Notre Dame de La Rue: Paris, France

Over the years, the famous Notre Dame of Paris has been captured at many different angles. There are various bridges spanning the length of the Seine throughout Paris – each offering their own unique advantage of composition. My most popular Notre Dame depiction was taken while floating upon the Seine, not at all uncanny. In this particular instance, however, I explored the “less pretty side,” viewing the Notre Dame from the streets of Paris on a very dreary and unabated rainy day.

L’éthique du Travail: Midwest United States

This midwestern farmer is hard at work, cutting tree limbs down to size in order to suit his purposes. The photograph was altered to appear to match the desired tone – one of a subdued, tranquil nature.

The Parisian Experience

A few days ago I published a photography sampler eBook entitled, The Parisian Experience,

(Copyright © 2012) For the cover, I used one of my favorite photographs, which was well liked in its original posting on this blog. The composition depicts a Normandy harbor beautifully covered in a blanket of sunlight.

as a precursor to the full-length book I am developing.

This free edition features some of my most well-received photographs which have appeared on the Adventure Writer’s Blog, including Louis XVI, Omaha Beach, Notre Dame de Paris, and multiple others.

The book is currently being reviewed by B&N and Apple’s respective quality assurance teams.

On a different note – tomorrow I hope to post my comprehensive Hunger Games review, as well as an audio edition for the AW Blog YouTube channel.

The Crashing Waves

Over the course of a few days I developed a soundtrack for a mini-movie which I will be presenting before an English class representing the poem, Dover Beach. This is the soundtrack in question, with shooting for the video in progress:

This video is made legally using Apple Co. loops provided with the application, Garage Band, in accordance with Terms of Use.

Ever heard of the calm before the storm? Well this is the calm... AFTER the storm.

Vitraux de Litteau: Stained Glass of Europe

Le Pigeonnier and manor are situated in a little Normandie town called Litteau. Within this sparse, countryside community, is founded a church with beautiful stained glass. This particular piece, however, is not of a particularly cheery disposition, depicting the act of presumably Christian martyrdom.

Pétales Blancs: Monet’s Garden

Outreaching anthers accumulated around petals of unmitigated white and robust stalk. Anon, another intricate, unknown beauty of Giverny, reminiscent of "La Fleur Inconnue Rose."

In less contrived terms, this photograph depicts a fantastic white flower which I have little knowledge of – limited to the fact that it is grown in Monet’s garden, which is located in Giverny, France. It’s about time I searched for an expert on botany…

Rolling Hills and Lush Green Peaks

Rolling hills, lush green peaks, clear blue skies, and pure white clouds painted across the horizon. It is amazing what sentiments a landscape may distill - from dark and malevolent, dreary and burdensome, to hopeful and joyous, tranquil and utopic.

The Lion, The Pigeon, and The Fantastical Manor (witch and wardrobe not included)

In a previous post entitled, "The Lion and the Pigeon House (no wardrobe this time)" I shared a cropped version of this photograph in a romanticized format. This time, however, c'est vrais (it's true - no alterations). "While travelling in Europe I had the pleasure of staying in a pigeon house, which was much more hospitable than would sound. It was remodeled by a British couple, and the only indication of what it once was were the shoe-box sized holes dotting the curved walls. (The pigeon house in this photograph is the cone shaped building)." The manor (center) is for guests who are willing to pay extra for luxury and meal accommodations - we, however, did fine at our quaint (and superbly comfortable) pigeon house, crafting our own scrumptious repas with local ingredients.

La Fleur Inconnue Rose: Of Monet’s Garden

While in Giverny, Monet's garden was of our principal interest and thus, we spent most of our time there, engaging ourselves in developing photographic compositions and simply enjoying the sweet aromas and stunning floral arrangements which were in abundance.. In observing this flower, I was taken by its complexity, as opposed to the general simplicity of its surrounding kin. It stood prominently in the midst of the garden... and yet, I knew not its appellation.

Omaha Beach: Forever Hallowed

Inscribed upon this monument, located at the heart of Omaha Beach, is the following text: "THIS EMBATTLED SHORE, PORTAL OF FREEDOM, IS FOREVER HALLOWED BY THE IDEALS, THE VALOR AND THE SACRIFICES OF OUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN" (1)