This is a mini ‘one time only’ feature that I have timed with the ongoing Euro 2020 football tournament. While regular readers of my content on this blog will know how passionate I am about photography, it is simply one of many interests I have. One of the greatest passions I have is for football. This article will discuss an Image that I captured on a trip to Spain to watch the Barcelona football team. The image may be familiar as it is heavily featured across this blog. This is an ‘image from my life’ that is truly special to me.
When was the image captured?
As previously mentioned, the image was created on a trip to Spain during October 2019. It was taken before a significant football match took place between Barcelona and league rivals Sevilla. I visited Barcelona with two friends to celebrate my 21st Birthday, an important milestone. While I greatly enjoyed the experience around the city of Barcelona, taking in landmarks like the Park Guell and Sagrada Familia, it was the chance to see the Barcelona Football Team play a match that has had a continued resonance in my mind.
What was the reason for capturing it?
The image was captured simply to commemorate my visit to the stadium, and more importantly, to highlight the fact I had witnessed a live match. This had always been an ambition in my life. During my visit to Barcelona, I spent a day touring the stadium and the surrounding area of Les Corts in which I was lucky enough to be based during this stay. It was during this tour that I began to realise the magnitude of the occasion for myself.
How was it captured?
I must admit that this image was captured on a mobile phone. Specifically an Honor 8X, which sports a 20 megapixel primary camera with a f/1.8 lens. Sacrilege for this blog, I know, but I had my reasons. Most important of which was wishing to protect my camera. Quite simply, using my phone to capture the image felt safer and more secure, not to mention the somewhat backwards rules that often surround the use of camera devices by spectators at live sports events. I simply didn’t want to worry about anything aside from the event itself.
Why is the image so important to me?
This image means so much to me simply because of what it depicts. As a long time football fan, I have always been fascinated by Barcelona. They have a long history of success, and in my formative years the side often dominated the club football tournaments. This created an appreciation for the side and the exciting players that they had throughout the years.
Speaking of which, it would be impossible to avoid the primary motivator for attending a Barcelona match in 2019. The possibility of watching Lionel Messi was incredibly tantalizing. Regarded by so many as the greatest footballer of all time, I have grown in age alongside the development of the career of this iconic figure within sport.
A trip to watch Lionel Messi play in a live match was a true ‘bucket list’ experience for me. This image therefore stands to represent the completion of this. When viewing it, I feel the emotion of the occasion flood back, and the memories it has formed that stand with me to this day feel more distinct than ever. I can still feel the noise of the crowd, a capacity audience that created an atmosphere I have yet to see replicated. I hope to visit again soon to build even more memories like this and capture further images from my life.
