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Street Photography International (SPi) is a London based collective made up of 3 complementary photographers, each with their own style and philosophy but with a shared loved for Street:
Some pictures taken during a workshop they organised in (wet) London…
As usual, any comment and feedback more than welcome. And here to follow on instagram.
Enjoy !
Walter C.
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It was 10 years ago - our first time in Positano.
And 10 years later... nothing has changed. Conviction that if it had been 20, 30 years later, nothing would have changed either.
Ultimate dolce vita. Amazing Amalfi Coast with its narrow curving roads hanging from the cliffs... Hotels suspended high up above breath-taking views of the sea.
A few pictures of this incredible enclave here...
As usual, any comment below is welcome and don't hesitate to follow on Instragram.
Enjoy !
W.
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What a series of firsts !
After the first "official" assignment last week, here is the result of my first collaboration. And what a collaboration !
Our friend Karine decided a few months ago to embark on a new adventure: study to become a qualified yoga teacher. Which she did !
And Karine asked us, Nathalie C. and yours truly, to help with the visuals of her then-upcoming website.
Hence the collaboration: Nathalie C. x Walter C.
With Nathalie C. in charge of the shoot with Karine in a studio in Camden. And Walter C. taking care of the black and white editing of the pictures.
The result can be seen in this gallery, here.
And directly on the beautiful website of the talented Karine, here. Of course, do not hesitate to reach out to her should you be in need (aren't we all ?) of a de-stressing session of yoga, pilates, or even a mix of the two ! Karine now has students both in Paris and London - hence, wherever you are, she will be there for you.
And don't hesitate to follow us on Instragram:
As usual, any comment is more than welcome.
Enjoy !
Walter C.
PS: I have to admit, I lied. This photo shoot is not the first collaboration between Nathalie C. and I. We have had a series of collaborations historically, the most perfect of those being the 2 magnificent little monsters of 5.5 and 3.5 years we just put to bed...
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For the first time, I was asked by a friend to be her "official" event photographer. And not for any event: for the launch party of her very first book... Quite a few firsts !
Both somewhat flattering and intimidating. It is one thing to swing my Leica around on the kids playground or around the streets of beautiful cities. It is another to feel some responsibility for making a moment a bit more memorable.
The party was last Tuesday, at the Notting Hill Bookshop. No better place to launch a book about the life of a beta mum looking for her place in the world of the Notting Hill alpha mums.
And what a weather, what a light !...
So, did my best. To be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. To take the expected posed pictures, but also to try to capture those less expected moments, expressions, slices of life. Stolen portraits. My pêcher mignon...
The result ? Well... see by yourself... The picture gallery is available here.
For the book:
"The Beta Mum - Adventures in Alpha Land" by Isabella Davidson (blog here and instagram there).
As usual - any comment more than welcome below...
And don't hesitate to follow me on instagram here.
Enjoy !
W.
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After about 6 months, we are back to Cheltenham and the Cotswolds. With even more pleasure the second time around in this oh-so-British region.
Amazing light and rainbows of greens. Warm and welcoming food. (God bless the bread and butter pudding). Beautiful landscapes.
And such welcoming places, like No 131 The Promenade (hotel and restaurant), The Tavern (pub) or Cowley Manor (hotel and restaurant).
Enjoy !
W.
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When you imagine the English countryside, you may not know it, but the pictures you have in mind are probably from the Cotswolds - beautiful region, an hour away from London.
In this portfolio, a few pictures from a fantastic boutique hotel in Cheltenham, the 'Number 131 The Promenade'. I will let you guess the address. Where traditional meets quirky but so edgy English design.
A couple of pictures from their sister restaurant, 'The Tavern'. Most typical gastro-pub which serves amazing food (try the burgers, the toffee cheesecake and everything else...).
And finishing with a stroll through Lower Slaughter - a very typical local village.
You can find the portfolio here.
Enjoy !
W.
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Elounda... Small fishing town on the largest of the Greek islands. Where blue meets green meets ocre. And so many other colours.
A paradise for our family - in particular at the Domes of Elounda hotel. Perfect as a smurf-friendly hotel, without being a Disney-sponsored amusement park !
Clear here to access the portfolio.
And, as usual, your comments and feedback are more than welcome below...
Enjoy !
W.
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Another city full of surprises.
Like a kaleidoscope, the more you stare at it, the more new faces you discover.
Just a question of paying attention to the details...
Click here to go to the portfolio.
And as usual, comments and feedback more than welcome below.
Enjoy !
W.
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After 5 years, finally got to spend 4 days back in New York.
Combination of the City continuously re-inventing itself, and, at the same time, holding on to some of its timeless features...
As usual - please leave your feedback and comments below, and do not hesitate to share...
Click here to access the portfolio.
Enjoy !
W.
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A couple of picture from this other amazing Italian city.
With a couple of themes which established themselves without really thinking about it:
You can access the portfolio here.
And, as usual, comments and any type of feedback most welcome below.
Enjoy !
Walter C.
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Hell.
Yes !
Two words which summarise the essence of New York. The intensity, chaos and head-spinning pace of this unique island. But where everything is possible. Everything.
And if you can make it in New York. You can make it anywhere.
The gallery can be accessed here.
Enjoy !
Walter C
"Light in Taxi (Paris, 2014)"
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[Version Francaise ci-dessous]
Back to the origins.
Back to the origins of photography...
The word "Photography" comes from the following Greek roots:
Drawing with light, painting with light... Like in the selection of pictures in this portfolio.
Click here to access the portfolio.
As usual, comments and feedback more than welcome.
Enjoy !
Walter C.
Retour aux origines.
Retour aux origines de la photographie...
Le mot "Photographie" vient du Grec:
Peindre avec la lumière... Comme dans la selection de photos de ce portfolio.
Cliquer ici pour accéder à la série.
N'hésitez pas à laisser un commentaire ci-dessous et à donner votre feedback.
Enjoy !
Walter C.
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Mirrors, glasses, windows, water...
Transforming reality and forcing the eye to see differently.
Click here to access the portfolio.
Enjoy !
Walter C.
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London has the unusual characteristic of being eccentric in a traditional way. Or traditional in an eccentric way.
With a history of growing very defined and strict rules - while at the same time accepting (not always seamlessly) the questioning of such.
A walk around Covent Gardens on a sunny summer afternoon was the occasion to try to capture those two faces - living side by side. And together.
Click here to access the portfolio.
As usual, your comments and feedback are more than welcome.
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Enjoy !
Walter C.
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[Version française en bas de page]
These pictures were taken on October 13th, 2001.
1 month (and 2 days) after September 11th, 2001. After 9/11.
Wanted to capture the way the City, New York City, reacted to this [insert here your most terrifying adjective] event. The way the City, like a person, decided to manage the horror that it had just been hit with.
Going to Ground Zero, even though initially considered, was quickly dismissed as an option. Too soon. Too raw. Too real. Too much to manage.
Therefore the pictures in the portfolio were taken around Midtown Manhattan.
And those pictures try to describe something incredible. The whole City coming together as one, to face off against the monstruosity of the attack on its integrity. The City standing tall, proud, alive and kickin'. Refusing to be dragged exactly where the monsters wanted her to go.
The first few pictures reflect the City's identity. Not only of being American, but of being New York.
The City also kept its sense of humour - with the juxtaposition of the quote from John Lennon ("Imagine all the people leaving life in peace") with a poster of models from Wondebra (maybe the recipe for global peace ?).
And then the City brings you back to earth with a picture of a picture: the picture of a framed photo sold by one of the street vendors, picture representing... the Twin Towers.
A couple of blocks further, around the corner, are the studios of Fox TV. And on the news banner outside the building, two words. Two words which did not mean much for most of us a couple of weeks before, but which would take a central part in our lives in the following months: "Bin Laden".
The City who also honours and is honoured by those who are here to protect her: the policemen (the truck here just arrived all sirens blaring, responding to a live to bomb threat) and firemen (honored by crowd sourced monuments everywhere in the City).
And finally, on the last picture, the City which would forever wear the scar of the missing Twin Towers from its cityscape. On this view, they would have been just there, tall and proud, on either side of the traffic light.
The English invented, and lived their moto: "Keep Calm And Carry On".
The people of New York took it to a whole new level.
The way the whole City decided to come together, to remind herself of who she was and who she was not, and to chose life - was a sobering experience. An experience generating an immense respect and pride for the City. Pride of having shared some of its life together.
What more to say than this quote from Giuliani, the Mayor of New York, on one of the posters over Time Square:
"People from all over the country who want to help,
I have a great way of helping:
Come here and spend money.
Go to a restaurant, see a show.
The life of the City goes on."
And that is exactly what we did.
Click here to access the portfolio.
As usual, your comments and feedback are more than welcome.
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Thanks,
Walter C.
[VERSION FRANCAISE]
Ces photos ont été prises le 13 octobre 2001.
1 mois (et 2 jours) après le 11 septembre 2001. Après "Nine Eleven".
Cherchant à capturer la façon dont cette ville, New York, a réagi à cet événement [insérer ici l'adjectif le plus terrifiant possible]. La façon par laquelle, telle une personne, la Ville a décidé de gérer l'horreur qui venait de la frapper en son coeur.
Aller à Ground Zero, même si considéré un moment, a rapidement été écarté. Trop tôt. Trop vif. Trop réel. Trop difficile a gérer.
Les photos de ce portefeuille ont donc été prises autour de Midtown Manhattan.
Et ces images essaient de décrire quelque chose d'incroyable. La Ville qui se recentre, se fait une pour faire face à la monstruosité de l'attaque sur son essence. La Ville, debout, fière, plus vivante que jamais. Refusant exactement de suivre la pente dans laquelle les monstres ont essayé de la pousser.
Les premières photos décrivent l'identité de la Ville. Non seulement "être Americain" - mais aussi "être New York".
Un peu plus loin, la Ville a tout de même gardé son sens de l'humour - avec la juxtaposition de la citation de John Lennon ("Imagine le monde vivant sa vie en paix") avec le poster des top modèles de Wonderbra (peut-être la recette pour la paix dans le monde ?).
Mais, rapidement, la Ville nous ramène à la réalité avec la photo d'une photo: photo d'une image encadrée, proposée par un vendeur de rue. Image.... des Tours Jumelles.
Quelques rues plus loin, les studios de la chaine de télévision Fox News. Et sur le bandeau lumineux déroulant les nouvelles du jour sur la façade de l'immeuble, deux mots. Deux mots qui avaient peu de sens pour nous quelques semaines auparavant, mais qui vont devenir omniprésents dans les mois qui ont suivi: "Bin Laden".
La Ville qui sait aussi honorer et être honorée par ceux qui sont là pour la protéger: les policiers (le camion de police venait juste d'arriver, sirènes hurlantes, répondant à cet instant à une alerte à la bombe), comme les pompiers (mis a l'honneur, comme par cette statue offerte par des membres du public à la Ville et déposée au coin d'une rue).
Et finalement, sur la dernière photo, la Ville qui à jamais portera la cicatrice des Tours Jumelles manquantes à son horizon. Sur cette image, elles auraient été juste là, grandes et fières, de chaque côté du feu de signalisation.
Les Anglais ont inventé et vécu leur slogan: "Keep Calm And Carry On".
Le peuple de New York a su le surpasser.
La force avec laquelle la Ville a décidé de se rassembler, de se rappeler qui elle est et qui elle n'est pas, et de choisir la vie - est une experience qui impose l'humilité. Le respect. Et la fierté pour cette Ville unique. Fierté d'avoir partage une partie de sa vie.
Que dire de plus que ces mots de Giuliani, Maire de New York a l'époque, repris sur un des immense poster de Time Square:
"Vous tous, de par le pays, qui souhaitez aider,
Je vous propose une facon simple de le faire:
Venez ici et dépensez votre argent.
Allez au restaurant, allez voir un spectacle.
La vie de notre Ville doit continuer."
Et c'est exactement ce que nous avons fait.
Cliquer ici pour accéder aux photos.
N'hésitez pas a laisser vos commentaires ci-dessous.
Egalement, si vous souhaitez recevoir les blog futurs, abonnez-vous à la Newsletter en haut à droite de cette page.
Merci,
Walter C.
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Thorsten Overgaard, one of the best known Leica evangelists, delivers photography workshops around the world. Literally.
Having attended one of them in London last December, the 3 days were filled with technical as well as intuitive information.
But after 3 months, which are the pieces of advice which have stuck ?
The list could be a lot longer - but those are the essential ones.
Click here to access the portfolio from the workshop.
Do not hesitate to share thoughts in the Comments box below - this is actually the 4th point which stuck: share your work so that others can help you understand what you do well. And not so well.
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Enjoy !
Walter C.
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In a day of accelerating technological innovation, there are achievements from our history which are still barely comprehensible.
Venice was built on a foundation of millions and millions of trunks, immersed vertically into the lagoon, more than 1200 years ago. Take just one of its churches - Santa Maria Della Salute church - it is estimated that more than 1.1 million trunks were used to support its foundations. And still to this day, most of the buildings, churches and cathedrals in the center of Venice lay on trunks. The same trunks.
History which only multiplies the unique aesthetic of the Floating City today. And emphasize this feeling - when walking through its narrow streets, over its bridges, into its ghetto - of being somewhere magical. Somewhat detached from reality.
The other effect of this architecture marvel, is that it is very difficult to find a vertical line in Venice. Sign of the flexibility of the building construction, essential to their survival over time - almost untouched notwithstanding the attacks of repeated floods and earthquakes. No vertical lines... An interesting challenge for a photographer.
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As usual, any comments, feedback welcome...
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Enjoy !
Walter C.
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While we tend to all enjoy the comfort of the hotels we visit on vacation, sometimes we miss the local life just around the corner.
Mauritius is such destination where luxurious comfort can sit next to local villages - villages which seem to have been untouched by time.
The portfolio "Mauritius Villages" starts with a couple of pictures from the island seen from one of those luxury hotels. Until we get to the picture of the sign post of the hotel (Le Touessrok) which also shows that of one of the local villages: Le Trou d'Eau Douce. Picture which transitions us to the introduction of a fishermen's village. Very authentic (some would say poor), but bursting with colours and life. And full of genuinely nice people, who seem so happy to live in such a beautiful corner of our world…
And then, a little bit further on the road lays the village of Bel Air. Another small village with a majority of Hindus. Lucky with the timing, a group of young kids were preparing for the Maha Shivaratri festival. A traditional Hindu festival where all the Hindu communities on the island gather together on the shores of the lake Grand Bassin once a year - and pray and celebrate altogether. To do so, each community would leave from their respective village on foot, pushing a massive statue of some of their main gods all the way to the lake. In the case of the Bel Air community, it will take them 2 days to get to the lake, and another 2 to return. Striking colours and smiles..
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Enjoy !
Walter C.