My favorite images

Surfing on flickr, I find "irresistible images" often, and put them between my "favorites" so I can come back and look at them. Here are the last ones.

The London photo & graphic Meetup group

Organized with charm and determination, by a young woman born not far from where I was, arrived in London just a year ago, the group discover, through her, less nknown and interesting parts of London, while taking pictures on varied themes.

Yesterday, even in the rain (just a bit) along the canal, from the Little Venice,we took pictures with the theme "Portraits in Movement": it was fun!

So many people arrived in London from all over the world bring it new ideas and new energy! Yesterday, I met some people from Polland, a girl from Tadjistan, and a young woman from Romania, and... so on. All were integrated and doing and living full lifes, at the same time, adapting to the "English way" rapidly.

Going closer

I am original from Transylvania, a province, once in the times even independent, between Hungary and Romania.

Left when I was 14 but somehow when I think of my origin, that is what I find as answer. I am not from "Romania", and that is not because the gypsies on the streets has given it bad names recently. I did not feel Romanian, even when I lived there, until I was 30.

I am not Hungarian, even if my mother language is and that I did not speak almost any other until I was 14, and even if my culture is Hungarian more then any else. I went to Hungary a few times, and less and less I felt "Hungarian", real one.

I am French, yes, for I have lived in France more then in any place and now, for a long time already I write in French in my diary, probably I even think in that language!

But if was Transylvania when I went back so many years after, I felt as "I am home, again".

I never lived in the country, my home was the biggest town the university town far from the mountains, we had only slight slopes. And long traditions. But even when I went with my car to tour the country side, I felt "home".

Stopped, near a small street, no asphalt in those villages! That peasant come with his old looking scythe, and I was interested in taking it. As soon as he had seen us, who I was with I do not remember, he took of his hat.

He posed, when he understood, I want him with his instrument.

Then I went closer.

I promised that I'll send him a photo, he was happy and gave me his address. But going closer, speaking to him, I observed his beautiful blue eyes, his nice friendly face too.

And I learned also, it is worth going closer to people, speaking with them, taking a second look.

If I ever make a book, as I intend, he will be my first example. From him started all the other images, one from farther, the second a lot closer. When I felt it is too close to give a good portrait, I went fast a bit farther and zoomed. But I still like approach, speak. About them, about me. Feel the connection.

Towards the end of the fall

There are some leaves still on the trees, even more beautiful as it approaches their last days.

I was discussing it with my daughter in law yesterday, we are nearer the nature in London as we were in Paris, and we feel the Londoners in general are too.

It is wonderful this feeling to be not only part of the world but part of the nature too!

While I sat down yesterday, on a bench, near crossing towards the St Johnt's Presbytery park, taking pictures of the leaves felt on the studded crossing, a gentleman passed towards me, slowly, walking with two sticks.

- What are you doing? he begun to speak to me.

After we spoke a while, I dared to ask him to take a photo: he has such a beautiful smile! As soon as the camera was pointed he took a more serious expression, but his eyes continued to smile warmly.

As he went farther, I realized, there are people a lot lonelier that I around here.

My camera is one of the ways I can connect, after that we feel both better. And just a few minutes later, even my postman thanked me for having taken his picture!

I was my pleasure! I hope, he likes this.

My album of the images of end of fall, taken yesterday: if you like any of the images, you can download it, print it. Some of them, I think, are nice to look at.

60 ans!

Perceptions, are so important.

Passing near those, I have seen them continuous and not interrupted by the vertical lines. I am not so sure, what one perceives from this photo.

Happy birthday Charles!

He did not have an easy life, but did his best in every situation. I am sure he will be a great king.

Did you know, that they went to visit Sarkozi and Carla a few days ago? Two modern couples, I am sure they had lot in common, lot to speak beside of course state affairs...

A hungarian arrives in London

Is he Hungarian? From Transylvanian 'székely" small town, not so far from where my father came. He is in fact from Romania, as Transylvania is not part of that country. It begun just 90 years ago.

He went to study in Kolozsvàr (Cluj ?apoca now) were I was born, then to work to Budapest as programmer, and just a week ago, he arrived from Hungary in London.

In a week, he joined 54 Meetup groups! And come Monday to the one I go regularly, week by week. After the meeting, we chatted, I took his portrait, then went to stroll toward Trafalgar Square, still speaking, of course, in Hungarian.

He told me about the clouds that have different quality and colors, depending from where they come, as his neighbor had shown him while he lived still in his small town. He intends to go and see them on the place, from were they come, and I feel he will. He will do what is needed to fulfill his dreams, making them become reality.

Then I went to his profile and discovered that one of the groups he created, I have visited and left note about me in it, 11 month ago! Is it a coincidence, I do not think. But could be.

All kinds of beauty

I go from Charring Cross, through the Embarkader tube entrance to the foot bridge, every Monday, marveling at the floor design and the camera's deformations of it.

I try to catch people in Red.

Red scarf, red coat, red hat.

Sometimes, the red comes and goes away too fast, like a phantom only caught on the image. Even that, is fascinating.

Then, from the footbridge towards the Royal Festival Hall, I admire the lights, on the bank and in the Thames.


This week, I did not stop at the station and went to the Trafalgar Square, took some pictures of the illuminated National Gallery. Not so bad, but usual. It was slightly raining.

Dark and rain, brrr. Usually.

This time it was like a miracle!

In the puddle, before the illuminated Gallery, suddenly I have seen a new life, a whole building, columns of an other time. So difficult to show all I have suddenly seen in the puddle!

Here, some of it.

So many different kinds of beauties in the world!