Religious Contrast in Paris Graveyard

Christian

Jewish

Today I'm back at the Paris graveyard. I'm thinking how I'd love to be there peering at the freshly fallen snow on the cemetery plots. I've written about this place before in all its starkness.

It's the Pere-Lachaise Cemetry. Jim Morrison's buried here, among others whose names you'd probably recognize.

To walk here at any time of year is to take yourself into another dimension--literally, to go to a twilight zone.

There are more contrasting shapes and forms and symbols here than anywhere else in Paris.

Solitary Figure

This candid shot is a great example of the power of the solitary figure. The shot has some motion blur, that could be substantiated by the woman's movement forward (some would probably argue with me on that one).

The element that stands out the most is subtle. It's the shape and form of the figure; it's an hour glass. The woman's dress is tapered just right to accentuate her great figure and it shows up well in the photograph. Also, the contrasting shapes of the umbrella and the handbag make for an interesting sideline.

How fun it is to critique your own photos! You may want to take a look at my other post about photo critiquing.

Disney Hall in the Afternoon

It's the Disney Hall!

The Disney Hall houses the Los Angeles Music Center.

In 1987, Lillian Disney gave the city of LA 50 million dollars. The city had no stipulations on what to do with it. She just hoped that the money would serve the people of the city.

The hall was completed four years ago this October. It seats 2,265.

Designed by architect Frank Gehry, the hall is made of 22 million pounds of steel and built to look like a ship.

To go inside is to sail away into a concert that sounds so good, you'll think you're in heaven.

Font Fun

Ever want to get that typeface in your photograph or graphic image just right?

Look no further than the signs in your community. The old ones from the 60s and 70s are classics.

Catch the Western style manuscript letters in the word "FIRST" in the image above.

Also take a look at the cursive "State Bank--" true mid-century style.

While you're at it, check out a variety of font styles here.

For a some mid-century fonts check out houseind.com

Texture

When we take photos we think about a lot of subject/object subject matter. We think about framing, composition, color and perspective. Any one or all of these, if done right, will result in a dynamite photograph. But what about texture? It alone can lure eyes into new dimensions.

Hanoi Bridge

Hanoi, Vietnam is a charming place. There are many lakes. The streets have few cars as most people ride motorbikes. Vietnam is part of Indochina, which, at one time, was French. Croissants and pastries are everywhere as is French colonial architecture.

And, yes, there is Asian culture here too as in the picture above.

Quiz--Putin or Sarkozy

Quick, I snapped this from a poster in ???

Does it remind you more of President Putin or President Sarkozy