Picture of Spain

[richardksa]

One of the many comments to Ben´s "worst of" - "Best of" posts this weekend said that the photograph that heads the site is not typical of "real" Spain. "Not all Spaniards dance the Flamenco", I believe I remember him writing.
Now for me it is a picture that perfectly evokes Spain in my mind, but what would capture the essence of Spain in a picture for you?

[Ben]

Very good question - I have been thinking about the same and was thinking of writing about it! I love the picture just because of it vitality and colours, for me that says "Spain" - but yes, I'd love to hear more thoughts!

[omeyas]

A lot seem to take umbrage at this "España de pandereta" image, and while of course it´s not daily wear, as soon as there is a fiesta (and boy, do they have some of those!) they dress themselves and the kids up in all their finery. It´s a sight seen at most of the fiestas. Not sure what photo would be typical of Spain, it´s difficult to think of something that would appease, and be relevant to all the different regions. Something to do with wine maybe? It easy for us, we all wear bowler hats, drink a lot, look like football hooligans! Take your pick.

[Juanjo]

[quote=omeyas;38860]Not sure what photo would be typical of Spain, it´s difficult to think of something that would appease, and be relevant to all the different regions.[/quote]

As a keen photographer, I have often puzzled about the same question- how to depict "España". In the end, it all comes down to one's own subjective view.

So the nearest I have got so far is a late afternoon shot of an almost empty bullring at Ronda. For me it has the symbolism I usually associate with Spain:

* sol y sombra= the two radically different sides of the Spanish psyche, radiant happiness and deep sorrow.

* the loneliness of the empty and uncomfortable gradas that at other times are full of colour, loud chatter and lively movement.

*the clean sand of the rueda evoking not only beaches but also senseless killings still being swept away under the carpet as in the Civil War and the corrida itself.

* a solitary group of Brit tourists recognisable by their loud-coloured shorts, shirts, sandals and sunburn disturbing the tranquility with their incessant "look-at-me-Mum!" noise=the symbolism speaks for itself!.

As I said- it is entirely a subjective view after visiting, researching and loving Spain for nearly 40 years.

Juanjo

[Ben]

Hi Juanjo, I like the idea a lot, but I bet if the image at the top of this site had been of an empty bullring I would have got even more abuse for only showing the stereotypes of Spain.

In the end I think this is all about fear of being stereotyped beyond anything else...

[omeyas]

So the nearest I have got so far is a late afternoon shot of an almost empty bullring at Ronda. For me it has the symbolism I usually associate with Spain:

I know that's a subjective view, but that's why I said something that would appease all the regions of Spain, a bullring would not go down well in the north, a lot absolutely detest the bullfight. And the flouncy Andalucian dresses that appear on so many travel books, magazines, tourist literature etc. As an amateur tog myself, I have many shots of an empty Ronda bullring, and it has much the same effect on me, but I suspect it might not be a popular choice!

[Ben]

So bullfighting is out, sevillanas and flamenco photos are out, I suspect the only thing that could really represent all of Spain and keep everyone happy would be something to do with Spanish food, as long as it wasn't a food only found in one region of course!

[greytop]

Originally Posted by Ben

...something to do with Spanish food, as long as it wasn't a food only found in one region of course!

or meat (upsets vegetarians) or sugary (upsets dieters) or anything else just about as it's bound to upset someone somewhere.
Or you could just accept you'll never please everybody. After all it is not compulsory to visit the site!
Me - I've just been to Denia for churros and chocolate, how Spanish is that!!!

See the Spanish tourist site for an impressive header with changing pictures of various "nice" bits of scenery.

[ValenciaSon]

How about a picture of the King telling Chavez to shut up.

[Juanjo]

Originally Posted by Ben

So bullfighting is out, sevillanas and flamenco photos are out, I suspect the only thing that could really represent all of Spain and keep everyone happy would be something to do with Spanish food, as long as it wasn't a food only found in one region of course!

How about a night shot of the outside of a small bar with a few tables outside surrounded by piles of nutshells and discarded shellfish carcases, most people crammed inside shouting at each other to override the noise from the big TV in the corner showing a an important soccer game? I have seen that sight in nearly every part of Spain over the years- even in small villages in La Mancha. It has the symbolism of enjoyment, doing things in crowds that the Spanish seems to love, noise, TV and soccer.

Juanjo

[eldeano]

I don't know if this particularly captures the essence of Spain but one of my earliest pictorial memories of Spain was that of an aged widow, dressed in black, sweeping outside the house.

I put 'Spain' into a google image search and on page 1, besides maps, there was a poster of a scene with a guitar, a pitcher, a bowl of oranges, a lemon and a fan against a background of a deep blue sky, a white building and a burro.

http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl...-8&sa=N&tab=wi

[ValenciaSon]

Originally Posted by eldeano

I don't know if this particularly captures the essence of Spain but one of my earliest pictorial memories of Spain was that of an aged widow, dressed in black, sweeping outside the house.

I put 'Spain' into a google image search and on page 1, besides maps, there was a poster of a scene with a guitar, a pitcher, a bowl of oranges, a lemon and a fan against a background of a deep blue sky, a white building and a burro.

Because you would have some complain that they don't have oranges in their part of Spain or some such.

[eli_web]

Originally Posted by Ben

So bullfighting is out, sevillanas and flamenco photos are out, I suspect the only thing that could really represent all of Spain and keep everyone happy would be something to do with Spanish food, as long as it wasn't a food only found in one region of course!

Podría ser, pero ¿cuál?¡Es imposible!

Creo que una de las cosas más bonitas que tiene España es su diversidad cultural, así que ¿cómo vas a sacar una sola foto?

[Margot]

Originally Posted by Ben

I love the picture just because of it vitality and colours, for me that says "Spain" - but yes, I'd love to hear more thoughts!

"more thoughts"... vale...Opino, Ben, que te gusta esa foto ¡por 1 razón adicional!
Marina, ¿qué piensas?

[Paquito]

Originally Posted by eli_web

¿cómo vas a sacar una sola foto?

[lenox]

I saw a picture recently that summed up Spain. A rastro scene with an old man sat outside a shop. Around him are pictures for sale including a Madonna and Child thing in a prominent position.

[Finster]

A single shot to capture the essence of Spain, without being stereotypical. A tough challenge to say the least. When I think of Spain, there are a few images that come to mind: the architecture of Gaudi, the running of the bulls, food - specifically paella, and the Picasso drawing of Don Quixote on horseback. I should disclose that I have never been to Spain, so my perscpective is somewhat stereotypical.

[Beckett]

Paquito,
¡Qué malo (y gracioso) eres!

[José Miguel]

Si solo pudiese elegir UNA foto elegiría la de una plaza mayor de las que hay en España, por ejemplo la de Burgos.