Spain Santa Maria del Mar Vertorama, Barcelona

The Santa Maria del Mar Vertorama captures the stunning height and symmetry of Barcelona’s iconic Gothic church, emphasizing its towering columns and ribbed vaults. Photographers use ultra-wide lenses or vertical panoramas to showcase its immense scale, leading lines, and ethereal stained-glass light. The challenge lies in balancing exposure between bright windows and shadowed stone while maintaining straight verticals to avoid distortion. Perfect for experimenting with HDR, focus stacking, and dynamic perspectives, this vertorama transforms the medieval architecture into a breathtaking visual journey.

For indoor photography, make the most of available light by positioning subjects near windows or using soft, diffused lighting. Use a wide aperture (f/1.8–f/2.8) to allow more light and create a shallow depth of field. If the light is low, increase ISO but avoid going too high to minimize noise. A tripod is essential for sharp images in dim environments. To balance shadows and highlights, use reflectors or bounce light off nearby surfaces. Shoot in RAW for more flexibility during post-processing, and experiment with compositions, focusing on leading lines and framing elements.

To reach Santa Maria del Mar, take metro line 4 (yellow) to Jaume I station and walk 5 minutes. Alternatively, take line 1 (red) to Arc de Triomf and walk 10 minutes. It's also accessible by bus (V15, V17, 120) or a short walk from La Rambla or the Gothic Quarter.