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 off the subway and climbed the stairs to the street level 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 in her design studio, thanked her hugely, got another hug and headed on my way... 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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Not Photoshop - 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 the 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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A Twilight View And Some Interesting Facts on the Eiffel Tower ... John Brody Photography at JohnBrody.com

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... Again, Wikipedia "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. 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."

A bit more Wikipedia info I found interesting: The Eiffel Tower is a 1889  tower located on the Champ de Mars in Paris that has become 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  per 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 and 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.

The photo of Hitler in front of the Eiffel Tower is from the National Archives and is a public domain image. The photo at top is by me, John Brody Photography :-)

Riverfront Walkway Again Vacant From 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. As many know, this is the bridge wrapped in fabric by Christo and Jeane Claude.

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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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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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

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