The Frenchman is first and foremost a man. He is likeable often just because of his weaknesses, which are always thoroughly human, even if despicable.

I can't decide: standard brooding, handsome – yet slightly dangerous – Henry [above]; or La Nouvelle Vague cinéma menaçant, attractif - encore un peu dangereux - Henri [below]?


I remain slightly tentative about manipulating the photographs that I choose to post here, which is really quite strange because back in the dark ages, when I could regularly be found in a dark room surrounded by the (rather alluring) odour of sodium thiosulfate, acetic acid and all manner of chemical goodness, I routinely experimented with the form. Ink, paint, acid, chalk, varied exposure times, solarisation, I didn’t care. You name it, I’d happy splash it about. So why do I feel like manipulating a digital image is a wee bit wrong?

At first I thought that it might well be the ease of digital manipulation, but that’s plain silly. In terms of my foray into ‘traditional prints’, the greatest praise was conferred on a series where I ended up mindlessly flicking coloured ink on some unwanted prints with a straw.

I'm not sure. I'll have to think about it.

Anyway, today's photo was taken yesterday afternoon while we lounged by the dock eating ice creams after work. Henry was eyeing off some young female backpackers at the time (and doing well, I might add), so that should explain the look.