Champagne Region of France Inspires Me

The Champagne region of France offers beauty all around.

I begin my morning by wandering around the Eglise Saint André Church in Orquevaux, which is located in the Champagne region of France.  A genuine smile greets me at the front door as the French language quietly lingers in the air.  I only hope to understand the words that appear to be inviting me in.  It's obvious I'm a tourist because I have two cameras hung from my shoulders.  One is my trusty Canon 5D Mark III and the other is my 35mm Leica M6 film camera.

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I notice I'm becoming more and more comfortable with each encounter.

Raising my camera and capturing the subjects standing before me gets easier with time.  The more I step out of my comfortable zone, the more opportunities arise to make great photographs.  In English, I ask permission to take her photograph.  We exchange smiles and I accept her answer as a yes.  There are times when I guide my subjects into the best light, but not this time.  The crucial moment for me to capture was right then and there.

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As artists and humans, it's important to focus on doing the best work with the resources we have.

As a result, the fine art photograph titled Woman With Broom was created.

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After roaming through the church, I hike up one of the many rolling hills of the Champagne region.

I thought trail signs would direct me to the Virgin Mary statue, but I was wrong.  In reality, the only signs I end up following are those of my own inner guidance.  After debating about progressing forward or turning around,  I notice the statue visible in the distance.

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Green moss and foliage brighten this late winter morning.

The dormant trees will show new life soon, but for now, I appreciate nature's minimalist palette.

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The views are incredible from up here.

My eyes fill with tears and I take a deep breathe.  Magic happens when you allow your inner compass to guide you in the direction of your life's calling.

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