Posts Tagged ‘paris’
The Elderly Couple March 30th, 2011
I saw this scene as I was wandering by the quays somewhere in Paris early last year.
I watched the old couple stroll all the way down that alley, talking as they went. I tried to imagine what their story would be. Are they married, just friends, or both?
More coming soon.
Tags: alley, couple, elderly, old, paris, people, quay, seine, stroll, sun, sunlight, urban, walk
Posted in People, Travel/Urban | Comments (3)
Quasimodo
November 10th, 2010
I made this photograph in Paris, France, in the open space overlooking the river Seine in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
I found the inscription on the tombstone-like slab rather funny. For starters, there’s the play on the English-language “RIP” (Rest in Peace). There’s also the reference to Quasimodo‘s hump in the phrase “roule ta bosse”, which basically means “live an adventurous life”, but which translates literally as “roll your hump”. The amorous pigeons strutting about on the slab completed the comedy.
On another note, check these out:
- The Big Picture‘s hard-hitting photo reportage on Haiti, ten months after disaster struck;
- here, a father and his autistic son bond and grapple with the problems of autism through photography;
- here a photoessay on a photojournalist’s experiences following, and bonding with, soldiers in the field (in Afghanistan);
- here a post by travel photographer Gavin Gough on the importance (and the ease) of establishing a rapport with people before shooting their portraits, complete with some striking portraits; and
- here awe-inspiring images of the Great Migrations of animals from around the world;
More coming soon!
I made this photograph in Paris, France, in the open space overlooking the river Seine in front of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
I found the inscription on the tombstone-like slab rather funny. For starters, there’s the play on the English-language “RIP” (Rest in Peace). There’s also the reference to Quasimodo‘s hump in the phrase “roule ta bosse”, which basically means “live an adventurous life”, but which translates literally as “roll your hump”. The amorous pigeons strutting about on the slab completed the comedy.
On another note, check these out:
- The Big Picture‘s hard-hitting photo reportage on Haiti, ten months after disaster struck;
- here, a father and his autistic son bond and grapple with the problems of autism through photography;
- here a photoessay on a photojournalist’s experiences following, and bonding with, soldiers in the field (in Afghanistan);
- here a post by travel photographer Gavin Gough on the importance (and the ease) of establishing a rapport with people before shooting their portraits, complete with some striking portraits; and
- here awe-inspiring images of the Great Migrations of animals from around the world;
More coming soon!
Tags: 1482, adventure, adventurous, amorous, amorous pigeon, cathedral, france, hunchback, notre dame, paris, pigeon, quasimodo, RIP, roll your hump, roule ta bosse, seine, tombstone, victor hugo
Posted in Travel/Urban | Comments (0)
Self Portrait on a Train November 6th, 2010
I was lucky enough to take the train a number of times this year. I can never really get enough of train rides. Especially since it’s a mode of travel which is pretty much non-existent in the Middle East. To me, train rides will always have a certain, perhaps romantic and certainly peaceful, connotation. I enjoy all aspects of travel by train, starting from the bustling chaos in the giant hangar-like boxes that are train stations.
Earlier this year, I’d been trying to slow my life down to the point where I could assimilate it all and start enjoying it again. And I think those train rides in March and April were an excellent place to start. What a perfect way to experience and enjoy the beauty of Spring! But I’ve already waxed lyrical on train rides before, so I’ll stop here.
I was looking over my archives and found these two shots. Self-portraits I took as I was heading back in to Paris. They were silly test shots, but I think they came out alright. I am pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve changed since then.
On another note, here are a few quirky things to enjoy:
- check out a working medium-format camera made with lego blocks here;
- check out a cool studio lighting app for the iPhone which lets you take studio shots – and even shows you how to light your subject - here; and
- check out this very funny (and interesting) take on common photography mistakes, by the one and only Joe McNally.
More coming soon!
Tags: diy photography, Joe McNally, lego, medium format, middle east, paris, petapixel, photography mistake, portrait, romantic, self portrait, spring, train
Posted in People, Portraits | Comments (0)
Sunset on a Train October 22nd, 2010
I love train rides. Something inherently romantic about them. They immerse you in the landscape you pass through. And the gentle clack-clack of the rails and smooth ride make for so very relaxing an experience.
I snapped this earlier this year on a train ride back to Paris from Brussels. I was struck by the unusual colours – the soft shades of pink and purple and magenta.
For some awesome photos of a train ride through the Tea Mountains of Sri Lanka, click here.
More coming soon!
Tags: Brussels, mountain, paris, sri lanka, sunset, tea, tea mountain, train, train ride
Posted in Travel/Urban | Comments (1)
High Winds September 3rd, 2010
Early this year France, and Europe in general, seemed to be repeatedly hit with high winds. On a number of occasions, there were fears of winds in excess of 100 kilometers per hour. Take a look here and here for examples of some of the media coverage of one of those occasions.
I happened to be in Paris during some of those periods. Each time, the media worked up a frenzy announcing the winds. These winds seemed to grow with the coming of night to die out by the morning, leaving behind only some evidence of its passing in the big city.
Below are a few pictures I made of the damage caused by the high winds and which I happened to come across on one of my wandering walks one early March morning.
I enjoyed the rays of light stretching out from the broken glass.
Humpty Dumpty had a big fall. Well, had a minor topple, really.
Seems the winds had a bone or two to pick with scooters…
More coming soon!
Tags: damage, france, high, high wind, media, paris, wind
Posted in Travel/Urban | Comments (0)
Derelicts August 26th, 2010
Below are three shots taken within the space of an hour in Paris earlier this year. It’s a mini-photo essay of sorts, the aim of which was to photograph a number of items left discarded on the streets within a short period of time.
The above shot was taken on the Champs Elysees.
More coming soon!
Tags: abandoned, baby carriage, bicycle, champs, champs elysees, derelict, elysees, france, paris, umbrella
Posted in Travel/Urban | Comments (0)
On the Many Uses of Duct Tape August 18th, 2010
Seen on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, France.
No comment.
More coming soon!
Tags: comment, duct tape, no comment, paris
Posted in Travel/Urban | Comments (0)
The Dark Tower August 11th, 2010
Who says Tolkein‘s the Lord of the Rings books are just fantasy?
I spotted this tower while walking around, somewhere in Paris. Cirith Ungol? Or perhaps Sauron‘s Dark Tower of Barad-Dur? Who can say?
More coming soon!
Tags: barad-dur, dark tower, fantasy, france, lord of the rings, middle earth, paris, sauron, tolkein, tower
Posted in Travel/Urban | Comments (2)
Pigeon Feeding July 26th, 2010
I made this shot in Paris, in front of the Notre Dame cathedral.
More coming soon!
Tags: cathedral, france, notre dame, paris, people, pigeon, pigeon feeding
Posted in Portraits | Comments (1)
Portraits on the Champs July 18th, 2010
Early this year, I found myself wandering down the Champs Elysee in Paris in the company of a very good friend.
We decided to stop random strangers on the street and take their portraits. We figured it would be a great way to meet interesting people. It’s one of the things I love about photography – how it helps break down barriers between people.
It was a cold but beautiful evening and as we walked down we were gradually losing the light. It meant that a flash became a necessity. Thankfully, my friend helped out with the lighting.
Here are some of the pictures I took that evening.
This friendly lady was sitting on a bench, waiting for a friend to join her before heading out to the theatre.
This young man was enjoying a break and chatting with a few of his friends. He has an interesting face and kind eyes.
This distinguished gentleman was friendly and open. Turns out he’s a prominent surgeon.
The last portraits below are of two Finnish ladies, fast friends.
More to come soon.
Tags: champs, champs elysees, elysee, france, paris, portrait, strangers
Posted in Portraits | Comments (0)
