As I strolled along the curved pier of Saint-Malo during a tranquil early evening, my lens was poised to capture more than just the visual splendor of the setting sun against this historic French port city. The warm hues of the fading sky, blending with the cool blues of the advancing tide, seemed to echo the vibrant history of this storied place. Saint-Malo, known as the City of Corsairs, was once the King's own pirate haven. The stone ramparts, which my camera carefully focused on, have for centuries stood guard over the city and its notorious privateers, who were sanctioned by the monarchy to seize the ships of France's enemies.
As the sea's gentle waves caressed the sand, I reflected on the city's strategic role during the Second World War, when it was almost razed to the ground by Allied bombings aimed at ousting the German occupiers. The calmness of the water at that moment stood in stark contrast to the violence of the past, a testament to the city's resilience and rebirth. In my composition, I chose a small aperture to ensure sharpness throughout the scene, from the pebbles beneath my feet to the historic buildings, now meticulously rebuilt, that lined the horizon.
The camera settings were carefully chosen to allow for a long exposure, blurring the sea into a smooth expanse that lapped against a beach that has felt the footprints of both leisurely strollers and the boots of soldiers. The GPS coordinates embedded in the image, 48.6490° N, 2.0261° W, mark the exact location where I stood, between the timeless fortifications and the ever-changing sea.
This photograph of Saint-Malo, with its interplay of history and natural beauty, its fortifications reflecting the last rays of daylight, and its beach whispering the stories of old, is a tribute to the city's enduring spirit. It captures a moment of serenity that belies the turbulent history of this proud city, a jewel of Brittany that has withstood the tests of time and conflict with grace and fortitude.
