I was in the midst of a 7½-week assignment in Europe, photographing 13 designer outlet centers in 7 countries for McArthurGlen, Europe’s largest developer of such facilities.
I found myself at one of their centers in France, just outside the city of Troyes. I stayed at a small boutique hotel that the center had recommended, located in the historic part of town. Walking to find a restaurant for dinner became a delightful adventure, as I explored buildings, shops, and bistros that had been there for a very long time.
On the day of my departure, I had plenty of time after breakfast for a walkabout, this time with my camera bag in tow. I often mention my attraction to texture, and the side of this building had it in abundance. The different shades of yellow, coupled with the crack winding around the window and exiting at the upper right, presented a remarkable composition. The scene almost composed itself. You could almost feel the age inherent in the structure. And the shades of yellow? Let’s just say, in French, magnifique!
