L'ADS de la Photo

The castle on the beach - Sarzeau - Bretagne

2014-08-23T19:15:00.000+01:00

When we went to the beach we discovered that on the seaside, overlooking the ocean was a castle.

Here are some shots of this castle.

Nature in Vannes - Bretagne - France

2014-08-23T18:17:00.001+01:00

Here are some nature shots taken in Vannes and its surroundings.

I particularly like this black-headed gull which posed for the shot.

The setting sun was caught on these pebbles which give them this soft orange hue.

The following shots show the interesting flora of the breton seaside.

Banksy on the beach - Barneville-Carteret - Manche - France

2014-08-23T17:52:00.001+01:00

When I took this photo I didn't realise this child flying a kite on the beach. It's only when I opened it on my computer that I realised the similarities with one of Banksy's graffitis.

I chose to only keep the kite in red to reinforce and emphasis the resemblance.

Click on the photo to see the resemblance!

Banksy - Girl with a balloon

Cat on a cupboard

2013-05-15T17:43:00.000+01:00

Here are three identical photos of my cat. The first one is the original and the last two are two different artistic choices I made. As I couldn't select the one I thought was my favourite I decided to exhibit them as a triptych.

So let me know what you think.

Le Havre - From trade to pleasure

2012-12-28T09:58:00.002+00:00

On the first photo you can see the smokestacks of the factory as well as the entrance of the ferry port as well as the commercial harbour. On the second photo you can see the marina and the beginning of the beach.

Playing with photoshop...

2012-12-27T21:47:00.000+00:00

Here are two photos of dandelions I modified with Photoshop. Here are the two originals which I found unremarkable. But with a little imagination and Photoshop I was able to transform them not into remarkable work but into unusual photographs.

Leeds' skyline

2012-12-27T21:16:00.000+00:00

I found some pictures of Leeds' skyline which I thought deserved to be published on my blog. I was browsing my Picasa library when I found them. I must admit I had forgotten them. Let's hope you won't.

Actually most of these shots have been taken during my stay in Leeds though only a couple are from Leeds' skyline the other ones still being from West Yorkshire. But I'll specify which town the photos actually come from.

This photo is actually of Leeds' skyline. It is one of the Town Hall's owl. I particularly like the golden colour of the statue that contrasts against the deep blue sky. It was one of the few sunny days I experienced when I lived in the north of England!

Here is York's skyline. Like Canterbury, York is a medieval town as you can see on this shot.

These three photos are photographs of the York Cathedral. I particularly like the first one. I like the way the blue sky is reflected in the rose window. On the second one the blue sky is amazingly blue and the architecture of the cathedral is sharpened by the contrast. On the third shot, I chose to take it in black and white to accentuate and to define the moldings of the cathedral.

This photo represents the "castle" of York. I've written castle with quotation marks because for me this "turret" should not be considered as a castle. It's probably my "Frenchness" and my knowledge of real castles like Versailles or Chambord that prevents me from considering this small yet interesting piece of architecture like a real castle.

This photo was taken in Liverpool. I like the way the sun touches the building on the background of the shot. The photo is tinted by the familiar colour of a sunset.

Some kentish lavender

2012-12-18T10:00:00.000+00:00

This summer, I took pictures of the lavender blossoms below my windows. I like the colour and the way they capture the light.

A french Whitby...

2012-12-17T23:38:00.002+00:00

This summer, I went to visit Honfleur a little port town in Normandy. When I went there I was reminded of Whitby, though architecturally different they give off the same kind of atmosphere.

On this picture, you can see the old architecture of the town as well as the kind of boats that land here.

On the two following photos, you can see the extent of the harbour and the way the town is laid around the boats.

Honfleur is a very touristic town. Should you be in the area, I really advise you to stop for an ice-cream or some oysters.

On this picture, you can see all the little restaurants and cafes laid around the harbour. When I went there, the weather was very sunny and warm. Therefore, a nice coffee on the bank of the water.

The Yorkshire seaside

2012-08-02T16:04:00.001+01:00

I lived for two years in Leeds in West Yorkshire and I made the most of the county by visiting as many town, cities and places I could.

I went to Whitby where Bram Stoker's Dracula's legend came to life and enjoyed one of the few sunny days available in the north of England.

Whitby is a little seaside town on the east cost of North Yorkshire. It offers touristic as well as historical places and make the visit quite interesting.

Here are a few photos I took when I was there:

The Whitby harbour

In the Whitby harbour, there are a few fishing boats, a lot of seagulls and very nice seaside houses.

Dracula's lair

Here is a view from Whitby abbey, the abbey that inspired Bram Stoker's in the writing of his most famous novel, Dracula.


Running dog

It is one of my favourite shot. I really like it because I find quite difficult to shoot people without taking the spontaneity of the moment. After all, photos are just that, stolen moment frozen in time.

The Scarborough sheds

Despite the grey weather very common in the North, you couldn't possibly feel blue in those colorful beach huts.

Loneliness

This photo was taken on the Liverpool seaside. I quite like it as well. you cannot see from where it shot it but the person you see going into the water is in fact a statue, probably the only one capable of touching the cold northern water.

Here is another example of the effect of an overcast sky.

Kings of Canterbury

2012-08-02T16:00:00.002+01:00

In Canterbury, there is an interesting place called King's School Canterbury. It's one of the oldest school in the world and was established in 597 by St Augustine of Canterbury.

I took some pictures there and with the snow it makes the place quite magical, not far from a setting from a Harry Potter movie.

The Peter Stone music building

This is the buildings where the students practice their musical talents. In this school there are very talented musicians or singers with a lot of opportunities to showcase their talents such as the different choirs or the multitude of music bands. If you want to witness by yourself, I suggest that you book some tickets to the many events displayed during King's Week.

In the heart of Canterbury and at the feet of the cathedral, the King's school could not be better situated. On these three shots you can see the cathedral in the background. The snowy sky enhance the colour of the stones of the neighbouring buildings.

These two pictures portray the students enjoying the snow. What would be better than a snow fight to warm up during this cold weather.

This photo was taken inside the cathedral walls. It is not exactly part of the school but more a part of the daily scenery. And when something so beautiful is part of your daily scenery, one must not forget it and immortalize it. This is Canterbury Cathedral's cloister.

Of boats and masts

2012-08-02T15:58:00.000+01:00

As you may have notice while exploring my blog that seaside landscapes are something I like to photograph. I've always lived not far from a sea and an attachment for its winds and smells formed over the years.

In this articles, I'll publish photos of Whitstable on the Kentish coast in England.

Whitstable fishing harbour

I like this shot of the Whitstable harbour. I digitally altered to tone down the garish colours of the fishing nets and boats. The shot is balanced between the two boats on the left hand side and the fishing nets on the right. The eyes wander from left to right and may pause on the seagull which flies over the scene.

These two shots are part of a series I could call The masts. I find the photos dynamic and the alignment of the masts are visually interesting. Yet again, the overcast sky gives a depth to the photos.

Seaside moments

2012-08-02T15:56:00.000+01:00

Capturing people on film, even on digital film is quite a difficult process. If you want to make sure that the scene remains natural and intimate, you must make yourself disappear in the landscape in order not to disturb the authenticity of what happening in front of you.

Here are a few shots I am proud of. I was able to capture those moments without any interference on my part.

I really like these two photos of the children playing by the sea. The first one is a particularly favorite of mine. You can almost hear them whispering secrets to one another unaware that anyone is watching.

On this shot, what draws the eyes is the woman on the far side of the deck on the right. Her small size is compensated by the three boats on the left hand side of the photo. The sun piercing through the overcast sky gives a dramatic effect to the shot.

On the terrace of this pub are people enjoying an early evening drink, an "apéro" as we French would call it.

This picture is divided in two parts, on the right side we see the calmness of the water and notice that the clouds are starting to overrun the sky. As for the left side of the shot, the warmth of the colour of the setting sun counterbalances the cool colours of the sky and sea. The activity of the people having fun also contrasts with the tranquility of the water.

Both the colours and the subjects make this shot dual.

When I went to Whitstable, I was amazed to see the piles of oyster shells lying on the side of the beach.

On this shot, this pile of shells balances out the three persons sitting on the sea wall. The luminosity also add contrast to the photo.

Setting suns

2012-08-02T15:55:00.000+01:00

Still in Whitstable. I've chosen to show you several photos of the sun setting on the sea, always a beautiful experience to witness and to immortalize.

I particularly like the way the sun rays pierce the sky on this shot and how the different levels of the wooden fence mark another division in the shot.

On this two shots, what I found interesting is the colours. Even if the sun is setting you can still feel its warmth.

On the first shot, there is a pink / orange tint that is quite calming. But my preference goes to the second shot with the seagulls circling above water. The mixture of warm and cool colours are also very calming.

These two photos don't represent the setting sun but they've been taken just after the sun disappeared under the horizon.

The colours are quite different and a cooler shade tints the photos. On the second shot, the shoes drying out on the fence give an intimate feeling to the picture.

Luxury life

2012-08-02T15:52:00.002+01:00

Since I've been living in England, I tried to visit as many places as I could. Now living in Kent, I stumble upon a very nice Castle in the Kentish countryside. England is very proud of its mansions and castle and has transformed most of those estates into museums and parks.

Here are several pictures I took when I went there.

The park of Leeds Castle is quite beautiful, especially in the spring when all the flowers bloom. A small river passes through the park and on its banks, you can see a multitude of little white flowers. It is a very nice place for a picnic.

On these three shots, you can see the actual castle with its moats and its crenelations. You can visit the inside of the castle and see the bedrooms, bathrooms of its inhabitants.

It is an amazing place and therefore deserves a visit. Should you want to know more here is a link to the Leeds castle website.

Leeds Castle

Strutting in Leeds Castle

2012-08-02T15:51:00.000+01:00

When I went to visit Leeds Castle I had the chance to witness one of Nature's most beautiful trick: a strutting peacock. Fortunately I never go anywhere without my camera and therefore I was able to immortalize this amazing moment.

In these two shots you can see the extent of the peacock's beautiful feathers. I digitally altered the natural colours of the photos so that it would give them an otherworldly feeling.

On this one, I wanted to try what we call high dynamic range imaging or HDR. The concept is that you have to mix several photo of the same subject but with different exposition. It gives the image this special effect.

These two are my favorites. I chose black and white to give a special dimension to my shots. The beauty of Nature speaks for itself.

This photo I chose for its originality. Obviously it is easy to guess that this is our peacock's behind. The whiteness of the feather's rachis point to the center of the frame and seem to command our attention.

Birds of a feather

2012-08-02T15:50:00.003+01:00

I thought that after the article on the Leeds castle's peacock it would be interesting to show other pictures of birds I took in another park in the north of England.

Here is a picture of a white swan. The way it's beak is resting on its fluffy feathers is very endearing.

These three flamingos are resting in a pond. It is the colour of these animals that is quite amazing.

It is the crown of this black crowned crane that attract our focus as well as the red on its face.

Sheep and Wales

2012-08-01T22:24:00.004+01:00

A couple of years ago, I went to visit a friend in Wales, in Swansea. Another city bu the sea. I seem to be attracted by the sea.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that it was spring, the weather was ghastly. Not a ray of sun could pierce the thick clouds that were overrunning the sky that day. As you will see on these photos, a very thick fog was also here to dampen our spirits.

We went to visit a small town on the seaside and we were welcomed by this thick fog that prevented us for seeing anything further away than our feet. On the cliffs, you could see sheep scattered all over the wet, damp grass. Some of those sheep were dangerously close to the edge but none of them seemed to fall on the beach.

As you can see here as well, the seemed undisturbed by either the weather or the closeness of the cliff's edge.

These two photos show the village we went to. It's only composed of a pub, a little museum and a few houses. As you can see the visibility was not very clear but it gives the scene a sort of gloomy and uncanny atmosphere. The scene seems to stem from a novel written by one of the Bronte sisters.

Wind turbines, seagulls and beach huts in Whitstable

2012-08-01T22:24:00.001+01:00

I was born near the sea and therefore I feel a very profound bond to its smells, colours and landscapes. Now that I live near Whitstable, I go there often and never without my camera. Therefore, it will probably not be my first or last post with photographs of the Whitstable landscape.

On this photo, you cannot clearly distinguish the sand from the water as it is a low tide. however, the persons walking are an indication of where the sand seems to be.

Not only their energy is clean but I find that they embellish Whitstable horizon as long as they are not too numerous. There is a pattern on that picture which I noticed only after I started treating it. Indeed, the number of "Aeolus' children" as we call them in French is receding and it gives something interesting to the shot.

We've seen Barneville's huts and Scarborough's, so now let's admire Whitstable's.

I like these three photos of the Whitstable's seagulls. Just as the wind turbines were receding on the horizon, the number of seagulls is increasing with the same pattern.

Harmonious yet different...

2012-08-01T22:20:00.002+01:00

I went to London several times but each time I was either to in a hurry or to busy shopping that I did not really take time to photograph London's very interesting and motley architecture. Here are two examples of this peculiar mix of architecture.

Here is a shot of the Millennium Bridge leading to Saint-Paul's cathedral. You can see that these two pieces of architecture, although harmonious, show how cities like London or New York mix their architecture to bring charm to the urban landscape.

Here is a shot taken in the City of London which is the financial and economical heart of London. In this part of London, the architecture is very modern and consist of numerous buildings with glass walls. I particularly like the building of the left hand side of this photo. The shape is clearly interesting.

English countryside - Malham, North Yorkshire

2012-08-01T16:36:00.004+01:00

On the Yorkshire Dales, there is a cute little village called Malham where you can visit the countryside. There are paths to follow and definitely pictures to be taken.

Here is a picture I took the second time I went there. I like this shot. You can almost see the fairies. This shot could also illustrate the covers of the Brontë sisters' books. This is Angria.

This picture was taken on my first trip to Malham. The landscape was so peaceful, everything was frozen and white.

I like this picture. Some hunters were hunting in the forest nearby and we were a little bit scared to get shot while visiting the countryside!

The journey through the Dales would not have been complete without seeing some sheep.

A Christmas at the beach

2012-08-01T15:57:00.001+01:00

After a very filling Christmas lunch, we took a stroll on the beach watching the sunset. Even though we were in Normandy, the day was perfect for this, fresh enough to help digestion yet not too cold that you had to stay in the car.

As I said above, I spend Christmas in Normandy and most beaches are pebbles beaches. During the summer when you're barefoot the pebbles can be most painful but at Christmas, with boots it's just fine. I found that they also offer a nice subject for photos.

When it was time to go back home, I noticed the sun setting in the rear-view mirror. I thought it made an interesting shot.

A very hot day

2012-08-01T15:55:00.001+01:00

One spring day, some friends and I went on the seaside to have a drink in a pub overlooking the sea. I live in Kent and it's the most sunny place in Britain. But I never thought that the warmth would cause the seas to evaporate!

Nevertheless, it created very interesting shots. On the two following photos, you can see this strange fog covering the Pegwell bay.

On these two shots the mysterious fog is clearly noticeable. On the black and white shot, the fog gives a mysterious edge to the photo.

Jurassic park on the Isle of Wight

2012-08-01T13:45:00.000+01:00

During the summer half-term, I went to the Isle of Wight and discovered that it is the home of the long disappeared dinosaurs. On the beach, you can still see their footprints.

Here is the proof...

On several beaches on the Isle of Wight, you can follow walks that guide you through paths taken by dinosaurs a few millions years ago.

On these two shots, you can see footcasts. Footcasts are the opposite of footprints, footprints being traces printed in the sand as footcasts are footprints filled in by sediment forming casts or stones.

As you can see, the stones have taken the form of the dinosaurs' footprints.

The Garlic Farm - Isle of Wight

2012-08-01T13:30:00.001+01:00

On the Isle of Wight, the most surprising place to visit is surely the beaches with the dinosaurs' footprints but the Garlic Farm is also very interesting and the food is really food.

Here are some pictures I took there.

On this farm, they have a hundred of different kind of garlic. Their shapes and seizes vary according to their origins. They are very proud of the Elephant Garlic. This garlic has a very thick stalk and a very beautiful flower. The stalk can be prepared like you would an asparagus and has a definite yet subtle garlic taste.

On these two shots, you can see the flower that blooms at the top of the Elephant Garlic's stalk. The colour has deep red and purple shades and the smell though a bit garlicky is still very sweet.

I really advise you to go to the Garlic Farm should you decide to visit the Isle of Wight.