Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/07/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Alan, You're absolutely right about the summer crowds at Mont Saint Michel. Forgot about that since I visited during May (crowds werent too bad). The countryside was beautiful too... the drive from Calais through Rouen, Caen and west of Mont Saint Michel was scenic especially the coast and beaches) but then again watch out for crowds right! Regards rkm - - -- Original message --- From: Alan Ball <AlanBall@csi.com> Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 09:54:25 +0200 Subject: Re: [Leica] oops! Going to France instead.... Well Francesco, I'll make your life more complicated. I must disagree with Ron's advice hereunder. Mont Saint Michel must be avoided during the summer season. It is infested by trillions of tourists at all times of the day, access is overloaded. There must be more artsy pics and low-end snaps of that piece of rock than of the Tour Eiffel. You do not want to waste time and film there during the holiday season. Though the coast of Britanny can be very beautiful, it is maybe better to visit France by going in land, against the tourist flow. Regarding Paris, I see no reason to limit yourself to black and white, except -maybe- for handheld night shots. You'll get the daytime summer mood of the city better with Velvia slides. Though Paris crawls with foreign tourists in the summer, it is relatively depopulated, and it is quite easy to find spots void of Japanese or American bus loads. The b/w HCB-style Paris is rooted in the Thirties/Sixties time frame. It seems IMHO like a futile exercise to try to mimic that mood. On the contrary, I'd recommend a trip to the quartier de la D=E9fense for spectacular modern architecture and great perspectives. The Seine is photogenic early in the summer morning, before the hords of visitors recover from their night out. I'd also recommend strolling in Barb=E8s where strives the contemporary multicultural Parisians. very colourful and not nearly as agressive as one might think at first sight. But France is also thousands of villages. if you drive around, avoid the motorways. South, East and West of Paris you will be bound to drive through very nice village scenery, that will bring you different and rewarding picture opportunities. Even the North can be interesting. Brussels is less than 2 TGV hours away from Paris. Brugge will take you another 40 minutes. Here again, come in the very early morning, before the canals get overcrowded... Sorry if I blur your projects a little :-) Alan Brussels-Belgium Ron K. Miller wrote: >=20 > Francesco, >=20 > In the north coast near Britanny/Normandy, Mont St. Michelle is > spectacular at sunset. This monastery on a rocky outcrop of an island > has incredible gothic architecture, cobbled winding roads lined with > small shops, sweeping arches, beautiful spires, etc. Great for B&W and > available light shooting indoors. Check the Michelin Green guide for > details... >=20 > I also agree with guido ridoli.. you definitely want to shoot Paris in > B&W. HCB-like venues indeed!! >=20 > regards, > rkm