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.

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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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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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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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