I am guessing everyone was going a bit crazy, but I missed the overt signs of all this.

This isn’t a post about astronomy. It’s about what happens when everyone’s looking the same way.

I was rather complacent and even though friends reminded me and organised groups to view it I still was a rather detached from the whole thing so…

The Glasses Panic

…when the penny dropped, I could not find the needed eclipse eclipse glasses anywhere. I tried every shop that seemed plausible.

Nothing.

I knew if I was with friends I would still get a glimpse but It still bugged me I was so disconnected from the whole spectacle, not to mention from actual… spectacles.

I mean it is August, it is hot and sweaty, and the days seem to go by in a haze, but still it feels like my brain is in its own state of partial eclipse irrespective of all this.

The Photography Debate

One of my other takes was that photographing the actual solar eclipse 2026 was pointless as within a day there will be a billion better images online.

Another take was that if you are watching the eclipse you are missing the surreal experience of the dramatic darkening (I saw the eclipse in the UK in the late 90s).

This seemed to me a fascinating thing to try and capture.

In the Land of the Blind

Something else I guessed and during the solar eclipse 2026 realised was true is that you would be surrounded by people who are effectively blind.

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

Also great for pick-pockets and street photographers.

Montjuïc

The friends chose to go up Montjuïc by bus, I wanted some exercise and walked. The climate is debilitating but I felt I needed to fight it. I got to the Fuente de la Cerra and nearby viewing area quite early.

I was already regretting the ice cold beer that was in the fridge; why had I decided to save it for later!

The Reality of the Crowd

Eventually the gang appeared and we staked out a place near Saint George on his horse.

I thought we had chosen a decent spot avoiding the crowds… yeah… it turns out most people were in no hurry and by the time of the event there was a very large crowd, perhaps a little oppressive in the sticky heat but better for photos?

But I pretty much nailed it regarding the images; very surreal wandering amongst the temporarily blind.

Anyone else ever felt like the only person not on the hype train?

‘Solar Eclipse 2026: Watching the Crowd, Not the Sky’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

Nestled in the heart of Barcelona, Casa Batlló stands as a vibrant testament to the unparalleled genius of Antoni Gaudí. More than just a building, it is a living sculpture, a symphony of light, color, and organic forms that continues to captivate visitors from around the globe. This blog post takes you on a virtual tour, exploring the intricate details and immersive experiences that make Casa Batlló a true Modernisme masterpiece.

The Iconic Windows of Passeig de Gràcia

This captivating image transports viewers inside Antoni Gaudí’s renowned Casa Batlló in Barcelona, showcasing the building’s extraordinary architectural details and the immersive experience it offers. Three individuals are pictured engaging in conversation, framed by one of Casa Batlló’s distinctive wooden windows. These organic, fluid forms are characteristic of Gaudí’s Modernisme style, designed to mimic natural elements and create a harmonious interior. Above the window, vibrant stained-glass circles in shades of blue, purple, and green filter the sunlight, casting a magical glow and adding to the building’s dreamlike ambiance. The clear blue sky and the elegant, classical architecture of Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia are visible through the window, providing a striking contrast between Gaudí’s innovative design and the city’s traditional urban fabric. This scene perfectly encapsulates the blend of historical context and avant-garde artistry that makes Casa Batlló a must-visit landmark for anyone interested in unique architecture, art nouveau, or cultural tourism in Catalonia. The interplay of light, color, and form within this UNESCO World Heritage site offers endless inspiration for design enthusiasts and travelers alike, highlighting Gaudí’s genius in creating spaces that are both functional and profoundly artistic.

Gaudí’s Furniture Exhibition: Form Meets Function

This image offers a glimpse into the captivating interior of Casa Batlló, specifically highlighting an exhibition space dedicated to Antoni Gaudí’s groundbreaking furniture designs. Three visitors are shown admiring the unique wooden chairs and tables, which exemplify Gaudí’s ergonomic and organic approach to design, often mirroring natural forms found in his architecture. The room itself is a testament to Gaudí’s innovative vision, featuring a distinctive textured ceiling that evokes a natural, almost cave-like, sensation, complemented by a large, elliptical light fixture that resembles a celestial body. A prominent neon sign spelling “LOVE” adds a contemporary artistic touch, while historical photographs on the wall provide context to Gaudí’s work and the original ambiance of Casa Batlló. This scene underscores the building’s dual role as both a historical landmark and a dynamic exhibition space, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Gaudí’s comprehensive artistic philosophy. It is a prime example of how Casa Batlló continues to engage and educate, making it an essential destination for those interested in art, design, and the rich cultural tapestry of Barcelona.

The Mesmerizing Blue Lightwell: An Underwater World

This striking image captures the awe-inspiring beauty of Casa Batlló’s central lightwell, a testament to Antoni Gaudí’s innovative use of light, color, and natural forms. Three visitors are seen immersed in the space, gazing upwards at the walls adorned with a mosaic of blue tiles that transition from darker shades at the bottom to lighter ones at the top. This gradient, combined with the reflective quality of the tiles, masterfully simulates the feeling of being submerged underwater, a deliberate design choice by Gaudí to distribute natural light evenly throughout the building. The organic, undulating wooden window frames further enhance this aquatic illusion, while the intricate marble flooring with its geometric patterns provides a grounding contrast to the fluid walls. This architectural marvel is a prime example of Modernisme, showcasing Gaudí’s profound understanding of natural light and ventilation, and his ability to transform functional elements into breathtaking works of art. The Casa Batlló lightwell is not merely a shaft for light but an immersive sensory experience, making it a highlight for any visitor exploring Barcelona’s rich architectural heritage and Gaudí’s unparalleled genius.

Modernisme Conversations: Engaging with Gaudí’s Legacy

This vibrant image captures a moment of discovery inside the world-famous Casa Batlló in Barcelona. A group of visitors is seen discussing the architectural wonders surrounding them, framed by the building’s signature organic forms. To their right, the iconic lightwell wall is visible, adorned with light blue tiles that transition in shade to optimize natural light distribution—a hallmark of Antoni Gaudí’s functional genius. A unique wavy glass partition with horizontal wooden supports adds a layer of texture and movement to the scene, reflecting the “underwater” theme prevalent throughout the house. In the background, an elegantly curved wooden doorway leads to an adjacent exhibition space, where a warm neon sign provides a modern contrast to the historic Modernisme setting. This photograph perfectly illustrates the interactive and immersive nature of a visit to Casa Batlló, highlighting how Gaudí’s 20th-century masterpiece continues to inspire and engage contemporary audiences through its blend of art, nature, and innovative engineering. It is an essential visual for any travel blog or architectural study focusing on the rich cultural landscape of Catalonia and the enduring legacy of Art Nouveau.

Conclusion

Casa Batlló is more than just a landmark; it is an experience that transports you into the imaginative world of Antoni Gaudí. From its dragon-scaled roof to its marine-inspired interiors, every element tells a story of innovation, artistry, and a deep connection to nature. A visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site is not just a tour; it’s an immersion into the heart of Catalan Modernisme, leaving an indelible impression on all who wander through its enchanting spaces. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, an art lover, or simply a curious traveler, Casa Batlló promises a journey unlike any other in Barcelona.

‘Discovering Gaudí’s Masterpiece: A Journey Through Casa Batlló’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

Living in Barcelona means I get the occasional job for newspapers wanting photos of football players.

I have photographed Pique quite recently anda while a go the legend Chapi, as well as Messi, Suarez, etc for sponsors.

For the Lewandowski shoot we ended up in Gava at a the Playa Grande hotel.

As usual we are told time is limited and then the game of how to make sure I get enough time because the writer who is your colleague becomes your mortal enemy.

I broke my cardinal rule which is shooting during the interview.. this leads the writer to think you have enough images.

When I shot Pique I refused to take interview pics and spent the time looking for locations.

Everyone knew no photos had been taken so they begrugingly gave me 15 mins.

If you have scouted a decent location and have tested lighting this can usually suffice.

Anyway back to the present.

Robert was a decent bloke and did not go all prima donna. He had a friend with him who was also a nice guy… and thats when I spotted my opportunity.

I got him to call time on the interview when it looked like the writer was never going to stop.

Whatever it takes to get the shot.

So the Magazine used one of the posed ones which were ok, but today looking through the images I found one shot during the interview that I really like.

A moment of contemplation and the composition caught my eye and so this is my personal favourite.

‘Photographing Robert Lewandowski’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

Ahhhh… La Zaida…

Many years ago, on a train in Portugal, we passed a place without stopping and I quipped;

“It was a one horse town… and then they ate the horse.”

La Zaida has that feel; a place with a population of 500 that might easily be called nondescript… except for a large chemical plant sat facing it.

Its looming towers and the constant roar of air compressors are a backdrop to a place that might otherwise have slipped unnoticed into oblivion.

The Evonik chemical plant, I tried to make it look pretty.

So why was I now standing on a platform, in the sweltering heat and wind?

Because I got a call.

An agency in Germany needed a portrait of a guy (Sergio) who worked at the plant.

This all seemed straightforward enough.

Then I looked up the final destination on a map.

3 odd hours into the Spanish interior, my final destination was a village about an hour south of Zaragoza.

The people at the plant seemed to think it was impossible by train, but I was determined to not have to rent a car.

Like the old classic TV ad used to say ‘let the train take the strain.’

I love an excuse to just stare out a window and day-dream.

Anyway, I was in luck. La Zaida has 2 trains a day and that suited me just fine; the timing was close to perfect for the job in hand.

So, after changing at Zaragoza, I arrived.

I was the only person getting off, and no one was getting on. It felt like a scene from a western.

As already mentioned it was bloody hot. But health and safety regulations meant a lot of special gear.

My shorts and trainers were not up to the job so I was leant heavy duty trousers, heavy duty boots… and heavy duty gloves, safely glasses, and of course a helmet.

I insisted on using lighting, so was lugging equipment up and down ladders and gantries, which was hard work in itself, but the oversized trousers did not help.

They were at least a size too big and the pockets were loaded with lenses and a bulky device that warned of imminent explosions, it also had a long dangling tube that made it look like an un-plugged colostomy bag.

The trousers were soon sliding earthward, like those of guests of the DOC and wannabe rappers.

So, for 3 hours with the constant scream of air compressors (ah yes, mandatory earplugs as well), I waddled around, hitching up my pants trying, at the same time, to take photos.

It really was quite intense. You only realise when it stops how overwhelming the heat, noise and smell was.

Afterwards in search of something to eat and drink I was wandered around the La Zaida, slightly stunned.

I had a case for my cameras that looks a little like wheelie luggage, so as I hunted down the only place likely to be open (ever), people must have thought I was a bat-shit crazy tourist.

Everyone rubber-necked whilst driving past like they were witnessing an accident.

I found the bar and they had no food to offer but… they did have Estrella Galicia! So I ‘ate’ 2 of those and reviewed the photos.

Despite all the discomfort it was kind of fun and the place was fascinating;  a labyrinth of pipes and infrastructure. I could happily of spent half a day there treating it as an architectural shoot.

After ‘lunch’ I got the other train back to Barcelona.

Again I was the only person at a station that has been shuttered for years, I waited in the heat and dust.

It arrived and only I got on and no one (probably ever) got off.

It was very slow train, but passed through some amazing countryside you never see on the fast routes to Madrid and the like.

We followed the Ebro river for quite a while and it’s really impressive.

Fed by a lot of recent rain it was in full flow. The scenery was also fantastic, amazing rock formations and very green thanks to the river.

I had a lot of time to day-dream and so that’s what I did.

So a travel job? It did feel kind of like it was.  I had that sensation, for a brief moment, you get the first time you step off a plane into a totally new place, the heat and smell, the general unfamiliar…

Then you end up living there and one day it’s gone.

‘La Zaida and Evonik’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

Will was looking a bit squeamish after the phone call from his editor.

They suddenly came up with the idea of us going to visit some remote restaurant the following day.

It’s the Sunday Times, so I guess they did not want their readers to think Mallorca was all bad.

He doesn’t drive and I did not have my license on me, nor to be honest much inclination to use it. The night before had been long and… heavy.

I let Will figure out the logistics, I’m just the dumb photographer who delegates like a boss.

We did breakfast extra early… ufff. I was not hungry, but bacon and eggs? It has to be done.

I then took a quick shower only to discover two pigeons had snuck in and were making out under the bed.

Party town, party animals.

So, the day trip.

(I have to give credit to the bus service in Mallorca, it is the most painless way to pay, no need to buy card or fanny around with tickets, just touch the device with card or phone and it sorts it all out for you. Five trips, over two hours of travel, less than 10€. What a civilised island!)

Two buses to get there and a 25 min walk.

Well, three buses in the end.

Neither of us were paying much attention, or really awake, and missed our stop.

And so did Erica, the Swedish girl, who I suddenly noticed had got off the same time as us.

Three foreigners, who made the same mistake, now stood around awkwardly in the middle of nowhere.

Luckily… A bus did show up promptly to take us back to where we were meant to be.

Some polite chit-chat, kind of together… but kind of not, we three headed out on our little hike, down windy roads to the cove where Ca’s Patro March sits looking over a lovely bay.

It reminded me of places in Costa Brava, especially near Tamariu.

I ended up taking shortcuts just to avoid the road, cars, and polite conversation.

Not having a car was a blessing, the walk was great and cleared my head.

I got there in good time and got to work, stepping between the bruised heroes trying to sunbathe on a very rocky beach.

I took some decent photos of the restaurant and went to find Will who had sorted out a table.

We arrived around midday and it was still quiet, but this place gets busy. The manager told us they avoided the phone to avoid the aggro.

So, we had a table and thought nothing of it, but the place soon filled and a lot of people were queuing.

Erica joined us for a coffee.

She wants to be a photographer.

She was lugging around a brick; an old analogue film camera with a beefy lens.

Sometimes being hip can be a real rod for one’s back.

I spent maybe 20 years working with film and living in darkrooms, so digital was like being released from a deep dark hole of solitary confinement.

I am a little ambivalent about the coolness of old-school film, but hey, guys knock yourself out.

Anyway back to the story…

This restaurant became even more popular because of the TV series, The Night Manager, which is pretty damn good. When I got home I rewatched it and it stands a second viewing for sure.

It was fun to see the pivotal scene that takes place in the restaurant.

It’s very ‘Insta’ friendly. Maybe less friendly to the entitled idiots who want to eat there.

I read some reviews after. I was curious about the negative ones, they followed a similar theme; mostly from Brits who did not seem to appreciate the laissez-faire attitude of the staff.

We found them friendly and quite chatty, but I get the impression the complaints come from a certain type who can’t stand not being able to easily book or god forbid having to wait for a table.

This place doesn’t need to bend over backward with obsequious service and fawning staff, so get used to it.

People even complained about how hard it was to get to… in a car and then park!

Jesus wept. If you decide to do whatever everyone else does, thinking you are being original, guess what? There will be a queue.

And there really was.

It was on a ramp for a boat, people were almost launching each other into the water jostling to get the shot.

Anyway the food was good, the view great. The walk back… uphill, made one feel pretty virtuous.

The next stop was Will’s idea, he wanted to see Grave’s grave in Deià.

A cute little village with stunning views, it’s sat under an impressive and slightly intimidating escarpment.

 Robert Graves’s grave was not immediately obvious and was pretty humble (two dead candles decorated it).

What was interesting was how far away his wife was buried.

He was a serial adulterer and maybe she took the opportunity, when it arrived, to get some peace and quiet and let him know just how she felt.

It’s never too late to have the last word.

After a very enjoyable day it was back to bedlam and an evening free to do the hell what we liked.

‘The Magaluf Job (pt3). The Day Trip to Ca’s Patro March’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

The Magaluf Job (pt 2)

May is hardly high season for Magaluf, but by 2pm all the restaurants on the beach are full of people.

Some of them are even eating.

There are street vendors selling fake gold chains and captain hats.

An odd combination.

However I saw enough drunk captains, red necks festooned in chains, to concede it was a good grift.

 

 

Even though it seemed all good natured I could sense the possibility of shit hitting the fan.

If you live in the UK you get used to it. Move away for long enough and then return? You soon notice it, bubbling under the surface.

The Brits are not the only ones here but the vibe mostly comes from them. The other nationalities just seem to get smashed, fall asleep or fall over.

Mind you our hotel was full of German retirees armed to the teeth with golf clubs, so you never know.

I had one possible close call on the the last evening when I was finished with the work and was taking a stroll on the main drag around 8pm.

So still kind of early.

I saw 2 guys coming my way. I got that little warning twitch and sure enough the one with pinned eyes and arms spread wide, like he was giving a benediction, was shouting “ Hey, what’s going on!”

And yes, there were those bloody gold chains, swinging and glinting.

I passed Leary Jesus thinking “ignore him,” but could not resist.

“Great song!”

I looked back. He looked confused. Standing there like Christ in search of a cross.

“Wha…?”

And then… again “Hey! I said what’s going on!”

I decided I would not have a late one that evening, we had already worked late the night before and it had all gone really well. So why tempt fate.

The Night Before…

As I said  in Part 1, once things got rolling in the evening everything went really well. We found lots of great people, all too happy to chat.

After the tattoo guys and Anais we came across an Irish girl working outside a club, trying to draw punters in.

She was a delight and full of warmth for the community that exists in the town amongst fellow workers who are always looking out for each other.

It turned out her mum was from Limerick, just like my mum!

She had trained as a nurse?

Just like my…

… I realised this was getting weird; an old git telling a 24 year old they were just like his mum.

She did not seem to mind; such a kind disposition.

 

 

After this there was the young Danish guys, part of a visiting Handball team, one of them was sporting a badge that said ‘the only virgin left in Magaluf.’

Perhaps the most memorable encounter came towards the end of the evening when we were taking a break outside a club.

Sat quite close where a couple of girls, one of whom had the gift of the gab and the stamina to keep it up all night.

The guys sat next to them probably thought it was their lucky night only to soon discover they were just the audience for her show.

I casually said to Will, kind of as a cheeky joke “hey go chat to her.”

Before I even had a chance to blink he did.

After  a while I joined them and got to watch the star attraction do her stuff.

Jesse was amazing. Barely seeming to pause for breath, one theme just flowed into another and if you asked me what I remember the only thing that comes to mind is that she was a barber from Manchester and definitely not a hairdresser! What an insult!

Oh, and her fiancee owns a digger.

Jesse and her incredibly patient friend Saffron were both up for some photos and I got a nice series of shots.

 

 

Another interesting encounter at the same place was with a guy I saw earlier.

Unremarkable at first glance; just some guy leaving one of the clubs and hopping onto one of those big modern scooters.

The only reason he caught my eye was because I have been watching an Italian show about Rome gangs called ‘Suburra.’

The most dangerous character (Samurai) is an older guy who gets around on the same kind of bike.

I may have been closer to the mark than I thought .

He later returned and began asking us what we were doing.

He definitely fell into the ‘suspicious of journalists camp.’

He did not want to be interviewed nor have his photo taken, but he was amiable enough and I had a long chat with him.

Gabriel was his name and it turned out he owned all the clubs around us!

At one point he recommended another place further along, which seems like an odd business practice, until he said it was also belonged to ‘the family.’

He hung around when we were interviewing Jesse and Saffron but seemed convinced we were harmless.

At some point I ended up in another club of his trying to get photos of the crowd, looking back now I realise it was all a lot weirder than it seemed at the time.

All those hen and stag groups filling the place; a carnival of mad costumes and manic happiness, somehow poignant, perhaps with a dash of regret?

I remember something Jesse said.

“Pros of dating me? I’m funny.”

“The  cons? Its cuz I wasn’t loved as a child.”

 

Magaluf is for when you absolutely have to get happy, no matter what.

(In Part 3 we escape to an idyllic restaurant made famous in a TV series)

‘The Magaluf Job (pt 2)’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

Anais and Oscar

The Magaluf Job

The evening did not start auspiciously.

A lot of people working in the bars and clubs are suspicious of journalists.

Magaluf has a certain reputation and that reputation is salacious enough to even get decent coverage in the serious press; some light relief for the chattering classes.

Finally Will (the writer) found someone.

As any working photographer knows the best cure for the stress is to just get shooting, to get into the groove.

He had found a tattoo parlour and the owner Oscar and his friends were very happy to pose; they were perfect, the location was perfect.

Oscar then introduced us to Anais and the picture I got of the two together is probably my favourite.

We were on a roll…

Earlier in the Week.

The job came up last minute,  a call on Tuesday evening from The Sunday Times to fly out the next day.

Perfect. Another job from them as well!

Just like the good old days before  Covid, work and travel; a combination that can still give me the buzz that most airline travel has lost these days.

First time I have stayed at a hotel for a while as well.

I arrived very late and Marco the concierge was there to greet me, an Italian guy I instantly liked, even the cheap complimentary sweet cava did not make me like him less. We really should have interviewed him as well, he had some good stories to tell, I reckon. He had  been there a while.

The room was ok… but the view was great. And so was the water pressure. Soho House in Barcelona have turned their’s to a dribble (under the pretence of water conservation), I bet prison showers are better than theirs.

I woke up early. The sun was coming up and it was all so very pretty. Even later, looking down at the sun loungers to see a spatchcocked woman on one looking like she fell from the sky, seemed like local colour.

So too were the two pigeons that snuck in whilst I showered, trying to make out under my bed.

I had assumed we would get cracking straight away but Will said he was not free until midday. so I went exploring.

Magaluf at 9.00am gives little indication of its alter-ego come nightfall.

The beach is decent, hardly anyone was around, just obligatory joggers and

three Scots guys with a plastic bag full of Desperado beer, they seemed harmless.

So Magaluf? Perfectly fine, I could not understand what all the fuss was about…

(To  be continued)

‘The Magaluf Job (pt1)’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

Gerard Piqué and the Kings League

Nope, that is not the name of another bloody Guy Riche film.

I got a call late one night from The Sunday Times for a job the next day.

It was a portrait session for Gerard Piqué at the offices of KOSMOS where he is Founder, CEO, & President.

The recent run of corporate event work has been very welcome and fun to do; less exciting parts are perfect for experimenting with lighting, as they usually involve long sessions of speeches and seminars.

However a call from a national newspaper usually means portraits and probably a celeb or two.

Kosmos is reimagining yesterday’s sports and media businesses for the audiences of tomorrow.

Merging sports, media, and entertainment innovation, Kosmos invests in impactful ventures that challenge the status quo.

has introduced two new sports tournaments: the Kings League InfoJobs and the Queens League Oysho.

That’s a lot of corporate blurb, the up-shot is basically this; there exits normal football and 5-a-side, so why not 7-a-side?

It would be normal to be a tad skeptical. The ‘pitch’ is that it is not bound by the glacial speed of change in the traditional game.

So, basically, they are introducing the ‘Blue Card,’ which would see players sin-binned for 10 minutes should they get too cheeky, or a cynical foul.

Anyway I was there to take some photos, not invest in the company.

The usual story when you are working with a journalist is that, you get an allotted amount of time which the journalists promises to share with you and then uses it all up for themselves.

Knowing this I decide don’t to hang around trying to get something half decent in the boring office and went off exploring. If I did not take some photos with them they would have to give me time afterwards.

This is a good tactic as you get a decent chunk of time to find locations. I found 2 options, one I knew would suit the newspaper and one I knew would suit me.

It all worked out ok in the end. The offices had a really cool space where they do live streaming, interviews etc. The people working there were nice and friendly and stood in for the test shoots. I lit the subject with 2 off-axis flashes and treated it like a portrait shoot.

I had him sat down which is maybe not normal a sports star, but what the hell, I liked the composition and he is quite lanky.

The second shot was the one I knew they would publish. I got down low to make him look dramatic, but the shot was still not quite working.

I thought he might be a bit more in to posing etc as he could easily do modelling, but alas no.

We finished the session and then as he was leaving I spotted some footballs and convinced him to come back. Just by adding the ball it changed the whole shape of the image and worked. Remember folks props are your friend.

‘Gerard Piqué and the Kings League’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

I did a job a while ago about an olive oil heist  robbery in Castelló de Farfanya, the shop of OLICASTELLÓ ALSINA. The story was for The Times.

The thief used dynamite to break open the doors.

One got the impression visiting this little town that that might have been akin to a crime wave there. It’s a very sleepy place.

The people were nice; we got a tour of the mill, which is really, really old. We then did a tour of some of the olive fields. We ended up at one which has very special olives they only harvest by hand.

Apparently this is one of the first examples of a new crime wave occurring in Catalunya that has been sweeping the south of Spain for a while now.

The price of olive oil has skyrocketed in recent years making it akin to ‘green gold.’

Some of the crimes have involved destroying the trees with chainsaws to get the unprocessed olives, probably because its easier than blowing up local shops.

The theft, valued at approximately 1,500 euros, highlights the significant financial impact of such crimes on local businesses. The surveillance footage reveals a well-planned operation, with the perpetrator arriving in a dark-colored vehicle and making multiple trips to load the stolen goods. 

This incident is part of a larger pattern of olive oil thefts occurring across Spain. Olive oil, a staple of Spanish cuisine and culture, has seen a surge in demand both domestically and internationally. This leads to rising prices. Thieves see an opportunity for profit, targeting stores and warehouses where olive oil is stored in large quantities.

As communities grapple with the implications of this olive oil heist, there is a growing sense of urgency to find solutions. Businesses are implementing enhanced security measures, while consumers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Ultimately, addressing the root causes of this phenomenon, such as the high value placed on olive oil and its vulnerability to theft, will be crucial in preventing future incidents and safeguarding the integrity of Spain’s olive oil industry.

‘The Olive Oil Heist’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.

Rejuversen Revisited

I have done a few jobs for Rejuversen now.

This is the second time I visited their research lab at Parc Scientific Barcelona.

Things have improved a lot there! The last time I visited I ended up having to clean up the images because the lab looked like a bomb had hit a dorm room, after a wild party.

I kind of said as much to Tim, my contact, and he assured me things were better now.

And indeed they were.

Positively professional and a new set of people to photograph.

The space was little crapped but by using the entrance i was able to capture a non specific background that had the feel and colour of ‘science.’

The new crew were young and easy to photograph. I realised long ago that sometimes having too much time is not always a good thing, especially when the people are nervous.

Sometimes it’s actually better to almost mug them, photographically speaking, before they have a chance to get nervous.

This time I also got to visit some of the other facilities they have including the liquid nitrogen and then a clean room with a fairly powerful microscope. 

Gleaming white new tech is always fun to photograph.

My set up consisted of the perennial favourite; the Godox AD200 with a rather old collapsable beauty dish. A large reflector to bounce back some fill, and for a hair light, a smaller Godox TT600. I finally got to use the crappy little plastic stand they come with. 

I had been thinking the week before was it even worth bringing them on shoots.

Never say never.

Anyway it all went well and there was precious little retouching! Result!

I have found my post-production style has changed a little since I started making films and grading them. I have dialled down the look.

‘Rejuversen Revisited’ first appeared on the Lee Harris Photography website.