Simple photography tips for time in Seville - or elsewhere

Michael Blyth
May 30
5 min read

nine simple photography tips for time in Seville - Camera and Phone Camera

Take a different angle on a popular scene
Perhaps wait for the light, or come back another time
Check the exposure, move the camera until the light is right
check the depth of field and shutter-speed if you're using a camera
If there's something in the way, try a different angle
Low angle can add huge dramatic effect
Try to avoid post-adjustment
If you're emotionally affected, then try to portray some of that visually
Watch for invasive shadows

So you're away from home, perhaps on business, maybe a weekend break, alone, or with others. and you Google search 'best things to do in Seville', A whole rank of things come up, but you want to spend time seeking photographic opportunities that are just a bit different. Let's take the listed things and add 'your' perspective.

Some simple photography tips for time in Seville.

Bronze statue of Mozart with a book and violin, seated on a chair against a blue sky and lush trees, exuding a contemplative mood. Seville — Image One - Mozart Statue, Seville

Image One, So Mozart composed a couple of opera arias set in the City; the Marriage of Figaro, and Don Giovanni, and this is acknowledged in this sculpture.

The sculpture, by Rolando Campos, located at the entrance of Parque Don Miguel Mañara and adjacent to the wonderful Teatro De Maestranza, has been photographed many times, possibly by some of your friends.

But let's take a different view.

There is quite a lot of background to distract from the power of this piece, so I suggest something along the lines of getting down low, like this image.

But beware, there are many ways of spoiling the effect, if you get the angles wrong you will miss out on things. Imagine if I'd moved down a tad, I'd have hidden his proboscis behind the manuscript he's reading so intensely.

Equally I think it's quite important to get at least something of both legs, so that his stance is obvious.

Time of day, is, as ever, of huge significance, or you may be in danger of silhouetting rather than showing detail.

I've been describing one statue, but this could apply to many around the world.

Ornate blue and white ceramic bridge overlooking a canal at Plaza de España, Seville. Tower and trees under a clear blue sky. — Image Two - Plaza de España, Seville

Images Two & Three, both taken in more or less the same place in the Plaza de España (also listed in the best things to do in Sevilla) are both aimed at showing foreground detail as a main part of the image, with the main subject in the background.

If you're in this sort of situation there are a few things to bear in mind.

In both images the face of the building towards me was in shadow, and I knew I was not going to be there when it would be sunlit, so I had to make the best I could of the situation.

One of the best features of Seville, is the wonderful tile-work. Most of the tiles come from the 'works' that were the other side of the river. They are truly amazing, and I took many images.

In Image Two I've captured the image when the tile 'boss' was in shadow. This has a positive effect in that it balances the shadow ot the building. Equally there is a negative - the shadow and angle of the 'wall' provide a visual barrier to the rest of the image.

Ornate ceramic railing with blue and yellow patterns in foreground. Towering building reflects in nearby water under clear blue sky. Plaza de España, Seville — Image Three - Plaza de España, Seville

In Image Three I've changed the whole perspective.

Similar ceramic work, but in a slightly different place. Notice how the wall leads the eye to the 'boss', which mimics the building.

Also the ceramic wall leads the eye in a curve, beyond the 'boss' to the building itself.

Negatives worth pointing out, are the shadow of a person in the foreground, (but it was a very busy Sunday afternoon), and the people to the left - both perhaps avoidable if I'd had the patience.

Both images have a spreading vapour trail, but it has different effects. In Image One, it takes the eye away from the building, and in fact annoys me. Image Two, it sort of highlights the building.

Front of Plaza de Toros with red doors, white and yellow facade under a clear blue sky. Shadows of a fence cast on the ground. — Image Three - Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, Seville.

So one of the main tourist attractions in Seville is the Bull Ring, or Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. Personally it, along with a painting for sale in the Sunday Art market opposite the Art Gallery, highlighted for me a revulsion of bull fighting. But that's a personal thing, and nothing to do with Simple Photography Tips!

Image Three, shows a pretty straightforward 'touristy' image of what is an amazing piece of architecture. Nice sunny day, blue sky, and dramatic colour scheme.

What I've done to change it, and also to avoid getting my shadow in the picture - the sun is right behind me - is crouch low and angle upwards slightly, with a wideangle lens in use.

This has the benefit of 'decorating' the foreground with the shadows of the gate.

The disdavantage is that the perspective goes a bit wonky. (this is adjustable in post-process, or deep within the camera, but not what I'm at in this blog)

Stone hallway in Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, Seville, with a chevron-patterned floor leading to large, closed red doors. Rough-textured walls, arched ceiling. — Image Four - Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, Seville.

As you enter, you can sense the rawness and animal 'fear', especially if you allow your mind to imagine the fear of an animal 'caged', waiting to be 'released' into the arena.

My response was to take the photographs shown in Image Four and Five.

Both are taken from a crouched position envisioning the eyeview of a fearful snorting, angry bull.

No I cannot possibly do this justice, but sometimes an image leads the mind to hear and smell in a way that goes beyond just vision itself.

Give it a try, in both positive vibe, and negative vibe situations.

Entrance to the bullring at Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, Seville, with open red doors.. The floor is cobblestone, and bright light filters through from outside. Dramatic mood — Image Five - Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, Seville

To move away from the Bullring, let's go to Image Six The Torre Del Oro, or the Gold Tower.

Illuminated stone tower under deep blue sky, with palm trees and people walking nearby on cobblestone path at night. Torre Del Oro, Seville — Image Six The Torre Del Oro, Seville

Set on the banks of the river, this building, although included in the 'Top 10 things to do in Seville', is also rated as "Makes a nice photo but will not live long in the memory" *

But it does stand out, especially at night when it is dramatically lit. During the day it is much harder to portray it's beauty, with so many distractions around it.

One simple photography tip is to be careful where and how you position yourself to take photographs.

It is reasonably close to more modern buildings, and a main road with street lights. I positioned myself so that the palm trees blocked some of the most invasive lights, but couldn't cover them all.

Another 'beginner's photography tip' is to use the palm tree as a silhouette over part of the lit wall - it just adds dramatic effect, both visually, and to give a mindset' of being somewhere hot.

Something to watch out for when photographing buildings is that if you get down low, you change the perspective.

All these simple photography tips are related to places that pop up in a web-search for best things to do in Seville. I've hopefully inspired you to be able to carry the ideas to other places in the world.

Have fun.