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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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