A photography destination in Spain

A photography destination isn’t always a sure thing. Just because there’s a famous historic site, it doesn’t necessarily mean conditions will be right or that you’ll be inspired to take great photos. We’re optimists, and, in anticipation of great photo opportunities, we always have our camera with us when we head out the door.

We arrived on the afternoon train in Córdoba, Spain and couldn’t wait to take a stroll -cameras in hand. Almost as soon as we started, it was clear that the old, historic area would be the perfect subject for as many photos as we had imagination and time to take.

Fortunately for us, we had taken off in the late afternoon (approaching the hour of perfect low light), and, best of all, in one of the most scenic places we’ve been. We strolled into the old Jewish Quarter, called the Juderia, when we started taking photos.

Some local residents relaxed in the square. The lemon trees had dropped some of their fruit in the fountain bowl, and the low gurgling action of the water kept the fruit slowly circling round and round the bowl. The pigeons scoured the pebbled plaza.

We thought the photo reflected the tranquility of the scene and showcased the simple design elements: the lemon trees, the checkerboard plaza, the simple pool and fountain).

We looked up at the old window – a perfect Gothic frame.

A glimpse told the story of contemporary Córdoba: an old lane but modern day transport and newly renovated buildings.

We headed further into the old historic area near the city wall. The Romans built the wall to surround the city in 206 BCE. A series of pools dropped in elevation, an elegant solution to move water through the city.

The perfect opportunity came to take a photo. Pedestrians were nowhere to be seen. Only one person remained, and he was so intent on his mobile device that he never saw us take his photo. Having a person in the photo gave a helpful sense of perspective.

The light was getting low, but we didn’t want to stop seeing Córdoba or end our photo outing.

In a few minutes, we arrived at the centrally located Puerta del Puente, translated “Gate of the Bridge”. In the low light and with the bricks almost gleaming with the sun’s last rays, it looked majestic.

The Gate’s construction started in the 1570’s but took 350 years to complete. Still, there’s always more restoration work to do, and the most recent was completed in 2005.

The Gate linked the nearby Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba with the Calahorra Tower on the far shore with a bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River.

We decided to save crossing the bridge for another day and on this night to walk by the most important monument in the city, the Mosque-Cathedral.

Our friend, Jo, snapped a photo of one of the many brilliant doors, and we snapped her.

The loss of daylight ended our outing. We wondered later if Córdoba,’s extensive historic sites were the only places to take interesting photos. The first days of exploration we snapped hundreds of photos each day of those amazing sites. Finally on the last day, we explored the overgrown grounds between the formal gardens of the Alcazar and the river. We were on the lookout – again with cameras in hand – to see what was there.

And what did we find? This grasshopper was just one of many signs there is more to photograph in Córdoba than its historic sites.

For anyone interested in history, architecture, and beautiful small towns, Cordoba was well worth visiting. It also offered an opportunity for taking some fine photos.

 

October 2017