WWII Re-enactors, Ste. Marie duMont, Normandy France, photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
STE. MARIE DUMONT, WWII RE-ENACTORS: WWII re-enactors descend on Normandy in France each June. Community festivals are held. Battles on beaches are re-enacted. All kinds of military equipment is on display and on the roads. It’s been said that on these weekends, there are more jeeps in Normandy than during the D-Day landings. Swap meets are terrific places to see the re-enactors in their full gear. Most are French citizens, but many come over from England. I have even seen re-enactors from former Soviet-bloc countries participating. The small village of Ste. Marie duMont in one of the many communities in the region where celebrations are held with re-enactors out in force. Almost all take on the roles of American soldiers.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X with a Nikkor 70-300mm lens at 210mm, f6.3, 1/500 sec., ISO 800. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Remembrance Day 2012, photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
REMEMBRANCE DAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012: Top photo: Canadian flag and Calgary Highlanders, Juno Beach Centre D-Day Commemoration, June 6th, 2010. Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X, Nikkor 70-300mm lens at 300mm, f20, 1/640 sec. ISO 800. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography.
Bottom two photos: Queen’s Own Rifles House, Juno Beach; D-Day and modern day photos. Click here for an account of the D-Day landing by the Queen’s Own Rifles: http://www.members.shaw.ca/junobeach/juno-4-1.htm
Share this:
Remembrance: Vimy Canadian Cemetery, France, photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
REMEMBRANCE: VIMY CANADIAN CEMETERY, FRANCE: Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200 lens at 127mm, f22, 1/125 sec. ISO 1000. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Windmill Near Mont St. Michel, Beauvoir, France, photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
WINDMILL NEAR MONT ST. MICHEL, BEAUVOIR, FRANCE: It’s not easy finding a new perspective from which to photograph Mont St. Michel. It must be one the most photographed sites in all of France. Driving across the countryside, looking for a new angle, I spotted this well-known (to others, not to me until then) windmill perched atop a ridge in a field. Windmills have been in use in the area for hundreds of years. Now, an ambitious wind generation plan is said to be compromising Mont St. Michel, a UNESCO heritage site. The wind farms are part of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s plans to generate electricity from alternate sources. UNESCO, along with local authorities preservationists across France, are concerned that the proposed wind turbines will be a blight on the landscape and compromise the spectacular views of Mont St. Michel. I could not agree more. This windmill is located near Beauvoir in the Lower Normandy Region. Nearby are the towns of Saint-Georges-de-Gréhaigne and Tanis.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor 16-85 lens at 85mm. f/16, 1/200 sec, ISO 800. Photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
Share this:
Marechal Foch Tomb, Paris, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
FERDINAND FOCH TOMB, PARIS, FRANCE: This is the tomb for Ferdinand Foch. He died on March 20, 1929, and was interred
in Les Invalides, in Paris, near the tomb of Napoleon. Foch is considered to be one of France’s greatest military minds. (He must have been smart; they even named a variety of wine grape after him!) Foch rose quickly through the ranks during World War I and was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Armies on March 26, 1918 with the title of ‘Generalissime’ (supreme General). Foch believed that the Treaty of Versailles a “treason” because only the permanent occupation of the Rhineland would prevent future German aggression. As the treaty was being signed Foch reportedly said: “This is not peace. It is an armistice for 20 years.” His words were prophetic. World War II started just twenty years and sixty five days later. The tomb is located one level above that of Napoleon.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X, with a Nikkor 70-300mm lens at 127mm, f5.3, 1/15th sec., ISO 800. Image by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Juno Beach Remembered, Normandy, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
BEACH REMEMBERED, NORMANDY, FRANCE: June 6 is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Operation Overlord. The Canadians took Juno Beach that day. They landed near Courseulles. Advance bombardments by air and sea before the landings had done a good job. German beach defenses were quickly stopped, with some accounts noting that Canadian landing craft were not being shot at just 15 minutes after the Juno assault began. Today, the shoreline looks much as it did almost 70 years ago. Period photos show many landmarks that still exist today. The top photo shows defeated German troops guarded by their Canadian captor. The bottom photo is a modern day shot near the same spot. John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Poppies Against a Blue Sky, Northern France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
POPPIES AGAINST A BLUE SKY, NORTHERN FRANCE: Poppies are widely recognized as a flower of remembrance. The poppy become a strong emblem remembrance due in large part to the famous poem, In Flanders Fields written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who wrote the poem on May 3, 1915. As a Canadian traveler in northern France, it is impossible not to notice the ubiquitous flower. Most Commonwealth countries observe one or two minutes of silence each year on November 11th at 11:00 a.m. (eleventh day of the eleventh month at the eleventh hour).
Photo illustration by John Ecker | Pantheon Photography
Share this:
Thiepval British Memorial, Picardie, France
THIEPVAL BRITISH MEMORIAL, THIEPVAL, PICARDIE, FRANCE: Britain’s largest World War I memorial is found in northern France near Thiepval in Picardie. The structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Started in 1928, it was completed in four years and inaugurated by the Prince of Wales on July 31st 1932. The battlefield monument required extensive reinforcement to its foundations due to war-time tunneling. The memorial is reserved for missing or unidentified soldiers with no known grave. The Portland Stone piers bear the names of over 72,000 men lost in the Somme battles. Visitors may wonder why there are gaps in the stone between some names. This is because the names of soldiers whose graves were subsequently found are removed from the memorial.
April 17th is an important date in World War I history, so the date of this post is no coincidence. April 17, 1915 was the date of the British assault on Hill 60 when the Brits blew up several mines under German positions. It served as a turning point and was the prelude to the Second Battle of Ypres. This is also the date of the arrival of the 1st Canadian Division in France. On French soil for just five days, the Canadians were moved to the front lines where they found themselves in the biggest defensive fight to that point by Canadian troops. April 17, 1917 is also a momentous if not ignominious date for the French. After France’s disastrous Nivelle Offensive, French infantry started to mutiny in protest of the military leadership and trench conditions. By the time the mutinies subsided several months later, over 35,000 soldiers were found to be involved with 68 out of 112 French divisions affected. Fewer than 3,000 men were punished.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, with a Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm lens at 20mm, f25, 1/400th second, ISO 2000. Photo by John Ecker | Pantheon Photography
Share this:
Canadian Memorial, Vimy, France
CANADIAN MEMORIAL, VIMY, FRANCE: I’ve visited Canada’s Memorial a few times over the years. Each time, the skies have been mostly gloomy, adding an even great sense of solemnity. When the clouds do break, and the sun shines on the bright white stone, the sight’s true beauty emerges. The memorial overlooks the Douai plain in northern France, about ten kilometers from the town of Arras.
On April 9, 1917 the Canadian Corps was ordered to seize Vimy Ridge. The heavily-fortified seven-kilometre ridge held a commanding view over the Allied lines. Previous French attacks had failed with over 100,000 casualties.
The names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who were killed in France and whose final resting place was then unknown are carved into the stone. Facing the Douai visitors can see other places where Canadians fought and died. 7,000 plus more are buried in 30 war cemeteries within a 20-kilometre radius of the Memorial.
At the base of the Memorial, these words appear:
To the valour of their
Countrymen in the Great War
And in memory of their sixty
Thousand dead this monument
Is raised by the people of Canada
The Memorial was designed by Canadian architect and sculptor Walter Allward. The foundation of the memorial is a bed of 11,000 tonnes of concrete. It is reinforced with hundreds of tonnes of steel. The figures were carved on site. The large cloaked figure on the front (east) side, was carved from a single, 30-tonne block.
Over the decades, the memorial became weather worn and damaged by the elements. In 2007 a major re-construction and restoration project was completed. The work was massive. The main elements of the memorial were pretty much dismantled. The monument was re-pointed; damaged stone was replaced; lighting and draining was improved.
Many people assume that the ‘front’ of the memorial is on the approach from the parking area. On the contrary the front is actually on the opposite side. To full appreciate this sculpture, it is necessary to walk to the edge of the lawn in front of the monument, with your back to the Douai plain.
Nearby the memorial is the Vimy Canadian Cemetery. Row, upon row of graves– many without names.
Photos by John Ecker | Pantheon Photography
Share this:
Poppy in Wheat field, Northern France
POPPY IN WHEAT FIELD, NORTHERN FRANCE: Spring will soon be here and the poppies will emerge in Northern France. The poppy is, of course, a flower of remembrance. Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote his famous poem “In Flanders Fields” around May 3, 1915, lamenting the loss of a close friend in battle. Pretty well every school child in Canada knows the poem and it’s publicly recited year after year on November 11th. Poppies can be seen all along country roads in France and Belgium. This one was growing in a wheat field.
Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X, Nikkor AF-S 18-200 zoom lens at 145mm., f13, 1/640 sec, ISO 800.
Photo by John Ecker | Pantheon
Share this:
Tomb of Clovis I, St. Denis, Paris
TOMB OF CLOVIS I, ST. DENIS, PARIS: The Abbey of St. Denis is about roughly four miles north of Paris. St. Denis was the first bishop of Paris and martyred in 270. In 630 King Dagobert founded an abbey for Benedictine monks and built a large basilica on the site. In 750, Charlemagne began construction of a new church which, according to popular belief, was constructed with the assistance of Jesus Christ. In person. Around 1140, Suger, the Abbott of St. Denis, commenced the building of the current structure, one of the earliest Gothic churches. The remains of virtually all of France’s Kings and Queens now rest here. Their locations in building are on this Map of St. Denis Tombs. This photo is of the tomb of Clovis I, (466 – 511) first King of the Franks and a convert to Catholicism. Also see my photo of the beautiful St. Denis Rose Window. Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm at 55mm, 1/60 sec. f10, 3200 ISO. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Candles, Note-Dame de Reims, France
CANDLES, NOTRE-DAME DE REIMS, FRANCE: Most, though not all Roman Catholic churches, have places where visitors can light candles. It’s believed that the practice began with people lighting candles at the tombs of martyrs in the catacombs. The candles were lit to show solidarity—a silent vigil— with other Catholics. They became known as vigil lights. Lighting a candle is a way to extend prayer. Candles are also symbolic of Christ—“I am the Light of the World”. In major Catholic cathedrals, the lighting of candles is very popular with visitors– pilgrims to the church. These candles were shot in Reims Cathedral. The solitary red candle serves as a focal point in the photograph. Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 16-85 mm lens at 16m, 1/10 sec. f.3.6 ISO 800. Photo by John Ecker | Pantheon
Share this:
Chagall Windows, Reims Cathedral, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
CHAGALL WINDOWS, REIMS CATHEDRAL, FRANCE: The Cathedral of Notre Dame at Reims is an excellent Gothic cathedral that is uncomplicated and straightforward in its layout and execution. Like other French cathedrals, Reims was not spared in the First or Second World Wars. It caught fire in 1918 during a bombardment and lead from the roof oozed through the mouths of the gargoyle rain spouts. Five chapels are tightly placed around the ambulatory and are fairly shallow. The ‘axial’ chapel is slightly deeper and it is here where the beautiful Marc Chagall windows dazzle visitors. Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 16-85 lens at 16mm, 1/6 second, f3.5, ISO 800. Photo by John Ecker
Share this:
Cathedral of Notre Dame, Noyon, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
CATHEDRAL OF NOTRE DAME, NOYON, FRANCE: This battle-scarred cathedral is still a wonder to visit. This is where Charlemagne was crowned in 768, as was the first Capetian King, Hugh Capet, in 987. That original cathedral burned in 1131, and then was rebuilt between 1145 and 1235. It is an excellent example of early Gothic architecture in France. The Town of Noyon was occupied by German forces in both the First and Second World Wars. Internal and external walls still reveal the damage from the battles that raged in Noyon. This photo shows scattered shrapnel damage on an exterior wall, a permanent reminder of the wars that have ravaged this beautiful cathedral. Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm lens at 34mm, f11, 1/640 sec. ISO 2000. Photo by John Ecker.
Share this:
Mumm’s Champagne Cellars, Reims, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
MUMM’S CHAMPAGNE CELLARS, REIMS, FRANCE: The tour at Mumm’s in Reims is excellent. It’s centrally located, about a 5 minute drive from the Cathedral. Even in mid-summer, the deep chalk tunnels maintain their fairly constant 52F / 11C temperature. Like every well-run tour, it ends in the gift shop! Mumm’s shop has many logo’d items– from pens to Champagne stoppers– all reasonably priced. As for the bubbly on offer, the shop prices are not discounted. So the only advantage of buying there instead of near home is the thrill of getting it at the source. Fun Fact: Mumm’s is pronounced “Mooom’s”, not “Mum’s.” Shooting without flash in the dim tunnels is next to impossible. Shot handheld/braced, Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm lens at 65mm, f 5.6, 1/8 sec, ISO 4000. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Flower Field, Northern France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
FLOWER FIELD, NORTHERN FRANCE: Poppies dot the landscape of northern France. Their bright red colour and symbolism as the flower of remembrance can make them a compelling feature in photographs. As I composed this shot, I recalled something one of my photography professors shared years ago when I was in college. He believed that any photo that included a person became a photo of a person. His point was that the mere presence of a person in a photo established both its context and focal point. Applying my old prof’s maxim to this shot, the scarecrow is a person in effigy, thereby strongly drawing the viewer’s attention to it. What do you think– does the inclusion of a person in a photo establish a strong focal point? Shot handheld with a Nikon, D300, Nikkor 70 – 300 mm at 127 mm, 1/400 sec, f29, ISO 200.
Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Mont St. Michel, Normandy, France,photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
MONT ST. MICHEL, FRANCE: This small rocky island on the coast of Normandy is home to a medieval Benedictine Abbey. Legend has it that the archangel Michael appeared before St. Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, in 708. The archangel told the Bishop to build a church on the site. The Bishop ignored the call, until Michael burned a hole in the Bishop’s skull with his finger. Construction began soon after! The site was dedicated to Michael on October 16, 708. Mont St. Michel has primarily served as a Benedictine Abbey, but during the French revolution it was converted to a prison. Victor Hugo was a vocal proponent of Mont St. Michel and helped to have the prison closed in 1863. The following year it was declared an historic monument. Over a century later, in 1979, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This has to be one of the most photographed sites in the world. Finding a unique perspective is hard to do. This photo was captured travelling the hard to find paths and small country roads. Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X, Nikkor AF-S 70 – 300mm lens at 225mm, 1/500 sec., f16, 800 ISO. P
hoto by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Moët et Chandon, Épernay, Champagne Region, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
MOËT ET CHANDON, EPERNAY, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE: The Moët et Chandon cellars are found in Épernay in the Champagne region of France. Tours are held daily and guides share their exuberant passion for the ‘Champagne method’. While much is made of the labour intensive methods of old, including hand riddling (turning bottles), that part of the process is now mostly mechanized. Their most popular label is the prestigious Dom Pérignon line of vintage Champagnes. Tour guides make it clear Moët is correctly pronounced “m-wett” (Dutch origin) not, “mo-way.” No matter how you say it, what matters most is what comes out of the bottle. Fun Fact: Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne 2000 was released in October 2010. The 1500 ml. bottle is $575.00 Cdn. The Robert Parker Guide gives it a score of 94.
Shot handheld, Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm lens at 225mm, f5.6, 1/30 sec, 1600 ISO. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Juno Beach, Normandy, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
JUNO BEACH, NORMANDY, FRANCE: On Tuesday, June 6th, 1944, soldiers from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and the 2nd Armoured Brigade stormed the Normandy beach codenamed “Juno” as part of Operation Overlord, the audacious attack on the Nazi occupied and heavily-fortified French Coast. Juno was an eight-kilometre stretch of beach near the town of Courseulles-sur-Mer. That day, 574 men of the 3rd Canadian Division were wounded and 340 were killed. Today, remnants of the German fortifications remain along the Normandy beaches, including Juno. The story of Canada’s role in the Allied invasion is well-told at the Juno Beach Centre. This photo was taken at low tide. The camera position gives a stone’s-view perspective near the Juno Beach Centre, looking out across the English Channel. Shot with a Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 16-85 mm lens at 16mm, 1/60 sec, f22, ISO 800. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Behind the Garden Gate, Laon, France
BEHIND THE GARDEN GATE, LAON, FRANCE: Another favourite shot from Laon, France in the northern Champagne region. Around the great Gothic cathedral are many other old stone buildings. Opposite the western façade of the cathedral is a narrow passage that emerges in a pretty street lined with shops and residences. Walking through the passage, I was attracted to light poking through the slats of a fence and garden gate. This photo was taken while reaching over the gate to take the shot, not knowing what I would get. The green moss between the cobblestones glows in the afternoon light. What a peaceful, quiet place. Shot handheld with a Nikon D40X, 18-200 AF-S DX lens at 18mm. f8, 1/50 second, ISO 1600. Photo by John Ecker
Share this:
Timber Frame Buildings, Troyes, Francephoto by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography,
TIMBER FRAME BUILDINGS, TROYES, FRANCE: The rain that day provided even lighting for this shot of Timber Frame buildings in the old French city of Troyes. I was driving along the narrow street when I was captured by the vibrant sequence of red, yellow and green painted homes. Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200 VR lens,at 127mm, f/11, 1/125 sec, ISO 1600.
Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Ruelle des Chats, Troyes, France, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
RUELLE DES CHATS, TROYES, FRANCE: Troyes, in the Champagne region is famous three things. It is here where the Troyes Ounce was established, a standard unit measure for gold. It is also one of the few places in France with a massive outlet mall (okay, that’s a dubious distinction). And finally, Troyes has wonderful timber frame buildings throughout its core. What a wonderful place. These girls were on school outing when the skipped down Ruelle des Chats and I was there to capture this carefree moment. Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm lens at 24mm, f6.3, 1/60 sec. ISO 1600 Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Remembrance: Vimy Canadian Cemetery, France,photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
REMEMBRANCE: VIMY CANADIAN CEMETERY, FRANCE: Shot handheld with a Nikon D300, Nikkor 18-200 lens at 127mm, f22, 1/125 sec. ISO 1000. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Share this:
Beaumont-Hamel, France, Battle of the Somme, 1916, photo by John Ecker, Pantheon Photography
BEAUMONT-HAMEL, FRANCE, BATTLE OF THE SOMME, 1916. Click here for my story about Beaumont-Hamel. Photo by John Ecker | pantheon photography
Pantheon
pantheon photography | john ecker 