So on Wednesday we set sail (via bus and train) for Paris. I personally found the TGV incredibly exciting, since I'd never been on a train that went that fast before. We arrived in Paris around 11 AM, and got to the hotel and had time to snoop around for a bit. The first place we visited was visit Pierre LaChaise Cemetery. Unfortunately for me, my camera battery died shortly after our arrival. However, the graves we absolutely beautiful and the layout of the cemetery was amazing. I got to see the graves of Gericault, Delacroix, Nadar  and Jim Morrison. Needless to say, I was super excited! 

In an attempt to take a photo of the beautiful scenery in the cemetery, Aaron made a point to photobomb me.

One of the beautiful winding streets of Pierre Lachaise

I was really interested in the ornate architecture of the cemetery. One of the tombs had these caryatids on the front, and they were so sad and so emotional.

On the way to Jim Morrison's grave, I was shocked to see how many people had deliberately carved into other tombs and graves to lead the way to his burial site. It seemed so awful of them. 

Standing at Jim Morrison's grave was so strange to me. It's been on my "Bucket List" for as long as I can remember. I stood there for quite a while, listening to his music, and it was such a strange feeling to be listening to the voice of someone who is literally in the ground beneath you. It was as though he was so close, and yet so far away. 

And of course I had to get a super awkward photo of myself standing in front of his grave. I looke so elated.

After the cemetery we went to the Musée Européenne de Photographie. Much to my dismay, I wound up hating the vast majority of the work. I was really underwhelmed when I saw that one artist in particular had prints up that were dinged, scratched, creased, etc. I found it hard to take him seriously because it didn't seem to be done in a way that was intentional, it just seemed like he didn't care. I did enjoy a lot of the content of the images, but I started to find myself grasping for reasons to enjoy it. Just as I was starting to be really upset about the museum, we went into the downstairs area and it was almost as though I had gone to a completely different place. The documentary work was phenomenal. Huge panoramic images with foot prints on the floor to show you where to stand. By standing where the artist indicated, I felt that you got the full experience. You saw different angles and received more eye contact from the subject. He had a number of different works up and I intend to look into him even more. Since the rest of my shots from Paris are done in film, I'll have to post them later, as well as continue the amazing stories and experiences.

Inside all of us, is a wild thing

In less than 24 hours I will be getting on a train to go to Paris. I can't help but be excited to the point that it's almost unbearable. I know that we're supposed to be going to at least two photography museums, and I'm so excited for the chance to meet Marc Riboud. It's such a privilege to have to opportunity to be in a place that is so inspirational and has inspired so many of the photographers that I love and have learned about. I can't wait to see if I can find some of the same streets and places that Brassai shot, so long ago. The funny part of it, is that I find myself being more excited about the photography museums we'll be attending than the Louvre. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the Louvre has some photographic works, and I can't wait to go and see some of the master paintings that I have always loved. But I'm ready to see some silver gelatin prints, and works by contemporary photographers that I have always dreamed of seeing in person.

My entire stay here so far has been so much more than I could have ever expected. The work load is intense and never seems to stop. But it's serving as a constant reminder to myself of how much I love being busy and making work constantly. There's also quite a few limitations here with the facilities, and they're radically different from what I'm used to at the campus in Atlanta. It can be quite frustrating at times, but in spite of it I see myself finding ways around it and using more unconventional methods to get the work done. I've really been enjoying scanning my negatives on the flatbed scanner as opposed to the negative scanner. I love how dirty and grainy they come out, with smudges and odd manifestations. I love alternative processes and scratching and messing with negatives, but using the flatbed is almost like getting the best of both worlds. I can get the appearance I want in the negative but I don't actually have to screw up my negative. The only problem is not getting a silver gelatin print from it, but I'm sure I could find a way to make one digitally.

The other day our photo trip was to Fort Le Boux, but when we arrived we weren't able to get in due to the weather. Luckily, I had gone earlier that day for a field trip, but had really been looking forward to shooting in a much softer light so I only have a few photos from my first trip. Since we weren't able to get in, we all split into groups and decided to wander around. I should have known from the start that it would lead to something interesting. We wandered through the woods and found a waterfall running into a pool amidst moss covered trees and soft soil. The next thing I knew we were swimming in it, fully clothed, freezing and howling like dogs. I don't know when the last time I felt so alive was before I came to France.

I really love the direction my work is going in and I can't wait for the next impulsive adventure to arise, even if it means I have to ride in the back of the van again.

Ochre Mines and Ice Cream

We recently went to Rousillion to see the Ochre Mines, and also explore the town. The town proved to be a very fascinating place, seeing as how all of the stucco on the houses are a variation of warm earth tone shades. It was truly a beautiful place. Oddly enough for myself, I had decided to take black and white film to the Ochre Mines, a place known for it's natural color and beauty. So I was then faced with the predicament of making interesting photos in a place known for it's color, without using it's color. I decided to focus more on elements of line, and shape instead of color. I felt that the end result was a success. My images are a bit odd, due to the lack of a film scanner, however, I find myself really enjoying these images and the aesthetic that they received through scanning them. I plan to keep working with them this way.

I also used an antique camera of mine for our recent photo project. It's an old Kodak Vigilante and it's got an aesthetic all of it's own. Normally it uses 620 film, but since they don't make it anymore I have to re-spool 120 film to fit into the camera. It may  seem like a lot of extra work, but it's definitely worth it in the end. I scanned the images on a flat bed scanner and definitely fell in love with the aesthetic. I think it's also helping me to find a direction I want to move in for the future, not only for the projects in this class but for my work as a whole. I can't wait to really start working further with the camera, and seeing how I can push it more. I'd like to start working different methods on actual silver prints as opposed to relying on the scanner to create my aesthetic.

Culture Shock and Fun House Mirrors

The past weekend we traveled to Arles for the day. Our itinerary included several stops to museums, and other sites relevant to the history of the art in the area. In addition to the artifacts and educational visits, there was an additional visit that I had been dreading for the past week. The Bull Fight. A long standing tradition, and an incredibly well known performance. It seems to me that when most people think of  bull fights their mind runs to the sound of the traditional cries of "ole!" and "toro!" while the matador whirls his brightly colored cape in front of the bull. Yet there's much more to this age old performance than many, myself included, know. I'll spare the grizzly details for those who are better off not hearing about it, but I think it's safe to say that it's never  a happy ending for the bull. And what I find even more saddening is the Bull's lack of a chance. I knew it would be hard to watch, but I also knew from the very beginning that I would want to document it. I felt that pushing myself further into uncomfortable situations was crucial, especially since one day I want to be documenting humanitarian issues, as well as wars. The strangest part of it to me, was that for some reason as soon as my eye was staring through my view finder I felt safe. Any moment that I brought the camera down I felt vulnerable. I never realized before how much of a security blanket my camera was for me. I had always read of documentary photographers using it in the same way, but experiencing the fact made me see a lot of things differently. I know that I definitely grew through the experience and now feel that I can continue to document serious issues without completely falling apart, despite my internal heartache. I think my favorite image from the fight is the following one.

The bull had just thrown the matador to the ground after his attempt to pierce his back with a saber. I found it interesting how many people in the crowd got upset, and all of the kids I was with started cheering. It was obvious that we had the bull's interest at heart. 

After the fight we decided to visit a fun house that was in a traveling carnival. I had noticed it upon arrival for the bright Star Wars sign, and being a huge fan of the trilogy, couldn't resist. Much to my dismay, the actual fun house had nothing to dow with Star Wars other than the life size painting of Darth Vader hidden in the mirrors. Nonetheless it made us feel better and gave us a distraction, and I seized the opportunity to take photos. I also treated myself to the largest cotton candy I've ever had afterwards.

I think the images I got from the fun house are an exact interpretation of my actual experience while being lost within the mirrors, and also my internal responses to the gruesome fight I had just witnessed. 

There was also a band playing at the arena when we arrived and I absolutely loved photographing them. Their conductor would dance and sing while conducting them and was really a great subject. I shot about 2 rolls of color film on them, but sadly won't get to see it until I return to the states. I have a feeling the anticipation might just drive me insane. I did get a couple images of them digitally though, and I really enjoy them. 

A New Beginning

I'm starting this blog initially for a class, but also in hopes that I will continue to post on it afterwards. For the most part I will be documenting my travels through France, and the photographic aspects I encounter along the way. I hope that this environment will be incredibly influential upon my work and that the next few weeks will be filled with evolution, not only in my work, but also within my soul.