Madrid – In Photos dot Org

From the Heart of Spain

La Mariblanca, a statue in a large square in Madrid, marks the geographic centre of Spain.

This is what it looked like in 2017, but the area around it has been developed since then and now there’s more places to stop and sit.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/800s

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.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/640s

Arco de la Victoria and lightstreaks

A large triumphal arch illuminated at night. The structure features classical architectural elements, with a prominent archway and decorative sculptures on top, including a chariot with horses. The lighting highlights the details of the arch, and there are light trails from passing vehicles on the road in front of it. Trees are visible on the sides, framing the monument.

Many, many years ago, I photographed the Arco de la Victoria (Victory Arch) in Madrid. I was quite happy to have the lights of passing traffic in the photo too!

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	CYBERSHOT
Focal length	18.5mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	4s

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.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	800
Shutter speed	1/320s

The Woman with the Red Fan

A wopman with a red fan walking on the street. She has a gold handbag. Other people are walking around in the background.

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.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/1000s

Motionless in speed

People on a subway train. Looking at phones or talking, standing, seated.

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.

Aperture	ƒ/8
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	24mm
ISO	500
Shutter speed	1/13s

Unexpected Irish in Madrid

An older man wearing a cap that says "Ireland" on it reads the newspaper. Other men sit near him while a couple walk past. A statue of a horse and rider in the background and a large poster advertising a Netflix show is prominent in the background.

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.

Aperture	ƒ/4
Camera	Canon EOS 6D
Focal length	28mm
ISO	100
Shutter speed	1/640s

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?