Muse
Sometimes, when you least expect it, she leaves. And all was going so well you say to yourself, how could she. She could, and she would, what do you expect. Her mood changed, changes, as light changes. And so you think by yourself, listening to the quiet, you stare into the waning light, wondering as you walk these streets, looking for her notes, your beloved, your indifferent lover.
CameraVagrant 
You are right of course, the muse is a poor mistress (or indeed master), but then if mine weren’t at least they wouldn’t hold the same fascination for me. All the more so when they leave.
(The pictures, just so capture the mood of France, and those areas that you see in their towns, and as thus are in sort a type of muse for me).
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February 2, 2012 at 10:30 pm
Hi Laura, yes indeed, the muse makes for a very tenuous lover, you never do know when she might leave you for a moment, and you never know when it might be for good. But then again, isn’t that what it’s all about? Always the uncertainty…
Glad to hear that you’re liking these, that you find something compelling ‘in’ them.
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February 6, 2012 at 8:16 am
Nice photos, especially the moody first three!
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February 2, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Thanks so much, glad you liked them.
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February 6, 2012 at 8:17 am
Very cool!
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February 2, 2012 at 10:52 pm
Cheers, man!
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February 6, 2012 at 8:17 am
love these!
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February 3, 2012 at 1:59 am
Hi Sheila, thanks so much! Glad you like them.
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February 6, 2012 at 8:18 am
These are so atmospheric and moody; romantic nostalgia. Wonderful streetscapes, depicting a life in the past, in the present, and the beyond. The cats glowing eyes are so cool and the smoky haze in the third. Such nice work.
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February 3, 2012 at 3:39 am
I’m still so impressed that you used the cat shot in that wonderful collection you had on your site, man, I had some truly impressive company! Thanks for the continued support, Marina, you know it means the world to me.
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February 6, 2012 at 8:25 am
The leaving, the lover, the crossroads to me always been some of the most inspiring & creative muses. Following the black cat just to find the post boxes all closed & the walls around me so close. Achingly beautiful, brother. Hints of light following me, never reaching me. There’s despair & lonesomeness but regarding your imagery it never felt better, JP.
All the best & safe travels, Fritsch.
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February 3, 2012 at 8:39 am
You hear me, brother. Yeah, we listen to the streets in the same way, we know of all the loss, of that insatiable longing that haunts your every step…And so we continue, forever walking these cold streets. What else is there to do?
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February 6, 2012 at 8:22 am
Great series again! very nice mood
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February 3, 2012 at 9:53 am
Glad you liked it, thanks Mimo.
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February 6, 2012 at 10:43 pm
I love the shafts of light in the first image and the narrow moody alleyway leading into the light of the third. Very nice CV.
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February 3, 2012 at 10:12 am
Thanks Meanderer, glad you liked them.
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February 6, 2012 at 8:26 am
I love the muted colours in these shots, as others have said, very atmospheric.
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February 3, 2012 at 4:04 pm
That’s great, thanks so much for the comment and visit!
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February 6, 2012 at 8:26 am
so beatifull shot
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February 3, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Thanks so much!
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February 6, 2012 at 8:27 am
These are marvelous – I especially like the alley shots.
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February 3, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Thanks MariAnne! Yeah, the alley one’s did turn out nicer than expected.
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February 6, 2012 at 8:32 am
Fantastic
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February 4, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Thanks again ilOOk!
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February 6, 2012 at 8:32 am
Intriquing post, JP, (ok to call you that?).
I’m wondering how much is metaphor and how much otherwise. No need for you to answer that, I’m not prying and in fact I like how thought provoking this post is for me.
Beautiful images as ever. The blur in the alley I can’t decide if it’s person, a puff of smoke, or what. I don’t actually want to know what it is, I love the mystery of it and how it stimulates my imagination.
It looks to me as if your muse is still very much present. However, the last image with the flowers in all their pinkish glory despite being behind bars, and the reduction of blue to that small patch – I’m reading into that that you feel you have found her and are going to release her.
Just my interpretation, you may mean nothing of the sort.
Thank you for the stimulation!
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February 5, 2012 at 4:34 am
Hi Ashley, yeah of course it’s cool if you call me JP! Well, it’s mostly all metaphor I suppose, but I try not to over think it and just shoot on ‘instinct’ mode, otherwise I’m afraid that it might become too contrived, you know? And yeah, the ‘muse’ thing is very flimsy indeed, one moment she’s right there whispering endearingly in my ear, and the next, nowhere to be found, and the inspiration dries up, completely. Thanks so much for the superb comments, and it means so much to hear you appreciating what I’m doing, or rather, that you’re liking my little stories.
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February 6, 2012 at 8:39 am
Absolutely I appreciate what you’re doing!
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February 14, 2012 at 9:49 am
Well, my smoldering friend, I think this is your most intense one so far. There are two sides here of course.
First, as a post, that is as a collection of images accompanied by your words, it is fantastic stuff. The images are all strong >>> I love the blazing eyes of the cat, and the steam that may be your muse evaporating, and the unbalanced highlights in the Rue des Balances (tho the french may mean nothing like ‘balanced’ for all I know – but what a strong image!), while the flowers in the shrine could so easily be a tomb. And your words are simply excellent and extremely poignant >>> I mean, I can write too, but I think I’d have trouble matching what you have written in this post.
But second – this oozes your sadness, man, and that’s grim. But, beam of light in the gloom, I’m very glad that you can open up about it like this – that’s a good sign I think. Take care, man – Adrian
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February 6, 2012 at 5:12 pm
i was about to say i like the 2nd one due to its background, but suddenly i found that strange and interesting cat! why its eyes are shining?! is that real?
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February 13, 2012 at 2:34 am
Incredibly atmospheric! Wonderful
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February 15, 2012 at 11:22 am
Thanks so much, Mary. That’s very kind of you.
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February 15, 2012 at 11:30 am