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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!
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55 comments:

  1. 'TsukiAugust 5, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    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 !

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  2. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    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.

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  3. SivindenAugust 5, 2011 at 11:04 AM

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

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  4. EG CameraGirlAugust 5, 2011 at 11:06 AM

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

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  5. Genie -- Paris and BeyondAugust 5, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    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

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  6. The 4-feet WonderAugust 5, 2011 at 11:08 AM

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

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  7. SistertexAugust 5, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    A beautiful photo James. Well done.

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  8. MalyssAugust 5, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    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)

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  9. Pat TillettAugust 5, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    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!

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  10. EbieAugust 5, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    I am back!

    I love this shot, and the color mixes!

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  11. EbieAugust 5, 2011 at 11:39 AM

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

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  12. Gerald (SK14)August 5, 2011 at 11:53 AM

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

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  13. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    Great subject for selective colorization, beautiful shot!

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  14. LewAugust 5, 2011 at 12:26 PM

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

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  15. Ms. BeckyAugust 5, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    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.

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  16. Kathryn DycheAugust 5, 2011 at 12:35 PM

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

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  17. AlexaAugust 5, 2011 at 1:34 PM

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

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  18. Jeannette StGAugust 5, 2011 at 1:43 PM

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

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  19. Sylvia KAugust 5, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    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

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  20. CarolaAugust 5, 2011 at 2:46 PM

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

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  21. ReenaAugust 5, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Awesome reflection and the balloon delightful!

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  22. GineAugust 5, 2011 at 3:39 PM

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

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  23. jooAugust 5, 2011 at 3:53 PM

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

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  24. Gemma WisemanAugust 5, 2011 at 4:36 PM

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

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  25. Gemma WisemanAugust 5, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    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?

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  26. Sar@hAugust 5, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    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 :-(

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  27. PatAugust 5, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    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!

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  28. TexWisGirlAugust 5, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    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!) :)

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  29. AnonymousAugust 5, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Love the balloon!

    ~Antonette
    Jottings From Jersey

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  30. aspiritofsimplicityAugust 5, 2011 at 7:28 PM

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

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  31. DimpleAugust 5, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    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!

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  32. lotusleafAugust 5, 2011 at 8:51 PM

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

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  33. UnknownAugust 6, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    This is simply wonderful.

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  34. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪August 6, 2011 at 1:39 AM

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

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  35. CryingbearAugust 6, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    Wow, so great pictures, I just LOVE!

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  36. RoanAugust 6, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Nice reflection, and the red balloon stands out well.

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  37. EdenAugust 6, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Love this photo so much. Excellent capture.

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  38. UnknownAugust 6, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    A prize winner in all ways!

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  39. Margaret Gosden August 6, 2011 at 9:06 AM

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

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  40. DinaAugust 6, 2011 at 9:56 AM

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

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  41. Stickup ArtistAugust 6, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    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!

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  42. lizziviggiAugust 6, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    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!

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  43. Elisa N ViajesAugust 6, 2011 at 5:19 PM

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

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  44. dianasfaria.comAugust 6, 2011 at 5:56 PM

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

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  45. OwenAugust 6, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    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 !

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  46. UnknownAugust 6, 2011 at 9:20 PM

    Stunning composition! I love it.

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  47. Oregon Gifts of Comfort and JoyAugust 7, 2011 at 10:52 AM

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

    Kathy M.

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  48. LaliAugust 7, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    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 !

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  49. SaunAugust 7, 2011 at 11:14 PM

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

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  50. HalcyonAugust 8, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    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!

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  51. Pierre BOYERAugust 10, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    Lovely picture James !
    Greetings from France,

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

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  52. Pat TillettAugust 13, 2011 at 4:50 PM

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

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  53. UnknownAugust 20, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    I like this a lot.

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  54. ABNovember 1, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Great shot!

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  55. UnknownMarch 24, 2014 at 9:35 AM

    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

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