Through the Lens of Laurence’s Cell Phone Camera


VOIR LA TRADUCTION FRANCAISE

Laurence Berthier is from France and speaks French, thus this interview is posted in both French and English. She caught our attention by sharing beautiful images. We thought that she was a professional photographer, but not. She captures these captivating images with just a cell phone camera.

 

Laurence, your pictures are so beautiful and captivating. How is it that you are able to capture such beautiful images?

I love nature, its beauty, its light, its transparency color, the mood and atmosphere it gives off. Not only my eyes that see but all my being that feels this energy I feel beautiful and the imperative need to take the photos.

When they are old buildings or houses, I always think about those who built them. La Rochelle is a very old city and can be understood according to the architecture history of the city.

Have you ever had any professional training in photography?

I have no training in photography. I am a contemplative and let myself be lulled by instinct, the moment and feel.

 

What do you do for a living?

My job is secretary to an association of assistance to job seekers in their job search.

 

You are also a Mom. How many children do you have and what are their ages?

Yes I am mother of two children. My son is 9 years and my daughter 7 years 8 months.

 

Back to the photography, what kind of camera do you use?

I use a simple camera and not professional: Casio. My first pictures were taken with my mobile phone …

 

Why do you take pictures? What does it mean to you or do for you?

Because I am very curious about everything! Nature, animals, people or monuments — everything interests me and fascinates me. Every day, hour, season, weather gives a different aspect to the same landscape (for example).

Taking pictures outdoors makes me calm as I am completely taken by all the beauty around me. It excites me so much that I cannot wait to see the result of my shots on my computer …

 

What do you plan to do with your photos? You obviously have a gift. What do you want from it?

Nothing more than to enjoy myself watching them, share them with family and post them on some sites. A friend of a hospital volunteer who saw my photos on facebook asked me if I would participate in a photo exhibition organized by the hospital. For now I have not responded to his request …

 

 

EN FRANCAIS

Laurence Berthier est de la France et parle francais, donc cette interview est public en francais et en anglais. Elle a retenu notre attention par le partage de belles images. Nous avons pense qu’elle tait un photographe professionnel, mais non. Elle capture ces images captivantes avec juste un telephone portable.

 

Laurence, vos photos sont tellement belles et captivantes. Comment est-il que vous etes capable de capturer ces belles images?

J’aime la nature, sa beauté, sa lumiere, sa couleur de transparence, l’ambiance et l’atmosph¨re qu’elle degage. Non seulement mes yeux qui voient, mais tout mon etre qui se sent cette energie Je me sens belle et la necessite imperieuse de prendre des photos.

Quand ils sont de vieux bâtiments ou de maisons, je pense toujours ceux qui les ont construits. La Rochelle est une ville tres ancienne et peut etre compris en fonction de l’histoire de l’architecture de la ville.

 

Avez-vous jamais eu aucune formation professionnelle dans la photographie?

Je n’ai aucune formation en photographie. Je suis un contemplatif et me laisse bercer par l’instinct, le moment et la sensation.

 

Que fais-tu pour vivre?

Mon travail est secretaire d’une association d’aide aux demandeurs d’emploi dans leur recherche d’emploi.

 

Vous etes egalement une maman. Combien d’enfants avez-vous et quelles sont leurs ages?

Oui, je suis ma re de deux enfants. Mon fils a 9 ans et ma fille de 7 ans et 8 mois.

 

Retour la photographie - ce genre d’appareil que vous utilisez?

J’utilise un appareil photo simple et pas professionnel: Casio. Mes premières photos ont prises avec mon telephone portable

 

Pourquoi pensez-vous de prendre des photos? Qu’est-ce que cela signifie pour vous ou pour vous?

Parce que je suis très curieux de tout! Nature, animaux, personnes ou de monuments - tout m’interesse et me fascine. Chaque jour, heure, saison, la m donne un aspect different de la meme paysage (par exemple). Prendre des photos en extrieur me fait calme que je suis complitement pris par toute la beauti autour de moi.


Elle m’excite tellement que je ne peux pas attendre pour voir le resultat de mes photos sur mon ordinateur

Que comptez-vous faire avec vos photos? Vous avez avidemment un cadeau. Que voulez-vous de lui?

Rien de plus que moi de profiter de les regarder, les partager avec famille et les afficher sur certains sites. Un ami d’un benevole de l’hôpital qui ont vu mes photos sur facebook m’a demande si je voulais participer à une exposition de photos organise par l’hospital. Pour l’instant je n’ai pas respondu sa demande …

 

See a video of Laurence’s Photos

 

 

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African Hair Products, Sold By Us to Us!

I could not help but post this information on the internet. I found FuFu’s!!

Dean, owner of FUFU'S

 

I have been looking for an African or African American owned hair care products store for years and I finally found one!

 

Dean is an African man who owns not just one, but two beauty supply and variety stores in Springfield, Massachusetts. The stores are located at:

 

813 State Street, Springfield, MA  413.363.9982  and

605 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA  413.306.3160

 

Dean’s cell phone number is 413.33-.4756.

his email address is: dine700@yahoo.com.

 

I appreciate being able to go to an African to buy my hair products.  After all, who knows our hair better than us?

 

With every visit to the store, I have been met with people who know my hair better than I do.  They have great advice and great service ladies AND gentlemen.  They also do braids.

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Stanwyck Cromwell – "the Black Eyed Pea Artist"

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The Art of Balam Soto



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Developing Cooperative Art in Children – Dr. Corrine Varon Green

The artist in Dr. Corinne Varon-Green emerged when she lost her voice.  Coming from Peru to America and not being able to speak English widened her eyes and her vision of all of the expressions around her. She gives this gift to children, helping them to express the artist in themselves.  She helped establish a school for Spanish-speaking children and English-speaking ones and shows them how to use their own innate talents to develop self-esteem, cooperation and teamwork with others through art.
Video is 14 min. 42 sec.



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Art With Balam Soto – 2

Someone asked him why he “wasted his time working with inner-city kids.”  Balam explained that we have to take care of the generation behind us.  He has young daughters and the generation that he is working with is going to help them.  “Help society and improve the economy…”  So, there is a continuous cycle that needs to repeat itself.  It’s up to us to repeat it.  He’s very socially-conscious and actively involved in the workings of society.

His work with inner-city children has changed lives and perspectives.  He tells us that children who, when they first come to him, draw guns begin to transform and start drawing their homes with beautiful scenery and flowers.  He is changing lives from the inside out.

Artists can’t put themselves in a box and just create.  Their art and their thinking is responsible for creating new waves in society.  They must be involved and Balam, who carries the spirit of the Jaguar, is.

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Art With Balam Soto

The walls in his home are covered with his art. You are escorted down the hallway by large, colorful pieces on the walls. Then as you enter the wide open space, you can’t help but be taken in by the magnificence of the art and the spaciousness.  High ceilings and large windows are complimented by all of Balam’s colorful work.  They speak of his culture and his brilliance.  You forget where you are.  We felt instantly at home and at peace. There is a wonderful spirit there.

Balam means jaguar. Because of its power, the jaguar has no predators. It moves quietly and gracefully with full confidence in the jungle. It is respected. This is Balam.  A socially-conscious artist who creates as he moves through life quietly and confidently with grace and peace. He is highly respected as an artist in his home country (Guatemala) and in the US. And he is humbled and surprised by the recognition he receives because he is simply creating art and living his life.  He tells us how he got there and what he’s doing.

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