A new blog
Dear friends,
I am moving this blog to be integrated with my website. I should have done is sooner, but after 600 posts, it was a tough decision to make. Overall, it will be more convenient and I will be able to post more regularly. I hope you join me there for new adventures.
You can visit the first post here and subscribe.
See you there!
Valérie Jardin
ONE CENTURY: Elaine Anderson, 103.
It’s time to start posting on this blog again! Most of you see my daily work on Instagram and know that I’ve been very busy traveling, teaching, writing and creating new work daily. Admittedly, I neglected this blog for another full year and I apologize. What better way to revive it than by introducing my new long term documentary project titled:
ONE CENTURY: Portraits of centenarians and the activities that bring them joy
ONE CENTURY is more than a photography project; it is a celebration of the human spirit. Through these images, I want to inspire viewers to appreciate the beauty of aging. Many centenarians engage in activities that promote physical and mental stimulation. Some enjoy gardening or swimming. Others find solace in creative pursuits like music, painting or writing. In essence, centenarians demonstrate the importance of staying active, curious, and socially connected throughout life. Their choice of activity reflects their resilience and adaptability.
I’m using the same fixed lens camera for this project as I use for all my work: The Fujifilm X100V at 23mm.
I am actively looking for centenarians in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. In 2024 the project will also extend to other locations: Paris, France – Oaxaca, Mexico – Madrid, Spain – New York City, NY. Please Contact me here if you can help me find amazing centenarians.
~
Elaine Anderson, 103
Today, let me introduce you to Elaine Anderson, 103. She lives independently in St Louis Park, Minnesota and swims for an hour every afternoon. I had the privilege to be invited to visit Elaine at the pool earlier this month and captured these frames.
Does Elaine inspire you? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
A bientôt,
Valérie
2022 In 100 Frames
As you may know, 2022 marked the 10th anniversary of my photography workshops and it was truly an amazing year. It was filled with so many wonderful experiences shared with so many friends. I love what I do more and more year after year and I’m stoked to start a new season of workshops in January with some of my favorite destinations and new ones.
I’m sorry that I neglected this blog again this year and I’ll try to do better in 2023. I miss sharing with you all. To make up for my lack of posts, I put together a show of 100 photographs of candid moments seen on the streets (and beaches) in 2022. All photographs shot at 23mm with the Fujifilm X100V. It’s 4 minutes long and I hope you find it worth your time. Let me know what you think!
Bonne Année 2023!
Visual Narratives: The Barbershop
There is a barbershop in St Paul, Minnesota that’s been in business since 1893. Yes, you read it correctly, 7th Street Barbers has been continually operating for 129 years!!! Today I met Pete, Mark and Wyatt while they were busy working on three lovely customers. I asked if I could take a few pictures and they all agreed with a smile.
Is there an iconic shop in your town that you could photograph?
Visual Narratives is an on-going project, visit the gallery here.
Shot with the Fujifilm X100V at 23mm in Acros and yellow filter.
Visual Narratives: Fernand
I’m in Normandy to visit family. I’m also enjoying daily long walks on the beach to escape the frightening reality of the current world events. I walked 14 km this afternoon to clear my head, it was low tide when I crossed path with a shrimp fisherman on the beach. I asked if I could take a few pictures, we talked for a moment. He was also trying to escape reality for a few hours. His name is Fernand, I followed him to the water’s edge and snapped a few pics. My therapy is a camera. His is a fishing net. What’s yours?
Shot with the Fujifilm X100V at 23mm.
The 2022 Dog Show
My first dog show experience was two years ago in St Paul. The same show (Land’O Lakes Dog Show) was back this past weekend and I spent an hour there early on Sunday morning. I love dogs, and I’ve photographed dogs all over the world (even published a book about them). However, I’m still very conflicted about the dog show idea…
Like everything else in photography, the main event itself doesn’t interest me much, but the behind the scenes is where the stories are. See photographs from both events on this gallery.
Photographed with the Fujifilm X100V at 23mm
2021 in 3 minutes and 40 seconds
WISHING YOU A CREATIVE NEW YEAR!
I hope you enjoy my selection of 72 photographs in 3 minutes and 40 seconds from Minneapolis, San Francisco, Normandy and Paris.
Thank for your continued support of my work. I will try to post more often in 2022.
xx Valérie
The Off-Season with a Creative Focus Lens
I just spent a week in Normandy and played with the Lensbaby Sol 45 creative focus lens on a Fujifilm X-T30 (Yes, I brought my everyday X100V along as well). I find the coast to be ideal for this type of lens that forces you to slow down, let go of sharpness and ‘feel’ more. I often refer to this type of photography as ‘seeing with your heart’. The use of a creative focus lens such as the Sol 45 is a sure way to increase the challenge… and the fun. Everything is manual, the photographer tilts the lens to choose the focus point, then decides on the degree of blur.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to let go of the notion of perfection and unleash your creativity?
Note: I have no commercial ties with Lensbaby. I just like their stuff 🙂
(You can click on the first photograph to see them individually.)
Visual Narratives: Carol
I visited my good friend Carol at her studio this weekend. She just finished designing and making a ‘walking dress’ from 1817, complete with undergarments, jacket, and all. The project took several months and it was fascinating to learn about all the steps involved, from the extensive research to the finished product. I’m in awe of her talent and patience! Carol also teaches a class on the history of garments at a local university.
Shot with the Fujifilm X100V at 23mm in Acros. The on-going series can be viewed in this gallery.
I would love to hear from you!
I missed Paris SO much!
It’s been so amazing to teach on the streets again after a year and half of forced hiatus. Looking back now, it almost feels like no time has passed and teaching face to face has never felt so good!
After a week-long workshop in my native Normandy in September, I flew back to the States for a few weeks, taught a workshop in Minneapolis and hopped on a plane again for the October Paris workshop. It was such an amazing time! It was SO good to share photographic moments, great conversations and so many good laughs with like-minded people for a week. With little time to unpack upon my return to the States, I was off to teach in San Francisco to end the 2021 workshop season. I am SO thankful for the amazing photographers who travelled the world to attend these workshops. I am looking forward to hitting the streets as early as January 2022 with the next adventure!
Here are some of my favorite photographs from Paris in October. You probably already saw many of them on Instagram. All shot with the Fujifilm X100V.
If you want to join a workshop in 2022, don’t wait too long, some are already sold out.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Valérie
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