A Photographer Abroad

On the road to Mareb and Shibham

2007-08-27T17:30:00.000+02:00

In the morning jeeps from different hotels gather to "convoy" to Mareb with an escort.

Signs on highway remind that machine guns are not allowed.

Our escort to Mareb in the land of Sheba

Yemeni guys

We go through many villages...

Our cars (5 4x4)

Our Drivers.

Driver (detail)

We have some serious protection around us!

Gee, these "things" are heavy!

Going through the desert is not easy... and it was HOT!
And finally, at the end of the day, beautiful Shibham.

Varanasi, India

2007-07-31T00:17:00.000+02:00

It has been over a year since I was last there but it came to mind today so here are some images of a very unusual place (I preferred its former name of Benares).

Yemen doors

2007-05-05T05:28:00.000+02:00

You can see some old doors that are made out of wood and very intricate. Today they make metal doors with colorful details that are also very interesting.

More doors later as they are a big part of Yemen's life.

Boys and girls in Sanaa, Yemen

2007-05-04T04:15:00.000+02:00

Sanaa in Yemen

2007-05-01T04:19:00.000+02:00

I just took a trip to Yemen. An unlikely destination I know. Out of our zone of comfort as of today. But...Arabia Felix as it was called in the latin days. The land of Sheeba. Very mysterious and extremely beautiful.

Houseboat on Kerala's backwaters

2007-03-25T20:32:00.000+02:00

A houseboat like the one I spent 24 hours on. It was a great experience to be able to enjoy sunset, sunrise, get my meals cooked, sleep under a net and enjoy the peace and quiet of this beautiful and exotic place. Fishermen go out at night and all the boats are parked in a reserved area, moving again in the morning after the fishermen have come back in.

Fishermen we saw.

Sunset from the boat.

Sunrise from the boat.

The 3 men who took care of me on the boat.

Morning scenes seen from the boat.

Tea plantation visit in Kerala

2007-02-08T08:51:00.000+01:00

One of the highlights of my Kerala visit was taking a walk by myself through a tea plantation (on the way to Perryar. Munar is an other good area to see tea plantations). I was lucky to arrive while tea leaves were being picked. Women work the field. They come from the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu and of course make very little money for hard work. At first they were shy and distant but soon warmed up and I ended up sharing their tea break. The masala tea was delicious!

A few faces from Southern India

2007-01-21T23:12:00.000+01:00

Most people you meet are just so gracefull and loving to have their photo taken.

Indian signs

2007-01-11T16:22:00.000+01:00

I am always amazed at the different signs and posters that I encounter on the way.

Indian elephants

2006-12-12T10:44:00.000+01:00

Elephants are among the many "sights" I love in India. They are present in a lot of places.
Of all the gods Ganesha is the most endearing to me with his cartoonish look.

From Bangalore to Madras

2006-12-10T22:22:00.000+01:00

Taking a train in India is always an exciting experience. The Bangalore to Chennai express covered 180 kms in 6 hours. It was however a welcome change from a bus on a bumpy road. Food and drinks are served constantly.

I used a certified porter.

My suitcase (middle one) is going down the stairs.

Moroccan crafts

2006-11-02T11:30:00.000+01:00

China, silver and camel bone on this beautiful jar.

Hotel door detail.

Front door at Mosque (detail).

Chest with camel bone and silver.

Agadir, Morocco

2006-10-31T09:58:00.000+01:00

An other evening, an other sunset.

Agadir still has fortifications on a hill. They were distroyed along with most of the city in the 1960 earthquake.
On the entrance of the fort you can see signs of the Dutch presence (1746).

Roof top abstract.

Agadir, Morocco

2006-10-29T23:16:00.000+01:00

Sun was setting on the ocean side with a different acene every night. Some evenings were of course better than others. Wind was blowing and few people were there as temperature was dropping quickly.

Be carefull when you have the sun in your lens: not good for you eyes and it also can fool the lightmeter and make the photo too dark. Better take a reading to the right or left of the sun.

Sunset "with camel".
"My" hamac was wonderful ! I read 2 books in it. Sun block DOES work! (Nivea #20) when pasted on.
Agadir is famous for its beaches but also for its harbor.
Fishing boats are still made the old fashion way.
Agadir beach at sunset time. It is a beautiful beach (6 miles long or so) that you can walk and because it is situated in an earthquake area, all constructions are very low rise. Many hotels cannot even be seen because of dunes.
Agadir was destructed by an earthquake in 1960.

A stormy day in Agadir (photo taken through window) that mercifully lasted only 24 hours

Family time at Ile de Re

2006-10-13T21:00:00.000+02:00

Provincetown MA

2006-08-22T03:11:00.000+02:00

This week end friends and I took a drive to Provincetown MA. It is always fun to go down there with the art galleries, souvenirs shops, new age boutiques and the very diverse crowds. Here are some of my shots that I tried to make not-so-predictable.

At Cohasset beach

2006-08-21T05:17:00.000+02:00

Back from their honeymoon, bride and groom had a few more photos taken at our local beach. They are a wonderful couple and as always it was a pleasure to be part of "the big event" . Elizabeth is starting law school tomorrow!
This photo was taken just before the sun went down on a so-so day with clouds and showers. But it all turned out for the best and the good thing is that there were not too many people at the beach! Temp was about 74F.

For more wedding photos, engagement, reheasal, honeymoon for this wedding or others, email me directly at
dayinparis@aol.com

Le mariage again

2006-08-21T05:12:00.000+02:00

Blogger has been hard to access.
I do like this photo and the photoshop accent (color of bride's maids dresses on photo frame).
I will add a few more if all goes well.

Le mariage 2

2006-08-18T03:14:00.000+02:00

I was going to post several photos when blogger started to act up.
On this image I wanted to give a sense of place. There are many other images where you can see the wedding party close up.

Le mariage

2006-08-16T03:16:00.000+02:00

An older but favorite image

2006-08-08T20:19:00.000+02:00

This photo is over 25 years old with colors completely faded.
I scanned it, was able to correct the color to a point, and here it is. I could play a little more in Photoshop I know.
This was a Sunday in July (we had gone to Wimbledon) and I guess there were fewer tourists in those days!

Getting married

2006-08-07T21:17:00.000+02:00

Beth and Liam will be married on August 12.

Back to BOSTON

2006-07-20T17:27:00.000+02:00

As I exited Metro (T) at Park street I was welcomed by a familiar sight: a church with a white steeple. A bigger surprise was to see the cows that I had seen in Paris for the last 2 months. They are different cows, decorated by local artists but the purpose of the exhibit is the same (i.e. raising money when they are sold ).

June 23rd fireworks in Saint Petersbg

2006-07-06T13:40:00.000+02:00

Saint Petersbourg

2006-06-26T13:23:00.000+02:00

A few photos of Saint Petersbourg (I prefer the French spelling).
Room with a view at Ermitage, Church - now a museum-, rain, mosque, metro, sky at midnight, June 23rd festivities, canal and reflection.

Colors of Cinque Terre

2006-06-16T08:55:00.000+02:00

Cinque Terre (North East of Italy) offers wonderful shapes and colors along with beautiful landscape in small towns that are within walking distance of each other. No car needed. You can travel by boat and foot.

Brussels

2006-06-15T23:34:00.000+02:00

Around la Grand Place.
1h25 minutes from Paris by train but a very different city (and country).

Brussels, Belgium

2006-06-14T18:54:00.000+02:00

Since I was just in Belgium, I wanted to share a few images.
Brussels is a fabulous place to visit (so are the other smaller towns in Belgium). Great buildings, people, food and beer!

More about Belgium (Brussels)

2006-06-14T18:42:00.000+02:00

Facades refleting in cafe window.

What a difference a day makes

2006-06-13T17:29:00.000+02:00

I have been away and keeping company to my young Korean friend Tamara who just had this perfect baby boy.
Miliko is his name.
No distant trip can replace such a great moment. It all happened in Belgium so I guess it can qualify as an "abroad" moment!

A June destination

2006-06-04T01:13:00.000+02:00

Belle Ile en mer is a perfect place to visit in June.

Benares (Varanasi) morning

2006-05-30T15:37:00.000+02:00

Along the way

2006-05-27T20:32:00.000+02:00

Along the way, I encountered a lot of gracious people.

More kids

2006-05-23T07:58:00.000+02:00

Dupata

2006-05-20T00:17:00.000+02:00

Gwaylior

2006-05-19T23:48:00.000+02:00

My hotel in Gwalyor was near a beautiful site.
We tool a train out of Agra on our way to Varanasi.
We spent a few relaxing hours there and visited the small town as well.

Creative

2006-05-18T05:05:00.000+02:00

Seafood in Cochin

2006-05-16T09:53:00.000+02:00

You buy fish from fishermen and there are little huts by the beach where it will be cooked for you. Kind of "a la plancha".

Delicious!

Big fat cats sit under your table for hand-me-downs.

Ghandi's message

2006-05-15T00:38:00.000+02:00

As seen on many cars windows.

Back waters boats

2006-05-13T00:00:00.000+02:00

Here is what a back water boat in Kerala looks like.
In the evening they all ancher in the same general area to allow fishing boats to go out.
I was alone on "my" boat and it was a wonderful experience.

Tea in Kerala

2006-05-10T10:16:00.000+02:00

Seeing a tea plantation eventually became a dream come true.

Bus in Kerala

2006-05-09T11:18:00.000+02:00

A country where people like to have their photo taken!

Rajasthan encounters

2006-05-07T22:19:00.000+02:00

India habitat center

2006-05-06T19:05:00.000+02:00

From exploitation to education.

The motto at the India Habitat Learning Center in Delhi.

Taj

2006-05-05T23:58:00.000+02:00

Taj at sunrise. Soft delicate colors and almost nobody there. So special!

The girl next door

2006-04-29T03:01:00.000+02:00

Today I am introducing some great kids I met on my trip.
All these kids were so loving and genuine. Rather serious looking on the images below but after a while warmed up to me and showed a different face that I will share on a later post.
I will never forget them.

2006-04-29T02:57:00.000+02:00

Adorable Kajel.
This was early in the morning and her true spirit had not woken up.

2006-04-29T02:50:00.000+02:00

This is Nanu, she is serious here but was not always like that.
Not a morning person either I guess. So special.

Room with a view

2006-04-26T15:29:00.000+02:00

From cyber cafe in Dharamsala.

Detail at Humayun's tumb is Delhi

2006-04-24T21:49:00.000+02:00

Those old peeling walls full of history have a lot of appeal.

Amber again

2006-04-20T23:57:00.000+02:00

Amber fort (le fort d'Amber) in Jaipur was one of the highlights of my trip to India (I went on 2 seperate occasions).
Simple image, a little depth, no distraction.
I had to wait before I had this spot to myself.
BTW you can click on the images to enlarge them.

Amber fort

2006-04-18T21:40:00.000+02:00

Not much to add.
The beauty of that place leaves you speachless.
(Make sure you spend enough time, look around and wait for the groups of tourists to go away)

Nap time

2006-04-14T22:32:00.000+02:00

From above?

2006-04-13T21:49:00.000+02:00

This image reminds me of an aerial shot.
It is actually a close-up of a polluted body of water.
There really is beauty in everything!

Fishing boats

2006-04-12T06:34:00.000+02:00

At sunrise dozens of fishing boats come back in. I like the way they are decorated, a reminder that the population is largely catholic in that part of India.

Street snacks

2006-04-10T07:19:00.000+02:00

Kid in daycare

2006-04-09T18:57:00.000+02:00

Love the colors!

Family with dog

2006-04-08T01:24:00.000+02:00

Satie

2006-04-06T15:44:00.000+02:00

Daily life

2006-04-05T10:29:00.000+02:00

Sing and dance

2006-04-04T23:45:00.000+02:00

All Indians seem to love to sing and dance.
This is at a school event I attended.

Delhi mosque

2006-04-04T00:36:00.000+02:00

Dozens of pigeons overhead.

Humayun's tumb is Delhi

2006-04-02T11:31:00.000+02:00

2 more of my favorite Delhi monument.

Bus

2006-04-01T15:19:00.000+02:00

Near Pushkar.

Elephant proof door

2006-03-30T18:37:00.000+02:00

I prefer to call it my Indian bed!

Tents and awnings

2006-03-29T05:38:00.000+02:00

Stopping at small restaurants between larger cities, I was often pleasantly surprised by the colors and shapes of the tents and awnings that protected us from the sun.

Bikaner

2006-03-28T04:35:00.000+02:00

That famous rat temple.
They do feed the rats but thankgod, they look more like cute little mice than rats. They will crawl over your feet though so do not go if you have a phobia.
Other than that, it is a very unusual place to visit.

Cows

2006-03-27T04:19:00.000+02:00

In Rajasthan there are small towns where you find more cows than cars.

At the very South

2006-03-26T04:45:00.000+02:00

Sunset on Kovalam beach was spectacular and different every night.
I wanted to capture the beauty of the sky as as well as the refection in the puddles that are all over the beach. The coconuts trees are to the right, you cannot see them here but they are there and making the whole scene much more memorable.
More on that later.

This is still India

2006-03-25T01:52:00.000+01:00

Dharamsala up North.
Each day there was spectacular in its natural beauty.

Smiles

2006-03-24T03:34:00.000+01:00

Most people I encountered loved to have their photo taken.
Sometimes they even requested it and then could not wait to look at the screen on my camera.

Cows and me

2006-03-23T14:32:00.000+01:00

Every image is attached to so many memories.
I remember the heat, the smells, and every kid I met that day!

Yellow flowers

2006-03-23T02:28:00.000+01:00

These have to be the most common flowers in India. A mum of some sort.
In French they are called oeillets d'Inde which would mean a variety of carnation.

An other rickshaw

2006-03-21T14:14:00.000+01:00

In Thailand and in some other parts of India and Asia, they are called Tuk-tuk.
They can pollute more than an enormous bus. (Buses are starting to run on cleaner fuels. Hard to notice a difference yet...)

Favorite in Delhi

2006-03-21T14:02:00.000+01:00

Humayun's tumb is by far my favorite monument in Delhi

Kids

2006-03-20T15:13:00.000+01:00

I find Indian kids to be beautiful with genuine smiles. They look you in the eye and straight into your lens.

Evening shopping

2006-03-19T23:42:00.000+01:00

These 2 women were buying a few potatoes for their next meal and were trying hard to have the price lowered.

Shared Ride

2006-03-19T14:16:00.000+01:00

Just outside of Delhi, people sharing a local "taxi".

Camels

2006-03-18T16:30:00.000+01:00

Camels are still used as a mean of transportation or to carry heavy loads around.
They are often decorated and wear "jewelry"

Scaffoldings

2006-03-18T16:26:00.000+01:00

A lot of construction is still done using bamboo scaffoldings. You see this even in high rise buidings.

The way things work

2006-03-18T16:22:00.000+01:00

I was told that many people die during the monsoon season
because of this type of "installation"

Lace

2006-03-17T14:42:00.000+01:00

Stones can be carved with such care and detail that they remind you of lace.

(Near entrance at Delhi Red Fort).

Rickshaw

2006-03-16T02:14:00.000+01:00

Rickshaws in Delhi have the same visual impact as yellow cabs in NYC. They are everywhere. Ride one and you will know the difference! OMG! First time I took a riskshaw I thought I was living my last hour. Do not know how they manage, but they always deliver you at your destination safe and sound (safe and speachless is more like it!).

Delhi Mosque

2006-03-15T16:43:00.000+01:00

Prayer rugs inside the Old Delhi Mosque.

Delhi

2006-03-14T00:42:00.000+01:00

Since my first contact with India was in Delhi, I will start with photos of Delhi.

This is inside the Red Fort.

In French we call those arches "arcatures polylobées". You can see a lot of them in Delhi and all over India.

There is an other Red Fort in Agra (where the Taj Mahal is) and a third one in Lahore which is not a tourist destination right now.

I often try not to include people in my architectural photos.

India

2006-03-13T20:01:00.000+01:00

Taking photos in India can be very overwhelming as there is always so much going on and you are constantly visually bombarded with images and colors, shapes and textures. It really is a photographer's paradise there and people also enjoy having their photo taken.One thing I tried to do was "keep it simple" as illustrated in these photos.