Valérie Jardin's Blog
All photography related weblog
Lake Superior ~ My Mini Ocean
I was born and raised by the sea side in France and I now live about as far away from the nearest ocean as you can get. That’s probably why I’ve always felt at home on the shores of Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world! It’s just like a mini ocean: Calm one day, stormy the next…
It’s been a very mild winter here in Minnesota, the warmest I’ve experienced since I moved here. I’ve rarely seen so much open water on the ‘big lake’ this time of year!
Saturday February 25, 2012
Sunday February 26, 2012
Bigger Than Life – Week #18 ~ Old Pentax
A friend just dropped off some old slrs and lenses. Who can resist old camera dials? Here a close up of a 1973 Honeywell Pentax ~ Spotmatic F
Coming soon…
Dear friends… My blog has been a bit quiet lately. No worries, I’m still shooting! I have some exciting news to share too. In just a few days I will be launching a brand new website and a brand new business!
Valerie Jardin Photography is embarking in a new adventure… Starting this fall, I will be running photo workshops and tours, starting with Paris, France for a week. You all know my love for photography and travel, I live and breathe in pixels and I feel pure joy when teaching this beautiful craft! Teaching is my opportunity to share my passion and skills with others.
Nothing else will change, I will still be shooting for commercial clients and available for assignments. I’ve had many requests for local photo workshops too (here in Minnesota) and I am planning to add those very soon. Other locations will follow Paris next year!
Stay tuned and thanks again for your continued support. Your encouragements mean the world to me!
Valerie
This could be you in Paris in October 2012!
Bigger Than Life ~ Week #17
My macro shot of the week…
Street photography ~ Netherlands
I did not spend nearly enough time in Amsterdam. I can’t wait to go back and explore some more in a few months. I also visited the city of Amersfoort and really enjoyed its quaint streets.
A group of Portuguese tourists willing to pose!
Bigger Than Life ~ Week #16
My macro of the week is a detail shot of a vintage Buffet Crampon & Cie. Clarinet. Made in Paris!
The logo is so worn that I wanted to capture it while it’s still visible! It’s a beautiful instrument and the sound that comes out of it is so pure!
January in Paris
Although my short stay in Paris in January was more for work than photography, I enjoyed doing some street photography along the way. After years of experiencing Paris during the touristy summer months, seeing it through my camera in January was priceless and I fell in love with my capital all over again! Here are some of my keepers:
Bigger than Life ~ #15
I’m back! Thank you for being patient. I’ve neglected the blog for the past 3 weeks but I’ll be posting pictures of my trip soon, I promise!
Resuming the macro of the week project with one of my other passions: Tennis!
Bigger than Life ~ Week #14
I hope you find this image mouth watering. I am taking a 3 week break from posting macro pictures. I will be traveling and my macro lens was not invited on the trip 
On Fire
I never photograph sunsets. I think it’s been done so many times and by so many talented photographers, that there is nothing new I could possibly contribute to the art of sunset imagery. I happened to have my camera in hand when I walked by this pampas grass which seemed to be on fire with the sun setting behind it. It was practically in my backyard and I snapped a few frames. I recently posted it on FB and G+ and was amazed by its popularity.
Lessons learned:
1) People love sunsets
2) Even if a subject has been done millions of times before, try to shoot it differently, add you own personal vision and create something a little different.
