Sunday, July 05, 2009

Paris, really?


I could have taken this photo in a little village somewhere down in the South of France or in Italy, but no, I took it in the middle of Paris, in the 2nd arrondissement right after they cleaned the street. I'm not 100% happy with it - it would have looked better if the two ladies where more in the middle of the street - but I like it globally. That is also what I love with Paris: you can find yourself in a very modern area then walk down a few blocks and go back in time a few centuries!

34 comments:

  1. Actually it looks very Paris to me! The little back streets. Lovely. Historic. I like the positioning of the ladies too Eric because they are just turning the corner, inviting us to wonder where they're going!

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  2. Well I'd like to be pleased I have GF but don't want to be moaned at again! What's the position on GF - are we continuing with it or scrapping it? lol. Well anyway I'm wearing an historic crown made of little cobbles as in the old streets! :)

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  3. CONGRATULATIONS~~ Lynn GF. You look wonderful tonight in your little cobbles crown.

    I wonder if it is a mother and daughter out for a stroll. I think it is a lovely picture.

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  4. It does look olde worlde and atmospheric, yet so simple. Lovely, Eric!

    Lynn, congrats GF, yayyyyy!!! Always seemed a nice bit of fun to me. Enjoy your cobblestone crown!

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  5. Thanks!! Yes I think mother & daughter too. The muted tones are great, I wonder if Eric made it like that or whether it was this devoid of colour. It's perfect.

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  6. " you can find yourself in a very modern area then walk down a few blocks and go back in time a few centuries! "

    How true!

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  7. I like how this photo almost looks black and white, and the wet street is a nice touch. The "walk a block and be back in time" thing is one of my favorite parts of the city as well.

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  8. The soft tone & the pavement already betray a hint of sensual Parisian dawn, methinks.

    The lady on the right reminds me of my beloved late granny, tears even started to well in my eyes.

    I agree with Lynn, the fact that "they are just turning the corner" is very suggestive!

    GF, Che bellezza !!

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  9. Eric, don't you think "bras dessus bras dessous" is a good title for this picture ? Je sais que cette expression date du XVIIe siècle et signifieque que deux personnes se tiennent par les bras. It seems to me we are "go[ing] back in time a few Centuries!" Well, maybe it is just me.

    Keats

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  10. I love how the women look together, and the black and white helps convey the "back in time" feeling.

    And as for the GF...no one moaned at you as I recall, Lynn. I said, in passing, not to anyone in particular, just in my own opinion, that I found it inane. Which I do. I couldn't care less what you think of my opinion. Honestly. I come for the photos!

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  11. This picture evokes quite a bit of emotions in me, but at the end of a big walking day today, I have to say I like her sensible shoes!

    I also like how GF continues to make us all buddies in a world wide game.

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  12. I love the photo. It exemplifies one of my favorite things about Paris: its timelessness.

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  13. I want to thank my French friends for the good wishes yesterday for the 4th of July. I didn't turn on my computer all day, but I appreciate the thoughts across the ocean. I think it's fun that ours (4th) and yours (14th) happen in the same month, though a few years apart (and going back a few centuries!) I celebrated by seeing Cirque de Soleil...my French connectiion.

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  14. Er, Jeff, isn't Cirque du Soleil from Canada?

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  15. That's a great shot, Eric. I don't agree the figures would be better in the centre - I love that they are turning the corner and we with them. Superb! Also fascinated to read about your photography lessons the other day. I envy you that, not that I think you need lessons, mind you.

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  16. I love this photo and keep coming back to look at it. There's something sad and dark about it, yet helpful as the one gives an arm to help, yet not control.

    (On the other hand, it reminds me of how I feel after a late night out.)

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  17. Yeah...Cirque du Soleil is from Canada.

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  18. Tomate, Jeff, Keats, Le Cirque du Soleil is from Canada, yes, ... but from Quebec! So they speak "French" ;-)

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  19. Oh yeah...So it is truly a French connection.

    Thanks Thib :)

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  20. Eric, I love the atmosphere of your photo. I first tought it was B&W. But once enlarged, I realize it's not ;-)
    Did you photoshopped the background? It looks "bizarre" ;-)

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  21. I did - a little! - Thib! But I did not spend enough time on it, so it shows !!

    Bras dessus, bras dessous is definitely a better title Keats, you're so right. I wish I had thought of that myself ;)

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  22. LOOOOL Michael! You after a night out! Like it.
    Keats that touched me. It is quite a moving photo.

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  23. We had rain this morning in Santa Fe and then I saw your photo. I love it. There is something peaceful about people walking in the rain.

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  24. And that´s exactly the kind of thought that came to my mind on my last day in PAris as I was walking the streets near Place Saint Andre des Arts. I had just left the (very) busy Bl. St. Michel and suddenly I found myself in quiet streets, small village atmosphere, just a few steps from the crowded boulevard.

    I love this paradox in Paris. During that walk I even bumbep into the building where Picasso lived and painted "Guernica".
    In Paris, really?! You bet!

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  25. Michael "On the other hand, it reminds me of how I feel after a late night out." Like the woman on the left or on the right?!

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  26. he he Eric!

    Monica your English is superb! Wow if your French is the same level, it's fantastic! You must be very pleased you put in so much work.

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  27. Eric - this is a really lovely photo - very atmospheric and evocative to me of the journey of old age.

    But, in fact, the ladies are at the center of the photo. (Did you crop it?) The content just makes it seem like they're off to the left.

    I agree with the others - I like them taking me around the corner with them. Actually, I think it would be even more enhanced if there were even more empty street to the right and they were further offset to the left. (But - I don't know what was over there and maybe that was impossible.)

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  28. I actually like where the women are positioned; it may not be the centre of the street but it is centre of the photo and it conveys their turning the corner to the left as it is. Poignant.

    Found your blog in my search for 'a photo a day' from various places. Interesting way of getting to see other places from an insider's perspective.

    Mine is from Lancaster, UK. Hope you can find the time to drop by occasionally.

    http://lancastertoday.blogspot.com/

    Paris is still my favourite city after several visits. We are planning to return again later this year, so looking forward to being tempted by more of your photos in the meantime. Merci!

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  29. Carrie "But, in fact, the ladies are at the center of the photo. (Did you crop it?) The content just makes it seem like they're off to the left.". No, I did not. I just blurred the background.

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  30. Awesome...perfect example of the scope of PDP!! Merci!!

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  31. I love this photo the way it is. It looks like there's something just around the corner.

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