SoFoBoMo 2010 - a photo walking tour of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence

I enjoyed the experience of developing and publishing an online book for SoFoMoBo (Solo Photo Book Month) in 2009 so much I jumped right in and entered a book for the 2010 edition of SoFoMoBo. The theme selection was easy. After spending two amazing weeks in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, I wanted to be able to capture what I experienced on my frequent daily walks through this captivating village in Provence. Visually, I think that was possible but that does not even come close to the whole experience without an interaction with the senses of sound and smell. So, use your imagination, find the sounds and take in the aromas to complete the experience of beautiful Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. You can view the book here: SoFoMoBo 2010: Saint-Remy-de-Provence
As always, comments are welcome and thanks so much for visiting!

Enchanting

Le Tour Eiffel

Hilltop Villages

I am completely fascinated with the hilltop villages that I have visited here in France. Each one has a unique history and storied past. But they all existed for essentially one core purpose...to get that strategic location to defend thier resources and property. I marvel at the engineering ingenuity employed to construct and maintain the many structures some dating back to before the middle ages. The image above is of Gordes on the edge of the Vaucluse plateau.

The Colors of Southern France

This place is simply amazing! Full of color, life and sun. 

On The Road Again...(but I have to take a plane first)!

The Sea to Shining Sea road trip was so much fun I just had to get out and do something else. So....it is off to Europe we go for about three weeks. Instead of driving all over the Eurasian Peninsula we’ll be home based in Saint Rémy de Provence (in the heart of Van Gogh territory...very inspirational...in fact his work Starry Night, is said to have been painted while he was in the Asylum in St. Rémy) with plans to explore southern France hilltop to hilltop, lavender field to lavender field and vineyard to vineyard. Following two weeks in St. Rémy it’s off to Paris. So stay tuned here and assuming there is a working internet connection, I will publish a post or two. So my bags are almost packed, cameras and lenses are eagerly waiting, and yes the passport is up to date...so off to France we go!

Trail Walk - Such a Colorful Mile

The other afternoon, in the heat and drenching humidity, I decided to take a walk along the W&OD Trail which runs from Alexandria to Purcellville VA for 44 miles or so. I just wanted to hike a mile of it. I had ridden by the chosen section of trail earlier and noticed a collection of wild flowers worthy of a return trip...this time with a camera. What an amazing mile...here is the best of what I saw....

Yellow Trumpet Flower

Queen Annes Lace

? Yellow Wildflower

Dandelion

Everlasting Pea

Daylilly

So...go find a trail...grab a camera and enjoy!

In and Around Skyline Drive

I have had a few trips up to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park this spring and have thoroughly enjoyed each one. I want to take more time exploring the beauty and intricacies that unfold as you hike throughout the area. I would love to “catch” a moment when there are looming thunderstorms and at sunrise and sunset...sounds like a challenge to me. The images that follow are two different approaches that I have been experimenting with. The first is a telephoto shot near Gooney Run Overlook on Skyline Drive which I post-processed with NIK Software’s Color EFX Pro’s Polaroid Transfer effect.

(click to see full size)

The second image is taken in the afternoon looking southwest along Skyline Drive. Using Photomatrix Pro to generate this HDR image. I did not "push" the settings to create this, just a "nudge" to bring out the tones in the sky and from the distant mountain peaks.

(click to see full size)

I will be heading back soon!