Tag Archives: streetscape

The Beauty of Black and White

There is no distraction — no tug at the corner of your eye to look over at the bright red — pay attention to that glossy blue — or wonder why in the world someone thought that ochre yellow was an appropriate choice for a particular item of furniture.

So old school am I — remembering the acrid smell of darkroom chemicals — missing the magic of holding my breath ever so slightly as the image emerged on the glossy sheet of photo paper. Dip, swish, rock the tray, wait for the magic — ahhh — remove, submerge, rock the tray — image set now — remove, submerge, rinse-rinse-rinse then hang to dry.

It’s all done with sliders in a software program nowadays — has been for quite awhile. But even as I slide those wee buttons about, fine-tuning the addition and subtraction of light, the inky tones of black and white still sing to me. Today is one of those days.

Enjoy!

Two people walking up one of the steeper historic streets in Quimper, Brittany, France. B&W

Half-timbered and stone buildings in the old medieval city of Quimper, Brittany, France. Black & white. B&W

An elderly woman with a wheeled walker in a quiet street in Quimper, Brittany, France. B&W

A busy intersection in Morlaix, Brittany, France. Black and white. B&W

Layers of stone construction in houses, churches, and a viaduct in Morlaix, Brittany, France.

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©Deborah Harmes 2007-2018 and
©A Wanderful Life 2007-2018
Please respect the words and images on this page.
All rights reserved.

Let The Sleeping Bears Lie

Walking through Quimper in Brittany, France one afternoon, camera in hand taking streetscape shots, when we passed a now-defunct shop. Instead of simply covering the huge pieces of glass with paper or whiting it out with paint, the owners created a clever and quite funny window display.

I loved the reflection of the streetscape behind — but you can still clearly see the Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear — all in a permanent state of hibernation — with their heads on pillows. Such a sweet and unexpected surprise.

Streetscape reflection and stuffed and sleeping bears of all sizes in the window of an old out-of-business store in Quimper, Brittany, France.

COPYRIGHT
©Deborah Harmes 2007-2018 and
©A Wanderful Life 2007-2018
Please respect the words and images on this page.
All rights reserved.

Photo Of The Day: Brussels Streetscape in Black & White

Bright sun, deep shade — just made for black and white. Enjoy!

Man walks down exterior stairs in deep shade on a sunny day in Brussels, Belgium. B&W

Charming Coutances in Normandy, France

Mentally, if not physically, I’m headed back to Coutances in Normandy today to share some photos of this lovely town.

Mairie (mayor's office) in Coutances, Normandy, France

Cathedral tower in Coutances, Normandy, France

It is hard to imagine when you walk through the tranquil streets that 70% of the town was bombed out during World War II.

Streetscape in Coutances, Normandy, France

Cathedral in Coutances, Normandy, France

Chapel attached to the Centre D'Accueil Diocésain C.A.D-Diocesan Offices and Retreat Centre on Rue Daniel in Coutances, Normandy, France

This beautiful town could be an excellent place to base yourself for travels throughout the English Channel coastline and the World War II battlefield areas.

Hope you have enjoyed this tiny peek at a lovely town in Normandy!

The Gentle Beauty of Granville in Normandy, France

It was late in the afternoon and the appearing-then-disappearing sunlight streamed through each intersection in sporadic bursts. The two main streets of the Haute Ville section of Granville are lined with beautiful old stone houses, many dating back to a period between the 15th to 17th Centuries.

Stone buildings line the Haute Ville (high town) section of historic Granville in Normandy, France

The upper portion of the town is surrounded by an ancient fortified wall from the 15th Century and is perched high atop a hillside overlooking the latter portions of Granville built on reclaimed seafront.

The jumbled rooftops of the lower town section of Granville in Normandy, France

Coastal overlook with World War II bunkers visible in Granville, Normandy, France

This part of Normandy hugs the curving coastline and has some of the loveliest towns in all of northern France. Granville has much to recommend it both historically and visually and can easily be visited on a one-day outing.

Pastel colours of the seacoast on a sunny day at Granville in Normandy, France