Come "behind the shot" with photographer Peter Jonker as he shares the stories behind some of his favorite photos from his upcoming solo book, Barcelona Dreaming.
Peter is a Dutch photographer who grew up near the countryside of the Netherlands and spent more than a decade living and working in Amsterdam. Once he moved to Barcelona, he bought his first professional camera and photography became his true passion. Currently residing in Madrid, Peter is moving back to Barcelona this November.
Barcelona Dreaming is available now at Trope.com and will be available in stores October 28th.
El Raval
This photo was taken in Raval, a neighborhood I haven’t photographed much. Not many people walk around there with a professional camera, but the way the balconies catch the light in these streets really stands out. It’s something I definitely want to capture more when I move back to Barcelona.
Gothic Quarter
The next photo has to be among my top 3 shots from Barcelona. This was taken at Bar Brusi in Barri Gòtic, just around the corner from where I lived. I passed this bar on almost every walk, waiting patiently for the right scene. I must have walked by hundreds of times before finally getting this frame; the man calmly sipping his cortado just feels perfect. Only a month later, Bar Brusi closed its doors, which makes the photo even more special to me. It was such a classic spot that, to me, captured the essence of Spanish life – the colors, the TL lights, simply the whole atmosphere.
La Barceloneta
I really love this photo because of the way the light falls through the street as the woman hangs her laundry on the balcony. It was taken in La Barceloneta on my walk back from the beach. I always like to start the day with an early swim and then walk back with my camera to catch the morning light.
Gothic Quarter - Carrer del Bisbe
This last photo was taken on probably the most visited street in Barcelona: Carrer del Bisbe. It’s a street you usually want to avoid after 10 a.m. because of the crowds, but from late November to late December, the morning light works perfectly here. Being close to my home, I always had a great opportunity to find the right moment (without other photographers blocking my shot). I love this one because the man on the bike is literally caught by the sunlight, which feels so symbolic of how the light cuts through the streets in Barri Gòtic!
Often, I hear people say Barcelona has lost its charm because of tourists and crowds. And maybe they’re right. But wake up early and walk the old city streets while they’re empty, you’ll see the beauty is still there.
Learn more about Peter Jonker and order your copy of Barcelona Dreaming today.