Out of words... Photo

Photographer’s Note

It's been a long, hot and tiresome day. The visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence has probably been a disappointment. Outside the ramparts they found this café, used by the locals, and sat down with each a large glass of mineral water. No words were spoken...

Saint-Paul is one of the most beautiful and intact medieval examples of the region with much of the ramparts still there. But it's hard to see anything inside the village except other tourists.

During the Summer and holidays the village is so packed, that people walk shoulder-to-shoulder through the narrow streets. The most predominant things to see are the scores of art galleries, tourist shops and pseudo "artisanal" shops. All very expensive.

There are many other and equally beautiful villages in the region, that are more rewarding to visit. Gourdon, Mougins and Tourrettes-sur-Loup to mention a few that I visited. Nearby Vence is also said to be more relaxed.

Being retired myself, I was happy to see somebody else having the same need as I: Shadow, chair, water and silence! I'll upload an image from the crowded and narrow streets later.

There's a symbolism in this shot which I like!

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Post pro: Rotated 2,25°CW, cropped, adjusted brightness -15 and contrast +10, increased saturation +10 and reduced in reds -20, resized for TE, NeatImage at 10%, USM 150/0,8/3, framed and saved for Web.

I've uploaded a B&W version of this as a WS, following Paul's suggestions...

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This is my 10th contribution to the Turning Autumn Hunt:
6. Retirement.

orme, pamastro, maphoto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

orme (6746) 2004-09-28 1:13

You captured a nice moment here, Kaj. Your note sets the scene nicely. I like how they both seem to have finished their drinks, but have no desire to get up and face the crowds again. Well framed.

pamastro (7213) 2004-09-28 1:35

Nice faces captured here. Very tired expressions but also kind of thinking ok, now what, we're here. The thoughts going through their heads are endless in my view. And it appears that they were in silence the whole time as you say. It was finally a place to sit and relax and that's what they were pleased with. The contrast between the background and foreground is very strong here. A bit too dark perhaps on the inside with the people. And a bit on the grainy side. Perhaps that graininess and the darkness and lack of strong color may have worked well in black and white. Although seeing the strong blue and red of the Pepsi glasses would been nice to keep. It is a good expression capture, though. And the bush between them adds a feel that separates their thoughts as well. We can imagine two views of their day this way.

[2] +

maphoto (8076) 2004-09-28 18:28

Interesting photo and note Kaj, great capture of the moement you describe, the light was not easy to handle with the slight ove exposition on the top left, but it is very minor, nice expression your sharing with us, thanks for doing so, well done.