There is lots to learn in Lightroom today. Sharpening, adjusting perspective, noise reduction, maximizing the capabilities of the tools. It is a productive morning, and the learning curve goes up.
Françoise makes us yet another delicious lunch. It is a simple salad, but the way she puts her combination of herbs, and the quality of the olive oil she uses, make is memorable.
We sit outside near the picine (pool) under a broad tree that shades us from the midday sun.
She picks roses that are incredibly fragrant and puts them in a pretty glass jar. None of those sterile hybrids! In amongst the roses, she has put fresh lavande (same word, only without the “r” on the end). It smells heavenly!
We explore back roads today for the first part of our afternoon and evening of photography. This time, we have the participants tell us when to stop.
“When we slow down, that may be a hint,” Arnie says.
We also test out some new areas in addition to the ones we have planned for today. I am normally the navigator, and I look out over the terrain and see some small roads on the map that may get us there.
“Are you sure,” Arnie asks as I point out a little road to the right, “It doesn’t go anywhere.”
“Courage,” I respond. “It really does. See, Gertrude shows it connects to this road here. So does Jean-Luc.” We have named the GPS in our rental car Jean-Luc. After all, he is French.
We zig and zag over this narrow road and that. At one point, Arnie is sure that we are headed into someone’s driveway with no turn-around. The road does, in fact, continue.
We are looking for patterns today, and the best way to find patterns in vineyards is to look down on them.
It is time to head up into one of the slightly larger villages, advertised as one of the most beautiful in the Luberon. It reminded me of the Tree Cities we have here.
Indeed, it is a beautiful little town. They are repaving it, as I think I mentioned in an earlier blog. Just in the few days since Arnie and I were here last week, another large section of road has been done. Thinking of our experience with the restaurants no longer serving after we had finished photographing, we decide it makes more sense to eat early, then go out when the light is really good for what we want.
We enjoy a carafe of wine and a light dinner under the shade of the pergola, then start walking around the village.
The light on the buildings is now beautiful. I see some flowers against a doorway. The colors really pop.
We see the moon rising and climb up the hill more to get a good vantage point. For me, it is not so interesting. Arnie and I are waiting for the lights to come on. There is a group of people outside a restaurant. They are chatting and enjoying themselves.
A man stands in a doorway, a light on inside. He is smoking, and his stance is perfect for a silhouette. He starts to leave, and I quickly go to him and ask permission to make a photograph of his silhouette. His wife comes out and thinks (I think) that I am making overtures.
I explain what I want, and she is all set to be in the photograph, too.
Tactfully, I explain that one silhouette is better, and show her. She understands. We talk about photography, and I get my shot.
This is my shot for the day. I love the others, too, but this one is more unusual.
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Love, love, LOVE the silhouette! And I’m glad you didn’t need to get physical with the wife… 🙂
Mary,
Sometimes, things really work out right. When I explained that I had a husband that I was not about to give up, and that the participant’s wife next to me also had a husband she was not evicting, the lady relaxed. Besides, the man was smoking, and I am anything but a fan of smoking!
Take care, and thanks for writing!
TBC