France

I don’t search primarily after reflection photo-shooting, but if there is the opportunity I am ready shoot. After placing the rental bike in the station, my wife and I walked on the promenade beneath the river Garonne to the Place de la Bourse. The night was crystal clear, the water flat, I could prepare the composition and could catch a reflection shot. I was happy that I had one of the most famous sights from Bordeaux in my photo collection.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop, Color Efex Pro

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/60s
• Focal length: 25mm
• ISO: 6400

It was too cold to swim, but the beach-impressions were here, white sand, a beach bar, some sun worshipper on their beach towels. After a long walk we entered the beach-bar for two glasses of French wine. The trip was unplanned because we should have gone from Cognac directly to the Medoc, but as is often the case, we got surprised positively.

Post processed with: Photoshop

• Camera: DSC-RX1R
• Aperture: ƒ/6.3
• Shutter speed: 1/1000s
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 80

The food court in Bordeaux, which I present on the photo above, offered high quality, exquisite food, and tastings. Combined with fine wine from the region was an unforgettable impression which I brought home from France. Sandwiches with excellent toppings like lobster and French cheese, ham and tasty oil and spices were an enjoyment. Outside we looked after a seat and had some red Bordeaux-wine.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop, Color Efex Pro

The photo shows my first impression of the famous Quai Suffren in Saint-Tropez. After getting a parking lot only 200 meters away, which is big luck, my wife Karin and I took the way to the pier. It lives up to its reputation, fancy bars and restaurants on the city-side, big yachts at the sea-side. 

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: Pixel 2 XL
• Aperture: ƒ/1.8
• Shutter speed: 1/282s
• Focal length: 4.459mm
• ISO: 50

My wife, my daughter Cara and I rented an electric car in Nice and took the ride to Monaco. We spent there about half a day and did a city-round-trip-Picasso-museum-botanical-garden-tour. The city, buildings, street are high level; as a sample, I shot that house entrance on the photo, luxury and well designed.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: SLT-A77V
• Aperture: ƒ/8
• Shutter speed: 1/10s
• Focal length: 18mm
• ISO: 100

The grapes were hanging very near to the ground. One of the secrets of the world-famous Bordeaux wines? I asked Alain, the owner of the littlest winery in the Medoc. The vines and their placement and the style of binding and growing get practiced since generations, he told me. However, I am happy that they understand their craft, the output is fabulous wine.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/11
• Shutter speed: 1/30s
• Focal length: 14mm
• ISO: 80

In Europe the city Saint Tropez got its famous name from the actors Brigitte Bardot and Louis de Funes, nowadays these names are more or less forgotten. On my Tour de France, I gave the city a try. There is a walking promenade with many yachts and high prices. It’s ok for a 1 to 2-day trip. I can recommend an Indian restaurant named “Gandhi”, excellent food and courteous service. 

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop

• Camera: Pixel 2 XL
• Aperture: ƒ/1.8
• Shutter speed: 1/161s
• Focal length: 4.459mm
• ISO: 50

On Saturday a very crowded city, it lies in the heart of the Provence. Aix-en-Provence is the home of the great painter Paul Cezanne. The buildings and places represent a style, which is perfect for artists and writers. Also, photographers will find their motifs to bring French feeling to live.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: DSC-RX1R
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/2000s
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 200

At my visit in Monaco I discovered that beautiful Japanese Garden, it was near the Grimaldi Forum where a Picasso exhibition took place. This garden was neat, with a lot of attention to details, varied in plants and trees and with the standard accessories like tea house, little bridges and a pond with gold fishes.

Post processed with: Aurora, Photoshop

• Camera: SLT-A77V
• Aperture: ƒ/9
• Shutter speed: 1/50s
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 100

The nightly walking tour in Nice brought me to many buildings with magnificent illumination, as here the Palais de Justice. Although the Leica X2 may not be the best low light camera, here the Leica did a good job.

• Camera: LEICA X2
• Aperture: ƒ/5
• Shutter speed: 1/125s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 3200