theonlyD800inthehameau
Photography by theonlydeadheadinthehameau
Lens-Artists Challenge: Harmony
Posted on September 25, 2026
This week’s challenge is to portray the concept of ‘harmony’. It seems to me that symmetry is one way of showing harmony.
The Saint-Martial Centre in Limoges is a relatively small city centre shopping mall. Somewhat unusually, while the car park is at street level, the three floors of shops and restaurants are below it, due to the fact. that the building is set into a sloping street.
As a consequence, it’s possible to look down onto the shopping levels, in this instance providing a harmoniously symmetrical, yet somewhat arresting image.
Lens-Artists Challenge: The Bridge At Chabanais
Posted on September 15, 2026
This weeks Lens-Artists Challenge calls for images of bridges. Well, I knew I had plenty of those to choose from, although looking through my library I began to realise that I probably had many more images taken from bridges than of the bridges themselves.
Nonetheless, I was pleased to find this: the bridge that crosses the River Vienne in the not-too-far town of Chabanais. On a still and cloudless day, the reflections were almost mirror-like – and what photographer worth their salt doesn’t like a nice reflection?
Cosmic: Symmetry
Posted on May 19, 2026
I’ve just encountered the ‘Cosmic Photo Challenge’ for the first time and, as this week’s topic is ‘symmetry’, which happens to be one of my favourite photographic themes, I thought I would play along.
This is a view from below of the ceiling/roof of one of the new buildings being constructed in Guédelon, in central France. It’s a new build castle complex, but using only medieval construction methods. Its an absolutely fascinating project to visit.
Shell
Posted on March 22, 2026
A supermarket chain over here in France sells deep frozen ‘petoncles’ – small nuggets of scallop in garlic butter and parsley, presented on a small scallop shell. They are quite delicious, either on their own or with pasta.
And those little shells are worth a closer look…
Cellpic Sunday 22 March 2026
Lens-Artists Challenge: Shapes of things
Posted on February 4, 2026
It must be at least twenty years ago that I took this photograph, in the old fort at Al Ain, in the United Arab Emirates. However I still recall thinking at the time that it was a very good example of symmetry.
The characteristic roundness of these old jars is mirrored in the circle of cobblestones on which they stood (and, for all I know, still do) and also the low stone wall that is visible behind.
Monochrome Madness: Symmetry
Posted on September 20, 2025
The theme for the latest iteration of Monochrome Madness is ‘symmetry’ – which is always something that most photographers are on the lookout for.
Architecture – especially classical architecture – is usually a good place to look for symmetry in an image, and I think it certainly works here, in a view of the imposing nave of the Collegiale in Le Dorat.
Lens-Artists Challenge: Quiet Hours
Posted on July 14, 2025
This week’s challenge is to post an image that captures the idea of ‘quiet hours’. Clearly, there are many interpretations: the ‘hours’ element can refer to a particular time of day, while ‘quiet’ could be just something conveying tranquility or serenity.
I’ve gone with the latter, with this photo having been taken in the late morning on an inlet of the River Creuse. Not a cloud in the sky, not a breath of wind, scarcely a ripple to distort those crystal-clear reflections. It was very quiet….
Cellpic Sunday: Symmetry
Posted on March 2, 2025
The Pavillon du Verdurier is an exhibition space in the centre of Limoges. Obviously, people go to look at the exhibits (in this case quilts) but the building, especially the interior, is a work of art in itself.
This is a view from below of the elegantly decorated dome. The image has just been cropped and straightened: it really does look this pristine.
Cellpic Sunday: Take It From The Top
Posted on February 23, 2025
This view from the top floor of the Centre Commercial Saint-Martial (it’s a shopping mall) in the city of Limoges struck me as interesting in an abstract yet also symmetrical – thanks to some judicious cropping – way.
Lens-Artists Challenge: Two rectangles
Posted on June 24, 2024
The Lens-Artists Challenge this week has been set by Egidio, with the theme of ‘two rectangles’. To me, that seemed like an open invitation to show a bit of minimalist symmetry.
Dusk on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi:
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