I Dislike Tour Groups, a photo from Barcelona, Catalonia

Photographer's Note

As the title suggests, I really don't like having to book a Tour - but sometimes its the only option.

Here we have the beautiful Concert Hall Palau De La Musica in Barcelona. The stained glass on the ceiling is a main highlight.

It really is stunning, any photo just won't do it justice.

Sadly for us photographers, the only way to visit this place is by booking a tour. So as you could imagine, you're limited in time to get the photos you want. Not to mention there always seem to be people standing in your point of view - and not in a good way. I find it incredibly annoying.

And for those who know me well on TE, I am very obsessive when it comes to composition and I take a long time to set up my shots. So this is certainly not my way to capture photos...but what can you do.

I thought I'd start by uploading a simple straight forward wide angle shot, and then perhaps post a couple of abstract/creative shots.

In the WS is a quick snap shot I took of this same scene when all the people left, and I got yelled at by the tour operator for holding up the group....sigh...my goodness.

PaulVDV, pierrefonds, COSTANTINO, jemaflor, pajaran, Fis2, holmertz, aliabazari, ikeharel, jean113, adramad ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

Tue (92322) 2022-05-12 14:21

Hello Craig,
Great photo of this concert hall with its many abundant decorations, like the chandelier in de middle and the vaults and columns. I really like the symmetry and the tour guide is standing really nicely in the middle like a conductor.
Lars

lousat (139220) 2022-05-12 14:31

Hi Craig,group tours have their advantages and disadvantages, they are often indispensable, especially the guides explaining things we would never have noticed when visiting the place on our own. Of course, there is no freedom and time to photograph, but I also often make my travel companions angry by wasting time..ehhee..an example of this is your photo, I have been to Barcelona twice but I have never visited this fantastic place..2 photos with or without people certainly very nice even though you were not satisfied.Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (62880) 2022-05-12 14:51

Hello Craig,
When you are part of a group, you do not have enough time to take a decent photo and also to hear the explanation of the guide.
Sometimes you can only take good pictures while the guide and the rest of the group have already moved on. So you have to choose between taking the best photo or following the information the guide gives.
But a group tour can sometimes be the only way to get in somewhere or to combine some hard-to-reach places on the same day.
But neither will it ever be my preference.
Wonderful photo of a fantastic interior.
Best regards, Paul

pierrefonds (114395) 2022-05-12 15:28

Hi Craig,

The tour guide has the attention of the visitors. The point of view is showing the details of the Concert Hall Palau De La Musica. The surrounding light is giving good colors rendering. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Periko (9107) 2022-05-12 21:46

Hi Craig
I agree with you, I don't like groups either.
The photo is excellent, in my opinion.
Beautiful interior.

Tfs

Silvio1953 (221525) 2022-05-12 21:57

Ciao Craig, great perspective on fantastic interior, excellent exposure, good clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

COSTANTINO (116421) 2022-05-12 22:47

Hello dear CRAIG AND HAVE A A PLEASANT
WEEK END
I red carefully your useful notes
and I am feeling so sad reading
that the only way to visit this
place is by booking a tour so you re limited in
time to get the photos you wish...
it s a great pity indeed
regards
costantino

jemaflor (147076) 2022-05-12 23:37

Hi Craig,
I agree, but sometimes the visit with a group is the only possibility and why not ... very well taken from tis POV, good effect with the curves, perfect light management, so beautiful interior with these mural and ceiling decorations, tfs.

Fis2 (170693) 2022-05-13 0:35

Witaj Craig!
A very nice photos.
Wonderful interior, excellent framing, colors and light.
I like it.
I know that pain...
Warm regards.
Krzysztof

holmertz (102650) 2022-05-13 3:04

Hello Craig,
If an organized tour was the only way to see this concert hall, then it was worth it, despite the disadvantages. It's a fantastic room and this wide angle shot gives us a good idea of its impressive size. And I don't really mind the inclusion of the tour guide and the persons surrounding him. A room like this is really meant to be filled with people. Apart from that I fully share your dislike of tour groups.
Best wishes,
Gert

aliabazari (22127) 2022-05-13 8:22

Hello craig
Beautiful view of this concert hall. Clarity and lighting done well. Good combination. The workshop view shows well. Thanks for sharing

GyurMaster (24818) 2022-05-16 1:03

Hello Craig,

Yes, crowd can be annoying, but sometimes they are useful. Just like in this case. You managed to get the most of the situation with the tour guide in the centre.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

kasianowak (17676) 2022-05-17 11:12

Hi Craig
Beautiful photo and a wonderful interior with so many eye-catching details. It's a bit inconvenient having to look at it on a phone screen but, hopefully, when I get back home, I'll be able to have a second look. Lovely colours and I like the way you cropped it too.
I'm of course not surprised Gert prefers the version with people. 😁 I like them both and I think it's good to have an opportunity to have places like that to oneself. Like you, I hate organised tours but sometimes one has no choice. I've been to places I wouldn't have been able to reach without a group. There are whole countries you can only visit with organised tours. Of course my favourite tours were the ones where I was a "group" of one, like my trips to Bhutan, North Korea and Afghanistan. But I have visited a few other places with real groups, like a safari in Tanzania.
Great work, keep them coming.
Kasia

jean113 (27847) 2022-06-08 10:26

Hello Craig, we like to see people animating a scene sometimes, but here, I prefer the w/s shot with the empty hall.
It is a magnificent building.
Love the symmetry of your composition.
Being shouted at! Ooh!
Kind regards, Jean

emka (158092) 2022-06-15 22:31

Hello Craig,

I haven't seen such composition from Palau De La Musica and I like it very much Fantastic ceiling, I like this ellipsoidal view of the balcony. Excellent symmetry.
As to the traveling with the groups. It has advantages and disadvantages. As I do not drive a car, sometimes it is the only opportunity to see some places. With the system that you have earphones, you can hear explanations and be away from the group. Besides, when traveling with the groups I met many people who became my friends and I am in contact with them.
During the pandemic, I felt safer with the groups in case of unexpected restrictions. Now I travel alone again.
I liked most to travel with my husband. But it is the past now :(.
Best regrads MAlgo

adramad (72970) 2022-06-17 10:56

Hi Gert.
I understand very well how frustrating it is to visit such beautiful places in a group, also now with mobile phones everyone is a photographer ...... but the last straw is what has happened to me this year on a trip, you visit a Super wonderful mosque in Abu Dhabi, with a guide and many people, the guide takes you and you stop at photographic points, delimited with ropes and you can only photograph and quickly from there, it is strictly forbidden outside and you have to do this together with thirty other people, Horrible.!!!
Sharpness, lighting, color, and magnificent composition; They are managed perfectly, in this beautiful image.
Good work. I like it a lot.
You have a good day. Very best regards.
Luis.