Back to the blog

Well, its been a long time between blog posts, basically since the start of the plague. I have a lot of catching up to do but after a four month “stay at home” lockdown in Saigon it was great to get my shoot on last week with my muse, Alina Van. This was essentially an outdoor nude shoot but a few of the pre wardrobe drop photo’s are posted below to give an idea of the locations. The light wasn’t great, it was direct, hard, mid morning light but you don’t always get to choose when you shoot and you simply have to work with, and make the best of what you have. In any case it was fantastic to be out and shooting again. More to come.

The test shot

The Warm Up

Changing places.

Paris Long Exposures

I just love to get my long exposure photography on, particularly in Paris. There’s just something about being out early in the morning, before the crowds, finding a composition that I like, setting up and slowing down, taking in the sounds and sights with this iconic city laid out at my feet, and having it almost to myself. Some of my most memorable Paris moments have been spent doing exactly this.

Pont Neuf and the Isle de la Citie from Pont Des Arts.

Pont des Arts

Luxembourg Palace

The Pantheon.

Notre Dame Cathedral shrouded in scaffolding.

The Palace of Justice.

Pont Neuf and the Eiffel Tower.

Looking down river towards Notre Dame Cathedral from Pont de la Concorde.

Turn 180 degree’s on Pont de la Concorde from the previous frame and this is the view. Paris, laid out at my feet in every direction and hardly a person in sight!

The Eiffel Tower in the blue hour, shot from the 58th floor viewing deck of the Montparnasse Tower.

Paris

Final stop on this European (working) Vacation was Paris. The City of Light, The City of Love, call it what you will Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world to visit, to photograph in, to eat in and simply to be in. Photographing there is a joy that I never tire of, and each time when I leave, I can’t wait to return.

To begin with a cliche!

And not so cliched.

The morning baguette run. Quintessentially French.

Notre Dame Cathedral gawking.

Luxembourg Gardens at dawn, which was conveniently timed at 7am!!!!

Dramatic early morning light somewhere near the Pantheon.

The French Tricolour peeps out on the rooftop of the Pantheon.

Light and shadow at the Sorbonne.

Water Police drill by jumping off a perfectly good bridge. Who knew?

“The Revolution will be feminist or it will not be.” And with that the culprit makes his escape!

Montparnasse Tower casts a long shadow over Luxembourg Gardens at sunset.

Have’s and Have Not.

My Daily Bread.

The fnac building on Rue Montparnasse never disappoints for a reflection shot.

Code Red.

Dijon

Continuing north to Paris my next stop was the charming city of Dijon, famous for its signature mustard and its Gothic architecture.

An example of much of Dijon’s Gothic architecture.

Mustard, mustard everywhere!

A miniature Arc De Triomphe, dedicated to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Dijon’s Museum or Art

A Cathedral opposite my go to Irish Bar!

Going home. French Chic.

Lyon

Making my way toward Paris my next stop was charming Lyon. I spent a few days here, still suffering from “man flu”. Most of the sites in Lyon are clustered around the centre of town, the peninsular, on both sides of the river and the city is great for walking.

Long exposure image along the riverfront.

“I went to the church but I didn’t know what to say, so I mumbled some words, said I hope they’re OK then Amen.”

A local sweet delicacy I inhaled several of these little beauties.

Blue sky days.

Lyonaise Chic.

The “red bridge” on a stormy afternoon.

Aix En Provence

My next trick was a quick flight from Madrid to the beautiful city of Aix En Provence in the south of France. This stunningly beautiful town left a lasting impression on me. Unfortunately it also left me with a dose of the dreaded man flu which was to dog me for the next few weeks. Still Aix is well worth a visit, for the food alone, if not the scenery.

When a bus pulls up in frame at the end of a five minute exposure its time to collapse your tripod and go for a drink.

Cheese, glorious (truffle infused) cheese!

On “seeing the light”

My bread guy. He had me at hello.

On the importance of looking uo.

Did I mention the food?

Aix, city of a thousand fountains.

Gratuitous “sexy shot.”