Friday, July 11, 2008

Shades of Gray: Life from an Amateurs Lens

I have a thing for life's non-post card moments, for I am convinced that therein lies the truth.It is in these shades of gray, that the majority of the populace often color their existence. Sometimes my words are intimidated by the realities of these gray areas, so I am learning to drop my pen, and speak through my camera..

Home to the Eiffel Tower, and the homeless:










High Fashion:



Another Day, Another Euro:




“All I wanted was to connect my moods with those of Paris. Beauty paints and when it painted most, I shot.”
Ernst Haas




**Note: Please do not use any picture without my permission. Thank you!**

90 comments:

bArOquE said...

wait a frigging minute, did you take those pictures yourself? ils sont très professionnels, très belle

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

Yes I did:-) Im still a huge amateur, but I want to take a course eventually. Merci!

bArOquE said...

WOW...see you in class then...à plus tard

Chari said...

2nd!

wow...neva tot I'd c d day!

Nice pics ooo..are u sure ur an amature??? hmm? hmm?

Femi Adeyemi said...

not bad for an amateur,lol.
hmm guess those are the famous gucchi and louie vutton bags, lmao.

thanks for your kind words on my blog, my weekend is officially a bore.

take good care and keep on with your camera.

Afrobabe said...

hmmm...the pics actually dont look amaturish...good work...

Desy said...

these pictures are beautiful. niga, you have a tremendous talent... and the color tint is the ideal and really punches up the effect of the photo

flawsandall said...

wow...u always amaze me everytime..fucking awesome...and far from amateurish..
what are the specs for your camera?

Anonymous said...

Oooo, loving this! I heart photography! :) Great pics dear, they speak volumes!

Anonymous said...

I want to take a course eventually too!!

Unknown said...

You, an amateur?! You have got to be joking. You always speak well-pen or camera.

Parakeet said...

Well done gurl...I think France unleashes some creative residues in you guys. I know some other guy who schools in France and my God! is he talented?...

Bombchell said...

those are pretty

Kiibaati said...

Not exactly the "see paris" and die we used to long for!

Enigma said...

Amazing...*im clapping* i have great respect for words through photography.. im into photoart myself

Amateur? nah...you are doing a great job!

Anonymous said...

Those are stunning photographs.

I'd love to know which camera you have mastered to take such great shots...I'm camera shopping you see :)

bumight said...

I guess there are many shades of paris afterall!

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

@Baroque: à bientôt!
@Charizard: Yay you were second!!! Oya clap for yourself!lol. Yes oh, im still very much an amateur by professional standards, but Thank You! Good luck this week on Blogville Idols:-)
@The Genius Within: Yes oh, those are the famous Gushi, Loui Vuitton,Tommy Hilfinger and Channel bags,LOL Hope some excitement came your way this weekend!!
@Afrobabe: Thanks alot babes! How u dey?
@Desy: Dont make my head grow 5 times its normal size!LOL. Thank you so much Babes, and congratulations once again on passing your certification test!
@Zephi: Wow, thank you so much! My head has officially swelled! My camera is regular nothing special oh: Its the Kodak M853, 8.2 Megapixels. I got it on sale sef,lol.
@Minky: Im so glad you were able to appreciate what I was trying to say with these pictures! What kind of class were you hoping to take? Im looking into Black&White, as well as Photojournalism...
@Olu: These kind of compliments are bad for my health! They may cause a syndrom known as 'overconfidence complex', LOL. Thank you so much!
@Parakeet: I completely agree. There are some cities that just get all your creative juices flowing-and others (like where I am right now), where you have to look deep within yourself for any sort of inspiration!
@Bombchell: Thanks alot!
@Kiibati: And that is my point exactly! Postcards and travel magazines tend to leave out some of the more prevalent truths...
@Enigma: *Blushing* Thank you so much. Its always g8 to find people who are into photoart. I hope to see some of your work soon!
@GNG: Thank you ever so much! My camera is a Kodak M853, 8.2 Megapixels..
@Bumight: Exactly! Beyond the tourist attractions, there are those shades of gray, where the majority of the populace color their existence!

Ella Gregory said...

The grey tint certainly sets the tone of the pictures.

theicequeen said...

nice pictures..im in love with black nd white photography!!!so the grey tint is fahbulous to me...

nd there are some thngs tht only a picture can describe...

Tairebabs said...

Your pictures are beautiful and carry a message. That's what makes a good picture. Glad you put up your signature on them for copyright purposes. I love photography as well. Used to take loads of pictures when anywhere I could. Haven't done that in awhile though.

Unknown said...

At the risk of sounding cliche, pictures often say what a thousand words cannot say. LOL at high fashion.

Onada - Fashion and Photography said...

chick! you got some amazing shots here! I totally love what you captured!

Smaragd said...

once again i am late, forgive me Cherie.

ur pictures are tres fantastique! and the message on each cldnt be clearer... good job mignonne.

i just read ur last post on FGM, u are soo on point. and the "indecent dressing bill", i was just going to write about that!

i asked my mom if i was circumcised, she said no but i dont believe her. i dont even know how to know if i am!

there are NGO's in Nigeria currently fighting against it though, maybe just not fighting hard enough.

ejura said...

If beauty paints these kind of pictures in Paris, I wonder what then paints the pictures in some parts of Lagos.

Aya fa, that man didn't drop anything in her hand?

Nice pics.Thanks for stopping by mine.
A bien tot!

@princesa: Well done ehn! Your french ain't bad at all. I tell you Nicholas Sarkozy would be impressed. Really!

Afronuts said...

Wow...Girl, you got the eye I tell you!
and Im serious because I did some photography and I know a good shooter when i see one...

I love that signpost shot.
And the fact that you gave ur shots a theme to follow

U go girl!

Flourishing Florida said...

these r not dat amateur! they tell all d story they need to

Carlang said...

A picture speaks a thousand words.

In the hands of a lady who gives words breathtaking light, i am deafened by the beauty of it all.

Nice pictures.
I hope to see more.

Unknown said...

nice pics
i am planning to take a course too so as soon as u find a school. send me the name.

Queen of My Castle said...

I love this. Most times we only get the glorified imformation in regards to most places, but I thank you for transporting us, via your talented lens, to the true heart and core of Paris.

Anonymous said...

Photojournalism sounds good. As for me, it is still just a thought.I haven't gotten as far as picking out what classes I want to take yet.

naijaleta said...

Great photography! Need I say more?

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

@Coco: Im glad the tint sent the message I was hoping it would!Thanks babes
@The Ice Queen: I adore black and white photography! Its great to find someone else who appreciates it. And yes, pictures sometimes fill the gaps that words can't.
@Tairebabs: Thank you so much babes.Hope you get back to take lots of pictures!
@Naijalines: Very high fashion oh! From Gushi to Luie Vuitton!LOL
@Onada: Coming from a fabulous photographer as yourself, I have the biggest head right now!!!Thanks babes
@Smarged: Pas du problemme ma amie et merci pour le compliment! Trust me, if you were mutilated, you would know!
@Ejura: It is a dream of mine to take pictures amidst the hustle and bustle of Lagos! I did a little project on Abuja once, and all my ''oyibo'' friends were surprised at how beautiful it is. Lagos would be a dream...i might be going there this christmas so we'll see! A bien tot cherie!
@Afronuts *Blushing*, I always appreciate your honesty-whether it comes in the form of criticism or compliments. Thank you so much!
@FFF: Thank you so much!
@Carlang: Now I have a stupid smile stuck on my face-how do I get it off?
@Tara Douglas: Where r u planning to take the course? They offer one at my college, and I was also considering a summer course at SPEOS in Paris. Google them-they are a very respected school. If your in the states alot of community colleges and universitis offer great black and white classes. Let me know where u r and Ill give you more info!
@Queen of my Castle: "The heart and core of Paris"-I couldnt put it any better! Im so glad you appreciate the non-touristy parts of Paris!
@Minky: I know I wont have time to take one this year either...but Ill look into it more next year.Let me know when you eventually take one!
@Naijaleta: Nope, you said enough:-) Thanks hun.
@

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Zena said...

I've always wanted to pick up photography, I'm just too lazy to do it

I read ur comment on my last post, yes I plan to go to law school. Working with NGO's has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, I used to tell my dad, I wanted to "help" people....
It's a long story, maybe I'll email you, I have a couple of questions for you

tankojjetty said...

Growing up...i thought it was rosy for anyone living in europe...the white men...
i didnt classify lebanese pple has white cause the ones i saw were beggars...
then i started watching movies and i still tgought they were props...
as i grew older i came to realise that, with all the industralization and all...
they were white pple that are beggars...
i realised that it isnt all rosy there...

Afrobabe said...

I'm good darling and u???

Duchess said...

those pics are cool...not looking amateurish at all.

Kira Aderne said...

it´s really surprising to see homeless in everywhere...

a kiss

kay-shawn said...

Paris is indeed a wonderful city, the city of love and romance. Shame about the homeless. Thanks for the comments on my blog. Much appreciated

Anonymous said...

NDQ abeg mail me on pinksatinpinksatin@yahoo.com ASAP!!!tanx

Buttercup said...

ur pictures spoke volumes...its such a shame that while we r complainin bout not havin a certain Louis Vouitton bag or the latest Jimmy Choo shoes, people out there r REALLY lackin the essentials..

Zayzee said...

amateur? u r better than me. good one my dear.

Allied said...

The pictures are lovely yet very sad

darkelcee said...

nice pictures but emmhhhh

i need to use them.....WITHOUT ur permission of course :)

Naija Sutra said...

You are good tho, u tuk this pictures, wow, ure good tho, really!!!!!

ablackjamesbond said...

lol @ high fashion.

Nice photos...from one amateur to another.

kay-shawn said...

Hello, it's only me, Kay-Shawn.

I'm sure you must have heard loads of funny and ridiculous chat-up lines. This time around on my blog I'm doing a collection of the silliest chat-up lines. Do you have any to share with us.

Your contribution is much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic shots )))

BlogVille Idol said...

ndq..how far??u get?

BlogVille Idol said...

dat was pinksatin

wellsbaba said...

is photography a hobby or somtin u'd wanna do proffessionally? n yeah,finally u have heard d track photocopy hey?...lol...

Aphrodite said...

Lovely pics!
You sure have atalent for photography dear.

You no gree sha o, u even water marked the pics,lol....

Anonymous said...

this was simply perfection... gorgeous gorgeous pictures... another day another talent.. this babe u never cease to amaze me...

guerreiranigeriana said...

...amateur?...for where?...these are damn good...between you, naapali and ablackjamesbond, supposed amateurs, i dare not post any of my efforts...

...you have a delightful eye!!!...i love what you have captured!!...the emotions...the humanity of it all...simply beautiful...i do look forward to more indeed!!!....

exschoolnerd said...

beautiful beautiful beautiful
thats all i can say...

dat 1 okrika babe said...

This B&W pictures are very good. I like the first and last pic alot, they speak volumes, contrast to the pics of what I think Paris is and looks like.

Great Pics NDQ

archiwiz said...

WOW!!! The romnticized notions of France have been shot out of the window. Great pics. I love taking pictures as well...What camera do you use? Perhaps you could increase (abi na decrease) the exposure to strengthen the contrast for next time.

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Moody Crab said...

Reminded me of those guys selling 'authentic' LVs and co. on Promenade des Anglais in Nice and Les Croisette in Cannes. These pictures made me miss Antibes *sigh*

How you doing? What is the status on the Law school? Why law school and not simple masters in Law?

Kemmie said...

wow, ndq! I've to say that some of these pics should be enlarged and framed in a gallery. Very impressive. I may actually need your services soon for a book... Let me know if u r interested. Paris was a blast- need to go back soonest! Rock on! K; )

Nigerian Drama Queen said...

@Zena: Just take a camera around with you..you'll be amazed at what u dicscover..especially since you live in city with so much to capture. I got all these shots in one day! Meanwhile, im coming to your blog to respond to the rest of your comment...
@tankojjetty: The subtle racism between Eastern Europeans and Western Europeans is crazy. Iv heard alot of French people refer to Eastern Europeans as 'Eurotrash'...funny, iv never really thought of Lebanese people as White people either..Thanks for stopping by!
@Afrobabe: So tired and stressed! You should give me your email address..
@Duchess: Thanks babes!
@KiraFashion: I know right! There is poverty everywhere...although some of these homeless people make small fortunes! Thats another story though...
@KayShawn: Yes, it is definately the city of romance. I dont know about love-but definately romance!
@Angerlgrotton: Thank you:-)
@Buttercup: Yup, there is more to Paris than Louis Vuittons and Diors...crazy innit?
@Uzezi: Its a lie, where have u been? im coming to your blog! Iv missed you!!!
@Wellsbaba: For now, its a hobby...eventually, I hope to take a class and make it a professional hobby. Human Rights Journalism kinda stuff....Yes, I downloaded it on itunes! Im lovin it...and Party Rider as well. How u dey?
@Ahprodite: How I go do now?LOL. Thank you so much babes..I was really apprehensive about putting these on here cuz I thought they wer awful. Its g8 to get good feedback
@ONB: My kindred spirit, thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate you constant affirmation. Merci!
@GNaija: Wow! Thank you, Thank you!So happy you liked em!
@Exschoolnerd: THANK YOU!THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!
@Okrika babe: Im so glad you got the message behind the pics. Thank you so much!
@Honeywell: Its funny, but the cliche 'a picture is worth a thousand words' never gets old. Pictures fill in the gaps that words leave. Im so glad you appreciated these...
@Archiwiz: Thank you so much for that tip! For now I have a regular Kodak..nothing special. Eventually, when I become more serious about this, I wanna get a really good camera and take a class, so I can learn more about Lighting, and contrast and all of that. Thank you so much babes! Let me know if you have any other suggstions!!
@Moody Crab: Ah Je manques Paris beacoup maintenant. T'es ou?You know what, Im coming to your page to respond...
@Kemmie: Thank you so so much! I want to print these out and keep em, kind of make a project out of my random pictures. Eventually, I want to take a class and have gallerie worthy stuff!Some day...
Im heading to your blog..

Afrobabe said...

sis, the month is almost over...oya update...

O'Dee said...

you take really good pictures.
Pic 4 reminds me of 2nd hand market in lagos.

Lighty 'neferet' Kopearl said...

far from amateur this is as fantastic as fantastic pictures get.

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Afrobabe said...

UPDATE NOWWWWWWWW!!!!

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

A side of France we never get to see, the realities of homeless are the realities of us all. Lovely pics, ma soeur

wellsbaba said...

checkin up on u....upload jare...

Marian said...

Amazing shots!
xx
Marian
THE HOUSE OF STYLE

Onada - Fashion and Photography said...

Hey missy! i answered your questions on my blog :)

Rayo said...

gosh, i love ur pictures, wish i could.

Kemmie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kemmie said...

I'm back. Thanks for your kind words in your mail...anything and everything inspires me to write. Glad you love my writing. Hey- you should add me to your blogroll..:) K

Anonymous said...

i came here to fight!!! oya update this babe... no palm wine or isi ewu or strawberry cheesecake can appease me... UPDATE~~~!!!

anonymous gal(retired blogger) said...

cant view the pictures.is it my browser? how are the cats

Anonymous said...

These are damn amazing lady! Damn amazing!

TheAfroBeat said...

ils sont tres sympa! first time on here, and just read your piece of FGM and Mme Cureil. Sad (@ how little has been done on our part to stop the carnage) and Inspiring (how much is already being done, and remains to be done).

Thanks for sharing!

Jaja said...

Nice pics. We will not use them without your permission.

NaijaBabe said...

wow
Deep

Parakeet said...

Where u dey madam?

Afrobabe said...

you will soon be fined!!!

Carlang said...

Did you drown?

La Reine said...

Big up to amateur photographers, the pics were nice but....


...where's the update..:( ?

Lady A said...

Nice pictures! Wow the different side of Paris. The different side of life. Thanks for sharing.

Lady A said...

Nice pictures! Wow the different side of Paris. The different side of life. Thanks for sharing.

Mz. Dee said...

updateeeeee hun!!!
miss u!

Elle Woods said...

nice pictures....sad to see ppl begging on the streets.

Couture Carrie said...

Beautiful photos!

Couture Carrie said...

Beautiful photos!