Next up for your consideration is Chateau Villandry.  While processing this batch I realized I had only one shot with the actual building in the background.  The main attraction here was definitely the gardens.  

This was the first chateau we biked to, a whopping 23 kilometers west of Tours.  Ok, so not too far, but it was a fun trip all the same.  

-Baroquebloke-

Chateau Chenonceau.  This was actually the last chateau we went to visit on our trip, and it was by far the most crowded.  Not entirely pleasant.  Truly unique, however, as it spans the entire width of the river!  Very cool.

Heather and I decided to take a train part way there and bike the last seven kilometers along the river banks.   The grounds and the scenery along the way were absolutely beautiful.  

-Baroquebloke-

I realized that I never announced that Heather and I were on vacation in the Loire Valley, biking and bussing to numerous chateau and gardens!  Here’s the first installment of chateau photos to come over the next few days, and one of my favorite from the trip:   Azay-le-Rideau -Baroquebloke-
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I realized that I never announced that Heather and I were on vacation in the Loire Valley, biking and bussing to numerous chateau and gardens! 

Here’s the first installment of chateau photos to come over the next few days, and one of my favorite from the trip:  

Azay-le-Rideau

-Baroquebloke-

I’ve really been enjoying playing with colors on a lot of my shots lately.  Here’s one I took while out with Heather today.  I intended to leave it as Black and White, but I couldn’t help my self.   This technically isn’t even monochrome, but rather two tone.  The blacks have a slightly red tint while the mid grays and whites have the greenish cast.   I find it amazing how much a little bit of color can alter the mood or feel of a photo.   Anyways, I hope you all enjoy! -Baroquebloke-
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I’ve really been enjoying playing with colors on a lot of my shots lately.  Here’s one I took while out with Heather today.  I intended to leave it as Black and White, but I couldn’t help my self.  

This technically isn’t even monochrome, but rather two tone.  The blacks have a slightly red tint while the mid grays and whites have the greenish cast.  

I find it amazing how much a little bit of color can alter the mood or feel of a photo.  

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy!

-Baroquebloke-

A daily activity of mine is to read about cameras and photography techniques.  One reoccurring topic is how to achieve decent bokeh (out of focus blur).  Many people maintain that a large camera sensor paired with a fast lens is almost obligatory.  While it’s true, that combination of equipment will result in magnificent bokeh I don’t believe its always necessary.  Sometimes, when working with limited resources one must be willing to approach a scene from a different angle. The above photo for instance: aperture:       f/5.6 focal length:  30mm (81mm full frame equivalent) That is by no means a fast aperture setting, and no, the bokeh present is not the sort of creamy goodness you would find with a full frame sensor (my nikon v1 has a very tiny sensor!) but it’s still effective and, in my opinion, beautiful. I think I’ll put this one up on the photo store.  I’ll let you all know when it’s available! -Baroquebloke-
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A daily activity of mine is to read about cameras and photography techniques.  One reoccurring topic is how to achieve decent bokeh (out of focus blur).  Many people maintain that a large camera sensor paired with a fast lens is almost obligatory.  While it’s true, that combination of equipment will result in magnificent bokeh I don’t believe its always necessary.  Sometimes, when working with limited resources one must be willing to approach a scene from a different angle.

The above photo for instance:

aperture:       f/5.6

focal length:  30mm (81mm full frame equivalent)

That is by no means a fast aperture setting, and no, the bokeh present is not the sort of creamy goodness you would find with a full frame sensor (my nikon v1 has a very tiny sensor!) but it’s still effective and, in my opinion, beautiful.

I think I’ll put this one up on the photo store.  I’ll let you all know when it’s available!

-Baroquebloke-

We all start out young and care free, then it’s all down hill from there.   -Baroquebloke-
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We all start out young and care free, then it’s all down hill from there.  

-Baroquebloke-

Hey, todays a two photo day!  I overlooked this one earlier.  The flowers are in full bloom!  This was all shortly before an afternoon of rain came our way. -Baroquebloke-
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Hey, todays a two photo day!  I overlooked this one earlier.  The flowers are in full bloom!  This was all shortly before an afternoon of rain came our way.

-Baroquebloke-

The other morning while taking a morning walk through the Versailles gardens.  I liked the look of this more in sepia than true black and white.   -Baroquebloke-
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The other morning while taking a morning walk through the Versailles gardens.  I liked the look of this more in sepia than true black and white.  

-Baroquebloke-

Le train a destination de La Verriere arrive voie des pigeons.
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Le train a destination de La Verriere arrive voie des pigeons.

While waiting for this evenings train back to Versailles I noticed a vantage point not yet explored. France is so much nicer with warm and pleasant weather. Shot with my phone and processed with Snapseed. -Baroquebloke-
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While waiting for this evenings train back to Versailles I noticed a vantage point not yet explored.

France is so much nicer with warm and pleasant weather.

Shot with my phone and processed with Snapseed.

-Baroquebloke-