Monday, 17 September 2012

Feeling Piquey


Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles
~ Feeling Piquey ~

Feeling Piquey by Paris Set Me Free
Feeling Piquey, a photo by Paris Set Me Free on Flickr.
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But not really. Just happy to be back after this horrendous (I'm sure you felt it too) two month absence.

Not that it's guaranteed. This pic was taken on a borrowed iPhone, but an iPhone (4) nevertheless, so I'm sticking to my principles. No non-iPhone pics on Paris and I, but I must admit that the playing around afterwards was done on my kompyoota, and not the sacred device itself. Sometimes you just have to know when to say iAccept that I can't do everything on this non-connected borrowed iPhone...

The Louvre pyramid is a bit of an icon - ok - a major icon, and taking an original picture of it isn't easy. But at least I've done my best here, even with a humble pilfered smartphone. I guess one of the things is not to think that the thing has to be the thing. I mean you can iNclude other stuff in the shot than the main thing.

Well, it's late, and I'm listening to Kate's 'mad' album (The Dreaming) and I don't think things are going to get more coherent so I'll stop here and leave you to work out the rest. Glad to be back anyway, and I hope you are too...



And why not...
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2012 
Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.

Sunday, 16 September 2012

Apology & Explanation


Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles
~ Apology & Explanation ~

My first ever Paris and I blog photo!


I've been away. Or rather my ability to keep you posted with iPhone photos has been severely compromised since my said iPhone bit the dust.

I'm sorry. Believe me, it's hurt me as much as it's hurt you. Can you imagine how painful it's been for me to keep quiet about Paris and life in general for the last two months? And the hiatus isn't over yet. I still haven't got a new phone. I could easily have got the new Samsung Galaxy III but I'm so attached to my Paris and I blog, with the 'i' standing for iPhone as well as eye and... I, that I couldn't imagine betraying its origins. And so I wait.

The wonders were only just beginning
In the meantime I thought I'd share the very first iPhone images I posted here over two and a half years ago. Can you believe it! Back in those days I was only writing a handful of lines, not the long rambling diatribes you know and love today.

Look at the first one ever - a view from the train heading out from Gare du Nord, with a rather pleasing composition of depressing towerblocks, even if I do say so myself.

And this second: I can just about remember the day. Can two and a half years really have gone by since then? I'll be coming on for a thousand photos soon, that's incredible. It just goes to show what you can do a little at a time. Quite a legacy. Quite a scary thing, seeing your life going by, but a nice colourful way to spend it I guess.

And this third one. A spooky Paris passage way, possibly the dubiously named Passage du Désir, of all things.

I spent the first year of the blog's existence writing the word 'I' with a small letter. How precious. But it's done now, and like practically everything i, I mean 'I' have created, I won't be going back to change it or regret it either. Any creation's a good thing if you ask me. Which is why I love those who create, even if it's something as modest as a little photo blog on their home town like mine.

This is the first time I've managed to keep something like this going so long, which is one reason I'm upset at having to wait so long for my new iPhone. You get used to doing certain things, and habits set in. Now I've had to create another blog or two, for my Nikon pictures (Nikon and Me) and a sort of creative artistic and poetic diary (Abstract Mystic) to satisfy this strange need I have to get words out there.

The darker side of the city... my side
It's a strange calling. Maybe no-one cares. But the very act of writing and publishing to anyone who's interested seems to relieve something in me. Some sort of tension which builds up on a daily basis. And then maybe there are others like me who know what I'm talking about. I feel my new iPhone is near so I won't have to resort to desperate measures such as this for long.

I appreciate those of you who have stuck with me and read my words on a regular, or even occasional basis. That's worth a lot to me and I thank you for it. You know who you are, even if I don't.

The topics may not always interest you; I may not always get the mix right. But in the end I'm doing it to maintain a link with the universe and the rest of you out there, hoping you can enjoy something of my vision of this city and this life as I do.

The tone may be reflective, irreverent or downright silly, and I hope that's alright with you, because it's just me.

Here's to another two and a half years, and who knows, maybe two and a half decades of Paris pics taken and messed around with on my not-so-trusty Apple iPhone, damn it! See you down in the streets for a new episode of Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles shortly, and thanks again.



And why not...
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2012 
Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.

Saturday, 15 September 2012

Where Pooches Fear To Tread


Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles
~ Where Pooches Fear To Tread ~



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... pigeons rush in, or rather undulate out in this case.

Dogs are everywhere in France, including a big snoozy one at my feet as I type, but they're not welcome everywhere, like in children's playgrounds and certain parks, where if they are allowed in they are supposed to be on a lead.

The above shot, by the way, may well be one of the last before I get my hands on a new recording device - the end of an era is nigh folks!

Even this one wasn't taken on my trusty (until recently) iPhone 3GS. I had to borrow an iPhone 4, send it to myself, process it in Paint Shop Pro to get something which can just about qualify for publication on the Paris and I photo blog.

So that's it; my first iPhone is officially declared dead after several years of reasonably sterling service. Annoying how it literally just 'dies', mind you, taking with it all the photos you hadn't processed or just down/up-loaded somewhere. Oh well, this is life, and all the best ones are on this blog anyway, so there Apple!

And as for the Paris poop situation, in case you were wondering, it really is much better now, thank you.


And why not...
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2012 
Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.

Friday, 14 September 2012

Tanking It To The People


Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles
~ Tanking It To The People ~



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There are a few of these plaques - the one on the wall, not the Renault hubcaps - scattered around the city, and at first it's a bit difficult to know what they're for.

In fact, they honour the first armoured division to enter Paris after its liberation on the 24th August 1944. It was called the 'Colonne Dronne' after the Captain Raymond Dronne and special mention is given to the Spanish republicans who made up the majority of the soldiers. This one's right in the middle of the Pont d'Austerlitz if I remember correctly.

I've just spotted a little column of cigarette butts on the left lying along the edge of the pavement which is quite appropriate, both for the occasion and the French, I reckon.

It's a bit difficult to see but there's a nice version of the Paris boat logo, and above it the double-barred Cross of Lorraine. This latter was the symbol of the French Resistence forces during world war two and is seen here on the backdrop of a map of France.

The only thing I can tell you about the Renault symbol is that it's been through a lot of changes over the last 100 years, including being a car inside a gear wheel and a tank (just after world war 1) before settling on various incarnations of the diamond logo we all know today. You often see it on a yellow square too, which is supposed to be an indication of quality, although who invents these significations I do not know. Looks like their wheel glue could do with a quality upgrade in any case. Hopefully the wheel itself is still attached. As to whether Renault tanks were used in the liberation of Paris... that's one for the history bods, not me.


And why not...
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2012 
Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.

Thursday, 13 September 2012

OK For Me


Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles
~ OK For Me ~

OK For Me by Paris Set Me Free
OK For Me, a photo by Paris Set Me Free on Flickr.


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Another day, another Paris street artist. This one does pics on bits of broken mirror and rather fetching they are too.

It would be interesting to know what sort of person adds the scrawl next to other people's work, and what they really think they're adding. At least they've left the thing itself alone.

In the mirror you can almost see a creative Paris enthusiast I know but I thought I'd show you the one with the bike going by instead. You never know who won't want to be exposed in someone else's attempts at being arty.

I'm thinking maybe I could use mirrors for my infinity squared stuff - could be an interesting new support if I can get the paint to stick.

Talking of which, I think I should do some (painting) while the weather's nice and I can work in the garage still with the door open. Things are getting a bit chilly around these parts these days.

By the way, I just wrote a poem called 'You Are Here', inspired by my paintings called Vous Etes Ici (you are here) for the street, which is a nice bit of synergetic intermingling I reckon. Poetry, photography, painting, all glued together with music (other people's) and gallons of coffee. Is this how life should be? It's working ok for me.


And why not...
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2012 
Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.

Wednesday, 12 September 2012

When Creativity's Not Enough


Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles
~ When Creativity's Not Enough ~



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Sometimes I envy those blogs which seem to follow that recent internet joke thing I saw. I've forgotten the lead-in, but the punchline was along the lines of 'Failing that (i.e. having anything actually interesting to share) just show us another picture of your lunch'.

It's amazing how many bloggers do this, and equally amazing how many people seem to find it worth their time to reply with comments like 'Yum yum!' or 'Paris, here I come...'. Don't they have lives?

They have comments, though. My theory is that my readers are both so sophisticated and cramming so much of value into their days they simply don't have time to fritter away on vacuous fluff, which is quite alright by me.

To be honest, if I actually did show you pictures of my lunch I probably would get a few comments telling me to get back to weird plaques, grimy drain covers and oddball street sculpture where I belong. I can appreciate that. And I don't think you would appreciate my lunch most of the time. Since when was a coffee cup worthy of 15 seconds of fame?

Maybe, though, I could start a new blog where I take a picture of my coffee mug and its contents at a precise moment of every day. Stupider things have been done, I'm sure. The guy who's taken a daily picture of himself at 9:09 unfailingly for ten years would get me. Perhaps I could get restaurants to sponsor me to eat chez eux for a free photo on the internationally renowned, mouthwateringly followed and gushingly commented 'My Lunch' blog. Hang on, let's see if one already exists...

Yep, I knew it, a full three course meal of the things. With a free aperitif and bottle of wine thown in. Number One on the list was the "It's My Lunch Blog: A Daily Lunch Photo Blog from Japan". Phew, no need to do that then. Although the coffee mug idea's still niggling me... but is it stupid enough? And don't get me wrong here - 'stupid' can be a compliment if you're committed enough to do it.


And why not...
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2012 
Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Repose We Have Loved


Paris iPhone Photo Chronicles
~ Repose We Have Loved ~

Repose We Have Loved by Paris Set Me Free
Repose We Have Loved, a photo by Paris Set Me Free on Flickr.


BONUS: For Street Photography Fans!

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We're getting the garden done - it's going to be a terrasse, apparently - and the whole thing looks like, well, a building site at the moment.

Of course I got roped into helping out. My biggest compliment from the neighbour/handyman who's doing it, at the end of today's efforts, was that 'even Sab did a good job, even though he's an homme de bureau (office man)'...

I must admit that's the first time I've been referred to as an office worker, with the best of intentions, mind you. But I always thought the image I gave must be much more, you know, edgy. Apparently not.

And this guy (named 'Guy') who's destroying, err, I mean doing the garden is supposed to be a creative type himself, does amateur dramatics and all. Can't he recognise a fellow performer, albeit a reserved one..?

What's all this got to do with a weathered old bench from some forgotten Paris district, you may be asking, and the answer is: nothing at all. Unless you consider that my garden also has a few rotting planks lying around amongst the general rubble and debris which used to be a lawn.

To be honest, there's something much more evocative about things in the process of slow decay than pristine painted perfection. And as I've already proven many times, I reckon, Paris has more than its fair share of them, of which the sorry old suffering seat above. Well worn, let's say, by backsides and blusters we have loved. Just what's needed to rest a weedy bookworm's aching back 'n' britches. Squat on!


And why not...
_________________________________________________________________________________
© 2012 
Sab Will / Paris Set Me Free - Contact me directly for photo tours, interviews, exhibitions, etc.
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