A Summer Week In France

September 8, 2013

While the kids enjoyed quite a bit of pampering in France with their grand parents, we only had a week together to enjoy a late summer weather – between some busy work weeks and a wedding. So we made some particular efforts with our photography, meaning taking the camera out and carrying heavy lenses. Even so we are still hunting for an outdoor portrait of the four of us, we probably made up for the lack of pictures of Olivier and Chiara recently.

We had a very packed week, finally catching up with friends and spending time outdoor – but hopefully the kids did not realised and managed to relax !

Most of the close-ups below were taken with our now-favourite 70-200mm f/2.8 IS (and we have plenty more) – this lens is really creating quite a bit of magic …

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 70-200mm f2.8 – 1/800s at f/2.8 ISO 100 – Getting two people in focus at f/2.8 is usually a very risky bet, but when it works it’s magical. Seeing Olivier in her mother arms is pretty common though – here walking up a slope in Le Sauze.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 70-200mm f2.8 – 1/320s at f/3.5 ISO 100 – On the same slope, but this time practising horse riding.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 24-70mm f2.8 – 1/320s at f/5.6 ISO 100 – One those lucky shots, completely facing the sun Chiara is guiding her brother to the trees for a morning climbing in trees. They are completely inseparable those days …

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 24-70mm f2.8 – Tree top adventure in their own style. Olivier mostly playing hide and seek while Chiara was a bit more adventurous.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 24-70mm f2.8 – 1/125s at f/5 ISO 100 – Chiara on “Etoile” trying to re-assure Olivier and convince him it’s safe to sit. But Olivier had no trust in the animal (to be fair with the pony, he doesn’t have much confidence in most humans either).

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 70-200mm f2.8 – 1/500s at f/3.5 ISO 100 – We came back with 700 photos – and this one came top. Obviously well framed but also very sharp thanks to conservative settings, so it’s a very well executed portrait by Sab. A proof it’s not only about how much time one spend with the camera at hand …

Left (Julien Z., 2008), Right (Ariane V., 2013). Same spot, same tree – 5 years and two kids later. We spent two emotional days in Chateau Mentone where we got married. We will try to come back in 2018, with who knows who …

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 24-70mm f2.8 – f/5.6 ISO 100 (HDR image merged of 3 exposures) – Entrecastreaux castle around midday – just before a lunch at La Fourchette Restaurant.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 70-200mm f2.8 – 1/200s at f/3.2 ISO 100 – Relaxing morning for Chiara and Olivier at Chateau Mentone new guest houses. They both were much more relaxed than when we went wolf hunting the night before in the dark (Chiara asked for it)

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 24-70mm f2.8 – 1/50s at f/3.5 ISO 800 – Tomato special food photography essay for a potential spot in our kitchen, pending consideration …

Guinness Tasting Experience

August 17, 2013

Almost two months without a post ! Well, we have been very lazy with the camera recently, in fact for as long as the past few weeks. So less pictures, but this is not all, it seems the holiday mood took it’s toll on the inspiration to write too. We will try to make up for it in the coming weeks, and definitely before the start of September which is looking busier than ever …

Last week-end, with one kid left – we visited Guilhem, Celine and Maeve in Dublin for a short but packed two days week-end. Olivier had a blast (we did too), with both his parents for himself. Actually we have a quite a few good pictures to share, but one of the highlight was the Guinness Storehouse Tour followed by the tasting experience, there is no better place to try the national drink.

So before more pictures, enjoy the first beer tasting of Olivier !

1. Mummy could I try the beer?

2. “No kidding Daddy she said yes! I can really try the beer?!!

3. Huh this looks really strange, not sure why I asked to try that !

4. What is this white stuff on top, do I really have to put my lips there ?

5. Ok let’s jump in.

6. Pouah disgusting ! Just as I thought it would be …

Kew Spring Portraits

May 28, 2013

A few carefully selected morning at Kew Gardens this spring have been extremely rewarding. The morning light, shooting through trees and children happiness to be in the open have provided a good cocktail for decent portraits.

Here are the best of the top four – with Chiara catching up even so she is still perceived less photogenic than her brother… Smile

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 100mm f2.8 – 1/1250s at f/2.8 ISO 200 – Not quite as sharp as it could have been, not the perfect lens – but having both of them looking at the camera and smiling at the same time is a once-a-year event, so the rarity of the moment is helping this image to climb in the top 4 (picture taken mid-April).

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 70-200mm f2.8 – 1/500s at f/2.8 ISO 200 – This is why we are extremely lucky to be able to shoot with the 70-200mm – one of the few lens which will get you such look and sharpness. We just renewed our Kew yearly membership – this single picture already made it worth.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 70-200mm f2.8 – 1/3200s at f/3.2 ISO 200 – Olivier has been doing steps in the open for weeks, but he doesn’t like being left walking on his own. This is the typical look he has when we leave him walking on his own, enjoying it isn’t he ? So again the rarity is helping this picture for a place on the podium.

Canon EOS 5D Mk III – 70-200mm f2.8 – 1/160s at f/4 ISO 640 – Game of the year 2013, hide-and-seek behind the large trees and scaring each other by imitating wolves. You would have guessed Chiara was doing the wolf here, and a very scary one …

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