Human imitates statue

The Jeunesse d’Aristote is a statue made by Charles Degeorge and is currently in the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

Sometimes, we humans, unintentionally imitate others, even inanimate objects. Or maybe it’s just a comfortable way to sit. Degeorge captured that amazingly well in his work here.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length32mm
ISO10000
Shutter speed1/500s

Armed Soldiers patrol around Montmartre

Four soldiers climb the steps of Montmartre up to the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre on a warm August afternoon. They slowly walked up the steps, without comment or conversation. Walked around the fountains above and up the steps to the Basilica.

It was unnerving, but months later, tourists were being stabbed and violently robbed in Dublin, and I remember people were calling for better security on the streets of the city. Some used Paris as an example and asked why armed soldiers couldn’t patrol the streets.

I think a better way of solving this issue is to make Dublin into a proper living city, with actual local people living in the city, not tourists in an Airbnb. Some chance.

David McWilliams called it, “People Before Bonnet” in the latest episode of his podcast. Worth a listen.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO250
Shutter speed1/500s

A selfie with the Eiffel Tower

A woman poses for a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. There’s rain in the air and others are sheltering under umbrellas. I have my camera out on a tripod to take photos, of course!


Apertureƒ/9
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO640
Shutter speed1/2s

A VW bus at the Arc de Triomphe

We had just come out of the metro with our suitcases from the airport when I saw this VW bus, or as I’ve just found out, a Volkswagen Type 2, pulled over to the side of the road on the busy roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

It was a lovely August day and this vintage vehicle was a perfect foreground to the magnificent monument in the background.

The man in the hat looking out the sunroof had a nice view of everything. I’m glad they stopped there. 🙂


Apertureƒ/2.2
CameraGalaxy S23 Ultra
Focal length2.2mm
ISO50
Shutter speed1/3600s

Reflection on the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower reflected in the pond at the Jardins du Trocadéro in Paris.

I remember reading that police would stop you taking photos of the Eiffel Tower at night with a camera on a tripod but I never experienced that. Do they do that any more?


Apertureƒ/4
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length17mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/2s

Eiffel Tower Reflection in Grand Palais Éphémère

So many people gathered to watch the Eiffel Tower in Paris, but if they looked behind them, they’d see this magnificent reflection of the Tower.

The Grand Palais Éphémère was empty and dark when I was there, so it reflected perfectly the Eiffel Tower in its windows.

I have to admit, the last time I was in Paris, some 23 years ago, I don’t remember the Grand Palais Éphémère being there at all, but back then I didn’t have the equipment or skill to take a photo like this anyway, and never thought to visit the Eiffel Tower in the evening! It wasn’t in the guide book!


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length16mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/1.3s

The Eiffel Tower at Sunset

The Eiffel Tower garden is thronged with people watching the sun set behind the massive structure. The sky was clear and it was a hot night. People were sitting in almost every available space waiting for the light show that made the Tower sparkle on the hour.


Apertureƒ/8
CameraILCE-7M3
Focal length31mm
ISO100
Shutter speed1/8s