Conspectus

Photography by Michael Critchley

Dedicated to my wonderful wife Francine, who listens and encourages and is always there to keep me focused!

What would I do without her?

Conspectus The design and photography in this book are Copyright Š2013 by the author Michael Critchley.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any mechanical or electronic means without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Photography: Michael Critchley Design/Text: Michael Critchley

C

What’s the point of lying in the sun when there is so much to see and photograph in an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar customs and culture.

I’m happy to wander down streets, soaking up the atmosphere, looking for people doing things, a decaying wall on a derelict building site, a shiny lamppost or heaven forbid – people lying on a sandy beach trying to change colour!

Subject matter is irrelevant, just make sure the composition is interesting.

The art is in seeing.

An overview of a Spanish holiday

CONSPECTUS

Dénia, Spain 38°50’34” N 0°6’43” E

The captain of the fishing boat that had just arrived at the wharf as I was walking past.

I stayed for about half an hour photographing the off-loading of the catch.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/320 @ ƒ8

San Juan de los Terreros, Spain 37°20’23” N 1°41’21” W

Acres of vegetables all over Spain are protected from predators by masses of nylon mesh. Once the field has gone passed its use-by-date, these coverings fall into disrepair and take on a surreal, ghost-like appearance as they are blown and swirl about in the wind.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/640 @ ƒ10

Garrucha, Spain 37°10’47” N 1°49’19” W

One of those lucky shots that you see about to happen. I noticed her kicking the ball whilst following her son. Click. Caught between the posts, then gone.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 200 1/1000 @ ƒ14

Dénia, Spain 38°50’37” N 0°6’45” E

I liked the colours in this shot against the grey metallic flooring and the stepping down into the picture of the blue crates of fish that frame his head.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 400 1/800 @ ƒ9

Dénia, Spain 38°50’37” N 0°6’45” E

A crate of squid ready for auction. I like the rich colours and the black inky water.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 400 1/800 @ ƒ7.1

Cala Cerrada, Spain 37°22’28” N 1°37’45” W

I found these two empty chairs in this strange lunar landscape.

(The things we do to change colour!)

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/640 @ ƒ10

Mojácar, Spain 37°8’25” N 1°50’59” W

A simple composition of strong geometric shapes – flat blue sky, white textured wall and a wrinkled blue tarpaulin. Two windows and two drain pipes. Is that a ‘Smiley’ face in the bottom window?

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ11

Cala de la Invencible, Villaricos, Spain 37°15’55” N 1°45’26” W

On the coast in the middle of nowhere is this derelict building that I can only describe, because of the pale blue alcove, as perhaps a private chapel.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/1250 @ ƒ8

San Juan de los Terreros, Spain 37°20’23” N 1°41’21” W

Acres of vegetables all over Spain are protected from predators by masses of nylon mesh. Once the field has gone passed its useby-date, these coverings fall into disrepair and take on a surreal, ghost-like appearance as they are blown and swirl about in the wind.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ10

Dénia, Spain 38°50’34” N 0°6’43” E

This boat was late into harbour and these guys were in a hurry to off-load the catch and get across to the auction or they would miss a possible sale.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/640 @ ƒ8

Dénia, Spain 38°50’34” N 0°6’43” E

Fresh squid from the sea.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ8

Dénia, Spain 38°50’33” N 0°6’43” E

Market stalls closed for the day. A simple composition of strong colours and shapes.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/50 @ ƒ8

San Juan de los Terreros, Spain 37°20’23” N 1°41’21” W

Acres of vegetables all over Spain are protected from predators by masses of nylon mesh.

Once the field has gone passed its use-by-date, these coverings fall into disrepair and take on a surreal, ghost-like appearance as they are blown and swirl about in the wind.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ9

San Juan de los Terreros, Spain 37°21’27” N 1°39’49” W

Home sweet home, dug out of a cliff.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 200 1/1000 @ ƒ7.1

Public Library, Dénia, Spain 38°50’36” N 0°6’26” E

Simple composition with a tile frame.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 320 1/1600 @ ƒ5

Cala Cerrada, Spain 37°22’32” N 1°37’48” W

The heat haze gave an artistic feel to this photo of an abandoned house.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ6.3

San Juan de los Terreros, Spain 37°20’23” N 1°41’21” W

Acres of vegetables all over Spain are protected from predators by masses of nylon mesh. Once the field has gone passed its use-by-date, these coverings fall into disrepair and take on a surreal, ghost-like appearance as they are blown and swirl about in the wind.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/640 @ ƒ10

Cala Panizo, Almeria, Spain Spain is full of wonderful architecture.

The old with rough textures and pealing paint and the new holiday houses with smooth colourful render and metal attachments.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ Ć’10

San Juan de los Terreros, Spain 37°21’40” N 1°39’52” W

A finished estate of hundreds of empty colourful holiday houses is now fenced and guarded by security with dogs. The egg splats are definitely a political statement.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ11

Mojácar, Spain 37°8’25” N 1°50’59” W

I love the white walls and textured render of Spanish homes. “…Mad dogs and photographers, go out in the mid-day sun…”

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ11

Dénia, Spain 38°50’34” N 0°6’43” E

Angles, lines and curves with simple colours of blue, grey and white dominate this photograph of working and pleasure boats.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ8

Dénia, Spain 38°50’34” N 0°6’43” E

Last gasps from these poor little fish. If we don’t eat them, then a whale will, so let’s tuck in!

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/1000 @ ƒ8

Dénia, Spain 38°50’34” N 0°6’43” E

Strong angles and rusty texture with curves of chain and rope, create this composition.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/400 @ ƒ8

San Juan de los Terreros, Spain 37°20’23” N 1°41’21” W

Acres of vegetables all over Spain are protected from predators by masses of nylon mesh.

Once the field has gone passed its use-by-date, these coverings fall into disrepair and take on a surreal, ghost-like appearance as they are blown and swirl about in the wind.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 200 1/800 @ ƒ11

Mojácar, Spain 37°8’24” N 1°50’60” W

The wonderful, old white village of Mojácar, is deserted by its’ locals at mid-day. Even the cats are heading home from the heat.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ11

Águilas, Spain 37°24’20” N 1°34’41” W

Tones of orange, and intersecting grey lines create this composition of steps.

Canon EOS 7D EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ11

Mojácar, Spain 37°8’24” N 1°50’60” W

I enjoy photographing white textured walls with the many layers of subtle underlying colour. One can see where the Spanish artist, Antonio Tàpies, found his inspiration.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/200 @ ƒ11

Mojácar, Spain 37°8’24” N 1°50’60” W

White-on-white. Just slap it on and cover it up.

An interesting, white with black composition.

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ11

Mojácar, Spain 37°8’24” N 1°50’60” W

I like the way the relatively smooth white wall blends into the rougher stone texture.

(Never did find out what the bulls eye meant?)

Canon EOS 7D EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM ISO 200 1/500 @ ƒ11

Conspectus The photographs in this book are a cross section of what I saw on my first trip back to Spain since 1966 – what a difference!

Mainly I was taken aback by the amount of uninhabited new holiday home projects. Perhaps these homes are owned and visited perhaps two or three months a year but it’s a strange site to see along the coast, one after the other.

I enjoyed my trip and would definitely go back again.

Michael Critchley