Busking By The Basin Photo

Photographer’s Note

I had never heard of Honfleur until I began to notice photos - of which there are MANY on TE - taken by other members. This year I finally managed to fit in a 4 day visit to Honfleur and the surrounding area of Basse-Normandie. I was not disappointed, in fact I found the town to be one of the most charming small towns I have ever seen. I can imagine that during the school holiday season the town is absolutely packed with tourists and holiday makers, but in the middle of June it was pleasantly crowded and the weather was fine. It would be hard to avoid taking a good photo anywhere around the unbelievably picturesque old basin (vieux bassin) harbour, with the white yachts and their masts set against the many coloured buildings, all reflected on a fine day in the still waters of the rectangular basin which is linked by a channel and a lock to the lower reaches of the Seine River. Honfleur is much more than the basin, though, with interesting museums, a narrow street dedicated to artists and galleries, a huge old timber church, and a bustling market on Saturday.

I took this photo on my first afternoon in the town, when the sun no longer lit up the pastel colours of the buildings on the left, many of which house restaurants at street level, spilling out on to the waterfront. It is perhaps not the 'classic' Honfleur scene, therefore, but I was amused for a few minutes by these two rather insouciant buskers, with the old Lieutenance building lit by the sun in the background. The fellow on the left showed a quite unremarkable skill in juggling. His balls, by the way, were purple.

Jonathan_Tree, snunney, JCG, Buin, besnard, Kielia, saxo042, Royaldevon, jafadabret, Charo, Vasa, ellelloo, jhm, fanni, daddo, westozman, mjdundee, MLINES, LeeLoo trouve(nt) cette note utile

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Jonathan_Tree (4459) 2009-07-20 5:24

Hello Macono!
Wonderful scene, amazing musician, very mysterious man on the left. Nice sails. Very nice capture. Good frame.
Cordially!

snunney (35150) 2009-07-20 5:48

Hello Andrew,
Le Vieux Bassin makes a splendid backdrop to capture these street artists. I like the point of view looking diagonally across the port with this side bathed in sunlight and the far side in shadow. Fine daily life image.

JCG (25573) 2009-07-20 5:56

Hi Andrew,

A very beautiful luminosity on this photograph I find, and I like much your framing on this scene of street with in backdrop this pretty small port of Honfleur, the balls of the juggler bring out well in the blue sky. Good glance Andrew, cheer.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

holmertz (9841) 2009-07-20 8:49

Hello Andrew,
A very timely shot, the balls perfectly captured against the sky. I suppose this could be called a typical French view. A nice composition with the houses providing a frame to the left and the boats to the right.
Kind regards,
Gert

Buin (38008) 2009-07-20 9:24

Hallo Andrew!
Besides the beautiful scenery here I like the wonderful light and the atmosphere of this picture. These dark facades in background even emphasize the two sunlit main characters here. Everything seems to be easy and peaceful ... great!
Greetings from Germany!
Frank

besnard (30904) 2009-07-20 9:37

Bonjour Andrew
Une belle luminosité qui donne de l'éclat au paysage et aux couleurs.
Merci pour le partage et bonne journée.
Nicole

Kielia (8611) 2009-07-20 9:47

Hi Andrew,
this is a very fine capture of the buskers! Very well working POV on this famous place by the sea, wonderful colors and an amazing light that creates nice contrasts. Excellently composed impression. I also like your note and the title! TFS!
Warm regards
Harriet

saxo042 (16000) 2009-07-20 11:17

Hi Andrew,
I had to look for a long while here to see what the left man actually was doing; then I saw it! A fine interaction between the two performers here. Interesting cityscape in the background!
Kind regards
Gunnar

SteveH (3951) 2009-07-20 15:54

Hi Andrew, I'm envious - stuck in Melbourne winter whilst you were basking in the sun in picturesque France. Certainly looks like a pretty little town. the harsh light was not your friend this time, but nevertheless you've created a good images with some activity in the FG leading into the scene. cheers, Steve

Royaldevon (5938) 2009-07-22 0:16

Hello Andrew,

I find your shot utterly delightful and it reinforces my opinion of the many interesting facets of France. There is always something new, something surprising, a photographer's paradise!
The two performers are captivating, in the f/g, and demand a lot of attention. But then, there is a chance to move either side of them to appreciate the tall, friendly buildings, gazing provocatively at the elegant yachts, with the rippling water to separate them.
A beautifully balanced shot with great light and lovely, long shadows.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)
In answer to your question, Andrew, no, I have never been to Honfleur but there are so many places I'd love to visit, this among them!

Waylim (10995) 2009-07-22 10:32

Hi Andrew,
Thanks for the introduction to Honfleur, I have been to France a few times and yet never heard of it either. I visit my sister there again in the future, so perhaps I will look it up. This is a very fun and relaxing image. Showing the harbor in this beautiful light. Even those buildings in the shadow are nicely visible with subdue but rich colors, I can image them in direct light. Good moment while this two performed and entertained the tourists. Thanks.
Way

jafadabret (40023) 2009-07-23 23:18

Bonjour Andrew.
Honfleur a toujours été un port qui a attiré les peintres et les photographes. J'aime cette vue avec ces deux artistes de rue au premier plan. La lumière est excellente et les couleurs sublimes.
Salutations amicales.
Jacques

Charo (31677) 2009-07-24 11:56

Hello Andrew,
I like this image where the contrast is great, perhaps the elderly man should play the accordion and the boy throw the balls, but this is very good change of roles.
Very good catch with the bottom of the small port and its traditional houses. Good job!
Best wishes,
Charo

Vasa (5912) 2009-07-24 13:22

Bonjour Andrew,

je te revois avec grand plaisir. J'ai vu aussi les autres dernierement postees. Avec emotions. Merci ami. Fiere de ta visite,

Branko

ellelloo (4879) 2009-07-24 23:10

Hello Andrew,
An attractive photo of the buskers in that small town. You have caught very well the peaceful atmosphere and the beautiful late afternoon light. A well thought composition and a good timing too. TFS!
Have a nice weekend!
Lasse

delpeoples (6397) 2009-07-25 12:16

Hi Andrew, this trip to France you're giving us is wonderful. Its a great shot of Daily Life with a composition that gives us a different idea of the town to what I've seen before on TE (even if the juggler does have purple balls!). I like the light and the sharpness too. Thanks for sharing, Lisa

amaryllis (17573) 2009-07-26 6:36

Bonjour
Comme tu as bien fait d'aller à Honfleur et je pense que tu es ravi de cette jolie ville, car tu nous en montres une excellente photo, que l'on connait, soit, mais chacun y apporte sa note personnelle comme ici avec ce "joueur", cet accordéonniste et le port en arrière plan et ces façades de maisons si connues
bravo pour la netteté et la luminosité
juliette

jhm (82949) 2009-07-26 12:23

Hello Andrew,

The two performers are captivating, in the foreground, and demand a lot of attention, very mysterious man on the left
Sharpness and clarity are superb.
Splendid marina picture, good depth and perspective.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice evening,
John.

fanni (8737) 2009-07-26 13:56

Hello Andrew,
a pleasant scene, indeed! I like the strong contrast and deep shadows which help to create depth and a special mood; and this photo (along with your Note) makes me think of visiting Honfleur one day, too... if luck permits :) Very lovely perspective view, and a bit of daily life as well :)
Kind regards,
Elena

daddo (11417) 2009-07-26 23:12

Hi Andrew. One in hand and two balls in the air-quite a feat. Nice holiday mood when even the grown up "boys" know no end to fun. lovely light which gives strong definitions to person and building. Excellent clarity.Excellent moment too as he anticipates the balls dropping.regards. Klaudio.

cdmonson (2757) 2009-07-29 9:59

Hi Andrew:

Very nice shot. I'd never heard of it either, but this is a wonderful shot. I like both the beauty of the city and harbor, and the street performers here. They both seem on edge to see if the guy on the left can pull off the juggling act. You captured the juggling balls at the right moment, when they were against the backdrop of the sky. Well done.

Clark

archimatica (13290) 2009-07-30 7:26

Ciao Andrew.
Very mysterious men... the picture has a particular atmosphere, almost surreal.
As usual, great technique and composition.
Complimenti
Renzo

westozman (2877) 2009-08-03 15:53

G'day Andrew,
A lovely and distinctively-French ambiance in this shot, mate: the accordion-player, terraced houses, cobblestones, boats, etc. And I'm sure you found a nearby bistro and quaffed a good bottle of red wine in that afternoon sun, too! You were lucky indeed to visit such a place - and thanks for sharing the moment with us.
Best wishes,
Jeff

alftrek (2885) 2009-08-04 20:11

Hello Andrew,
The man seems to be playing to the tune of music offered by the musician. It takes a good timing to shoot this with the balls in the air above the buildings, otherwise they would simply blend in with the shaded building facade. The summer light in the northern hemisphere is certainly quite harsh at this time.

Regards
Alfred

chriswhitley (1470) 2009-08-04 23:54

Hi Andrew. Glad to note that you enjoyed Honfleur which I know very well. A very typical view but certainly with an added twist. The timing is perfect wth the juggling balls high in the air visible above the building line. Based on your note, do you think the accordionist is thinking he needs to get a new busking partner? Chris

marion44 (4284) 2009-08-10 6:21

Hello,
I'm glad that you've liked Honfleur, after all the comments you made on the city's pics ! :) I see you had a wonderful weather to visit the place :) And you caught a nice moment !
Marion

mjdundee (3518) 2009-08-15 8:33

It is always harder to see a perfect photo than to shoot a good one!
Hi Andrew - very nice timing and POV on this scenery.
Honfleur looks indeed a bit touristic but without crowds it is OK. Very welldone. TFS.
Thomas

MLINES (10916) 2009-10-07 17:00

Hi Andrew, A pleasant ambiance flows from this image. The timing is good with the balls high above the man throwing them above. Good colours and composition, but it is especially good to now know about this place in northern France. It is why i enjoy TrekEarth so much. TFS. Murray.

marcdemoulin (1587) 2009-12-11 11:56 [Comment]

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LeeLoo (5218) 2009-12-14 4:21

Dear Andrew McRae!
Wonderful men.
Very nice scene.
Wonderful background and scenery.
Good point of view.
Very fine shot.
TFS!

Photo Information

Copyright: Andrew McRae (macondo) (13193)
Genre: Lieux
Medium: Couleur
Date Taken: 2009-06-18
Categories: Vie quotidienne, Architecture
Camera: Pentax K200D, Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII, Cokin 62mm Circular Polarizer
Exposition: f/10.0, 1/250 secondes
More Photo Info: view
Versions: version originale
Thème(s): France [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-07-20 5:23