Le pont, les feuilles, le couple..., a photo from Midi-Pyrenees, South

Photographer's Note

My photo in Toulouse was taken this afternoon as I walked beside the Garonne along the Quai de Lucien Lombard towards the Pont Neuf. It was the first really sunny day for over a week and many people sat on the quays enjoying the sun as it shone in the hazy sky of late Autumn. A romantic young couple caught my attention.

The Garonne is one of France's principal rivers, flowing 575 km from its origin in the glaciers of the Pyrenees, on the Spanish side of the border. It ends its journey in the Bay of Biscay estuary, La Gironde near Bordeaux, where it meets the Dordogne. Passing through Toulouse it is too shallow and bedevilled by treacherous currents for boats, and so its broad surface is often very tranquil, devoid of all traffic except the occasional rower or police launch. I saw the rather strange sight today of a man propelling himself along in the middle of the river while standing on a narrow kayak.

The graceful Pont Neuf was built between 1544 and 1632, and inaugurated in 1659.

erhan1958, Budapestman, tyro, Sonata11, annjackman, Royaldevon, adores, CLODO, Kofman, josepmarin, jlbrthnn, saxo042, gildasjan, InasiaJones, Kielia, ChrisJ, skippy007, siolaw, adramad, adramad, kato, Cricri, PecoBud has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

yquem46 (38752) 2011-12-09 12:58

Hi Andrew
A moody and romantic shot indeed thanks to the couple quietly sited on the river bank, the bridge at some distance and the leaves in their fall colors to frame the compo
Well done
Have a nice WE
Cheers
Patrick

mesutilgim (0) 2011-12-09 13:05

Hello Andrew,
Wonderfull autumny scenery well seen and captured.
It deserves for shure many many green smilies !
Your pov and layout is just top class.
Very good and interesting notes enriches your entry.
TFS and have a nice weekend
Best regards
MESUT ILGIM

bema (26591) 2011-12-09 13:09

Hi Andrew,

so many features combinated in this truly fascinating shot here, itґs a pleasure to have a longer look on this one!!

thanks for sharing, see you around, cheers Bernd

francio64 (39888) 2011-12-09 13:24

Ciao Andrew,
vedo che sei ancora in Francia. Foto fresca di giornata.
Come va la tua vacanza francese? A me manca l'Australia.

Composizione semplice, ma ben curata nei particolari.
Le foglie in FG tinte d'autunno, danno un piacevole impatto visivo, mentre la coppia seduta in riva al fiume dа vita alla scena.

TFS!
L'Assessore

siudzi (34141) 2011-12-09 13:43

Hello Andrew,

An excellent image captured from a well selected point of view. The vertical format gives an opportunity to present an amazing bridge in the background. Very well done. Bravo!

Regards,
Malgorzata

williewhistler (16606) 2011-12-09 13:54

Hello Andrew,
I like the inclusion of the couple at the bottom of the frame,they add a nice touch of interest in that empty space.
The hanging Autumn foliage is a useful frame and the bridge reflection a pleasant bonus.
Have a good week end.
Les.

Budapestman (82620) 2011-12-09 13:58

Hi Andrew,
a splendid photo with beautiful composition and depth I like the atmosphere of the photo and the attractive POV, nostalgic and picturesque atmosphere, Tfs! Have a nice weekend! Kellemes hйtvйgйt kнvбnok!
Gyцrgy

chawax (20764) 2011-12-09 14:12

Hi Andrew,
Very good composition, with a piece of romanticism. The POV is excellent, with the leafs as a natural frame for the picture.
Regards,
Olivier

npecanhuk (79329) 2011-12-09 14:33

Hi Andrew!
Magnificent picture!
Very romantic mood!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, chosen pov, vertical format, contrasts, black & white borders and composition are all oustanding features here!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

tyro (30513) 2011-12-09 15:54

Hello Andrew,

A propos our recent discussion on the forum, I rather suspect that you were standing somewhere near here when you took this picture!

This is a beautifully composed shot with lovely contre jour lighting transillumiating the ate autumn leaves on the trees which make a fine frame for the shot. The romantic couple are well placed in the frame and you have sensibly been sparing with the amount of sky which we can see because of its brightness.

Beautiful colours, perfect exposure (in difficult conditions) and superb sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

Sonata11 (34119) 2011-12-09 20:25

Hello Andrew,
Great!!!!. This image is fantastically executed. Wonderful architecture you show us with fantastic management of light, colors, sharpness, clarity of so many details and beautiful reflection. You chosen great POV and great prospect. Excellent presentation of this pretty place with beautiful natural frame. Perfectly well done. Thanks for sharing.
I cordially greet and have a nice WE,
Barbara

SnapRJW (31631) 2011-12-09 21:06

Hello Andrew - The fringe of sunlit leaves catches the eye and provides a beautiful natural frame for your shot. It also adds to the romantic narrative of the couple enjoying the view from the river bank. Well seen. Best regards Rosemary

annjackman (23019) 2011-12-09 23:12

Hello Andrew,
This has been composed with thought. The couple on the steps in the FG give a lovely triangular shape which is balanced by the building in the BG. The bridge and its reflection are lovely and I like the way that you have used the autumn leaves to frame the picture. Beautifully taken.
Regards, Ann

wolf38 (30) 2011-12-09 23:13

Hi Andrew. A beautiful and evocative photo. Everything seems quiet and peaceful here. The light and the colors are very beautiful. A Golden October in December. Rgds, Wolfgang.

JFS (32459) 2011-12-09 23:37

Andrew,
Photo romantique avec une lumiиre melacolique, beau reflet et belles couleurs chaudes des feuilles der arbres. Bon travail! Merci!

Bon fin de semaine!
Juan

isabela_sor (47748) 2011-12-09 23:39

Romantic mood, lovely cadrage , excellent framing
ANd i am sure the vertical framing suits better than horizontal
Superb
Have a nice weekend

Tweety (4546) 2011-12-10 0:15

Bonjour Andrew,
Une compo trиs sympa qui dйgage une vйritable ambiance. On a envie de prendre la place du couple. Le cadrage est rйussi et l'insertion des personnages est une rйussite.

Chris

rodgerg (55767) 2011-12-10 0:34

Hello Andrew,

I like the ballance of this beautiful vertical composition with the differents elements well locatd, the vegetation on the right, the two lovers, the bridge very graphic in the BG. Good managment of light too which give beautiful reflections in the river and tenders colors.
Have a nice WE,
Roger

Royaldevon (85602) 2011-12-10 2:12

Good Morning Andrew,

The vertical format works so well in this instance, allowing the inclusion of the romantic couple and the romantic bridge.
The autumnal leaves produce a pleasing, colourful border, most appropriate for framing the couple. I do like the fact that the shot is not directed straight at them, it makes them even more intriguing and the whole scene becomes part of their romantic environment..
A good, strong f/g triangle anchors the shot, helping to give depth to the tranquil scene.

Have a good w/e,
Bev :-)

adores (46979) 2011-12-10 2:34

Hi Andrew!
What a good composition here! I really like the way you included the couple, the bridge and even these brenches with the sunlight reflecting.A very nice autumn shot!

CLODO (45116) 2011-12-10 3:24

Hi Andrew

Life in South West of France is not so bad! Good framing with a dead leaves, and a long vertical perspective from the couple of lovers to the bridge at the back.
Cheers
CLODO

agjika (3177) 2011-12-10 5:20

Hi Andrew,
Absolutely superb compositionand beautiful light on those leaves.Lovely and sharp where it needs to.

A realy nice one.

Thanks

Aleks

Sergiom (117241) 2011-12-10 6:36

Bonjour Andrew,

De toute beautй. Les branches aux feuillent jaunies par le froid offrent un trиs beau cadre amoureux au couple qui profite des derniers rayons chauds du soleil en regardant l'eau qui coule vers ce beau pont. Un cadrage vertical parfait.

Amicalement

Serge

josepmarin (59385) 2011-12-10 6:51

Hi Andrew,
the visual angle that you offer us in this good framing is really effective, and allows us to see the romantic scene of the couple in the shore of the river, as well as the elegance of the bridge and the reflections, which close its arches in a few very interesting circles.
The incorporation of the branches and the leaves with its autumnal colors, shining under the sunlight, is a success, and adds a good aesthetic level to your composition.
A beautiful work.
Best regards,
Josep

jlbrthnn (76043) 2011-12-10 7:07

Hello Andrew,
I greet the lover of France, and beautiful images as this one, very skillfully compound, full of romanticism and poetry. The lighted foliage in the foreground is magnificent. Excellent light, colors, neatness and depth. Congratulations.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joлl

saxo042 (38078) 2011-12-10 8:33

Hi Andrew,
The bridge in the background is very well included in this well composed picture where the branches with autumnal leaves provide the foreground and the couple on the quay add to the interest. A very pleasant and attractive view!
Kind regards
Gunnar

gildasjan (43826) 2011-12-10 10:41

Bonjour Andrew
Une image trиs bien composйe avec ce couple assis sur ce bout de quai en diagonale.Ici une trиs bonne gestion des lumiиres sur la Garonne.Trиs bien vues ces feuilles qui reзoivent la lumiиre en contre-jour.
Amicalement
gildas

InasiaJones (31566) 2011-12-10 14:57

Hi Andrew,

It seems that all elements included in this very nice image are essential to one another.

Without the couple sitting at the bottom of the frame, it wouldn't have the same impact.

Without the luminous leaves, the scene might appeared dull and too melancholic.

Without the superb bridge, the scene wouldn't convey the same richness and sense of depth.

So it's a very well composed scene, featuring a striking point of view and a unique mood. I like it a lot!

Andrй

rbassin (27472) 2011-12-11 3:49

Hello Andrew,
vous avez saisi un magnifique moment romantique, une image bien structurйe avec ce pont en arriиre, les feuilles et la lumiиre diffuse.
Bon dimanche
Roland

mvdisco (17798) 2011-12-11 16:56

Hi Andrew,
A beautiful romantic autumn scene nicely presented and composed with great perpective and point of view,
great details and with the old bridge on background , the leaves and the couple ...
Trиs jolie photo..
tous mes compliments
Michel

serp2000 (47063) 2011-12-12 19:46

Wow! My compliments, Andrew,
Very nice artwork! Impressive composition with so beautiful background and romantic foreground.
Best wishes from Russia,
Serghei

cavli (1876) 2011-12-13 5:42

hello
very good pose. Branches, couple, reflection are very good. Very nice point of view. excelent presentation. tfs

Kielia (24077) 2011-12-13 6:04

Hi Andrew,
you have caught the essence of the season, the beautiful light and the colors of the tree – autumn is the most rewarding time of the year for the photographer. And what I really like is the excellent perspective. My compliments!
Warm regards
Harriet

pierrefonds (113492) 2011-12-13 7:10

Hi Andrew,

The branches are helping to frame the bridge. The reflections on the water are assets to the composition. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the architecture of the bridge. The presence of the couple is adding life to the scene under good lighting condition. Have a nice day.

Pierre

holmertz (101890) 2011-12-13 7:34

Hello Andrew,
This is a fine but slightly peculiar photo. There are really two views but they are very cleverly held together by the branches jutting into the picture. The calm surface of the water also shows so many lighter and darker tones that bind the persons sitting at the bottom together with the bridge at the top. It is really a photo that demands the attention in every part.
Kind regards,
Gert

BennyV (34726) 2011-12-15 7:35

Bonjour Andrew

A picture with all the action at the fringes. On the thumbnail I hadn't even noticed that little couple below! Thumbs up also for the info. I didn't know Toulouse had its Pont Neuf too. Then again, I used to think Pont Neuf meant 'Bridge No.9'...

Greetings

Benny

Silvio1953 (220465) 2011-12-15 11:19

Ciao Andrew, fascinating autumnal composition with lovely couple, fantastic reflections of beautiful bridge, wonderful light and splendid colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

skippy007 (12510) 2011-12-15 17:08

Hello Andrew, I think the title says it all, all except for the excellent quality where colours are lovely, soft & natural looking, image is sharp, very neat & crisp looking. I think it would have looked moody & romantic even without the couple but they certainly add a little extra. Well done, a beautiful image.
Take care, hope all is well.
Regards
Santo

siolaw (38294) 2011-12-16 0:19

Hi Andrew
Good framing including the couple as a FG to anchor the shot.
Backlight is well managed and superbly caught in the leaves.
Well captured scene
Greetings
Laurent

patdeph (35750) 2011-12-16 10:58

hello Andrew
you said me that youlike the presence of people in a wider nature,and here,it's superbly successed.I like how the picture is closed on each side by the quay with the 2 lovers,the branches and the bridge,and I love the light through the leaves giving them vivid green and transparency.Superb!
Regards
Pascale

Disabled_A (0) 2011-12-16 13:41

Hi Andrew,
I simply love this vertical composition and a game of light and colours :)
by the way, without these people (at the bottom of the photo) the composition would be incomplete! You found a perfect POV and created an excellent balance of the composition.
Besides, the bright crisp foreground (tree branches and leaves shining as the sun rays touch them) is in such a nice contrast with the distant hazy objects in the background, which creates an excellent DOF and makes the photo look like a 3D picture :)
and, finally, it seems to me that the photo is filled with a very good mood :)

my very best wishes,
Elena

sacavem (18620) 2011-12-19 9:05

Very grateful for his words, comment and congratulations on my 5th year in TE...

Olб Andrew,

Excellent and romantic view! Good shot and good work to capture this image.Excellent composition, very nice colours and light.

Cumprimentos,
Filipe

daddo (28748) 2011-12-20 3:36

Hi Andrew. Now that you don't have to worry about a number of things that preoccupied you in Melbourne, you seem to have more time for TE even if you are not in front of your computer.This is a lovely piece which possesses so many charming elements: human presence(romantic to boot),beautiful light, calm water, great depth,a nice softness and a innovative POV.Love those leaves. Best wishes. I haven't tested your camera as I have had lots on my plate. Klaudio.

lilito (3534) 2011-12-21 2:05

Bonjour
Belle composition, une triade bien mise en scиne!
Lily

adramad (72526) 2011-12-21 8:53

Hi Andrew.
A stunning composition and beautiful, this vertical format allows viewing a wide field, a great POV with the bridge and its beautiful reflections, perfect this branch with autumn colors, highlighted with great relief, on the gray river, a nice romantic touch, the partner in the angle of the image.
Very good management of light and high sharpness, to enjoy the good work.
Best regards.
Luis.

kato (11630) 2011-12-23 5:02

Hello Andrew,

You're capturing well this scene by a good angle and excellent tone/clarity, so it's interesting and impressive to see many elements are stuck for this photograph. There're young couple at riverbank, leaves dyed to autumnal tints in tree, clean river and old bridge/building on the other side of a river. Here seems to city with settled atmosphere from this photo.

Warm regards,
mikio

danyy (0) 2011-12-23 6:55

Bonjour Andrew,
voilа un cadrage qui colle а merveilles avec la scиne, les lumiиres et les couleurs apportйes par un avant plan judicieusement incorporй а la scиne. Beaucoup de profondeur, beaucoup de calme.
Happy X'mas.
Daniel.

Waylim (25436) 2012-01-05 23:00

Hi Andrew,

Very beuatiful shot. I can see you spent sometimes looking for a special spot to compose this shot, and looks like you found it. Excellent POV, great use of the fall colors foliage to frame the scenery, the presence of the two lover adds a nice romantic mood to the serene and tranquil setting. Beautiful soft light with a touch of warm tone. Really beautiful with good quality.

Way

jmdias (114170) 2012-02-08 5:32

andrew

a marvelous composition. perfect the framing with the branches, arches and couple well positioned. a very special moment of the day and you got all of its beauty and poetry. TFS.

hugs

jorge

jimkil (1706) 2012-02-11 23:28

I love when the background is hazy and greyish but the sunlit leafs in the frame bring the image to life. Lucky I scrolled down to see the other elements which make good focal points.
Jim

cornejo (61504) 2012-02-18 10:58

Hi Andrew, good and beautiful composition framed by these nice branches and leaves, very good photo technically well, with clarity, depth and natural colors. Very good and lovely job very well done, congratulations. Good night and happy Sunday. Tfs.

Best wishes.

Angel.

divail (8334) 2012-02-18 18:00

Bonsoir Andrew,
C'est une composition trиs intйressante, avec le couple qui prend une toute petite place dans le bas de cette belle photo. Le pont est vraiment superbe, bien encadrй avec ces feuilles roussies par le froid.
Bon dimanche

Diane

Tigerlily (3381) 2012-05-11 3:52

Beautiful view, Andrew. I love the light on the trees. It is really peaceful...nice shot. I rolled down a bit and found that there was another wonderful picture-just people, tree leaves, and lake..about a square crop.. beautiful as well... a perfect lovers' world.:-)

mayjayne (7204) 2012-06-17 1:43

Dear Andrew,

The composition has all the elements in it: Pont Neuf in the hazy background, creating a romantic atmosphere to the couple; the calm waters, and the clever framing of the autumn leaves just completes this romantic scene!

TFS,
May

Hanssie (11022) 2012-09-09 3:02

Love this photo !
The soft light and the leaves as a framing, wonderful ! The two persons in the bottom as the fine details, very nice photo !

mkamionka (73224) 2012-10-23 13:43

Hi Andrew,
what a beautiful composition! everything seems to be so well through through and everything fits so perfectly. Bridge with its reflection, tree branches and finally the couple... everything set against the water which reflects an interesting sky.
Excellent work!
M

bartekp (4746) 2012-10-28 11:35

Hi Andrew,

Superb composition with attention to details. The leafs gave a natural frame plus long distance to bridge plus lovers-so we have nice romantic photo.

Have a nice evening

Bartek

PecoBud (3824) 2012-10-30 9:40

Andrew, thank you so very much for your kind words and keeping me and my family in your thoughts and prayers. As I try to get back into the mix of things here on TE, I read the critiques of my last two photos and find it very hard holding back tears. It's nice to have an extended family that hasn't even met me before, which makes you all even that more special to me.

Wonderful presentation with loving couple on the banks of this river. I love the added tree limbs and leaves in the photo. Superb POV with the beautiful BG and reflections on the water. Masterfully thought out, great job Andrew!!

TFS.........Your Friend from California......Buddy

speedymanu (3701) 2012-12-02 2:21

Hello Andrew,

A timeless atmosphere with these key elements (the bridge, the overhanging branch and the couple) delicately interacting. The lavish pink in the background echoes the rich autumnal palette of the leaves. Superb composition for sure,

Emmanuel

COSTANTINO (115421) 2013-02-13 4:19

Hello
romantic capture,romantic moments,romantic
timing,I like the leaves creating a
particular framing,it s a great
pleasure to look at...
nice pov,excellent chosen point
of view,
regards
Costantino