Crowded bathing pool at the foot of a limestone quarry with children in the water and graffiti on the rock face, Canon AE1 Program 50mm, Nantes

Jardin Extraordinaire: This Time I Actually Looked at the Map

I headed back out with the Canon AE1 Program to capture more of the Voyage à Nantes, this time at the Jardin Extraordinaire—a hidden garden carved into an abandoned quarry. With the car at 48°C, it was sweltering, but the wandering through Chantenay and an unplanned brewery visit made the day worth every frame.

Read
Théo Mercier's Fossil Opera — sand ammonites and half-buried cars before the Opéra Graslin colonnade, Nantes

Voyage à Nantes: Following the Green Line

It was 46°C in the car when I set off and 40°C by the time I reached Place Graslin, which is not the weather for walking a city. But Le Voyage à Nantes paints a green line through the streets and I wanted to follow it, at least as far as I could manage without melting. The AE1, a roll of HP5+ rated at 100, and whatever the evening put in front of me.

Read
Wooden crate of courges on a Clisson market stall, black and white film, Nikon FE with Kodak Tri-X 400

A Fan Letter to Monochromia

There’s a photography blog I keep coming back to, and I want to tell you about it. Monochromia is a collective — photographers from Chicago, Nuremberg, Rome, Washington D.C., and a village on the Nile, all posting one black and white image at a time with barely a word of explanation. I contribute the occasional shot from France, which makes me biased. It also makes me a better photographer.

Read
Black and white film photograph of a round tower with a conical slate roof and dormer window at Château de la Preuille against a clear sky.

Capturing Time: A Photographic Journey Through Château de la Preuille

Discover Château de la Preuille through stunning black and white film photography. Explore this 11th-century Vendée estate’s vineyards, towers, and moat reflections captured on HP5 film. Learn about gîte accommodations, wine tourism, and analog photography techniques. Experience timeless French heritage where history meets hospitality in Saint-Hilaire-de-Loulay.

Read

Nikon FE Review: Features and User Experience

My Nikon FE—bought from my HR director—has accompanied me from Nantes’ cobbled streets to Lourdes and the Pyrénées mountains. This 1978 aperture-priority SLR rewards deliberate, unhurried photography. With its tactile dials, viewfinder aperture display, and M90 battery-free mode, it’s the perfect companion for film shooters who value feel over function.

Read

The Opening of the Film Archives: An October Saturday in Town with Killian, 2016

Discover black-and-white street photography from October 2016 in Nantes, featuring the Praktica MTL3 and HP5 Plus film. This article highlights ‘Ian and Killian days,’ capturing intimate father-son moments and the raw texture of film. Explore the charm of analogue photography and the beauty of imperfections.

Read

The Opening of the Film Archives – Penthièvres July 2016

The author shares memories of visiting Penthièvres beach, finding tranquility amidst family chaos. They describe their love for the sea, photography, and the Soviet-era FED 5 camera. The film captures the beach’s serene essence. Penthièvres is not just a backdrop, but a sanctuary where emotions and memories are beautifully preserved.

Read