Beynac served as our base for exploring the Dordogne Valley. I captured this scene one evening as the sun was setting. Stone patterns create leading lines in this composition as the last rays of the sun struck the wall in the distance. The detail in the stone textures of this image are amazing.

We spent two nights in St Cirq Lapopie, an old medieval village built into the side of a hill overlooking the Lot River valley. The village sees day tripping tourists come and go but by evening we had the place to ourselves.

I woke up on the first morning of my stay in St Cirq and went out to photograph the stone arch leading into our village. To my surprise, the village was filled with fog which lingered late into the morning. This is my favorite image that captured the feel of the morning. A gallery in which I displayed this image once had someone insist that I "Photoshopped" this scene because it was too good to be real. All I can say is that I am not good enough with Photoshop to create something like this.

This scene has been a favorite among buyers. The composition owes a great deal to lens/focal length choice coupled with lighting. I used a long focal length to compress the view. There is an entire valley and river between these towers and the distant hill. The sun was already setting behind the hills and the light was pretty even except for the last sunlight softly bathing the hill on the far side of the river.

This is the first in a series of photographs I have titled "Down the Lane in Beynac". The village of Beynac is built on the side of a hill overlooking the Dordogne River Valley which is seen in the distance. Honey colored stone houses line narrow cobblestone lanes and there are these little street lamps hanging from the walls all around the town. It is quite picturesque.

Quaint stone houses and little lanes make Beynac a pleasant place to relax and explore the Dordogne Valley.

We were driving through the village of Loubressac and decided to stop and walk around for a bit when I spied this home. It was too quaimt to pass up.

The village of Domme is another town in the Dordogne Valley. It sits high atop a hill with a commanding view of the Dordogne River below. This shuttered window and balcony adorned a home there.

This photograph has been sepia toned digitally to enhance the old world feel of the medieval village of St Cirq Lapopie. As fog rolled down the hill one evening it began to envelope the village in a shroud of mystery.

Walking around the village of St Cirq Lapopie in early morning fog was surreal. There was no one around, it was quiet and peaceful... just me and an old medieval village.

This photograph has been digitally toned and softened to create a dreamy feel. I use such techniques sparingly but once in a while, I feel that a scene can best convey the ambiance with such an alteration. I think it works with this one.

Beynac served as our base for exploring the Dordogne Valley. I captured this scene one evening as the sun was setting. Stone patterns create leading lines in this composition as the last rays of the sun struck the wall in the distance. The detail in the stone textures of this image are amazing.

The fog in Beynac lingered until mid-morning on the autumn days when we visited. Walking the steep cobblestone streets on these foggy mornings was indeed therapeutic.

One of the advantages of visiting Europe in the fall is seeing the ivy climbing up walls and homes turning red. The red ivy in this scene adds a splash of color to this quaint little lane in the medieval village of St Cirq Lapopie.

Sarlat is the largest town in the Dordogne Valley. Although it is more crowded and visited by tourists, one can still find some quiet little lanes in the old medieval part of town.

I was drawn by the last light of day as it struck this building in Sarlat. This light did not last long but it required I climb up on top of a wall with my tripod to get the right vantage point. I had to work quickly but it turned out successful.

The fog in Beynac lingered until mid-morning on the autumn days when we visited. Walking the steep cobblestone streets on these foggy mornings was indeed therapeutic.

Early morning in the medieval village of Sarlat is the peaceful time. Before the inhabitants are out and the tourists arrive one can wander the streets in peace and solitude.