Quiet Flows the Garonne, a photo from Midi-Pyrenees, South

Photographer's Note

The word 'daurade' in French means 'sea bream'; but it appears the name of the basilica and the neighbouring square beside the Garonne does not refer to a sea-going fish, unless the opening of the Canal Midi in the 17th century so excited the Toulousains that they imagined the bream would swim up this far from the sea. No, the name of the Place de la Daurade and the Notre Dame de la Daurade beside it on the right comes from the Latin word 'Deaurata' meaning 'covered by gold'. The basilica was built on the site of a pagan temple and later a monastery. When it became a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was covered in a mosaic attached to a background of gold leaf, which is where its name comes from. The present rather squat, slab-like building dates from the 18th century and contains a very impressive Black Virgin.

The Place de la Daurade itself is one of Toulouse's finest, only a short walk from the Capitole in the centre of the old city, and forming a very pleasant open green area beside the Garonne on the east side. The moored boat in front of it is a restaurant, but tourist trips on the Garonne start and end there as well.

Interestingly, a quick search for the word 'deaurata' shows it was also used in the scientific name of a species of Antarctic mollusc, or sea snail, with a shell that indeed appears to have a golden sheen.

In the late Autumn the reflected light does seem to create a golden glow. The photo was taken from the west side of the river, on the Pont Neuf. The tower in the background is that of the Church of the Jacobins.

SnapRJW, bayno, jlbrthnn, dta, Kofman, Kielia, Charo, prasun984, patdeph, adores, Cricri, Royaldevon, tyro, Porteplume, mvdisco, delpeoples, siolaw, gildasjan, Angshu, No_One has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

lousat (138505) 2012-02-15 2:45

Woow! Spectacular capture in the best moment of the day whit this warm and hard light,perfect to tke the best reflections,very impressive sharpness and colors and a magnificent sky in background,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

SnapRJW (31631) 2012-02-15 2:52

Lovely Andrew. The light on the buildings is beautiful and the warm buttery colours contrast excellently with the deep greys in the reflections. What a pleasure to view. Warm regards rosemary

bayno (18348) 2012-02-15 3:27

Hi Andrew,
beautiful golden light and amazing reflection, very sharp and clean image, nice colors too,
regards, Valter

jlbrthnn (76043) 2012-02-15 5:02

Hi Andrew,
Reflection is particularly well defined. Light, the sky, the colors are very nice. framing and sharpness induce the depth of the photo. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joлl

dta (98848) 2012-02-15 5:34

Hello Andrew ,
JUst wonderful ! The light and the sky are splkendid , as the perfect reflections in the calm Garonne . The red roofed building is at a strong point , and the diagonal of the tree is effective .
Very well done .

Sergiom (117241) 2012-02-15 5:41

Bonjour Andrew,

Il y a quelque chose de trиs doux dans cette image ou les reflets des nuages dans les eaux calmes de la Garonne sont magnifiques.

Amicalement

Serge

Bluejeans (64251) 2012-02-15 5:42

Ola Andrew ,
Brutal este reflexo , gostei da diagonal , boa luz de final de dia em tons dourados , gostei muito do cйu ,parabйns!!
Um abraзo Gonзalo

ChrisJ (171146) 2012-02-15 6:16

Hi Andrew,

Perfect symmetrical reflections in the tranquil waters of the river canal, with good sharpness & nice warm cold colour contrasts between the yellow & blue. I like the dramatic tonal range in the sky with the broad expanse of dark cloud contrasting against the sliver of blue. Tfs!

Charo (51290) 2012-02-15 8:00

Hello Andrew,
Great perspective on the river with some great reflections.
I like the cloudy sky with very good definition of the clouds.
Excellent light and colors.
Best wishes,
Charo

Kielia (24077) 2012-02-15 8:00

Hello Andrew,
outstanding photo work and a very beautiful composition with a fantastic atmosphere. The reflections, the moody colors and the wonderful light make this impression very attractive; my compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

prasun984 (5590) 2012-02-15 11:13

Hi Andrew,
I like very much the top/bottom symmetry of this image, which works because of the beautiful reflections with diagonal framing.
The back light warm the tone and helps create the atmosphere of calm and warmth.
Tfs,

Prasun

aristo (3214) 2012-02-15 11:14

Hi Andrew!
Fabelous photo!Nice place and the cloud formacion looks amazing.Great colours and light managment!Superb reflection!
I like it a lot!
Compliments!
Arek

patdeph (35750) 2012-02-15 11:18

hello Andrew
what a beautiful light and what splendid reflections!I love the line of ladscape crossing the picture in a very beautiful diagonal!Magnificent!
Regards
Pascale

adores (46979) 2012-02-15 17:49

Hi Andrew!
A perfect moment! I like this light a lot, as well as the diagonal, the symmetry and that great and unusual sky!

LOOOK13 (19046) 2012-02-16 1:23

Salut Andrew.
What a good reflection, with a spectacular colors and magic light.
Good job.
Bravo.

Cricri (176) 2012-02-16 9:47

Hi Andrew
Belle prise en diagonale, la lumiиre est superbe elle donne un joli effet de dorй et de magnifique reflets, le ciel est aussi magnifique
Belle soirйe
cricri

holmertz (101864) 2012-02-16 11:13

Hello Andrew,
From this angle the church doesn't impress much, but the golden autumn trees do. So do the magnificent clouds and the reflections in the miraculously quiet water. Really an enchanting view.
Kind regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (85546) 2012-02-16 12:12

Hello Andrew,

Nice to see you posting again.
There is certainly a natural connection between the association of gold on the church and gold on your photograph. The late winter sun seems to gild both the hedge and the roof, which is magnified by reflections.
The sky adds a lot to the shot with its combination of cloud types and blue areas. Love the angled composition producing a natural r/l movement across the frame.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

yquem46 (38752) 2012-02-16 12:15

Hi Andrew
What a splendid golden light on the roofs of the pink city and on the Garonne calm waters
Very eye catching since sandwiched between 2 dar areas, in the sky and the reflection in water
Have anice evening
Cheers
patrick

tyro (30513) 2012-02-17 2:36

Hello Andrew,

What an interesting note you have written and what a fine picture with which to illustrate it. Etymology is indeed a fascinating subject!

This is a beautifully simple composition, the strong diagonal of the river bank dividing the glorious sky from its even more glorious reflection but also underlining the trees and buildings lit in warm winter sunlight. Fabulous colours, perfect exposure and stunning sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

everlasting (19680) 2012-02-17 2:42

Beautiful light here Andrew and well composed to capture the diagonal and reflections

Porteplume (4036) 2012-02-17 3:38

Bonjour cher ami! :o)
I didn't know you were in "La Douce France" last December, hoe often do you visit my lovely country?

Such a peaceful view, with warm and soft colours in sky and reflections. There is some gold in the light and it makes me want to visit again the Pink City...
The composition seems a bit dull at first sight but it adds to the tranquility and it works well that way.

Amicalement - Viviane

mohammad_H (10178) 2012-02-17 6:50

hi macondo
Rain clouds and rain storm rush in and blast it with light and color subtly beautiful you originally registered

mvdisco (17798) 2012-02-17 10:32

Hi Andrew, bonjour,
Another beautiful composition and presentation of this lovely place ,
great reflection and vivid naturels colors,
Nice perpective and point of view,
very well done.
Michel

cargus (13820) 2012-02-17 22:54

Un peysage magnifique, de belles couleurs, bien encadrй et rendu, image bien fait.!!
cordialement
Adrian

batalay (41261) 2012-02-18 18:12

Hello Andrew,

The photo, complemented by an informative note, makes this a packet in the best spirit of learning about geography through photography (and vice versa). The composition is simple but elegant, the sky is monochromatic, except for a pristine blue band, echoed in the reflections.

Have a good Sunday,

Bulent

daddo (28748) 2012-02-19 4:46

Fantastic light and colour doubled for our pleasure by the reflection.I do like the range of tones from the very dark to the brilliant. Marvelous moment. Best wishes. Klaudio.

jaywalker (16105) 2012-02-19 11:26

Hi Andrew, A truly wonderful reflection & great light quality, the sky all over in excellent & I love the symmetry, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

claudeD (47754) 2012-02-21 4:37

Hello Andrew,

Very good contribution to TE. Excellent colors, composition and sharpness. I like the wonderful reflections in the water. Very well seen and done.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

jimkil (1706) 2012-02-22 11:21

Hello Andrew
Beaut light, the reflections are eye catching with stunning cloud formations. I like the boat sitting in the somewhat clam waters.
Regards from rainy auckland.
Jim

delpeoples (60342) 2012-05-06 0:36

Hi dear Andrew

Hmm, just lost the critique I wrote you. Ah well. Nice to see you here, I hope things are going well for you and yours. I was saddened to hear your recent news and send my condolences.

But to your photo. What an exquisite light you have captured, the golden tones are so warm and luminous. I like the diagonal lines and of course the cherry on the cake is the symmetry of the clouds and their reflections. A magical shot and a pleasure to look at.

Have a lovely weekend
Lisa

Silvio1953 (220417) 2012-05-11 11:18

Ciao Andrew, fascinating composition with fantastic reflections, splendid light, excellent perspective and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

siolaw (38294) 2012-05-15 2:06

Hi Andrew
The sky and light are quite spectacular and they are multiplied by these reflections.
Strong visual impact here!
Greetings
Laurent

gildasjan (43826) 2012-06-07 7:33

Bonjour Adrew
Une trиs bonne lumiиre ici et un cadrage parfait qui laisse toute sa place au reflet.Ce ciel superbe.
Amicalement
gildas

wolf38 (30) 2012-06-09 0:44

Hi Andrew. Water, land, sky. A wonderful combination. Very nice colors and light. well seen and realized. Rgds, Wolfgang.

Disabled_A (0) 2012-07-07 9:36

Hi Andrew!
this mirror-like view creates a sense of tranquility, and the beauty is enhanced by the combination of blue and golden-yellow. I like this special light! very nice...
warmest greetings,
Elena
a nice Sunday to you down under :)

Angshu (56760) 2012-07-30 21:20

Hello Andrew
The water of the river is so very calm that the reflections are almost mirror like. Thanks to the warm Autumn light which creates marvellous pastel shades on the buildings & tall bushes & indeed the Church, small, but clearly discernable in the far distance. The contrast with the blue sky in real & also in reflection creates a fine impression. Well done!
Best Regards
Angshu

mauro61 (53411) 2012-08-16 14:32

ciao Andrew,
mi piace la linea centrale con il verde e la costruzione a dividere in due la scena tra cielo e riflessi.
Buona la qualitа,
saluti
maurizio

No_One (4) 2012-08-21 5:18

Hi Andrew,
That reflection is stunning, with its layers of cloud and colour, and your composition to have the line of the river like this is an excellent choice. The basilica is a wonderful extra addition to a very interesting photo.
Best wishes
Noel

ymrk (15099) 2012-09-02 2:12

really good image...your photo has great soft colors at the same time.
regards,

y.

mafegan (8626) 2012-09-06 3:56

Hello Andrew
Perfect late afternoon light as it shines on the boat and building. However it is the dramatic sky (both real and reflected) which seem to draw the eye in. A pleasure to view. Cheers, Marlene

bergese (6699) 2012-09-12 10:44

Hello Andrew
Une trиs belle rйalisation avec des reflets fantastiques.Le ciel est un atout majeur dans la compo.
Bonne soirйe
Isa

COSTANTINO (115387) 2012-10-11 4:21

Hello
spectacular view to this wondeful composition
the reflection is amazing,so nice that it is
very difficult to understand which is the
original one,a shot that has everything
grey clouds creating an explosion,
warm colors,natural tones from the
palette of the photographer painter
great work
regards
Costantino

zanzi (13690) 2012-10-14 1:18

Bonjour Andrew
The light, the composition and the reflexion are truly awesome.
Bravo
Chris

SWEETFREEDOM (24623) 2012-11-11 0:21

Hi Andrew,
Beautiful landscape. I like the golden light, reflections and colors.

Photo Information

Copyright: Andrew McRae (macondo) (20449)
Genre: МЕСТА
Medium: ЦВЕТНОЙ
Date Taken: 2011-12-08
Categories: АРХИТЕКТУРА
Camera: Pentax K5, Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII, Cokin 62mm Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/4, 1/320 секунд
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Версия: Оригинальная версия
Темы: France [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2012-02-15 2:39