Looking at Light

I've been blogging less lately. I've been busy which is good, busy is definitely good. It's not as if I've stopped taking photographs, I take hundreds of them, my computer hard drive is weighed down with photo megabytes. Taking photos keeps me centred, makes me happy, keeps me looking at the world in a different way, seeing details I might otherwise miss. 

Like this. Winter lace, lace curtains.

And this. A horse's shadow, up by the Sacré Coeur.

Spring is most definitely here, the light in the mornings has changed. A few weeks ago I took this photo early in the morning.

The other day, at about the same time, I took this photo from the same spot. 

Before developing this passion for taking photos I don't think I appreciated the way the light changes at different times of day and throughout the year. Early morning light at this time of year is beautiful, bright, crisp and full of hope.

Rue l'Abreuvoir.

Allée de Brouillards.

Rue Saint Vincent.

Soon there will be leaves on this tree and the Eiffel Tower will be no longer be visible from this point. In the mean time, I'll enjoy the view of La Grande Dame, and take more photos!

I have an Instagram account here where I post photos daily.

I also have a Facebook page - bbonthebrink - if you fancy taking a look, the link is here.

Magical Monday - Reeds and a Tower

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Usually I don't use Photoshop, but with these photos I played around with colour and contrast.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday: Snake Attack

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday - A Night Cycle

Our 9 year old son helped me with this one.

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. I played a little with the contrast for this photo, otherwise all done with props.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Right Place Right Time

Sometimes you're simply in the right place at the right time. I think it would be fair to say that this was the case for me yesterday in the Jardin des Tuileries!

And, once again, the Eiffel Tower in a vase. Who am I to refuse!

Magical Monday - The Bull Grabs the Eiffel Tower by the...

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Happy New Year: 2013 - 2014

Magical Monday - King Kong Sees Red

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Snatching a Magical Moment

Yesterday our daughter went on a school outing. My instructions were to pick her up at the Louvre at 19h00. I left the house with plenty of time to spare and decided to get out of the Metro at Concorde and then walk the last stretch. I had been working at my computer all day and quite fancied stretching my legs and getting some fresh air. 

As I popped above ground at Place de la Concorde I was greeted with this vision.

The Jardin des Tuileries was closing so I headed towards Rue de Rivoli. I turned round to admire the view. Lampposts, obelisk and Eiffel Tower vied for attention...

...in the end it was the Eiffel Tower won.

Magical moments like this make so happy that I live in Paris.

It Was So Nice I Went Up Twice.

Today was beautiful. Clear skies. Cool but not freezing. In the afternoon I had an hour to myself so walked up 'la Butte' and admired the views of Paris. You could see for miles. 

The beautiful winter light fell onto the Sacré Coeur and making it look golden rather than white.

I had to go home before the sun set but decided to come back up the hill later to witness it. I'm glad I did.

The park in front of the Sacré Coeur was still open so I was able to descend the hill while savouring the view and the last of the setting sun.

The manège at the bottom of the stairs was still running.

I resisted the urge to have a go myself and took pictures of it spinning instead.

Magical Monday - Engineering and Sculpture, Juxtaposed

The juxtaposition of two extraordinary pieces of work, a feat of engineering known throughout the world, and a sculpture. 

No *you* stop it!

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday - A Dog and a Tower

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical, unexpected or just plain daft. Unless otherwise mentioned, no Photoshop involved.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Paris, you're so beautiful!

After I had finished visiting the Palais de Tokyo the other day I walked down towards the river as I knew the sun would be setting soon. I headed towards the Passerelle Debilly, a metal footbridge bridge built for  the l'Exposition Universal de 1900. It was first built opposite Avenue Albert de Mun, just by the Palais de Chaillot. It was later moved Eastwards towards the Palais de Tokyo.

Also built for a similar World fair was the Eiffel Tower of course.

Similar structural techniques were used to build the Debilly footbridge as were used to build the Tower.

As the sun set, the light reflected off the Eiffel Tower.


I headed back to the metro along the river side. These seagulls caught my eye, hunkering down from the cold and wind.


Apparently oblivious to the reflection of the Dame de Fer on the glass boat they had chosen as their resting point.


Paris, you're so beautiful!

Magical Monday - The Meeting of a Leaf and a Tower

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Flaming Chimney

Walking down from the Sacré Coeur I saw a flaming chimney.

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday - Taking shelter

The Eiffel Tower takes shelter from the rain.


Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday - The Eiffel Tower Under Guard

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Lyrical Lampposts

Last week when I walked through the Jardin des Tuileries on the way home from work I was blown away by the beautiful light as the sun was setting. I took these photos, 'Twilight in the Tuileries' as I approached the Place de Concorde, Paris at it's photogenic best.

However it when I first entered the Cour Carrée du Louvre that I got to see something extra special. I walked along the south wing of the Louvre, the sky was an orange bronze, and despite it still being quite light, the street lamps were lit up. The combination of natural and artificial light were truly magical. 

The lights turned on the moment I passed through into the Cour. Here they were still 'off'

Moments later they were on.

It quickly got darker. Here I was looking toward Place de la Concorde, la Grande Roue in the distance.




Then I saw the Eiffel Tower and a lamppost standing side by side. Definitely Paris.


For a post with a range of quite extravagant Paris Lampposts click here...or Paris lampposts are not banal.