulours, too! Have a look at our Oh-Barcelona blog and our article about La Boqueria: http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/blog/2011/things-to-do/shopping/la-boqueria-10406.
If you like we could even consider changing our pictures and put yours there instead (of course with your name and all)! What do you think? Just write a comment underneath and we’ll get back to you. Thank you.
Bethula
for Oh-Barcelona.com
Hi Bethula – If you’d like to use a couple for your website, please do feel free – please don’t take them all though and please include a link back to the site π
Preciosas fotos, Amy. La BoquerΓa es uno de mis sitios preferidos en Barcelona!!!
GrΓ cies!
pictures full of mouth watering colours
Hope you like them! π
Very nice snaps.. I had also missed this when I was in barca a few years back. I guess it was closed on that day. The whole area there is awesome..brought back good memories.
Thankyou! π It’s kinda hidden in plain sight to be honest, you have to be looking for it to find it – it’s just off La Ramblas, but it’s not hugely obvious what it is, or what wonders lie beyond the entrance gate! π Glad you like the pictures – hope you get to go back and explore one day!
Wow… amazing post. Beautiful pictures. I studied Spanish for 5 years and have always wanted to get to Barcelona. You make me feel like I just did! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Thanks Bill – make sure you add in a bit of Catalonian when you go, they really appreciate that (most of the Catalonians don’t see themselves as Spanish and only speak it out of necessity…. π Glad you liked the photos, hope you get to go one day!
Oh my goodness, that is fabulous! There is no shortage of open markets here where we live in the Philippines, but no chocolates, no candies. Ah, I’m fainting! Thanks for sharing.
I’d love to visit the Philippines to see these markets – so many beautiful colours I should imagine, the candies, yes they really are a decadence, but so much skill and so much craft goes into them, the photographer’s dream!
Loved the pictures! I’m an American currently studying in Barcelona and look forward to seeing what else you have to write about Barcelona! π
Oh wow – amazing, I’m incredibly jealous! I have a lot more pictures still to come – did you check out La Sagrada pictures I posted? If you feel like subscribing, go ahead, if not – no worries! Have fun in that amazing city…
Absolutely, decadent. Thank you.
You’re welcome – thankyou for taking the time to have a look around and leave a comment!
You’ve really got some fabulous photos despite the vendors! I was fortunate enough to be there a few years ago and loved it…ate my way through it.
Thankyou π The vendors weren’t so bad in the end – I feel like I’ve done them a disservice, I hadn’t realised so many people would be reading the blog π Let’s just say, we have far grumpier ones here in the UK! π
so beautiful! i love the colours and the detail. you have some fantastic shots.
Thankyou very much – so kind of you to say, glad you enjoyed the pictures! π
La Boqueria is definitely a colorful, mouthwatering, appetite enhancing place. BUT does anyone actually shop there? How do they get through all the colors, forms and beauty and focus on “what’s for dinner?”
Ronnie
Maybe after a while you get so used to the colours that you just get on with it? I saw lots of people buying stuff… .lots of tourists too though! Lots of the restaurants around here proudly claim that they buy all of their fresh ingredients from this market π
Hi,
I have never been to Barcelona, but this post makes me feel like leaving Brussels immediately and going there π Love the pictures, they are very colorful!
Thankyou so much! If you go, I can promise you, you will not be disappointed… this is just the tip! I have so many more photos of Barcelona to come, hopefully they will also inspire you to visit! π
Well, I have just subscribed to your blog, so it’s easier for me to follow π
Awesome! Thanks! π
love the pictures! π
Thankyou for saying so – very kind!
IΒ΄m from Barcelona, and sometimes i visit La Boqueria. ItΒ΄s an amazing places to walk, buy and take pictures but too crowded with tourists, so most of the times i prefer buying in other and smaller markets like “LΒ΄Abaceria Central” in Gracia quarter! Nice photos and blog !
DANI
http://daniplanaslabad.wordpress.com/
Oh wow – that sounds great, I missed that, I was staying in Gracia Quarter too… oh well – never mind, hopefully another time! Thanks for visiting…
Love the close ups and the colors! It takes a market to a whole new level.
Thanks very much, glad you like them, I think the colours are my favourite thing about this set too! π
I went to Barcelona last year around this time and saw some of these same places/items in the market. It is such a beautiful city and I will never forget the experience. What did you think of the Gaudi architecture? I made that my main goal while I was there, to see them all. And eventually made my way to parc guell. The architectural and aesthetic ingenuity is almost unreal. Like I said, I’ll never forget that city… and I backpacked all throughout the Spanish interior.
-Ricky
The Wanderer
http://www.thewandererfl.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/thewandererfl
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Gaudi! If you check out the other post on my blog I posted recently, you’ll see pictures from La Sagrada Familia. I have lots more Gaudi pictures to come, from Casa Battlo, La Pedrera and Parc Guell – I just need to find the time to post them – please do feel free to subscribe if you want to see more (but no worries if not of course!).
Your photos are wonderful. I absolutely love Barcelona!
Thankyou very much – me too, I think it might be my favourite city! π
Love the rich capture of colour in the fruit, the candy and the prawns. It looks so fresh!
Thanks so much – I think it is fresh, well -it certainly looked it in real life too! π
wow i just got loks in a few of those photos. the colors are wonderful!!!! love them. congrats on fpd
Thanks very much – it’s such an honour to be on the front page – so glad you enjoyed the post!
hmmm nice π
I went to this market earlier this year, such an amazing place, I love the little pinox bars (I think that’s what you call them : ) )The photo’s are amazing, really pick out all the gorgeous vibrant colours in that place.
Thankyou very much for your kind comments – so glad you enjoyed the pictures! π
Hi Amy, I love your pictures. I’m just wondering if there’s a difference between people objecting to you photographing their stall (which being in public, seems a bit grumpy and profit motivated) or objecting to you photographing them (which I think is a general issue for photographers). I think the point a previous poster made about asking permission is general good practice if people are involved. Not wanting to stereotype but I guess for some market traders there may be issues to do with immigration status or religious objections?
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Thanks very much – it’s an interesting question. Technically, this is probably private land, belonging to whoever owns the market. I got shouted at for taking a picture of fish – not the woman selling them, maybe she thought I was pointing the camera at her though – difficult to tell really.
At first I didn’t realise there would be an issue with photographing – perhaps a little naive I don’t know – but I saw so many tourists with cameras that I didn’t think about it to be honest. After the woman shouted at me, I preceded a bit more cautiously, looking to get approval first, or snapping and moving on quickly so as not to be in the way. That didn’t stop one of the stallholders physically pushing me out of the way on one occasion though – but it’s hard for me to judge them based on just a few minutes in their presence, maybe they are fed up with all the tourists not buying anything… obviously not many tourists are going to be buying a big raw fish!
Amy
These photographs are beautiful, and what is the fruit in the first photograh called? It’s such a vibrant color!
Thankyou very much – so kind of you to say.
The first photograph is of figs π
Very nice photos, I have many happy memories from Barcelona and visited La Boqueria a number of times. Think I ate more sweets than fruit!
I can understand how that’s easily done! π
Their food display is pretty organized. π
It is isn’t it – especially in some of them. Plus they have seperate sections of the different types of food, such as fish! π
La Boqueria was one of my favorite places in Barcelona as well! I especially loved stopping in for those hopefully freshly squeezed fruit juices. mmmmmm I love your photographs! They’re so beautiful and colorful!
Thank you very much – very kind of you to take the time to say so! π
Wow Real Food!
Indeed! π
Hello Amy! the pictures are gorgeous and that place is magic!
good choice !
Thanks very much – glad you liked the images! π
Really beautiful images! Nicely done. What kind of camera/lens do you use? I just got a Nikon D90 with macro lens and have been experimenting with food photography in a more serious way than my normal attempts. You are inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Heather,
Thanks for the comment. For this set I used my Canon EOS 60D and a combination of my macro 60mm lens (mainly), my Sigma 30mm and a few shots with a Sigma 10-20mm lens. It sounds like with your D90 and macro lens you have a pretty similar setup. The 60mm is a good focal length to still get nice and close on the food without having to get physically close!
Glad you liked the pictures π
Note to self: Add La Boqueria to itinerary for trip to Barcelona next May. Excellent photos.
Hehe – have fun when you go, I wish I was going again! Thanks for the kind comment π
Great pictures. I was in Barcelona on last May for the PrimaveraSound and I spent a whole morning in La Boqueria. You make wanna go back there again now.
Thanks
Thanks! I heard a lot of people rave about the Primavera festival – sounds amazing! π
Really nice shooting ! I love all congratulation
Thanks very much, glad you liked them! π
One of my top dreams is to visit Spain. The photos were beautiful. My favorite were the ones of seafood (nothing like fresh fish, crabs,and shrimp!), and also the sweets. I bet everything was delicious. And don’t be surprised at how blunt the vendor was. Most Europeans (I’m one myself) tend to be sort of rushed, and come off as rude. I hope you enjoyed the trip! Sounds amazing!
http://indiraadams.wordpress.com
http://handreachedout.wordpress.com
Oh don’t worry – I count myself as European too (I’m British) and the attitude here is 10x as bad – I am far too scared to take photos in my own local market for fear of being chased out!!
I love, love, love Barcelona & went to the same market – its amazing! (http://samantha-avena.com/2011/04/28/baarrceeloonaa-pt-1/)
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed and good luck catching up on all the messages hehe.
Sam xx
Thanks – it’s been a challenge catching up with them all, but I think I’ve managed it now! Thankyou for taking the time to comment, it really means a lot to me. I’ll check out your post about Barcelona a bit later, I have a few links sent to me that I need to catch up with π
Amy
Ohh Barcelona’s such a beautiful place! Thanks for posting the history about it and all those photos! I love the colorful markets and the rich history of the area. It’s utterly fascinating!
Do you have any one favorite moment or memory that stands above the rest? Any light-bulb moment of discovery?
Hi!
Thanks for your comment – glad you liked the post π
I suppose my favourite moment was going in La Sagrada and seeing the inside finished, the last time I went there it was just a building site inside, so it was really wonderful, and almost breathtaking even to see it – make sure you to have a look at my post about it! π
Nice shots, and AREN’T the stall-holders SUPER grumpy. We were there on a bad day I think, as we eventually got driven out of the markets alltogether! Which as a photographer is very distressing and down-right aggravating….bUt I get it. It would be like if all the toursits went to Tescos and stood around all day taking photo’s, getting in the way and annoying people!! β₯
I would totally get grumpy too, at the “gawkers” and “happy snappers”, but I purposefully went out of my way to be as quick and efficient as possible, stopping for around 5-10 seconds each time to compose and take the shot and then get out of the way as quickly as possible, always looking around to make sure I wasn’t in anyone’s way – I think that’s the best anyone could do, hopefully, for them it’s paid off this time to let me take the photos as more than one person has commented on this blogpost that they are hoping to visit La Boqueria after seeing the photos π
Me?! Sorry now Im confused!
Sorry Sarah – not sure what it is you’re referring to here?
Mmmmm!!! I was just in Barcelona a few months ago at the same market. I was blown away. Absolutely beautiful food, it makes me happy to see pictures of it. Thanks for sharing :))
You’re welcome – thanks for taking the time out to share your thoughts, I wish I was back there now! π
Barcelonaβs Bustling La Boqueria | Marina Chetner
Estou profundamente agradecido !
wow,it’s great..collorfull and very beautyful..
Thanks – glad you like them! π
You captured La Boqueria just as i remember it! lived right next to it for almost three years ,i miss those years π₯ .Thank u for the lovely pictures
Oh wow – jealous that you got to live there, you’re so very lucky! π Thanks very much for your kind words!
Love your bright and brillant pictures…now I want to visit Barcelona too!
Thankyou very much, and no, I can’t recommend it highly enough – you must go! π
A lovely post on La Boqueria! And congratulations for being on freshly pressed!
I live close to La Boqueria, and shop there whenever I can, but often it is too crowded to be able to move around with my grocery bags, when the aisles are full of people taking photographs and gawking at all the gorgeous produce that is on offer, and honestly, that takes away some of the enjoyment of shopping there…
Imagine if you will: if it is stressful for a local to do their groceries at this wonderful market, imagine how it must be to work there from 8am to 8pm, being photographed from every angle, all day long, and barely being able to cart in more produce because the aisles are jam packed with tourists (you say the tourists vs locals was about 1:1? You were there at a quiet time; it is usually about 5:1) – that is stressful enough to make anyone grumpy!
π
Oh I totally agree – and I tried my best to keep my visit short and sweet, I was in there only 45 minutes, with each photo pretty much composed and shot within just a few seconds so as to avoid getting in the way. I went at lunchtime and it was quiet – probably because it was October maybe? But yes, I can fully understand how grumpy it must be, and so, people who are becoming a nuisance of themselves, standing in the way of real shoppers should be shouted at. But on the flip side of the fence, a lot of people have said on this post that they had not known about La Boqueria before, and now they do – we might find that lots of these people visit the market and spend some of their money there, so hopefully it will have helped in some way.
I also don’t agree with people getting really close to the food to take photos – that’s unhygenic, I kept my distance and did my best to avoid being a nuisance!
Thanks for your comments on the blog, I hope you liked the pictures, and thankyou for joining in the debate π
De amigos especiais direto de Barcelona para meus amigos tambΓ©m especiais do nosso amado Brasil.
Gorgeous photos! I’m so jealous–I’ve always wanted to visit Barcelona.
Thankyou so much – you really should go, it’s absolutely incredible – probably my favourite city!
This is one of the best markets I have been to. A must-go if you ever visit Barcelona.
Hi,
Great post & photos – delicious!
Thankyou very much!
the figs looked magnificent but the colourful lollies were so pretty.
Oh I loved this marketplace, it is truly a work of art. Everything is arranged and displayed so beautifully.
I loved it too – almost rivals all the beautiful Gaudi architecture! π
I like Your Article about Barcelona: La Boqueria | Amy Davies Perfect just what I was looking for! .
These images are beautiful! Especially the fruit, candy and spice shots. Loved them! When you have the time, do drop by relatively new space. I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks very much – I’ll be sure to take a look!
It’s overwhelming isn’t it? I live here and I still get swept away by that market!
And I wouldn’t worry about the No-Photos man – I think after years of having people crowd your stall and not actually buy anything just grates on the nerves of market sellers.
Oh yeah, I totally agree – I just think they don’t need to be *so* rude about it… or they should put up signs at the entrance saying you can’t do it… there’s no where that says you can’t take them, and, when I was there lots of people were taking them so I assumed they were fine with it… after I was “told off” I trod a lot more carefully =) Ridiculously jealous that you live there though, my dream city!!
found this entry randomly on wordpress — all the produce look so yummy!
Thanks very much – glad you liked it! π
I also have visited La Boqueria and it was my favorite place in Barcelona. It is definitely a photographer’s dream. However, I didn’t experience any of the vendors telling me not to take a photo. I have also posted a few pictures….
http://dishingwithdiana.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/la-boqueria/
Thanks for the link – I shall take a look later! I guess sometimes they are not so bothered, other times they are… them’s the breaks I guess π
wow, nice pix…the food market looks better than what we got where i live…wish i can take some of the fruits….looks so good
http://triviayourmind.wordpress.com/
Thanks so much – it makes me very hungry/jealous every time I look at them – wish we had such a delight here too! π
These pictures are beautiful!
http://delinquencyreport.wordpress.com/
Thanks very much for your kind words, really appreciate it! π
Wonderful pictures! You really capture the vibrant colours of the place. I visited there this summer and was enthralled. Thank you for re-igniting some great memories!
Oh you’re more than welcome, so glad you liked the pictures π
Wow! The colors in these photos are so beautiful, it’s eye popping! You definately made me feel like I should pay a visit to that marketplace too.
Thankyou – so kind of you to say…. and yes, you definitely have to go one day! π
Beautiful shots, and I love La Boqueria, it makes me want to go to Barcelona again.
Thanks so much – maybe you should, I certainly want to go back already… π
great photos! i always love visiting the local markets in places I go to.
Thanks so much, that’s a good tactic, I think I will do the same next time I visit somewhere too π
I am glad I was already eating lunch when I began reading this– otherwise, I probably would have started chewing my hand. Loved it!
Haha – yes, good job! Glad you liked the post, really appreciate the comment π
Love the photos:) Makes me want to go back to Spain…
Perhaps you should! π
Ola! Amydavies gostaria de segui-lΓ‘ !
i’m from barcelona. I’m catalana! great shots! really.
I’m jealous! π Thanks, glad you like the pictures… especially as you’re from the area! π
I loved your blog! I’ve been to la Boqueria and fell in love with it!!
You should try Mercato San Miguel in Madrid (smaller scale but lovely concept)!
Keep it up!
Thanks so much – the Mercato in Madrid sounds amazing, I will add it to my ever growing list of places to visit… will there ever be enough time? Probably not! π
Interesting Blog…
Cheers!
Looks good, i went ahead and bookmarked it on Digg under “Barcelona: La Boqueria | Amy Davies”. Thanks.
You are really talented !! Do you know that ? Stunning pictures. I love your style. A HUGE LIKE !!! (:
Aw thankyou very much for your very kind comments! Glad you like them, have you checked out the other posts I did about Barcelona? If not, just type in “Barcelona” in the search box and it should bring up everything. I have one more post to upload, which I should do today ready for tomorrow! π
Whoa, enjoy your pictures very much. They are truly colorful. One can get a real feeling about the market and the food. Thank you for posting them.
I love your pictures!! congrats!