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French Travel Photo Options
Joke European:(to American)”What part of Europe did you like best?”American:”Dunno,have’nt got the pictures back yet.” Obviously a joke as old as an 8 track tape player.
N’est ce pas? Because in the ab/fab digital world of now, our American(or even our Armenian)would be digging those cool pix(not a plug,really!) instantly.That, being the primary selling point of these digital wonders.
But as all of us who must tie our own shoelaces and pack our own lunch realize,there is a price to pay for all technological “advances.”
In the case of digi-cam, it’s storage.(Nuclear plant waste disposal czars can relate, I’m sure) At some point in time all those “magic visual memories” must exit, to make room for more.
Which means, if you’re traveling without computer access. you’ll need a photo downloader. Another opening of the wallet. Cus’,if you have a laptop, why would you bring it, just to download yer pixs? (Another great selling point for the downloader sales team.)
But wait……there’s more! (hint–don’t close your wallet yet.)There’s batteries.The only sane,green, responsible(not to mention economical) option being the rechargeable kind. Which means, bien sur, you’re gonna need a battery charger. Ok,you can close yer wallet now.
The alternative(English scholars note I did not follow”alternative” with “option”, thus, avoiding glaring redundancy) – is, you guessed it, a plain ole’ fashioned runs-on-film type-a camera. Throw in the film, and yer good to good. Yes, some models will need batteries.(Usually not rechargeable)But draw so little current they’ll last (in my experience) through two years of constant usage.
So,what’s best? What do I, French lifestyle czar, bon vivant, world traveler and rural sophisticate recommend?
I recommend you accept that “best”, like Wine, Women, and hand made Spanish Classical guitars(don’t get me started here!)is subjective. “Best”is what works for you. In your situation. Relative to your taste. And, bien sur, the depth of yer wallet.
OK – Here’s the Lowdown…
You pick-“The Best.”
DIGI-CAMS:
1. minimum 6 megapixels. This will give you quality sufficient to do an A3 print(roughly 11X17 in.)
The megapixel myth – Although, theoretically,more megapixels translate to better images,the mgpx “count” is basically a sales “tool” to entice you to buy.
As those girls in the naughty movies are always telling us(and,need I say,enthusiastically demonstrating) size is important! And in the digi-cam world it is the size of the chip(not the number of megapixels)that is the core factor in image quality.
2. The brand/make is unimportant.The competition is so fierce in this market that virtually every digi-unit of 6mgpx will be of equal quality.
3. If you have deep pockets – the next step up is 12 mgpx plus,with the biggest chip you can find.
4. If you own a bank – buy a medium format camera (Hasselbad/Pentax 6×7/Mamiya 7 etc.) and a digital back. You can, at this writing, pick up a used Hasselblad for around $1000-1500(just the body, no lenses.) A 39mpx back for same will set ya back $30,000 USD.
5. Digital Camcorders. Points #1 and #2 apply here also. Beyond those, you should be considering:
A)Effects. ie -Do you want to do fades/wipes/ dissolves and other fancy”just like in da movies” stuff in the camera? Or are is yer plan to add ’em late
B)Sound : Internal high quality microphone thatstarts automatically when you film. 16 bit/44.1stereo.(minimum.)99% of all camcorders will be thus.
C)Weight/Ease of handling. Lighter is not better if you plan on lotsa hand held shooting. Here,(for probably the only time) weight is your friend.
FILM CAMERAS
Here’s where you make out like a bandit. And you have digital cameras to thank! Because the puppet masters pulling the strings of International commerce have decided the world must be digital, all things non-digital are “thrift store priced.”
1. example: a 35mm major brand camera, that pre-digital would have sold used for $1200 can now be scored for $400.With two lenses! Quality wise – every 35mm or reflex camera made after 1980 is good to go. Avoid Eastern European brands.And, again, if yer pockets are deep, buy a Leica.But unless you’re a pro,or very serious amateur(ie –boring anal retentive)you’ll see nothing more.
2. Film.The print variety(used by most non-pros)is readily available in most o’ da western World.Developable in one hour. Almost everywhere. And, dirt cheap if you buy in bulk(“bricks”of 20)from monster discount stores.
3. Special Effects Photography. In particularly, infa-red photography. Only possible (to my taste)with film camera. There is a filter for digital cameras that produces an infared “effect.” But it does’nt rock my world. This is not the space for a detailed explanation.(That’s what Google is for) Briefly infra-red film(there are black and white as well as color versions)is sensitive to both light and heat. Giving a variety of “artistic/bizarre” visual renditions, resulting from the combination of temperature/subject/exposure.
My series'”Ruined Beauty” and “Way Old Geezers“are examples of black and white infa-red photography.(Both done,hand held, with a 35mm camera.)
My Opening Farewell…
1. Three image creation words to live by, applying to all of the above.Tripod.Tripod.Tripod! Don’t leave home without it. Stop dreamin’yer gonna do those super smooth video pans hand held. Ain’t gonna happen! Even I, da mighty BG, after years of practice, experience and exceptional wine, can only ace this 70% on a good day!
2. The Carnegie Hall Rule.
Remember:”How do you get to Carnegie Hall?”“Practice.”Practice.””Practice.”Same deal for great(as opposed to “not too bad”)images. Get up close n’ personal with yer gear before that once-in-a-lifetime-perfect-light-moment in the exotic foreign destination.You’ll thank yourself.(And the ever generous BG, bien sur.)
3. RESOURCES.
All of the above can be had from Adorama Camera and BandHPhotoVideo. Both in New York.(the one in those excited states. Not the U.K.)Both with monster inventories. Both relatively equal in price. Service, as you know too well dear reader, depends on who you get, how they slept, with whom, and what they had for breakfast. Good luck!
A little more excited/inspired for yer next adventure?
THROW ME A BONE HERE PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
French Life – Yin and Yang
The “egalitie” (equality) part of the French motto(“libertie/egalitie/fraternitie), is nowhere more perfectly demonstrated, than in it’s political system. At this writing France has thirteen political parties.(Communists and Anarchists too!…….quelle horror!!!)
Even more amazing to us folks from “over there” is that all candidates are given equal TV time. (Think it could catch on in the excited states or “great” you know where?……….me neither!) Not only is this logical and, well,”just”, it also provides the possibility of intellectual simulation and humor. Often, simultaneously. The reason? There is a candidate for virtually every interest group. No matter how small.
So, you have the (sport) fishermen, women workers, postal workers, communists, anarchists, fascists,and, yes, even cyclists represented. (no, I did’nt run…….this time!)Natch –the two major candidates duke it out in debates at the eleventh hour…..but it is a hoot to see the fishermen’s candidate back to back, equal time,with the slick puppet of big money.
No dissertation on the French political system would be complete without a tip o’ the “yang hat” to bureaucrats. The ones who really run every country. Presidents, Prime Ministers, et al, come and go. But bureaucrats, like that wine stain on yer best fancy pants, are here to stay. Four out of every five people in France be bureaucrats ,say the statistics. (and if you can’t trust statistics…..who can you trust?)
What this means to us ordinary folk, is that if you used a pen with blue ink to fill out the form, and they wanted red ink…they’ll send it back. But (and here’s why people go postal) They won’t tell you! Until, and unless, you burn your precious time/energy wading through the layers,finally(perhaps) cornering the responsible “functionaire.” Not how I want to invest my time. N’est ce pas?
I have a French film maker friend, who, with typically French humor, produced a series of humorous(and wordless)sketches ,based on his “experience” of having to make ten separate visits, to get papers stamped for an overseas assignment.
The “payoff”(what comedians would call “the punchline”)has the bureaucrat, at the last possible moment, frantically stamping reams of paper. Fittingly, he called the series “Le Tampon Dater.”(The Stamp Dater)
Two other effects of the French political systems grand “equality” are – “manifestations” (Demonstrations) and “La Greve.” (The strike.)
That’s right folks, we’re back on “yang street.” It would be a big no-no to say the French are the most strike happy nation on the planet. BBBBut…..it often seems like it. Particularly when the railway or postal workers decide to vent their displeasure with the occupant of the Elysée Palace. And who bites the freakin bullet? You’re right! It’s not the current “Napoleon.”
Another minor(except when it happens to you) grain of sand in the perfect French oyster,is the “Fermenture Exceptionnel” 
Literally translated – “Exceptional Closing.” This is the sign you find on the door of any shop/business when you desperately,urgently need whatever they (today) are not in the mood to sell you. This inconvenience is compounded by the staggering number of holidays on the French calendar. School kids make out big time here. Particularly the month of May, where they face the teacher only about 10 days.
A tiny, but welcomingly palpable aspect of everyday French life, is the “politesse” (politeness) you encounter in almost every situation. When you enter the bakery, you’ll get a “bonjour” from the others in line. And, an “au revoir”, from at least one of the assembled multitude,when you exit. Not a big deal. But a genuine re-affirmation of community. A sense of “we’re all in this together.” OK – it won’t “make you day”…..but it is a gentle wake up call to stop and smell the roses.
This “politesse” also extends to the uniquely French habit of two cars, each in opposite lanes, stopping so their occupants can exchange their thoughts on the burning issues of day.
I can’t get smoked (tinned) oysters here to save my life.(even in Paris!) A friend(from Hawaii) jones’ for peanut butter cups.Yet the English can get Marmite everywhere. Is there no justice?
Ok – everyone has a few(or more) quirky food habits from their native land, but that’s very small potatoes. Because – most of us are here, for what’s uniquely here.
French Travel Life Name Game
Having read my French Cycling Gourmet post, you’ll know I choose to call my film – “Bicycle Gourmet’s Treasures of France.” But ….why?……Treasures of France..ok. No mystery. No confusion there. All kindsa treasures. Historic, Senic. Cultural. Culinary. Human. So then, why precede it with “Bicycle Gourmet?”
Yes, I DID realize I was placing my cinematic privates in a vise by including those two words to describe a program that was NOT a cooking show.
And why? We’ll get to that. But, first things first. Since I’m traveling by bicycle…..impossible to use any other word to describe the concept. N’est ce pas? (if you don’t know French, this would be a good time to go to babelfish.com and get yer free translation. I use it all the time!)
So, chew on this – Am I traveling by bicycle EXCLUSIVELY for the wine?, the food? the natural beauty?, the people? Or,am I traveling exclusively by bicycle to experience ALL of the above?
You’re getting my drift, are you not, dear reader? My intention was(and is),to “taste” everything! And what name do we give to someone who tastes everything?
In English, it’s “Gourmet.” N’est ce pas? (you did look it up, right ?)
The French have a similar word – “gourmand”…but it’s common translation, is “someone who eats everything.” In short – “a pig.” Visualize….”Next on HBO…..”Bicycle Pigs Treasures of France!” Does’nt really scan, does it?
The only other English possibility would have been“Dilettante.” Two problems there. One – sounds too snobby. Two – would mean nothing to the educationally challenged.
Ergo–”BICYCLE GOURMET’S Treasures of France.”
The question is : “If you were in my sandals…….what name would you have chosen?”
THROW ME A BONE HERE, PEOPLE!
What are ya thinkin’?
