La Bruyle

Let me introduce you to 'La Bruyle'.

It is a charming guest house located at Colonjac, close to Saint Michel de Bannières, in northern Lot. 

In 2013, I was there twice to produce photographs which would be used on the future web site.

Now after quite some text and photograph editing the web site is on line. http://www.labruyle.com/

Let me tell you that I am rather proud about how the photographs came out.

I was not there as a paying guest but the way I was treated and my needs were met lead me to believe that a stay at 'La Bruyle' can only be a treat.

 

 

Oldtimer

Had you been this morning on Place de la Concorde in Paris around 10:00 you would have come across quite a few oldtimers. I mean cars from the days when driving was a pleasure.

Twice a year these wonderful machines gather in Vincennes (east of Paris) then drive through the capital stopping to be admired at a few locations before heading back to their quarters.

To-day I arrived on time to see most of them and also to take a couple of shots. The main difficulty I found was the crowds surrounding the cars on display. Some people use telephoto lenses. They try to avoid the onlookers.

I took another route. My camera was hooked to my Distagon T 1.4/35mm lens from Carl Zeiss. Its minimum focus distance is of 0.30 m so I could get very close. I could also get a global view of the scene. I do not have a 50mm lens in my Canon EF kit but I find that a 35mm is quite versatile. This specific one is a manual focus only lens. But after a few weeks of usage I got the hang of it. My first SLR's did not have autofocus anyway. And I found it was more in the spirit of the cars I was snap-shooting.

 

Goodbye Christmas

As I was walking down some busy upscale shopping street in Paris, I can across this forlorn looking Christmas tree. This in my opinion was calling for a black & white image. The idea of the tree being barred from entering the passageway would have been probably far weaker in colour.

I processed the raw file in Lightroom 5.3. Just a little contrast here and there, some very light darkening at the base of the tree, some overall 'clarity' as they call it.

I like the result. But do you ? Please let me know ?

 

 

Shooting in the park

Paris is studded with many green areas.

One on the most visited is Parc du Luxembourg at the hedge of Latin District.

It is a perfect place to practice your photographic skills.

Whether you are a fan of sculpture, portrait, flower, people photography you will find every opportunity

to use your camera.

 

 

New toy

Do you know that although Christmas is still five (5) long months away it is not forbidden to get yourself a nice present now.

That is just what I did.

I was cycling through the 8th arrondissement close to the Interior Ministry more precisely still in Rue Miromesnil and I came accross this wonderful shop for old camera amateurs.

Antique Camera is its name.

 

The owner is a living camera dictionary and he is ready to share his knowledge.

On the spur of the moment I stepped in and asked whether he would have in stock a very specific camera I have been trying to lay my hands on lately. I knew the chances were extremely low.

Well, as they say, all the winners did play...