Shadows and Silhouettes (Book 1) was re-released at the beginning of the month with the promise that the sequel - Book 2 Blanco y Negro would be available from this week. 

Blanco y Negro continues to explore contemporary Spain by asking: What happens when you remove the sky blues, verdant greens and sandy yellows from this hybrid country?

The answer can be found in the contrast of dramatic images and the revelatory words of different travellers as they have arrive on these shores. Download, put your feet up, slow down and enjoy this new book.

Yup, thats right, a NEW updated and revised edition of Silhouettes and Shadows comes out this week and it's free. Usually 2.49 - Shadows and Silhouettes (Book 1 in the series of 4) is downloadable right now to anyone who shares or tweets it this week 

You say Tomay-toes and I say Tomar-toes!
Got an ipad, tablet or smartphone? Then e-Pub is probably your choice? Got a laptop or desktop? Then maybe its PDF. Can't decide? Well, worry not as both are in the same convenient zipped package. E-pub and PDF huddled together for comfort.

Pick a selection of choice quotes from writers on Spain and match them to a series of gorgeous images and a theme begins to emerge. Shadows and Silhouettes is the first theme in a series of 4 that explores Spain by contrasting the written word and the image. Do this, and another Spain becomes visible - one that previously lay hidden. 

Each book takes a different theme, but builds from the previous one. Shadows and Silhouettes introduces the series, Blanco Y Negro (book 2) builds on the theme of light and contrast, whilst book 3: Speaking and Shouting talks about, well...speech. Finally Book 4 deals with harmony and balance in a country that is too often seen as a society in conflict. But these are not text books, they are photo books with succulent words that ooze from the edges of the page. These are books to devour over a glass of something, accompanied by a garlicky olive or two. 

Yup. For the next week its free. All I ask in return is that you share the book. That means send out a tweet or share on Facebook to get a copy. Don't worry if you don't have a twitter account or FaceBook account (really, you don't?) - just let me know and I'll get a copy to you by other means. It's not obligatory to share - it's just a nice thing to do. (Plus it saves you 2.49). 

Emmm, sure. If you prefer. 

Blanco Y Negro comes out at the end of this month. Make sure you are subscribed to the site to be notified. Its bigger and better. and Blanco Y Negro (out Feb 25th 2014) takes the contrasts of Shadows and Silhouettes and investigates Spain from a perspective stripped of colour. Find out what is left when colour is removed from a country that is synonymous with Miro, sunsets and blue skies. You'll be surprised.

Being a 'forestero' - or 'outsider' - in Spain has its advantages. Cultural and visual points of reference are not, as yet, taken for granted. We still see the country through other eyes.  

In this first series of Images of Spain I am looking skywards, towards the heavens. Because when we look up into the sky, we realise we are part of something much greater than ourselves. We are part of something beyond our social media profiles, beyond our isolated existences, and far far beyond our daily preoccupations. We are part of that great big thing up there. And that in turn, is part of us. 

When we choose to look up, as these photographers have done, we are left in awe. And to feel awe in the presence of so much beauty is no bad thing.