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In glass sphere, La Défense


In glass sphere, La Défense
Information sur la photo
Copyright: George Rumpler (Budapestman) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4280 W: 0 N: 7839] (28216)
Genre: Lieux
Média: Couleur
Date de prise de vue: 2008-08-23
Catégories: Vie quotidienne, Architecture, Oeuvres d'art
Appareil photographique: Pentax K10D
Versions: version originale
Thème(s): Moods, streets and museums from Paris. [view contributor(s)]
Date de soumission: 2008-09-15 1:31
Vue: 508
Points: 70
[Ligne directrice - Note] Note du photographe
La Défense

La Défense is the prime high-rise office district of Paris. Many of Paris's tallest buildings can be found here.

The Triumphal Way

At the end of the first World War, plans were made to develop the axis from the Arc de Triomphe at the Etoile to La Défense, an area at the edge of the center of Paris.

Numerous plans were submitted for the Voie Triumphale or Triumphal Way as it was known, most of them with endless rows of impressive skyscrapers in mostly Modernist style. Many of the plans which were submitted in 1930 came from renowned architects like Le Corbusier and Auguste Perret. None of these plans were realized, mainly due to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

La Défense

In 1931 though, the authorities organized a new competition, but the intent was to limit the height of the buildings along the Triumphal Way. Only at the end of the long avenue, at the Défense, were towers allowed. This was recommended by the authorities as towers close to the center would obstruct the view on the Etoile.
Most of the 35 (French) entries in the competition were either classical or modernist style, but again none of the plans were actually realized due to lack of funding. The main focus now moved from the Triumphal way to the Défense area, or La Défense. The name défense originates from the monument 'La Défense de Paris', which was erected at this site in 1883 to commemorate the war of 1870.

A Forest of Towers

In 1951, the Défense site was chosen as an office center. In 1958, development of the area was started by a special agency, the Etablissement Public d'Aménagement de la Défense.
The first plan had 2 rows of skyscrapers of equal height. In 1964, a plan was approved to have 20 office towers of 25 stories each. Little of the development on the Défence was actually built according to this plan, as most companies started to press for taller office towers.
The result is a mix of mostly cheap towers of different heights. The tallest of them, the GAN tower, measured 179 meters (589 ft). The height of several towers, and in particular the GAN tower caused a public outcry as the 'forest of towers' disturbs the view on the Arc de Triomphe as seen from the Etoile. Partly in response to this criticism a new monument was built at the entrance of the Défense as a counterweight for the Arc de Triomphe: The Tête Défense , also known as the Grande Arche de la Défense.

Grande Arche de la Défense

The project to build the 'Grande Arche' (Great Arch) was initiated by the French president Mitterrand. He wanted a XXth century version of the Arc de Triomphe. The design of Danish architect Otto van Spreckelsen looks more like a cube-shaped building than a triumphal arch.
It is a 106 meters (348 ft) white building with the middle part left open. The sides of the cube contain offices. You can take an elevator to the top of the Arche de la Défense, from where you have a nice view on the city center which is only 4 km further.
(Source: aviewoncities)
ChrisJ, snunney, jlbrthnn, amaryllis, PixelTerror, portmanndominic, macondo, carper, xavshot, dareco, jjcordier, danos, siolaw, Buin, paura, paololg, Tue, chrkont trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Discussions
Enchaînement de réflexionsInitiateur de la discussion Messages Modifié
A francio64: ReflectionBudapestman 1 09-17 06:21
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Critiques [Translate]

ciao george,
bravo a cogliere l'attimo per questa auto foto con sullo sfondo i meravigliosi palazzi della Defece.
Ottima luce e colori
saluti
maurizio

  • Great 
  • ChrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 8566 W: 915 N: 11534] (57432)
  • [2008-09-15 1:40]

Hi George

I like the wide angled distortion in this superb shot of 'La Défense' in Paris. Good colour, contrast & sharpness. Tfs!

Hello George,
A very good composition with excellent clarity and lighting. Well seen and executed.

Bonjour Georg
Une belle prise, originale, nette et bien cadrée.
C'est du bon travail - merci pour le partagfe et bonne journée.
Nicole

Hello George,
The image original and is technically well carried out, and makes it possible in premium to see the photographer. It is also a photograph of artist with a quality without reproach. The note is right and very complete. Congratulations. Cheer.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

Bonjour
tres beaux reflets captés dans cette sphère de verre, belles couleurs et une tres bonne idée
belle composition
juliette

  • Great 
  • ifanik Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1796 W: 54 N: 2947] (16492)
  • [2008-09-15 2:42]

Hi George
Very beautiful self portrait my friend
Nice colours
Best regards
Nick

Szia George,
Nice autoportrait ;-) Been there too, had to go for technical training in the tower just nearby, you had a good timing to get the reflection luminous and beautiful weather as it seems.
Have a nice day JY

hello George

Original selft portrait with a beautiful back
nice colors and perpective
TFS
regards
Dominic

Hello George,
I coudn't visit La Défense in my trip to France because we didin't have enough time. It is interesting to see this place as a reflection on a glass sphere. The photographers added great to the composition, excellent presentation,
Best regards,
Tulay

Hi George.
Very interesting and striking composition!
I appreciated the note, too, because I had known very little of La Defense, although I could often see its tall buildings.
I like the distortion and the marvellous colour. Also, I think the other people in the shot are a good inclusion in this very wide angle shot.
Regards,
Andrew

Hi dear George,
What an amazing idea, what anice capture !
Wonderfull compo with many nice stories in itself and perfect notes.
A good TE job done !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

Hi George, yeees a clever and funny seen and done composition.
Everything is very good written with nice light and details.
TFS
Evangelos

Hi George,
Beautiful artwork with nice colors and composition.Orginal and very creative
Georg

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9719 W: 446 N: 15853] (56062)
  • [2008-09-15 9:41]

I like this one George
fine effect hee, good photo, fine reflection of the building and the photographers, very good job have a nice evening.
regard jaap

Hello George,
Once again superb catch !
I like this self portrait with great saturated colors and beautiful surves and distorsions.
Nice job,
Have a nice day,
JB.

  • Great 
  • kpav Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 653 W: 53 N: 352] (4298)
  • [2008-09-15 10:55]

Hello George, very clever to use the sphere in this way for your photo, the result is superb like taken through a fish eye lense. Your tight composition intensifies the effect. Very well seen and captured. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards,
Kostas.

Bonsoir George
belle utilisation de cette grosse boule et de son effet miroir. j'aime bien les coulerus que tu as sorties et la vision des bâtiments derrière toi. Bravo.
Xavier

  • Great 
  • dareco Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1897 W: 53 N: 751] (12153)
  • [2008-09-15 17:04]

Original, creative and excellent work!! Super detail and colors. You should be very proud of this. Very impressive! TFS and have a happy day!

  • Great 
  • berek Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3922 W: 172 N: 5107] (23962)
  • [2008-09-15 22:00]

Hi George,
its very good creative idea. I like nice cute result. well framed picture. greetings.
Burak

George
Bravo pour cet autoportrait original et des plus réussis avec cet environnement déformé de la Défense.
Amicalement
JJ

  • Great 
  • Graal Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4885 W: 133 N: 532] (44999)
  • [2008-09-16 0:06]

Jó napot George,
good shot and idea, fine reflections and presentation. I likeit. Well done photo.
Gr., Aleksander

Hi George,
What a superb self portrait vith great reflection.Well compo.TFS.
Regards,
Have a good day.

hAyAti

  • Great 
  • danos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3703 W: 84 N: 5371] (21024)
  • [2008-09-16 12:04]

Hello George,
nice and clever your presentation through the sphere this forest of towers.I like the tourists that try to take a shot with somewhat reflection from this part of the city.Well done.

Regards,Danos

Ciao George,
spettacolare questo riflesso.
Grandi colori e grandi dettagli.

Francesco

P.S.
Are you the reflected photographer?

  • Great 
  • siolaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3954 W: 403 N: 6717] (23057)
  • [2008-09-16 23:19]

Hi George,
I posted one of this ball not so long ago..but in the night. Good clear view of la Defense, with the 'Agam fountain' behind you which has a good potential too, and has its own theme here!
harp with bright colors auto portrait!
Greetings
Laurent

  • Great 
  • Buin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3613 W: 0 N: 7374] (26733)
  • [2008-09-17 0:30]

Hallo George!
Great, simply great! The others have said all here, but this one deserves another two points. Here they are ;-)
Greetings from autumnal Germany!
Frank

  • Great 
  • paura Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 4482 W: 8 N: 2893] (24727)
  • [2008-09-17 5:20]

George,
Very beautiful shot, friend. The composition is really excellent. ell done!

Abraço

Paulo

Ciao George,
a stupendous self-portrait, performed in original and pleasant way. The image reflected on the sphere gives the feeling of a panoramic photo. Beautiful work!
Ciao
Paolo

  • Great 
  • danyy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 7581 W: 447 N: 10684] (54374)
  • [2008-09-17 23:53]

Bonjour George,
auto portrait bien réussi et apparement ce monument bien poli attire bien des photographes. Une manière détournée de nous présenter les architectures de l'endroit.
Les lumières sont parfaites, ainsi que la mise au point.
Regards.
Daniel.

Ciao George, fantastic reflection on wonderful modern architecture, splendid composition, very well done, ciao Silvio

funny that you're not the only one to photography, interesting miror scene, unique and original composition
regards
jo

  • Great 
  • Tue Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5185 W: 56 N: 7468] (24032)
  • [2008-09-23 3:30]

Hi George,
An excellent self-portrait in this large glass sphere. All the reflections are wonderfully distorted and I like a lot to see the architecture of La Défense in the background here too. The light was very attractive too. Thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

Hi George
You have very good light and you managed well. I like the distortion of the sphere and the self portrait idea.
You are, really, my little encyclopedia to the world with all this interesting notes.
Have a nice day.
Christos

Excellent idea, great contrast & sharpness!
A photo with an artistic touch!

Agnieszka

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