Monday, July 18, 2011

The Delightful Pétanque Players

I do believe that meeting and photographing strangers in Paris is my favorite pastime....among others!  It has almost become a game I play with myself, just seeing how many Parisians I can engage in a VERY brief conversation or sometimes just holding up my camera with a simple, "S'il vous plait???" (with a smile!)


Usually I photograph my pétanque players in the designated areas at the Jardin de Luxembourg, but this afternoon I found these delightful young people playing an impromptu game as the sun was setting at the Palais Royal . Come back tomorrow to see what they used to improve their game! :)

PS I think this is one of my favorite Paris portraits so far. I loved meeting them!

24 comments:

Thirtytwo degrees said...

Oui Oui! What goodlooking strangers to meet and make friends. Love those smiles. Merci beaucoup!

Maya said...

Fun! I'm still trying to figure out the difference between pétanque and boules. We enjoy playing boules with our friends! Have you stopped to play with any of these Strangers?

Shell Sherree said...

It's a gorgeous photo, V! Aren't they beaming. Pétanque is one of the few sports I could handle quite enjoyably.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Such a good shot in black and white Virginia, I like that they all look so enthusiastic about having their photo taken by you!!

Anonymous said...

Perfect...every evening we would see Patanque players in Saint remy waiting for their turn at shining glory.
i loved watching them but wasnt bold enough to photograph. x

Blu said...

What a wonderful group shot!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Love this group of players, V! Although I usually think about the mature gentlemen of the game, I found many people of all ages playing during my trip in April... I love the "clink" of the balls!

cocoa and coconut said...

It's great that you met some new Frenchies. I don't really have much experience meeting French people in Paris..but it sounds like fun so I can understand why it's your favourite past time. Thanks for sharing this moment with us

M said...

Very nice portrait. They look like a lively bunch.

Harriet said...

Great portrait shot. The stance of the guy in the middle ads a lot of energy to the photo. Looks as if it were professionally choreographed.

Leif Hagen said...

Nice portrait, V! They seem like cheerful models - lots of models in Paris, non?

Unknown said...

A great photograph of the smiling young strangers in Paris.
Costas

Daryl said...

I bet it was a bottle of wine ...

Virginia said...

Thanks everyone! Maya asked about the difference in pétanque and boules. I think maybe once Jilly addressed that question on her blog. Maybe I'll ask her to enlighten. If memory serves, they are the same game but I could be wrong. Pétanque USA blog has useful information and has used some of my photos in the past. Maya, I played a very informal game in the countryside that summer with wine glass in hand! :)
It is a lot of fun.

Jilly said...

Love these happy faces. re Boules/Petanque.

Answers at this link - many of which were provided by Fabrizio in Turin.

http://www.mentondailyphoto.com/2007/08/ptanque-or-boules-2.html

Maya said...

Thanks V and Jilly! From what I've read online, one is a version of the other (boules being the overarching game). We have friends who have an area at their home to play boules so we occasionally go over there to play. It is a lot of fun!

Virginia said...

If you check Jilly's blog post you will see the men "discussing" the position of the balls. That can often lead to an animated discussion as I found out the day the men at Luxembourg let me photograph their game. They often stopped to explain the rules and of course they kept me abreast of the running SCORE! HA

Cezar and Léia said...

Beautiful happy people there! It's really a nice portrait!
Léia

Paris Paul said...

A fun place to watch pétanque is the Arenes des Luteces. Modern players in an ancient Roman arena is quite a site!

Alexa said...

What a warm, wonderful portrait, V! You obviously have both the talent and the charm to bring out the best in your subjects. Why—as much as I prefer to hide behind the lens—I believe I'd even let you take MY picture! :~}

Jack said...

Yes, you found a warm and friendly group. The posture of the guy in the middle makes the shot.

martinealison said...

Juste pour le bonheur... et pourtant si grand et authentique...
Bisous.

Dianne said...

A lovely photo Virginia and they all look so healthy and full of life - must take up petanque!

Malyss said...

A great picture! the kind I NEVER dare to do..