France

The architecture reminds me of a Napoleonic-era country castle, instead of a shopping mall. The name is Le Passage Pommeraye. I had enough time to shoot photos; my wife was traveling in the small streets of the city. I positioned myself at the entrance, at the staircase, and was able to photograph the magnificent round arches on the first floor.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/50s
• Focal length: 22.6mm
• ISO: 100

I have seen the EWheel in Nantes, and other French cities seem to be trendy. I think I never will try it, although it looks easy the maneuver and to drive for those who are trained. In Vienna, I take the rental E-Scooters from Lime or Bird. The scooters feel very safe, they have to wheels and a platform for standing, though they can get a speed of 25 km/h. One-wheel is too suspect for me, nothing to hold on, no brake, all depends on balance.

Post processed with: Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/7.1
• Shutter speed: 1/50s
• Focal length: 32.099998474mm
• ISO: 800

My wife Karin and I were driving from Cognac to Bordeaux. I suggested to my wife that she would take half an hour to get to the Atlantic coast. We did not expect that we will see such a wide sandy beach with the blue sea of the Atlantic. So I could add some beach photos to my collection.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: LEICA X VARIO (Typ 107)
• Aperture: ƒ/6.4
• Shutter speed: 1/125s
• Focal length: 46mm
• ISO: 100

I always admire the kids in the skate parks. They are so flexible and fast when doing their acrobatic figures. It’s a sub-culture with unique clothing and music, designed to bring new athletic levels and hype to spectators and the social media channels. When I am on the cross-trainer in the fitness center, on the TV-screens, they often show skating or mountain-bike competitions. As I drove on an E-Bike in Bordeaux, I stopped immediately and shot some photos of the young guys.

Post processed with: Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/6.3
• Shutter speed: 1/1250s
• Focal length: 63mm
• ISO: 640

As I saw these mushrooms, I would have changed my bed-and-breakfast accommodation against an apartment with a kitchen immediately. I was dreaming about frying the yellow boletuses in olive oil and adding garlic. My wife Karin was thinking the same. But it stayed with taking a photo and then exploring the old town of Aix-en-Provence with a tuk-tuk train.

It was good to hear the first German words after a week in France. My wife Karin and I were at a stand-up bar, where we met a German couple. After a few minutes, I had to leave the conversation because I saw that beautiful evening sky. I snapped my camera and searched after the right composition. For the photos you want, you often have to go the extra mile. That’s worth it. After ten minutes I was back and could continue with my glass of red Bordeaux wine.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/6.3
• Shutter speed: 1/10s
• Focal length: 70mm
• ISO: 250

Near the city of Aix-en-Provence lies the mountain Mont Sainte-Victoire. Also called the painters’ mountain, it appears on many pictures of Paul Cezanne and other painters of Southern France. I tried dozens of compositions to get the image right. Nowadays you have many high trees and power poles which disturb the best photo locations. However, I found some niches and now can present the mountain of the great painters.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/9
• Shutter speed: 1/320s
• Focal length: 59mm
• ISO: 64

In Bordeaux are dancing parties on the street. People come together and hop unexpectedly. It’s contagious for many passengers and so more and more attend the dancing. Also, my wife was excited, but since I am a lousy dancer, I was too shy to attend. However, it was the right time for night shots of this likable scenes.

Post processed with: Aurora 2019, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/100s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 6400

The photo was shot from Pey-Berland, a clocktower in Bordeaux. My wife Karin and I had to wait about 45 minutes in the line. The hot sun burnt down, no chance to hide. Only a handful of visitors were allowed to enter. After reaching the top, we knew, it was worth the wait — a fantastic panoramic view of the city. 

Post processed with: Silver Efex Pro, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/22
• Shutter speed: 1/80s
• Focal length: 70mm
• ISO: 125

Before I was in Bordeaux for the first time, I only had the red wine in my head. On the spot I saw how great the city was, long promenades, dozens of bicycle lanes, historic old town and hundreds of bars and restaurants. My recommendation is to borrow a bike at the public rentals and then explore the city.

Post processed with: Luminar, Photoshop 2019

• Camera: ILCE-7RM2
• Aperture: ƒ/4
• Shutter speed: 1/15s
• Focal length: 24mm
• ISO: 800