When I arrived to Istanbul, the way to go from the airport to the apartment was a real trip by itself.

I had to take the metro, the tramway, the boat and then a bus or a dolmus (collective taxi).

When I arrived at the boat, I saw with a relief that I had done half a way. The boat mean a pause, a tea (the marvellous turkish tea is sold inside), and breathing the air. I made a pause before entering and took this picture.

The seller of maize in the foreground and the boat with the light on in the background means Istanbul to me. And a feeling to be a little bit at home.

I was with a family in the south of Dunedin, early in the morning. They wanted to show me a special place. The sun was showing its face when we arrived. I walked on the way and saw after few minutes this wonderful landscape.

It was really impressive to see, to feel the atmosphere of the sea and the sunset in the same time.

In the foreground, there were two women, the both who showed me this place. They looked at the sea, thinking.

I like this picture, with the feeling of serenity and the calm of nature. It was a really good experience to wake up early and to see it!

Late in the afternoon, Eminonü is a changing place. It was the place where I was waiting the boat on my way back home, this big boat where I liked to drink a cup of tea. Before leaving the European part of Istanbul, two merchants appear with so many differents products around a stand. They seemed really thoughtful. In the background, the city was always on the move. The smoke going out from the stand gives to the picture a strange feeling of intimacy and on recollection about themselves. That's what I like : serenity, in a ruthless city day and night.

Istanbul is a romantic city. It’s really beautiful to see a sunset vith mosquée in the background.

The great hotel of London is an old hotel where artists came at the beginning of the last century. So I came there to see how it was. The hotelkeeper allowed me to go to the terrace to see the view. I took the lift to go in. The view was wonderful with bench to sit in. A good place for lovers.

I appreciated the view and stayed a moment, then I was about to go downstairs, when I saw these two frogs kissing. The best picture to show what I felt during this time. And in the same time these two frogs are unexpected and funny!

In Instanbul, there are many cats, they are everywhere in the street but also to the middle of a bakery, on books in a bookshop …. They are the guardians of a lot of places! Dogs are especially big and wandered animal.

When I was  there, I was with a dog called « ti’ chien ». I could have done a photographic report on him because people was afraid of him or on the contrary fond of  him. It was really impressive how could react people face to a small dog like him.

I was in Buyukada, an island in the south of the city. There are a lot of dogs in this island, because people come there to let their dog. I walked in a path and a cat crossed our road. « ti’ chien » look at him, curious to find a friend. But the cat was not so happy to find him! I like this picture, because it’s a funny one!

Turkey is a country where population have grown quickly, after the second world war. Especially in Istanbul. From one million unhabitants in the sixties, nowadays it's nearly twelve millions men and women live in the city. From this situation, disparity exists. Some kids are leaving to themself.

In Beyoglu district, there is an old tram which goes trough the main street. Kids play to go inside the tram, which annoys the driver. This one stops some time to go down. At this moment, kids go out and begin to run.

Between this play time, young kids are sitting on steps and look on people. On this picture, they are peaceful. A quiet moment before their daily life comes back.

   First day in Turkey. After having crossed the european side of Istanbul, I arrived to Eminönü, starting place of a lot of boats (to join the other parts of the city through the Bosphore). Every free space were used fot selling products such as fried fish, shoes... Everybody was shouting aloud to convince customers to purchase something.

   I was inside the boat, where I could have the best possible view on Eminönü. I was seeing all these men and women moving and speaking when I realized that this turkish flag near me was flying with the wind.

   The contrast of the anthill on one hand and the quiet flag on the other hand was interesting. That's why I framed this picture with the turkish flag in the foreground, really visible and in the background the lights of cars, the traffic of the city.

Napier is a town situated in the north east of New Zealand, the smoking island. In 1931, an earthquake (7,9 on Richter scale) has entirely destroyed the city of Napier and the nearest one : Hastings. Because of this event, a lot of fire began, and building which were not destroyed, burned. Unhabitants didn't despair. They choose to rebuilt the city with Art Deco style. So now, the city center is full of Art Deco details. It gives an unreal aspect. I went twice to Napier. It's a place where I liked to walk around. It's also a well know spot for vineyards. people can discover and taste wine of this region. And a place know fot sunning rate, so it becomes new Florida of New Zealand!

It was Christmas, in Pontoise, I was walking with a friend in the old town where the Christmas market was in full swing. Salers showed their products, the crowd bought the last errands. We were walking quietly, seeing the atmosphere, the scrolling of people. We were listening voices and sounds surrounding us. Suddenly, I saw a part of the crowd below. We could have a better sight from top. The only things which were motionless were lamps. They stayed impassive to the animation.

I like this picture, because a big part of the composition is moving while the lamps, here, are listening and looking at the agitation. They're giving warmth to the atmosphere of the party!

Wai O tapu, what sound to mean "sacred waters". This incredible place is situated at 25 kms in the south of Rotorua, in New Zealand. The geothermic activity is very strong there, the ground is moving all the time, colors are varied and come from minerals (sulphur...). Waters from the earth is at very high temperature (around 100°C), and in contact with the air, it provokes smoke. The atmosphere is unrealistic, sometimes we can't see things because the wind turns towards us and the smoke as well. So, we walk quietly, to take care of the path. We can see around the way, the palett of the painter, the sulphur forest. For fully benefitting from the place, I stayed nearly 4 hours over there. It's an instable place but so wonderful. With the changing light, we rediscover colors, aspect unknow until this moment. So, it's a spot to explore!

Mysterious water

I like a lot this kind of landscape, where water is quiet, resting. And in the same time we wondered what can it be on the other side. This picture has been taken not really far away from where I lived. When I woke up, I looked at the sky, and according to the weather, I walked to this natural reserve. I was between 7 and 8 a.m. One of best hours to take pictures in New Zealand. There was a footpath around to the view and what kind of sight! Auckland city was invisible, vanished under the fog. Only two rocks has been seen from clouds. I liked that. I was dazzled by the beauty of nature. I had just enough time to take the picture, admired the landscape and go home. A new working day started!