Saigon

How many movies have you seen that are set in Vietnam? How many photographs? If you've never been there, it's enough to make you feel as if you had. That's how it was for me ~ it felt familiar right away. But being there, actually being surrounded by it, that was a different story.


The noise was often deafening and the crowds swarming.  I did get it though ~ why there's a large ex-pat community there. It's kind of exotic and romantic and thrilling. But only on the surface; poverty is everywhere. Buildings crumbling, barefoot children playing on broken sidewalks next to their moms selling 2-day old newspapers or the ubiquitous lotto tickets. These portraits show the face of Saigon. Look at the last of the four ~ do you recognize the Christian Laboutin shop (possibly the most expensive shoes in the world) ~ with a well-dressed local woman perched on her stool, waiting for .. what? Maybe friends will join her soon and they will eat a meal there, one of them bringing a small grill and fresh fruit.

Hong Kong

In November of 2011 we visited Hong Kong for the first time.  This shot was taken from the only place we found that was not teeming with cars and car horns and jewelry shops. We took the funicular to the top of Victoria Peak. A one-hour stroll around the peak was our favorite day of our stay.

Every place we went was a jumble of shops (every other storefront seemed to be selling the world's largest stock of watches). The first day we couldn't figure out where to eat because so many of the restaurants are on the second floor, to free up street level for shops or mini-workshops.

Dim Sum! If you have very good directions (it's in the City Hall building) you can end up at Maxim's Palace for what many think is the best dim sum in the city. Mr. T. was most reluctant and may never darken their doorways again. But if you like warehouse-sized rooms, gigantic chandeliers and servers who pounce on you before your seat has hit the seat, this is the place for you. And, oh yes, the dim sum was great!

Chihuli and girls

Visiting the Missouri Botanical Gardens for a Sunday afternoon diversion. Three girls playing on concrete lambs and luminous Chihuli gourds floating in the fountain below guarding angels.

The Brothers Van Gogh

Thinking about my visit last fall to Auvers sur Oise, where Vincent died. And his beloved brother and benefactor, Theo, 6 months later. We traipsed over muddy fields of wheat to find this cemetery perched at the top of a long sloping hill. The sky seemed to hover above like a cloak, appropriate to the mood of the place.

Tossed in love

Who doesn't remember running full speed, being caught and tossed into the air like this? Squeals of laughter and shouts of joy!

Lighting Workshop

Four models, four photographers, in a workshop ~ http://www.meetup.com/Oakland-FAP-Meetup-Group ~ in Oakland. These are some of mine. (And if you want to see the guy in the hat up close and in person, along with his remarkable crew, have a look at http://vespertinecircus.com/).

Sometimes they don't mind posing.

The royal child.

Waiting for her chauffeur

Happy to be home.

Triangles in Paris and nearby

This is Arnold, from the town Auvers sur Oise, just a 40 minute train ride from Paris. This is where Vincent Van Gogh painted a hauntingly beautiful Church and several magnificent wheat fields. This is also where he lived his last days.
Arnold lives and paints in this house ~ a house also painted by Vincent. He waved to us to come in as we passed by the picture window of his studio. Forty minutes and many stories later, he posed for this snap.

Triangle by I. M. Pei outside the ... well, you probably know where.

One of my favorite subjects - men playing Boule.
This time in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
Love locks! On the Pont des Arts.
Can you see the lovers' initials signifying undying love?

Mostly Nude in Paris

We were in Paris for a lovely week and I decided to visit some friends.
I remained clothed at all times.




A casual stroll through the park.

A brother is added to the mix

"All who would win joy, must share it; happiness was born a twin." Lord Byron

Two sisters and now a brother with teeny tiny feet.
That also = happiness.