Friday, August 5, 2011

La Mort Lente du Ballon Rouge (Weekend Reflections # 98)

Paris, France (Rue Au Maire)

I probably butchered the French language but my title is trying to say The slow death of The Red Balloon.
One of my favorite movies when I was a boy was Le Ballon Rouge or The Red Balloon as I knew it. Like in the movie it seems like a sad end is in store for this balloon. The movie was made in Paris in 1956. When I'm in Paris I try to capture glimpses of the Paris of old and sometimes the glimpses appear in reflections.

If needed, please click the link near the top right corner for Weekend Reflections instructions. Now, lets have some fun with Weekend Reflections!

55 comments:

'Tsuki said...

Awesome tribute to one of my favourite moovie when I was a child... I had the book too, and I spent hours dreaming on the illustrations...

Your contribution rocks, James, bravo !

Anonymous said...

Wow James, this is a keeper. I love the contrasts among the dark and light tones, smooth and texture and most of all B&W with the red balloon.

Sivinden said...

Very effectful with the red balloon in the gray street. Great reflections and composition.

EG CameraGirl said...

The red stands out beautifully in this mostly black and white photo.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Be still my heart! This is a fabulous photo, monochrome with a pop of Paris rouge. I love The Red Balloon and your reference to it here.

Bises,
Genie

The 4-feet Wonder said...

I haven't seen this movie, but photograph looks amazing. All B&W and red balloon. :) Beautiful.

Sistertex said...

A beautiful photo James. Well done.

Malyss said...

Your french is perfect! So is your picture;To avoid sadness, I see it more as a balloon needing adventure and traveling alone in Paris, discovering the city with same marvelled mind as you do! :o)

Pat Tillett said...

Really good pic James. There is plenty of "old" to see in Paris.
Whenever I try to "follow" the new weekend reflections site, the url still takes me to the old one (that refers me to the new one). I'm kinda confused!

Ebie said...

I am back!

I love this shot, and the color mixes!

Ebie said...

Hi James, could you please delete my first entry, I put in the wrong photo. Thanks.

Gerald (SK14) said...

That's a lovely glimpse of the architecture with the bonus of the red balloon - don't we just love puddles!

Anonymous said...

Great subject for selective colorization, beautiful shot!

Lew said...

Proper French or not, it is a great photo! You really know how to use your puddles in any language.

Ms. Becky said...

I agree with Pat Tillett. same thing happens for me with Reader, it won't recognize the new address. but not a problem, I simply put you in my favorites and find you that way.
The Red Balloon is a fave, and as it happens I just recently watched it again. great reflection shot James. thanks for hosting WR each week. hope you have a fantastic weekend.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Love the pop of red in this black and white image. Beautifully captured.

Alexa said...

Oh la la, mon ami—that is a faaaabulous photo!

Jeannette StG said...

Stunning pic James! With the right mood when referring to an old movie (haven't seen yet!)

Sylvia K said...

A keeper it is, James! I love it! The red balloon is such a great exclamation point for the whole capture! Thanks as always for the weekend fun! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Carola said...

Superb reflection. With the red ballon it is a perfect shot.
Hm, that's what Sylvia K said too.

Reena said...

Awesome reflection and the balloon delightful!

Gine said...

C'est très beau, le rouge donnant la profondeur de champ !

joo said...

This photo is a stunner James! I'm really impressed.
Have a great weekend:)

Gemma Wiseman said...

Brilliant atmosphere in this photo! It begs for a story to evolve! Simply beautiful!

Gemma Wiseman said...

FYI - Still can't retain this new address in my sidebar list of links! Still reverts back to the old website! I notice Owen commented about this last week too and wondered if you have any ideas?

Sar@h said...

Excellent !
It's also a book for children :
http://www.ecoledesloisirs.fr/php-edl/catalogues/fiche-livre.php?reference=03999

Here, we learn the singer "Renaud" play in this movie with his brother … Their Father was phtography's director.

http://www.sharedsite.com/hlm-de-renaud/hlm/comedien/leballon.htm

Sorry for my english :-(

Pat said...

Superb photo, James, and I used to show Le Ballon Rouge to all levels of my French classes, from grade 3 to high school, and of course, they all got something different from it, from the literal to the more philosophic.

I think you mean Rue au Maire, not 'Mairie', in the 3rd arrondissement. But your title is perfect!

TexWisGirl said...

google reader is having problems picking up your feed (just when i thought it was working fine!) anyway, i've unfollowed and refollowed again in hopes it purges whatever issue it is having!

(thanks for keeping my secret on 'my little town' locale!) :)

Anonymous said...

Love the balloon!

~Antonette
Jottings From Jersey

aspiritofsimplicity said...

that is one of the best photos I've ever seen. I love it and I love that movie.

Dimple said...

This is SO GOOD! I love the b/w with the red balloon being the only color, and the wonderful reflection in the puddle. Kudos!

lotusleaf said...

Wow! Very dramatic! I wonder how you did it!

Unknown said...

This is simply wonderful.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

These days, there are biogradeable balloons, good for those people who set off lots of balloons and end up in birds stomach.

Cryingbear said...

Wow, so great pictures, I just LOVE!

Roan said...

Nice reflection, and the red balloon stands out well.

Eden said...

Love this photo so much. Excellent capture.

Unknown said...

A prize winner in all ways!

Margaret Gosden said...

A beautiful composition and wonderful memory.
What a good idea!

Dina said...

How lucky you were to find a lonely red balloon and to jump at the opportunity. A great picture!

Stickup Artist said...

What a great image! I hope you are planning to frame it. It evokes a wonderful dreamlike state that does bring one back. The red balloon against the monochrome is so beautifully effective as are all the lovely textures. The balloon is like the cherry on top of a fabulous photograph!

lizziviggi said...

Oh, it's a sad and lovely photo! I have such a place in my heart for that movie, too-- it was wonderful to share it with my children for the first time just a few weeks ago!

Elisa N Viajes said...

Hi James,
I´ve left my reflections of the Central Park
Have a nice weekend
Elisa, in Argentina

dianasfaria.com said...

I love that story! & that is exactly what I thought of as soon as I saw this photo.
Beautiful shot James.

Owen said...

Simply priceless James ! Still have the book we had when I was little with photos from the movie in it... always felt totally heartbroken for the red ballon when the boys with their slingshots went after it...

Thanks for this trip down memory lane !

Unknown said...

Stunning composition! I love it.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi James, VERY BEAUTIFUL! I loved that movie too. Take care, and thank you for hosting for us.

Kathy M.

Lali said...

This photo is a marvel ! I love the black and the white with this touch of red. Very good picture.
Sorry for my "reverso" english...
Have a good week !

Saun said...

Awesome reflection love the red balloon. Thanks for visiting my blog and the nice comment.

Halcyon said...

Darn it! Sometimes I think I've linked and then I look again and I haven't. :)
In any case, lovely reflections all around. Especially like your balloon rouge. Really nice!

Pierre BOYER said...

Lovely picture James !
Greetings from France,

Pierre
http://pierre-boyer.blogspot.com/

Pat Tillett said...

James...
You sure were in my neck of the woods. I live about a mile from that place you were at yesterday.

Unknown said...

I like this a lot.

AB said...

Great shot!

Unknown said...

Hello James,

I am so impressed by your photography especially the one with the red balloon that I wanted to give you credit for your work on my website. I could not find your email address. Could you please get in touch with me at henrikeger@gmail.com ASAP?

Many thanks,
Henrik