Clouds - 1080p HD Time Lapse From Mountains Near Malibu CA

I STRONGLY recommend you watch these in the 1080p option and FULL SCREEN after clicking the image above. Beautiful cloud shows on pre and post post-rainsorm L.A. days convinced me to shoot my first time lapse videos - Shot using a 5D Mark II with a 24-70mm lens set at about 30mm. They consist of roughly 2,000 still photos merged in final cut. Enjoy... JohnBrody.com

A Young Girl Plays on Swing in the Tuileries Garden in Paris

A young girl playing on a swingset in the Tuileries Garden Paris with an occasional helpful push from her grandfather. A very simple image, it's one of my favorites. In the midst of the swarming tourists and towering monuments, the girl was oblivious to it all, her play was her only interest. I sat on a nearby bench and chatted with a local for a while and we watched the kid play. After a while, I casually pulled out my camera while still talking, and snapped this one shot and put the camera away. I'd actually forgotten about it until a month later when I got home, but was very pleased I'd snapped it. Maybe it's the memory of the pleasant day or the girl I was talking to that makes it special - whatever the reason, it makes me feel at ease...

A Twilight View And Some Interesting Facts on the Eiffel Tower ... JohnBrody.com

A different take on the classic Paris landmark - Shot from the waterfall pond next to the structure... JohnBrody.com


Some facts on the Eiffel Tower I found interesting when reading up on the structure (while edited by me, the primary core of the information is from Wikipedia, the best source I could find):

The Eiffel Tower is a 1889 iron lattice tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris that has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tallest building in Paris, it is the most-visited paid monument in the world; millions of people ascend it every year. Named for its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was built in 1887 to 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair marking the centennial celebration of the French Revolution.

The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. Upon its completion, it surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930.The tower has become the most prominent symbol of both Paris and France, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city.

Every time I see the picture of Hitler below, it puts a knot in my stomach, but it's a reality, and a piece of history so I include it as such... Upon the German occupation of Paris in 1940, the lift cables were cut by the French so that Adolf Hitler would have to climb the steps to the summit. When visiting Paris, Hitler chose to stay on the ground. It was said that Hitler conquered France, but did not conquer the Eiffel Tower. A Frenchman scaled the tower during the German occupation to hang the French flag. In August 1944, when the Allies were nearing Paris, Hitler ordered General Dietrich von Choltitz, the military governor of Paris, to demolish the tower along with the rest of the city. Von Choltitz disobeyed the order. Some say Hitler was later persuaded to keep the tower intact so it could later be used for communications. The lifts of the Tower were working normally within hours of the Liberation of Paris.

The photo of Hitler in front of the Eiffel Tower is from the National Archives and is a public domain image.

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Sacre Coeurs Photograph From Nearby Hi-Rise Rooftop - Finally, An Eye Level View...

I met a great French woman on the subway on the day I was heading up to Montmartre to shoot Sacre Coeur Basilica. We hit it off and talked about photography and her work as a clothing designer. When we got to the street level above the stop near Sacre Couers, she was trying to tell me something, but with her moderate English and my zero French, I couldn't understand. I finally waved, smiled and started to walk away. She literally grabbed me by my sleeve and dragged me in a direction away from my destination - I, of course, gave in and followed... she obviously knew something I didn't.

A couple blocks and a few elevators later, she walked me though her office space and out on to a rooftop patio that had a stunning 180 degree view, the centerpiece being Sacre Coeur directly in front of me. She saw my thrilled look, gave me a hug, waved me out onto the patio and disappeared to get on with running her business. A couple hours and a couple hundred photos later I found her, thanks her hugely and got another hug... Whoever started that rumor that the french are rude and arrogant experienced a different France than I did. Kindness like this lady's is common and I had nothing but good experiences.

One warning about Sacre Coeur... Don't go there on weekends or holidays. On weekends ALL streets near Sacre Coeur look like the photo below, so adjust your schedule accordingly.



A bit of Sacre Coeur history:
Montmartre is a hill which is 130 meters high, giving its name to the surrounding district, in the north of Paris in the 18th arrondissement, a part of the Right Bank. Montmartre is primarily known for the white-domed Basilica of the Sacre Coeur on its summit and as a nightclub district. The other, older, church on the hill is Saint Pierre de Montmartre, which claims to be the location at which the Jesuit order of priests was founded. Many artists had studios or worked around the community of Montmartre such as Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. Montmartre is also the setting for several hit films.

Sacre Coeur, the full name being The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Paris, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Paris, France. An extremely popular landmark (see my crowd photo above for proof of this), the basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest point in the city. The view is beautiful from the top, but it's not for the weak of leg or large in size - I could barely force my way through some of the stairways during my ascent.

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Glass Cover on Art Gallery Chopin Painting Reflected Paris Street and Archtecture

A real simple shot I couldn't pass up - Walking by a painting of Chopin by Delecroix I notice the reflection of the buildings and their classic Paris architecture. When I focused my camera on the reflection instead of the painting, the street scene became dominant and Chopin faded into a transluscent image that seemed to be watching over his chosen new city. Just a change of look from a straight photo... JohnBrody.com

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Riverfront Walkway Under Pont Neuf Bridge Again Cleared Out By The Rain

As noted in the prior 'Umbrella Man' photo post, the rain causes a transformation of the area. From a cacophony of noise and a swarm of people to a quiet and empty architectural display, the change is sudden and complete.

These two photos are just another example with a slightly different perspective. The top shows the double masted schooner that always seems to be moored here, with Pont Neuf in the background. The image at left is the same area shot from near Pont Neuf with the iron footbridge in the background. While it would have been nice to have the before and after taken from the same spot for comparison, the rain started suddenly and I was hiding under a tree - I had three weeks left in Paris and a rain soaked camera would not have served me well...





Click Link Below for Large Hi-Res Images - JohnBrody.com

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A Little Rain Gives Solitude To A Stroller - At Pont Neuf Bridge

A Little Rain Gives Solitude To A Stroller - At Pont Beuf Bridge, an area usually swarming with people, on the Banks of the River Seine in Paris , France - Click for full sized Hi-Res Image - JohnBrody.com - JohnBrody.blogspot.com

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French Beauty At The Louvre. No Pin-Up, She Was Polite, Elegant, and Shy

This girl was an absolute French Doll. Surprisingly shy, I snapped off a few in our mini photoshoot before the inevitable happened - A crowd gathered and she turned red in the face, finally laughing and then hiding behind me. Nobody was looking at Venus de Milo, just her. – Paris, France - JohnBrody.com - JohnBrody.blogspot.com - Click for full sized Hi-Res Image - JohnBrody.com - JohnBrody.blogspot.com

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Louvre Moonrise at 4am - Obviously, in Paris France - JohnBrody.com

Moonrise over the Louvre at 4am in the morning. One thing they don't mention is that there are NO available taxis at 4am. I waited for a half hour and then picked up my monster tripod and 35 pound gearbag and started walking, and I'd already been shooting for 18 hours - An hour and 3 miles later I was at my hotel. Not fun, so plan ahead - Click for full sized Hi-Res Image - JohnBrody.com - JohnBrody.blogspot.com

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Brugges Belgium - A typical canal scene - A Photograpers delight - JohnBrody.com

There are hundred of places where you can try to get a good clean shot - This image probably took me fifty tries to capture it. Boats were the biggest problem. As soon as the waves settled down, another boat full of tourists would come around the corner... Patience Required! - Click for full sized Hi-Res Image - JohnBrody.com - JohnBrody.blogspot.com

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A Puddle In Paris - Reflected Eiffel Tower - JohnBrody.com

I spotted a lot of little ponds and storefront windows that had interesting reflections - Sometimes the mix of the reflection and what was also in the window made the shot interesting. Like the Chanel window display reflecting the Ritz Hotel, or a Ferarri window reflecting the Arch de Triumph... Many possibilities... John Brody.com

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Notre Dame at Dusk - Paris, France - JohnBrody.com

We all know a tidbit of info on Notre Dame. I read a few articles out of my own curiosity and put a very short summary below. It's a lot more than I knew before in a couple paragraphs. I'm learning too...

Notre Dame de Paris (French for Our Lady of Paris), also known as Notre Dame Cathedral, is a Gothic, Roman Catholic cathedral in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. It's the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Paris, in other words, it's the church that contains the cathedra (official chair), of the Archbishop of Paris. Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in France and Europe. Notre Dame de Paris was one of the first Gothic cathedrals, and its construction spanned the Gothic period. It's sculptures and stained glass show the heavy influence of naturalism, unlike that of earlier Romanesque architecture.

Notre Dame de Paris was among the first buildings in the world to use the flying buttress (arched exterior supports). The building was not originally designed to include the flying buttresses around the choir and nave. After the construction began and the thinner walls (popularized in the Gothic style) grew ever higher, stress fractures began to occur as the walls pushed outward. The flying buttresses took on a new importance and now surround the cathedral.

The cathedral suffered extensive damage in the French Revolution in the 1790s - much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. During the 1800s, it was restored, returning the cathedral to its previous state.

I could add volumes, but this is a photo blog, so I'll stop here. We've all heard of that Google thing if we need more :)

- JohnBrody.com

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Intense Chess Game - Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxemburg Garden), Paris - JohnBrody.com

Intense game of chess at The Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxemburg Garden) in Paris. These matches are quite serious with all brows furrowed and complete silence. My cameras shutter sounded like a firecracker to me... The gent on the left looked in hopeless shape when he got down to 6 seconds, his opponent having more than a minute. Three moves later with only 1 second left, the man at left was victorious. A six minute game of chess... It takes me that long for one move sometimes. These guys were impressive - JohnBrody.com

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Paris Maps - Per Request - Subway Photos and Paris Metro Subway System Map

A subway map, a weekly pass, and the Paris subway system is a photographer's best friend on a photo trip, and I'm sure it's the same for anyone else traveling through. You zip down a stairway, hop into one of the remarkably well maintained and timely trains, and 5 to 20 minutes later you pop up at any site you're headed for - the Eiffel Tower, Pere Lachaise, the Louvre or any of the hundreds of other destinations in Paris. Below are a couple photos of underground stations, quite well designed and varied. Paris Maps are linked below:



Here are the Paris Maps. After hours of digging before my trip, and weeding through all the scams, SPAM, and ripoffs, I found the actual maps published by the Paris Metro System Map Department. They are for non-commercial use only, including my photos of the maps taken at the subway stations on site. There are two 'Best' options for maps of paris, and both of them are printable. They provide similar information and maps, but the first is a simple PDF file while the other is a more intricate website. If you just meed a map, and a very good one, go for the first option. If you want to explore a bit more and don't find the intricacies daunting, go for option two. Either way, one of these map options should easily meet your needs.

Bookmark this post... The sites can be very confusing.


Map 1

Paris Maps - Paris Metro Subway Map

Map 2

Paris Maps - Interactive Paris Metro Map

(Note: On Map 2, select the orange button on the interface that comes up initially)



Some Wikipedia info gave me a 'big picture' overview of the subway system - Here it is:
The Paris Métro or Métropolitain (French: Métro de Paris) is the rapid transit metro system in Paris. It is a symbol of the city, notable for its station architecture, influenced by Art Nouveau. It has sixteen lines, mostly underground, and a total length of 214 km (133 mi). There are 300 stations. Since some are served by several lines, there are 384 stops in total.

Paris has one of the densest metro networks in the world, with 245 stations within 86.9 km2 (34 sq mi) of the City of Paris. Lines are numbered 1 to 14, with two minor lines, 3bis and 7bis. The minor lines were originally part of lines 3 and 7 but became independent.Lines are identified on maps by number and colour. Direction of travel is indicated by the destination terminus.

Paris is the second busiest metro system in Europe after Moscow. It carries 4.5 million passengers a day, and an annual total of 1.479 billion (2009). Châtelet-Les Halles, with 5 Métro lines and three RER commuter rail lines, is the world's largest underground station.


My Photo below is of the Art et Metiers station, quite unique, and a work of art in itself.

Artist at Sacre Coeur Concentrates On His Work - JohnBrody.com

This gents intense focus caught my eye, but his subjects were interesting as well. It seemed he was a French speaking Aussie artist who was sketching two girls, one a Muslim girl with a strong British accent, the other had classic Swedish features but it seemed Spanish was her native language. They bounce between languages when talking to waiting friends and then to English which seemed to be their common ground – good for me, I’m sad to admit, because that’s all I speak. The scene was a mix worthy of a United Nations poster – A fun crowd too. I couldn’t get a photo of the whole group – a wall of people appeared between us when I stepped back far enough to get them all in a photo - JohnBrody.com

Pont Neuf Bridge with Midnight Moonrise - JohnBrody.com

Midnight Moonrise Over Pont Neuf Bridge in Paris. This is my personal "Center" of Paris and my favorite location on this globe. An architechtural gem, bustling with activity and a view of everything 'Paris'... Per request I'm adding photo data: Canon 5D Mark II, Shutter 1.6 seconds, Aperture 9.0, ISO 1600, Focal Length 68mm. Cheers.


--- Interesting reading: A few tidbits about Pont Neuf's curious and sometimes deadly history:

All through the eighteenth century, the Pont Neuf was the center of Paris, lively with both crime and commerce: Czar Peter the Great, who came to study French civilization under the regency of the Duke d'Orleans, declared that he had found nothing more curious in Paris than the pont Neuf; and, sixty years later, the philosopher Benjamin Franklin wrote to his friends in America that he had not understood the Parisian character except in crossing the pont Neuf.

In 1862, Édouard Fournier traced its history in his lively two-volume Histoire du Pont-Neuf. He describes how, even before it was completed (in 1607), gangs hid out in and around it and robbed and murdered people. It remained a dangerous place even as it became busier. For a long time, the bridge even had its own gallows.

This did not prevent people from congregating there, drawn by various stands and street performers (acrobats, fire-eaters, musicians, etc.) Charlatans and quacks of various sorts were also common, as well as the hustlers (shell-game hucksters, etc) and pickpockets often found in crowds - not to mention a lively trade in prostitution. Among the many businesses which, however unofficially, set up there were several famous tooth pullers.

In 1701, Cotolendi quoted a letter supposedly written by a Sicilian tourist: One finds on the Pont-Neuf an infinity of people who give tickets, some put fallen teeth back in, and others make crystal eyes; there are those who cure incurable illnesses; those who claim to have discovered the virtues of some powdered stones to white and to beautify the face. This one claims he makes old men young; there are those who remove wrinkles from the forehead and the eyes, who make wooden legs to repair the violence of bombs; finally everybody is so applied to work, so strongly and continually, that the devil can tempt no one but on Holidays and Sundays.

With its numerous sellers of pamphlets and satirical performers, it was also a center for social commentary: In the 16th cent, the Pont-Neuf was the scene of the recitals of Tabarin, a famous satirist of the day, and it was long afterwards the favourite rendezvous of news-vendors, jugglers, showmen, loungers, and thieves. Any popular witticism in verse was long known as un Pont-Neuf.
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If you haven't been there you must visit if you get a chance... JohnBrody.com

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Brave Bicycle Girl Has Pont Neuf Bridge All To Herself - JohnBrody.com

Simple shot that I like and I don't know why... Probably all the photos I've seen by many of the great French photographers on the same subject... JohnBrody.com

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Brugges Belgium - Castle on a Riverbank - JohnBrody.com

Castle at the Minnewater in Brugges Belgium (depending on the translation, I've seen Brugges spelled six different ways). I only saw it from a distance, but it's a real eye grabber. A beautiful setting, the castle is currently used as a retaurant with inside and outdoor riverside seating. I wanted to go visit but had a lot more photos to shoot.

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Tiger Romance - Sumatra Tiger Pair - JohnBrody.com

These two were really getting affectionate. For about 10 minutes they were all over each other. Somebody yelled "Get A Room".... I've got about 30 shots of the whole romance. But males are so easily distracted... A tiny squirrel ran by and the males exploded into chase and gave up about 20 feet up a palm tree. So much for his priorities - The female got up and walked away... JohnBrody.com

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Walt Disney Concert Hall - Revised Shot of Frank Gehry Masterpiece - JohnBrody.com

Walt Disney Concert Hall - Revised Shot of Frank Gehry Masterpiece. Taken during the fires in Los Angeles that surrounded the city in 2008. Surreal elememts generated in post.

Los Angeles Zoo - A Photographer's Delight by John Brody

Until the recently, I hadn't been to the Los Angeles Zoo for two decades. In the last month I’ve been there five times. A renewed interest in photography and the new generation of equipment made me look for a good testing ground. A model shoot is not the right time or place to be learning a new lens, and the availability and variety of subjects at the zoo allows you to try everything from Telephoto to Wide Angle to Macro - the options are limitless.

The first visit can be frustrating; try waiting two hours for a Sumatra Tiger to move… They move when they want to. After a couple of chats with the animal handlers, and in my case running into a nice and zoo knowledgeable fellow photographer (thank you MickiP65 on Flickr) you get a feel for when the different animals are active, when the light will be right for each of the critter domains, and testing starts running smoothly. It becomes enjoyable instead of a grind. If the animals cooperate, and they do definitely have minds of their own, you can get some nice shot as you get the hang of the equipment.

On the subject of equipment… I should give a nod to Woodland Hills Camera and manager Scott Bloom, who I’ve been dealing with lately. Many local camera stores are feeling the effects of the economy, the digital revolution (competing with the national retailers) and are closing their doors, letting inventory get thin, or letting staff go, and usually and unfortunately, the highest paid and most experienced are the first to go. Woodland Hills Camera has been able to avoid these problems, and Scott is very experienced, willing and able to give advice, and has a strong dislike for having to say “No” when asked if a piece of equipment is in stock.

Other stores in my area of L.A. are lean on inventory and have resorted to having one unit which they shuttle around to the various stores when a customer asks for it. I saw one Canon Telephoto, the same exact unit, at three different branches of a mini-chain, and it’s box (and I assume the lens also) was more tattered and banged up each time I saw it from being bounced around from store to store in the transfer shuttle. Not the way I want to buy a new Canon L-Series high range zoom lens.

To make a long story short (too late?), I’ve never had Scott say no when I’ve asked if something is in stock, he always has multiple units so you can feel the factory freshness of your new lens, body, or whatever. Also, pricing is competitive, in fact the lens cost less from Scott than at the place with the Beater/ Shuttle Transfer unit. Enough on this… suffice it to say that if you want a good place to shop you may want to give Scott a visit or a call.

Look Both Ways! I Almost Missed The Obvious - John Brody Photography

I do this sometimes, a very bad habit... I was so wrapped up in trying to get a clean shot of the chapel below, I forgot about everything else going on around me. I spent almost an hour on the chapel; something was always wrong, light shifting, gardeners working, whatever. Finally I was satisfied and started packing up my gear. I just happened to catch a glimpse when I reached for my tripod of one of the brightest sunsets I'd seen in ages. I started snapping off shots instantly, and within a couple minutes the colors started to wash out, and five minutes later only plain gray clouds remained. I wonder what I would have gotten if I looked around a few minutes earlier....

Annie Leibovitz - Rockers to Royalty - A John Brody Favorite

Without question, Annie Leibovitz is one of the most well known photographers working today. From rock stars to queens to political activists, she has seemingly unlimited access and skill. Bio Info below from her representatives.

"Annie Leibovitz was born in 1949 in Connecticut, USA and began photographing for Rolling Stone in 1969 while still a student at the San Francisco Art Institute. Famed for her iconic images of celebrities, in 1983 she became chief photographer for Vanity Fair. Winner of numerous awards, her exhibitions have toured the world many times over. She is the author of several landmark books, most recently Women (1999), with an essay by Susan Sontag, and 2003's American Music with texts by Patti Smith and Roseanne Cash (all Random House). In addition to her world-renown portraiture, she has also documented battered women, and conflict in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Rwanda. She has been associated with Contact Press Images since 1977. She is based in New York City."

Information Courtesy Contact Press Images

Favorite Photographer - Lord V AKA Lord Vetinari - By John Brody

Wandering through a forum recently I came across the images of a very interesting photographer, and given the impression they left on me, I want others see the works as well. Specializing in the Macro realm, he has a huge body of work, and the talent he brings to the task are remarkable. The three photos posted at left will give you a taste of his style and technical skills.

Photographer Brian Valentine, who is a PhD Microbiologist who retired early, has re-kindled his interest in photography. Adopting the moniker LordV (due to his being a Terry Pratchett Discworld book fan who admired the character Lord Vetinari) he has done a great deal of work on the internet and has many admirers. I'm one of them. I have linked his images here to his SmugMug portfolio and there are a couple more links at the bottom of this post for a huge variety of info and photos.

While the images are what initially grabbed my attention, another factor cemented my interest. While many photographers are very secretive about their methods and equipment, he takes the opposite approach. He’s obviously spent a great deal of time and energy in explaining his techniques, tricks of the trade, and the equipment he uses, and is very detailed in doing so, to the point of providing photos of the whole process.

Well, enough talking… I quess you can tell that I like what he’s done. I think after you look through his body of work and his explanations, you’ll feel the same. Enjoy! -- John Brody

Flickr - Photos, advice, tutorials - A Great Source

SmugMug Photo Album

Ghost Train - John Brody Photography

Update for those who are asking: When I posted this image a while back, I was just sharing a fun little conceptual photographic experiment. If you saw the news recently you know the sad end that this entire train came to. Families of the affected are free to use this photo as they wish - No news or publication use without prior written permission.

Even the "Ghost Train" name I gave it takes on an eerie new meaning for me...

1920 1200 Wallpapers - Requested Widescreen Images - John Brody Photography

Per request, here are a selection of 1920 1200 Wallpapers for you Widescreen users... Please note, these are Monster files and will take a few seconds, but that's necessary if you want good Hi-Res images. it's the nature of the web - No worries, I don't do SPAM or any other games, just images... Simply click, one of the 1920 1200 wallpapers will appear in a bit, and then Right Click and choose "Set As Background." There are a few samples here, then go to the gallery and help yourself. Click Jimi Hendrix to go to the gallery.








Click on Jimi Hendrix Picture for the full 1920 1200 wallpapers album.


Enjoy the images and write if you have requests from the other galleries - Some can be cropped to 1920 by 1200 wallpapers, but not all - I'll let you know.

---John Brody Photography

Cafe Les Deux Magots - Paris Photos and Info - John Brody Photography

Cafe Les Deux Magots - A Brief History

This is a famous café on the Left Bank of the Seine called Les Deux Magots. It’s popular with both tourists and Parisians, and has a long and colorful history as a meeting place for famous writers and philosophers. Deux Magots (as it is known to Parisians) was once a favorite spot for existentialist writers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Bouvoir, and a favorite of Hemmingway and Picasso's (who is said to have created Cubism here - why they say that I have no clue, but I've seen the comment in several writings). It's now a favorite for anyone who can afford the price tag - you're paying for the vibrant location and history. The hot debate over the name of the cafe rages on a hundred years later. The literal translation of the name into English of 'two nest eggs' and the sound of the name has many arguing that it's an age old sly joke in naming a restaurant 'The Two Maggots'. However, the majority opinion is that Deux Magots is named after two wooden statues of Chinese mandarins which still dominate the room (one of the definitions of “magots” in French is “chunky Eastern figurine, made from stone, jade, or porcelain”). Only the original owner will ever know for sure.

The picture above was taken from the northeast corner of the Place du Québec, which is at the intersection of the boulevard Saint-Germain and the rue de Rennes. The boulevard Saint-Germain continues into the heart of the Latin Quarter behind the camera. To the right, and also off-camera, is the rue Bonaparte, which leads a short distance north to the left (southern) bank of the Seine river (that’s where the Left Bank gets its name—the southern bank of the river is on the left in the direction of the river’s flow, which is westward). To the left, and off-camera, the intersection leads into the rue de Rennes, which continues south into the Montparnasse area. All of this is in the sixth district of Paris, best known as the home of the Latin Quarter, the students’ district. This part of Paris, like many others, is filled with people from morning until very late at night.


- John Brody Photography

Notre Dame Cathedral - Paris Photos and Info - John Brody Photography

Notre Dame Cathedral - Proceeded by a Gallo-Roman temple to Jupiter, a Christian basilica, and a Romanesque church, construction of Notre-Dame de Paris began in 1163 during the reign of Louis VII. Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone. The idea to replace the Romanesque church occupying the site - the Cathedral of St. Etienne (founded by Childebert in 528) - was that of Bishop Maurice de Sully (who died in 1196). (Some accounts claim that there were two churches existing on the site, one to the Virgin Mary, the other to St. Stephen.) Construction was completed roughly 200 years later in about 1345.

The choir was completed in 1182; the nave in 1208, and the west front and towers circa 1225-1250. A series of chapels were added to the nave during the period 1235-50, and during 1296-1330 to the apse (Pierre de Chelles and Jean Ravy). The transept crossings were build in 1250-67 by Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreuil (also the architect of the Sainte-Chapelle). It was essentially completed according to the original plans.

The reigns of Louis XIV (end of the 17th century) and Louis XV saw significant alterations including the destruction of tombs, and stained glass. At the end of the 18th century, during the Revolution, many of the treasures of the cathedral were either destroyed or plundered. Only the great bells avoided being melted down. The church interior was used as a warehouse for the storage of forage and food.

After falling into disrepair, a restoration program overseen by Lassus (died 1857) and Viollet-le-Duc, was carried out in 1845. This program lasted 23 years, and included the construction of the spire and the sacristy.

During the Commune of 1871, the Cathedral was nearly burned by the Communards - and some accounts suggest that indeed a huge mound of chairs was set on fire in its interior. Whatever happened, the Notre Dame survived the Commune essentially unscathed.


- John Brody Photography

Pere Lachaise Cemetery - Paris Photos and Info - John Brody Photography

These photos and history profiles of some my favorite highlights from Paris are being added here by request - by demand actually... Some playfully nasty letters from some Paris lovers have been hitting my inbox because they're not too happy that I shut down a web site that used to contain some of this travel info and pictures. So here you go you cranky Francophiles, Enjoy yourselves! ;)


Pere Lachaise Cemetery - A Brief History

In the early days Pere Lachaise was a poor district, with many outlaws, winding streets, shady avenues. It's located on a old hill of Champ l'Eveque where a rich merchant built his house in 1430.

In the 17th century the Jesuits, converted it into a hospice for members of their order. It became a meeting place under influence of Pere Lachaise Louis XIV's confessor. In 1803, under Napoleon, the Prefect of Paris bought it to build a cemetery. It was an incredibly successful piece of land speculation. Nicolas Frochot, the urban planner who bought the land, persuaded the civil authorities to rebury Molière, La Fontaine, Abelard and Heloise in his new cemetery. Pere-Lachaise became the ultimate symbol for the rich and successful.

Ironically, Frochot even sold a plot to the original owner for considerably more money than the price he had paid for the entire site. Even today, the rates are still extremely high. Some of the most celebrated dead have unremarkable tombs while those whose fame died with them or who were nonentities to start with have the most expressive monuments.

A winding stone pathway through the cemetery above and the grave of chopin at left. As with all pictures here click to go to full sized photo album.

- John Brody Photography