Red Trousers on the Metro Steps

It was early in the morning on a lovely day in Madrid, Spain. I went out for an early walk to capture the comings and goings of the local population and chanced upon this woman coming out of the metro.

She probably made this journey hundreds of times. Hopefully, she’s still in Madrid.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/640s

Doggy had their hair done

It’s lovely to see well cared for dogs. Shih tzus need so much grooming or their fur gets in their eyes, but this one had a nice bow, and happily walked along a street in Madrid.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length24mm
ISO800
Shutter speed1/320s

The Woman with the Red Fan

A woman walking on the street with a red fan shading her face

She wandered on the street, holding a red fan to block the sun from her face. It was a sunny day, and the sun was shining brightly. But she didn’t mind. She enjoyed the breeze, and the sight. She enjoyed how they made her feel calm, and relaxed. She wore cool, white clothing that contrasted with the colour of her fan. Her gold coloured handbag was over her shoulder, and she held it with comfort. She had nothing to stress, or worry her. She had everything to explore, and discover.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length24mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1000s

Motionless in speed

I watch the subway train speed by, feeling a rush of wind and sound. It’s like a flash of light, but I can see the faces of the people inside. They look like they’re in a hurry or a trance. I wonder what their lives are like.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length24mm
ISO500
Shutter speed1/13s

Unexpected Irish in Madrid

There’s something about people and newspapers that fascinates me. Maybe it’s the contrast between the printed words and the digital screens that dominate our lives. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia for a simpler time when news was not a constant stream of updates and alerts. Perhaps it’s the curiosity about what stories catch their attention and what opinions they form.

On this day I was walking around Madrid, I saw an older man today, sitting on a low wall. He was wearing a cap that said “Ireland”, which made me wonder about his origins and his reasons for being here. Was he a tourist, a migrant, a retiree? Was he really Irish, or just a tourist that had passed through Dublin on the way here? Did he read the newspaper to stay informed, or to escape from reality?

He seemed oblivious to the people around him, who were also sitting on the wall but looking away. They were probably waiting for someone, or just enjoying the warm evening. A couple walked past them, hand in hand, smiling and chatting. They looked happy and in love, unaware of the old man and his newspaper.

The sun was setting behind the buildings, casting long shadows on the pavement. The light was fading, but the old man kept reading. He turned the pages slowly, as if savouring every word. He looked calm and content, as if nothing else mattered.

I wanted to talk to him, to ask him about his life and his thoughts. But I didn’t want to disturb him, to interrupt his peaceful moment. So, I kept my mouth shut as I walked past, admiring his dedication and his solitude.


Apertureƒ/4
CameraCanon EOS 6D
Focal length28mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/640s

On the steps of the Museo Nacional del Prado

I remember visiting the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid and I loved it.

I visited Madrid in 2003 to stay with a good friend for a week. Back then, we only had rubbish 1mp cameras on our phones, if they had cameras at all. I had my Sony F717 with me and with a unique swivel body, 5MP sensor and 5X optical zoom I loved that camera.

Twenty years later and this photo is seeing the light of day. I love how ordinary this photo is. I wonder if that couple in the background is still together. Is the woman with the handbag still living in Madrid?


Apertureƒ/2.5
CameraCYBERSHOT
Focal length9.7mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/125s