Blue dusk, golden tower riverbank Seville, Spain
The ancient battlements of the Torre del Oro overlooking the boats and banks of the Río Guadalquivir and Puente de Isabel II, Seville. Image © fotoVoyager 2009.
First of all, let’s get the subject information out of the way. The 13th Century tower was built for the Almohads, Moorish rulers of most of Spain (which they called Al Andalus, leaving us with Andalusia of which Seville is the capital) to control traffic on the river. Today, the tourist cruisers ply their trade up and down the river from here and the rowing clubs sweep their sleek craft under the wrought iron arches of the Isabel II Bridge connecting El Arenal to Triana. In the distant you can see the squat form of the Edificio Torre Triana, one of the few used remnants of Expo ‘92; the site seems deserted and crumbling now, weeds taking over the pavilions and pavements.
Now that’s done we can have a look at why this is a useful stock photo. I’d be the first to admit that this image isn’t the most innovative or radical photo of Seville you could take, but that’s not really what this type of shot trying to do. Designers who buy stock want an image to do a few simple things – make their job easier and their layout look good. A useful library picture is one that tells a story to enhance the mood or message the designer is trying to get across. Here we’ve got strong colors, a tranquil ambience and an easily recognisable location if the message is about Seville. The relatively large area of empty space isn’t a bad thing for a graphic artist, it’s an opportunity to add type or graphics on an evenly colored background. Give designers a helping hand and they’ll appreciate your efforts; clip the top off a model’s head and they’ll pass your work by.
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1 second, f8, ISO200 50mm
12455 x 4000 pixels. Please don’t steal this image, it’s how I make my living.
Plaza de Toros de las Ventas, Madrid, Spain
Storm clouds and sunlight over the ornate arcades of Las Ventas bullring in the Salamanca district of Madrid, Spain. Image © fotoVoyager 2008.
Like so many Spanish and Latin American bullrings, Espeliú’s Las Ventas is a riot of geometric brickwork, tiles, horseshoe arcades and Islamic moorish influences in the Neo-Mudéjar style. Sitting in a fairly unprepossessing neighbourhood, the striking arches and wonderfully colourful illustrated fight posters that are hung around the outside make a visit very enticing even if you don’t quite have a native’s strong stomach for traditional blood sports. Next time I’m there on a Sunday, I’m going; Hemingway’s got nothing on me.
Click on the image to buy it as low cost royalty free stock.
1/125, f9, ISO200 20mm
6300 × 2684 pixels. Please don’t steal this image, it’s how I make my living.