A Policeman Called Angel: Working in Barcelona’s August Heat

This image was taken for a story about people working in Barcelona during the sleepy, sweaty month of August. It’s funny, looking back, how many of these stories revolve around me in the same context—perhaps I should consider a self-portrait for these articles, as I seem to be the constant in all these pictures!

A Quiet Afternoon with Angel

Angel, the policeman in question, was a genuinely nice guy. His wife is English, and they live in a small, sleepy town outside Barcelona. I arrived during one of those sweltering afternoons when the city seems to be on pause, and he immediately offered me tea—a warm gesture, especially in the heat.

Shooting Outside in the Midday Sun

Taking advantage of the quietness of the hour, I decided to step outside for the shot. The setup was classic: I placed Angel in the shadow and balanced the flash with the strong ambient light. In this particular shot, I really like how the strong shadow plays on his face. Of course, the magazine would likely have preferred a more “smiley” and polished version, but I prefer the rawness of this moment—it captures the heat and quiet of the day.