Architect José Luis Morales Martín Captures Basketball Scene in Award-Winning Phone Photograph

Architect José Luis Morales Martín created a notable photograph titled 'From the Window' in September 2023 using a Huawei P30 smartphone. The image was taken from his living room window in Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain, during a hot afternoon. Martín observed two teenagers playing basketball in the communal courtyard below after hearing noises outside. He was struck by the lighting conditions and quickly retrieved his device to record the moment. The composition features geometric pavement patterns, architectural shadows, and the figures engaged in sport. Martín describes waiting for what he calls 'the magic' to manifest in the scene. As an architect working on commercial projects, he draws connections between architectural practice and photographic art, noting shared elements like light, shadow, composition, geometry, human presence, and scale. He estimates using a DSLR camera for approximately half of his photographic work, with the remainder captured on mobile devices. Martín emphasizes that special moments can be found even in ordinary settings regardless of equipment used. The photograph has been recognized as one of his best phone-captured images.