Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Inside the Bibliothèque Nationale de France


I work too much! So last night, for once, instead of staying in the office until 8 pm, I decided to air my mind and go to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (also called Bibliothèque François Mitterrand after a former French President who had it built) to attend a conference by Jean-Marc Jancovici about climate change (he's a scientist, not a politician, which makes him more trustworthy!). Unfortunately, I arrived 5 minutes late and the place was already full so there was no way I could get in. I did not waste 100% of my time however, it gave me the opportunity to take this photo inside the Bibliothèque, which I kind of like ;)
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39 comments:

  1. How cool is this photo? Very cool, I'd say!!

    So did you go get a Burger Royale instead?

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  2. The orange bag, slightly off-center, is brilliant! I think I'll add it to the crown, which is also slightly off-center.

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  3. Hey GF Suzy! Like the crown.

    Wow Eric I love this photo. You do amaze me though how you manage to get flat on the floor yet...no-one seems to notice you! Do you have an invisible button? A reducing tablet? When I've tried this, people smirk at me. It's just not fair. lol. I too love the orange bag. The reflections are so pretty.

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  4. So do I! It's a little abstract, but a pretty cool shot! Sorry you missed your conference though. Oh, well, look at it this way, hanging out at the library beats ridding the streets of Paris in the snow and ice, or even riding the subway ;)

    By the way, where are those subway shots ;) ?

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  5. Nice angle, Eric. The things that you do for us!! I also have to wonder with Lynn if you somehow have an invisible cloak or something so that you can't be seen by passersby! I know when I've tried to take those types of shots, I get some very funny looks. But we appreciate your dedication to us and the lengths (and depths) you go!!

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  6. Great shot. I could get down on the floor to shoot it but would need much help to get back up.

    I was there last month to see the American Photography exhibit. Great photos but reflected a part of American life usually seen on the Jerry Springer show.

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  7. Wow, this one shines! I "kind of like" it too, very much.
    The conference sounds so great. Looking on the positive side, it's a good sign that it was full!

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  8. Sorry you missed your conference, but thanks for taking this well-composed photo, Eric—and you used the famous Tenin perspective! (Indeed, you must be quite flexible.)

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  9. Forgot to say—congrats on GF, Suzy!

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  10. You work too much I work too little at the moment . Photographer's do not like recessions. We are a luxury not an necessity. More time to write though. It is a wonderful low shot that bounces the light at interjections. Perhaps you borrow Manannan's cloak from my island to pass through. It's fog. Cloak just sounds more romantic and mystical than fog though.

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  11. It's yoga,isn't it. You do yoga.

    I love the colors amid the pattern of lights.

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  12. Fantastic shot Eric! All that reflective, floor-level surface, the blurred human and the off-centre orange bag and the reflections from the floor level lights. I think the person who designed this section of the bibliotheque would love to see this photo.

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  13. Awesome photo, Eric. The patterns remind me of patterns inside the Institute du Monde Arabe made by the building's skin. I would love to see the inside of the TGB!!! Someday.....when I go back to Paris.... (her hand supporting her head as she gazes off into space with a happy smile).

    :)

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  14. Isn't this the buiding that looks like two bookends?
    I LOOOOVE the Institute du Monde Arabe, Carrie. The windows act like window kalidoscopes!!
    To all future picnic goers, including Michael and his comment yesterday:YOU shall all get 2009 glasses!

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  15. 5 minutes en retard et tu n'as pas pu rentrer?! C'est vraiment nul...Mais comme ce soir je suis kind of rebellée contre les autorités, je ne peux pas être objective.

    J'aime bien cette photo, avec ses petites lumières design.

    PHX, exactly, the two "books": that's la BNF. You know this area, it's the 13th! ;)

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  16. beautiful shot! The orange bag sets it off.

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  17. The BNF! What a great angle. Have never been inside but would love to check it out one day. Merci for your interior efforts Eric! Stay warm.

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  18. I love it when you put up a shot of a place where I've been.

    He's got a doodad. He must. Maybe some kind of stick where he can hang the camera down at the end of a walking stick and take pictures with it.

    Oh, I don't know. I'm constantly lying on the ground taking pictures and no one ever notices me.

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  19. Same with me Coltrane. I've been to the BNF, but never inside. It looks a bit industrial I have to say, but surely seeing Eric perform Yoga on the floor would be worth the visit.

    We have an expression, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." So Eric, when you arrive 5 minutes late, do yoga on the floor and get your fans a great photo.

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  20. It is a great photo but, I bet you would have enjoyed the talk. I understand completely. I did a little after work diversion myself. Sometimes you just need to get work out of your mind completley.

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  21. I don't know. In its way I think this is another of your fabulous classics, Eric.

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  22. Wow, your floor angle makes that a great shot, Eric! Bravo!

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  23. looks a bit like an ice-skating rink...in space.

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  24. Babooshka I'm so with you; I have little work at the moment too. I constantly need more.

    Yes people look at me with kind of irritated curiosity! When I'm on the floor, I mean, not ordinarily. Well, not that I'm aware of, at least lol. It's kind of "and what are you doing down there, you pretentious prat?" attitude. I thought it was just the British. To the masses here, I've always felt that creativity is regarded as 'arty farty lightweight' stuff. Which hasn't been easy, being an artist, writer and photographer! LOL. I'd get a lot more respect being a plumber.

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  25. Re Petrea's theory, I seem to remember reading in a newspaper about a man being arrested for having a small camera on the end of a walking stick. Eric needn't worry however, this man wasn't taking pictures of buildings! (I leave the rest to your imagination).

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  26. First I thought this must be in a hospital, and then worried if something had happend to you Eric, in Siberian Paris. So I'm glad that you were only in the Bibliothèque. I have never been inside these buildings, but they sure are impressive on the outside, and now we can see that they look nice inside as well.

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  27. Hellooooo...First time here... Thanks for show Paris in a daily photo!!! I love Paris.. I love Photos.. WOW what a great idea...
    and you seem to be a nice french guy... are you real? jajajajaja just kidding... I'm Laura, from Monterrey Mexico, I love your blog and from now on I'm following the blog!!! Merci Beaucoup.... Muchas Gracias Amigo!!

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  28. Wooooo Drummond. I need a lie down.

    Welcome Laury! he he "a nice French guy...are you real?" How about that, Eric? Hilarious! Yes he's real, Laury and he IS nice. Not that I've met him myself yet. Desafortunademente.

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  29. Somebody pinch Eric. I want to know if he's real, too!

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  30. Send him over here. I'll let you know ;)

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  31. Library! *drool* Science conference! *drool* Dear Eric, you've given me a small break from my otherwise down, illness infected dreary day!

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  33. Welcom Laura from Monterrey Mexico. Yes, Eric is real. When I pinched him, he hit me. But then, when people see me lying on the floor, they tend to kick me and say "get lost". Life is hard. By the way, it was -20 F when I was brewing coffee this morning. God is punishing me for my sins. Since this thing about forgiveness obviously is a lie, I might as well keep sinning. Ouch! Ok, ok, I'll get up and leave. Sheesh, just trying to take a few photos...

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  34. Somehow I've never been to the BNF. How fortunate you are to be able to attend a conference about climate change, Eric. I will say no more.

    Lynn: "I'd get a lot more respect being a plumber" I'm not so sure. :D
    Check this out:
    http://www.usnews.com/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2009/01/13/joe-the-plumber-now-joe-the-war-correspondent-in-israel-is-still-joe-the-clown.html

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  35. You may kind of like it Eric, but I love it. I see a note card series coming on. . .remember the moving sidewalk shot you took from this angle (which I also adore)? May I suggest this and that as Zazzle material. . .

    Speaking of which, I am really enjoying my black and white 2009 PDP calendar and think of you and PDP each time I glance at it for the date. It is really well done. I can't wait for the month when the man with the camera stares back at me every day! Right now I'm enjoying le Tour Eiffel reflected in a rain puddle. So, so beautiful.
    -Kim
    Seattle Daily Photo

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  36. Beatiful photo indeed! Did you get down on your knees do take it? I happen to do it a few times but people around seem to get really worried for me...

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