Barcelona with a camera

3 trips to Barcelona in the bag, none of which were photographic trips it has to be said, but I had cameras.

The first one was with an IXUS, the second when I had my 300D with the 24-85USM and the one I've just returned from with the trusty 5D and 24-105 (with the 50mm f1.8 in the bag).

It has an awful lot of scope for photography - the old town has loads of little corridor like streets which over hang like the shambles. Exposing for these is tricky as they are dark yet have bright ends or skies, so something's got to give! I usually get a burned patch as you're really after the street than the bright bit to be exposed.

I'd say La Seu is a must - get a little tripod or gorilla pod, you can take photos inside. It's rammed with people, bloody annoying.

Around La Seu is pretty, there's a few things like the gothic bell towers and the squares that really work

Near by the ramblas is full of people shots - the clowns do want money, do learn to be quick, get a fast focussing lens. I didn't really bother with these much as they've been done to death to be honest.

Placa de Catylunya is better at night as is the Passeig De Gracia - they've got fountains and when lit up are most impressive - during the day they're often just turned off! There's Casa Batillo and La Pedrera up there and they are just bizzare creations, especially the latter. Just amazing what you can do with stone and an imagination.

The most impressive thing you'll see if the Sagrada Familia of course, Gaudi's masterpiece
. Done this 3 times now and it is progressing reasonably quickly though there's still 20 years to go. The stain glass is in place and casts fantastic colours inside the temple. Climb up the towers - rest and take a shot regularaly! The views are amazing.

Park Guelle is a stunner but suffers from people being drapes over all the things you want to photograph, get off the beaten track up top and there's lots of plants, lead lines and interesting stone work. If you want the lizard, then you're in for a wait

There's other places, so many in fact, but if you just did the Gaudii stuff, you'd fill a long weekend (assuming you eat and drink at some point!).

Go to the beach, nou camp, montjuic, monserrat, girona, mnac - all have great views and all very different from each other.

but most of all - enjoy the tapas and sangria!