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Peach in Shades

Born in Tangier Morocco from a Spanish dad and French mother, Jacques moved to Paris when he was 15 and then to Australia in 1995. He holds French and Australian citizenship.

In Paris he used to manage an advertising agency and direct photographers to produce the images he imagined for his clients.

Formally trained by Colin Beard at the Sunshine School of Photography, Jacques now enjoys the sheer pleasure to bring himself to reality the images he creates in his head.

A staunch supporter of free speech and freedom of choice, he follows his inspiration wherever it takes him.
This is second exhibition – the first one was on the Sunshine Coast in November 2010. His Nudes stirred some controversy with a local religious group calling for him to be “banned from Caloundra”.

“The human body is one of the wonders of the world. Playing with light and shades is the essence of photography. Each model has inspired me images which somewhat reflected their personality. My aim is to produce the best images I can without being restricted by mainstream thinking or taboos. Self censorship is not part of my vocabulary.”

Many images of the exhibition are in preview here http://www.jacquesmaudyphotography.com/events/nudes-exhibition-west-end/

Nudes By Jacques Maudy
Opening address by Colin Beard
Exhibition @ the Alliance Française Gallery, 262 Montague Rd – West End – Brisbane
Opening 10th March 2011, showing until 3trd April 2011

http://www.westender.com.au/news/1002

13th July, Place de La Bastille.

Traditional concert for Bastille Day. Portraits, some stolen, some gracefully given.

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6 am, 14^th of July. Went to bed late the night before after hanging out taking pictures at the concert on the Place de La Bastille.

My request for acces to the Caserne Des Celestins – quarters of the Cavalry Regiment of the prestigious Garde Republicaine – had been ignored by the Ministry of Defence. I decided to pull out of bed and try my chance.

The guard on duty refused me access at first but was friendly. We befriended in 15 mn and he allowed me in. “Just say you are a member of my family if anyone asks”. Cool as.

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The 14 of July is Bastille Day in France. The occasion for a military parade on the Champs Elysées, distinctions, honours and medals to the officers and parties all around the country.

A dozen of officers of the Gendarmerie Corps were to be honoured that morning at the Casernes Celestins. Among them one caught my attention. A true hero who despite being wounded in the Haiti earthquake organized the emergency help and assisted the local population.
all the Guards have been very friendly and welcoming, accepting to pose for my camera when requested.
A word for them in French: Un grand merci, Gardes. Toutes les photos individuelles n’ont pas été postées sur ce site faute de place. Si vous souhaitez recevoir des images en haute définition pour imprimer, je serais heureux de vous les faire parvenir. Adressez moi un mail ici.

So here is the harvest of that morning. Big thanks to the Republican Guard on duty at the gate.

Links: Wiki (in English) , The official site of the Guarde Republicaine (French) offers a comprehensive history of the regiment

“J’etais trop feignant pour etre un autre que moi – même”
“I was too lazy to be anyone else than myself”

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Boris Bergman Boris is a song writer, a writer, an actor, movie director, and a script writer

Born in UK from Jewish  Russian parents, he moved to Paris at 14.
Boris displays the sharp witty humour of the survivors. Spending an afternoon with him is always a delight. I met Boris at the Brasserie Bofinger, in Paris, some years ago. He was having dinner at the table next to ours. We started a impromptu conversation and ended sharing a joint and lot sof laughter.

Today I went to visit him at his apartment perched high on the 6^th floor of the Buttes Montmartre. My intention was to give him book from a Russian photographer I bought form him last time I was in Paris, a year ago, but never had the time to give him. So here I am with my one year old gift climbing the 6 floors – the lift was of course out of service -with my Canon camera on my shoulder.
His house is like his life: full. He has a huge collection of 35 mm movies and of course a projector, walls of music, books piled up everywhere and an amazing collection of caps and hats.

He wrote “Rain and Tears” for the Aphrodite’s Child, “Gaby” and “Vertige de l’Amour” for Bashung and many, many, many other hits.
His Gold Discs hang in his toilets

Boris has an immense culture, a big heart and so many stories to share. A man anyone would be proud to have as a friend.
A conversation with him is sheer pleasure.

So here my Boris and his living working studio

For more insight on Boris Bergman visit his web site or Wikipedia