What's (in) the Picture?

Chris Breebaart Photography – finding stories

Posts from the ‘France’ category

Paris 1989: Notre Dame as Background

Black and white image of the Seine River in Paris, featuring Notre-Dame Cathedral in the background, a pedestrian walking along the riverbank, and a group of people gathered near the water.
France, Paris – January 1989

The Notre Dame in Paris before the fire. A view from the quay toward the Île de la Cité. From a walk along the river, the third I took at almoste the same point. The previous ones I published yesterday and the day before yesterday, showing bridge arches.


About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Paris 1989: Notre Dame and Seine

A view from under a bridge, showcasing a stone walkway by the river, with people walking in the distance and a boat on the water. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is visible in the background.

France, Paris – January 1989

The Notre Dame in Paris before the fire. The bridge arch offers a template on a sunny Winter morning. The first shot in a set of shots of three. The second I published yesterday.


About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Paris 1989: View on Notre Dame and Seine

Black and white photograph of the Notre-Dame Cathedral viewed through an archway, with pedestrians walking along the riverbank and boats moored nearby.
France, Paris – January 1989

The Notre Dame in Paris before the fire. The bridge arch offers a template on a sunny Winter morning. Earlier published but a bit adjusted. This is the second shot in a set of three. The first one will be on tomorrow, the third the day after.


About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Mono and/or Colored? Entangled at St. Georges-sur-L’Aa

One of the first questions I had buying my first digital DSLR was ‘how do I shoot monochrome photos from now?’. In the past it was just choosing what film I put in a camera. Going digital implied using editing to revert from color to monochrome. More recently black and white modes came back on devices. Not only on iPhone. My choice for Nikon Zf was influenced by it. But it all is a question of taste.

Two photos of the power lines at St. George-sur-L’Aa in France. Pick one or both. Both were shot on iPhone without the mono setting.

A dramatic view of high voltage power lines stretching across a cloudy sky, with multiple pylons visible in the distance.
Black and white landscape featuring multiple electric transmission towers against a cloudy sky.
France, St. George-sur-L’Aa -August 2026

Every time we travel to or from the UK via the Channel Tunnel, I try to take photos of these steel giants. They carry power lines in the area of St. George-sur-l’Aa. No worries, I’m in the passenger seat.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Between The Lines

Electricity transmission towers against a clear blue sky, with power lines stretching over a green field.
France, St. George-sur-L’Aa – July 2026

Every time we travel to of from the UK via the Channel Tunnel, I try to take photos of these steel giants. They carry power lines in the area of St. George-sur-l’Aa. No worries, I’m in the passenger seat.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

June 6 1944 – June 6 2026

To the brave and courageous

Who were willing to pay the ultimate price

And gave me my freedom

As a precious treasure

Never to be taken as a right

But like they did then to be defended

Again and again

Lest not forget

White cross gravestone with the name Elmer T. Bryant, 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment, South Carolina, June 6, 1944, with a red rose placed at its base in a cemetery.
Colleville sur Mer, France – July 2004

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville sur Mer.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Steel Giants

A black and white photograph of tall power lines and transmission towers stretching across a snowy landscape under a bright sun.
Black and white photograph of power lines stretching across a field, with the sun shining brightly in the background.

France, Saint-Georges-sur- l’Aa – January 2026

Every time we travel to the UK via the Channel Tunnel, I try to take photos of these steel giants. The same goes for when we return from there. They carry power lines in the area of St. Georges-sur-l’Aa. No worries, I’m in the passenger seat.

They remind me of mythical knights, marching in line over the fields. In the archive you find a set of photos over the years.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max, edited using Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Pas de Calais

A scenic view of rolling hills in Pas de Calais, France, with a clear blue sky and two stone posts in the foreground surrounded by tall grass and shrubs.
A panoramic view of rolling green and yellow fields under a cloudy sky, with a small collection of houses visible in the distance.
A scenic view of rolling hills and fields, with a small cluster of houses visible in the foreground, under a cloudy sky.
France, Pas de Calais – July 2011

Lens-Artist’s Photo Challenge #365 is ‘longing’. This landscape is so appealing, I still feel the excitement I felt when I shot this sequence.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

(The) Doors Revisited

This week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #361 is ‘Doors revisited’. That theme was also the brief for LAPC #20. A door is a pass way to another space behind it. That space can be something we know already. Or something we like to imagine to see there when we go through. And in books you can end up in another world. In this post a few doors I met in my life. One I used for a long time, most I just passed by or passed through on holidays.

The word ‘doors’ for me is also linked to the band The Doors. The name of the band came from a book by Aldous Huxley, The doors of perception. And Huxley took it from William Blake, who used it as a metaphor:

“If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro’ narrow chinks of his cavern . Doors lead you to another side or space, break on through to the other side.”

‘Break on through to the other side’ became the title of a Doors’ song.

So a lot can be said about doors. Luckily, we still have the photos. Here are a few from my conscious memory.

Close-up of a door handle and keyhole on a white door, featuring a circular knob and a round lock.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – November 1991

This is the front door to the house I was born and lived in for 25 years. The photo is shot on Ilford XP with a Pentax K1000.

A detailed close-up of a wooden door featuring a unique hand-shaped door knocker, showcasing an intricate design.
France, Caylus – September 2005

This door in Caylus is ready to be knocked. Shot on Nikon D70.

A small white chapel with a blue door and a cross on top, set against a mountainous landscape.
Greece, Karpathos – September 2009

I looked through my archive. It struck me that lots of the doors I saw there are doors of small or bigger churches. This one is on Karpathos. Shot on Nikon D70.

A black and white photograph of a double door with a simple design, partially open, situated beside a wooden chair against a white wall.
Greece, Karpathos – September 2009

Another church door on Karpathos, shot on Kodak TriX with Nikon F90.

A large, intricately designed wooden door with a reddish hue, set within a stone archway. Above the door, there is a circular painting of a figure, likely religious, surrounded by decorative elements.
Greece, Lesbos – August 2007

A chapel door in Lesbos, also shot on Nikon D70.

A detailed black and white photograph of a wooden door adorned with intricate carvings and a padlock, showcasing traditional architectural elements.
Nepal, Kathmandu – March 2004

Kathmandu, shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX.

Exploring Chaos in Photo Compositions

France, St. Samsom-sur-Rance – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
Long leading lines, nice shapes etc are pretty obvious to use when building a nice frame. But what about chaos? Can that be appealing too? A field with spiderwebs, wet by the fog. A photo from almost 30 years ago, taken in Brittany at St. Samsom-sur-Rance, near Dinan. To see it at its best, click the photo please.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Low Tide

France, Le Conquet – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
The harbor of Le Conquet at low tide during sunset, as equestrians pass by. To say I was surprised when I spotted the horses, is an understatement.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Let It Roll

France – Morbihan, Questembert – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
The dreamy field with freshly pressed straw rolls offers a nice challenge. It is an opportunity to create something that makes sense in images. The idea that they actually roll. Near Questembert in the Morbihan region of Brittany.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Brouillard

France, St. Samsom-sur-Rance – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
A local railway track, disappearing in the fog. A photo from almost 30 years ago, taken in Brittany at St. Samsom-sur-Rance, near Dinan.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Through The Wire

France, St. George sur L’Aa – May 2025

Each time I pass here on the way to or from Calais, I take a picture of the power lines in St. Georges-sur-l’Aa.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max, edited using Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Intentional Creative Movement – Bicycle

France, Saint-Hippolyte_du_Fort – August 1997

This week’s Lens Artitsts Photo Challenge (#321) is Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). These photos are from a workshop in 1997 in France, where we had to create movement with a low shutter speed while following the subject. Basically a fun excercise but done on film. So the result literally came to light after developing the film. The excitement and anxiety about the possible results were out of scale! Patience.

These film archives are the source of my B4 retouch series.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.


Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using  Snapseed andMarksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Capturing the Charm of Paris: Balcony and French Windows in December 1993

France, Paris – December 2003

LAPC 309 is about balconies. I have to admit that I do not pay special attention to balconies, unless they trigger me as I look around and they catch my eye. I do however ‘collect’ French windows. So occasionally they pop up in a frame. This is one of those, in one of my favourite cities, Paris. From the analogue archive of December 1993.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta . Click the picture for a bigger version.

Exploring Tourist Attractions: The Far Photo Gallery

Leann Cole suggested ‘tourist attractions, near and far’ as LAPC’s 307. My motivation for going to places changed in my life time. From ‘active’ holidays (including climbing some big mountains by bycicle) to complete leisure (eg seeing the Greek Isles with lots of lazy moments). And in between the travels to dig into the culture and essence of a place on earth, to learn and experience it. But wherever I went as a ‘photographer’ I tried to capture where I was. To be stunned by what is just there in front of you, the unexpected. And yes, the times I did visit an ‘iconic attraction’ I tried to find my own way of framing it, trying to keep away form the cliches that are so widely known. For this challenge I dig into my blogs archive, all the photos are here published already.

Over the years I learned to value and appreciate my own way of looking, being surprised by my own views of what I saw and how I saw it. To appreciate simple things of beauty that stuck out or the composition of objects. If you travel far, you are only there for a moment, if you stay close to home you have access all of the time. But being close to home the challenge is bigger to stay open, to see what is there, to not take it for granted.

After the ‘near’ version yesterday, today is the ‘far’ version. My blog archive here goes back to 2018 so that is de scope of picking. I started picking them in a big gallery, and doing that it got quite big. But I leave it as it is. I hope you bear with me and browse through them.

You can see randomly photos from England, Greece, France, Germany (some are from Berlin in november 1989), Egypt, Turkey, Yemen, Tibet, Nepal, Belgium, Ireland, Malta, Italy (Rome), Spain. Occasionally you wil see an iconic object, but most of the time I was there for the landscape, the street encounters, nature etc. And I cheated a bit: there are some photos of Tourist Attractions from far that came to Amsterdam in the Ziggo Dome: Genesis and Peter Gabriel.

I hope you do enjoy the gallery, and if you want to plunge deep into more of it I invite you to search by category or countries if you are interested in more.

D-Day 80 years ago

France, Sainte-Mère-Église – July 2013

Today we remember that 80 years ago thousands were willing to pay the highest price to give us our freedom. John Steele landed on the pinnacle of this church in the early morning of June 6 1944 in Sainte-Mère-Église.

To the brave and courageous

Who were willing to pay the ultimate price

And gave me my freedom

As a precious treasure

Never to be taken as a right

But like they did then to be defended

Again and again

Lest not forget

shot with Nikon D7000, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

Wired

France, St. George-sur-L’Aa – December 2023

Each time I pass here on the way to or from Calais, I take a picture of the power lines in St. Georges-sur-l’Aa.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

On the road

France, St. George-sur-L’Aa – December 2023

Each time I pass here on the way to or from Calais, I take a picture of the power lines in St. Georges-sur-l’Aa.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

On display

France, St. Hippolyte-du-Fort – August 1998

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #270 is ‘on display’. These photos were part of an assignment of a photo class in France in 1998.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.


Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed andMarksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Paris 2003: watching gulls go by

France, Paris – December 2003

This week LAPC #260 is ‘overlooked’. Taking the word literally, one from the film archives. One of the ponds in Les Tuileries in Paris, looking at the small arch and the Louvre.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta . Click the picture for a bigger version.

Shower Ahead

France, Offekerkque – July 2022

Just before the rain.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Over the edge

France, Marck – July 2022

The rolls always give me the impression they are on their way, rolling.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Mind the Barrier

France, Marck – July 2022

The views of the landscapes are taken from the car in the passenger seat. And sometimes that leads to seeing surprising objects in the front of the picture. LAPC #209 is surreal.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Ripples

France, St. Georges-sur-l’Aa, July 2022

LAPC #209 is surreal. In the north of France on the west coast, just over the border with Belgium, is a wood of pylons with powerlines. Like an army stepping into the world, over a field of ripples, in St. Georges-sur-l’Aa.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Let it Roll

France, Marck – July 2022

LAPC #209 is surreal. The rolls always give me the impression there are on their way, rolling.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Between the lines

France, St. Georges-sur-l’Aa, July 2022

LAPC #209 is surreal. In the north of France on the west coast, just over the border with Belgium, is a wood of pylons with powerlines. Like an army stepping into the world, in St. Georges-sur-l’Aa.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

And through the wire

France, St. Georges sur L’Aa – July 2022

LAPC #209 is surreal. In the north of France on the west coast, just over the border with Belgium, is a wood of pylons with powerlines. Like an army stepping into the world, in St. Georges-sur-l’Aa.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Chartres 2002

France, Chartres – August 2002

One from the archive. A group at Chartres admires the details on the front of the cathedral. One for ‘the eyes have it’, the theme for lens artists photo challenge #205.

The B4 retouch series
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. All of them are not completely retouched yet. Scratches, dust and stains are not removed.

Les Bleus

France, Caylus Miquel Ouest – September 2005

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #204 for this week is ‘doors and doorways’. Blue doors in Caylus, France.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Church Gate

France, Montmorillon – September 2005

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #204 for this week is ‘doors and doorways’. The partly open gate of the church in Montmorrilon, France.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

Les Vieux

France, Caylus – September 2006

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #204 for this week is ‘doors and doorways’. Old houses in Caylus, France.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

Gate

France, Cordes – September 2006

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #204 for this week is ‘doors and doorways’. An old photo of a gate in Cordes-sur-Ciel in France.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

Montpellier 1995

France, Montpellier – August 1995

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #204 for this week is ‘doors and doorways’. An old photo of doors in Montpellier France.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Musée Carré d’Art 1997

France, Nimes – August 1997

This week lens artists photo challenge is ‘that special place’. In this photo it refers to the moment of the photo. I was lying on the floor figuring out if the reflections of the Musée Carré d’Art could build up to some composition. Then, a young girls came into the frame, and I just snapped.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Arles 1997

France, Arles – August 1997

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Saint Antonin-Noble-Val 2003

France, Saint Antonin-Noble-Val – August 2003

This weeks challenge #186 is ‘Low Light’. A little alley in a medieval village. The dark parts are as interesting as the light contrasts. St. Antonin-Noble-Val is a small village in France, with a scenic old town center.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using  Snapseed and Marksta
Click the picture for a bigger version

Red Stone Window

France, Caussade – September 2006

The weekly LAPC (Lens Artists Photo Challenge) #183 is ‘memorable events’. One of the ‘themes’ I always look for is ‘windows’; all kinds of windows, showing different styles of houses, culture and local weather.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version

Rusty Window

France, Cordes-sur-Ciel – September 2006

The weekly LAPC (Lens Artists Photo Challenge) #183 is ‘memorable events’. One of the ‘themes’ I always look for is ‘windows’; all kinds of windows, showing different styles of houses, culture and local weather. This is Cordes sur Ciel in the south of France. As all photos on travel, they keep memories alive.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger versio

Open Window

France, Cordes-sur-Ciel – September 2006

The weekly LAPC (Lens Artists Photo Challenge) #183 is ‘memorable events’. One of the ‘themes’ I always look for is ‘windows’; all kinds of windows, showing different styles of houses, culture and local weather. This is Cordes sur Ciel in the south of France. As all photos on travel, they keep memories alive.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version

Roll Over

France, Pas de Calais – September 2008

The weekly LAPC (Lens Artists Photo Challenge) #182 is ‘interesting objects’.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version

12.10

France, Caylus – September 2006

The weekly LAPC (Lens Artists Photo Challenge) #182 is ‘interesting objects’. This is the front of the city hall of Caylus. The clock and the shutters caught my attention, together with the deep blue sky.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version

La Défense

France, Paris – September 2008

La Défense seen from the Arc de Triomphe.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version

Pont de Normandie (deux)

France, Le Havre – September 2008

Yesterday I posted a photo of the Pont de Normandie. Today another one in monochrome showing the ‘hill’ effect and its beautiful shapes.

This week’s Lens Artists Photo Challenge #181 is double dipping: send in a photo that is related to another creative challenge on WordPress. This photo is a response to the monthly Thursday special of Lost in Translation. A beautiful blog with great creative photography. Each month one can enter photo’s portraying words: in December 2021 Introspective, Anticipating, Befriending, Choices, Wish.
This photo describes anticipation and choices. If you choose to cross a bridge like this, what will it be like?

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version

Pont de Normandie

France, Le Havre – September 2008

Pont de Normandie is a beautiful bridge over the river Seine between Le Havre and Honfleur. It towers over you as you approach it. The first time I passed it I was in admiration and also in awe.
This week’s Lens Artists Photo Challenge #181 is double dipping: send in a photo that is related to another creative challenge on WordPress. This photo is a response to the monthly Thursday special of Lost in Translation. A beautiful blog with great creative photography. Each month one can enter photo’s portraying words: in December 2021 Introspective, Anticipating, Befriending, Choices, Wish.
This photo describes anticipation and choices. If you choose to cross a bridge like this, what will it be like?

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version