Rodney Campbell's Blog

We headed up to the roof at sunrise to have a quick low level flight above the us with a glorious view over Barcelona as the sun rose.

DJI Spark - FC1102 + @ 4.49 mm, 1/50 sec at f/2.6, ISO 100

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

DJI Spark - FC1102 + @ 4.49 mm, 1/80 sec at f/2.6, ISO 100

DJI Spark - FC1102 + @ 4.49 mm, 1/60 sec at f/2.6, ISO 100

A nighttime view from out hotel in downtown Barcelona.

Catalanes Trails

NIKON D750 + 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28 mm, 30 sec at f/22, ISO 50

Sagrada @ Night

NIKON D750 + 28.0-300.0 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 300 mm, 30 sec at f/8, ISO 50

The interior of the Sagrada Família was as expected pretty damn incredible.

Sagrada Familia

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/30 sec at f/4, ISO 100

The church plan is that of a Latin cross with five aisles. The central nave vaults reach forty-five metres while the side nave vaults reach thirty metres.

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/20 sec at f/4, ISO 100

The columns of the interior are a unique Gaudí design. Besides branching to support their load, their ever-changing surfaces are the result of the intersection of various geometric forms. The simplest example is that of a square base evolving into an octagon as the column rises, then a sixteen-sided form, and eventually to a circle. This effect is the result of a three-dimensional intersection of helicoidal columns (for example a square cross-section column twisting clockwise and a similar one twisting counter-clockwise).

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/25 sec at f/4, ISO 100

Essentially none of the interior surfaces are flat; the ornamentation is comprehensive and rich, consisting in large part of abstract shapes which combine smooth curves and jagged points. Even detail-level work such as the iron railings for balconies and stairways are full of curvaceous elaboration.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/30 sec at f/4, ISO 100

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/25 sec at f/4, ISO 100

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/15 sec at f/4, ISO 100

The Forrest

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/30 sec at f/4, ISO 100

Gaudí’s original design calls for a total of eighteen spires, representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ. Eight spires have been built so far, corresponding to four apostles at the Nativity façade and four apostles at the Passion façade.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/13 sec at f/5.6, ISO 500

I’d pre purchased tickets for us to go up the Nativity towers.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/13 sec at f/5.6, ISO 640

The top of the towers can only be accessed by lift, one on each facade. The Nativity facade has fantastic views over the east of Barcelona.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/13 sec at f/5.6, ISO 2500

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

Spiral Down

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/13 sec at f/5.6, ISO 4000

Whilst you take a lift up to the top you must climb down the narrow spiraling staircase around the tower and then eventually to this tighter spiral near the bottom. Be prepared for a lot of steps (around 400).

Curvaceous

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/13 sec at f/5.6, ISO 12800

We’d spend the afternoon visiting Antonio Gaudi’s masterpiece La Sagrada Familia. I’d pre-booked tickets for both entry and also to go up the Nativity Towers.

Standing Tall

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/25 sec at f/8, ISO 100

This is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in world, and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica.

La Sagrada Familia

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/25 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100

Note: These photographs (especially the wider shots) look much better when larger. To see larger versions in an inline overlay slideshow gallery viewer click any of the images.

In 1882, construction of Sagrada Família started under architect Francisco Paula de Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/10 sec at f/5.6, ISO 12800

Relying solely on private donations, Sagrada Familia’s construction progressed slowly and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/25 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100

Since commencing construction in 1882, advancements in technologies such as computer aided design and computerised numerical control (CNC) have enabled faster progress and construction passed the midpoint in 2010.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/20 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100

However, some of the project’s greatest challenges remain, including the construction of ten more spires, each symbolising an important Biblical figure in the New Testament.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/40 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100

It is anticipated that the building could be completed by 2026 — the centenary of Gaudí’s death.

NIKON D750 + 13.0 mm f/2.8 @ 13 mm, 1/60 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100