Keys to Photographing Le Canal du Midi

On Sunday my host Raoul took me on a bike ride along the Canal du Midi. It's like the C&O canal in DC except businessman don't cut down trees along the canal that block the view from their mansion.

Riding back I noticed a gorgeous field of sunflowers just on the other side of the canal, protected by a barbed wire fence. The flowers obviously needed to be photographed. Monday, I obliged the sunflowers. I learned a lot along the way. Enough to present to you:

The Keys to Photographing Sunflowers along the Canal du Midi in Southern France

1) Do not, under any circumstances, bring a map. French roads are generally laid out in a circular pattern, as opposed to English streets which use a grid pattern. Also, all the houses in suburban France conveniently look the same. This is perfect when searching for a field of sunflowers. Not only won't you find the sunflowers, but your frustration will be compounded when you realize you're incapable of finding a HUGE FIELD OF SUNFLOWERS.

2) Make sure you bring a heavy metal camera-stand that's large and black and doesn't fit in your backpack. That way, when you ride down the streets of Toulouse, all the French people will think you're carrying a semi-automatic rifle.

3) If you do nothing else, go in the middle of the day. The light from the sun will be incredibly ordinary AND it'll be as hot as possible when you get lost.

4) Oh, and when that cute French girl approaches you on the way back, make sure not to speak any French. You'll be too tired, frustrated, and sunburned to care about missing the chance to meet the future French mother of your children.

Okay, you're all set. Follow all the keys and here are some pictures you'll take: