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Greg Matchick Photography

St Louis
Missouri
(314) 885-4249

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Greg Matchick Photography

  • About Greg
  • Photographs of Europe
  • Photographs of Nature
  • Subject - Themes
  • Black and White Photographs
  • Photographs of St Louis
  • Composite Photographs
  • Home Decor Art
  • Blog
  • Search by Subject
  • Exhibits
  • Events
  • Purchasing
  • Contact
  • St Louis Post Dispatch Newspaper Article
  • LIVE INTERVIEW - FEBRUARY 22, 2022
Morning Reflections in Colmar France

Photographs of Alsace France - Colorful Homes, Windows, Wisteria

Alsace, is it France or is it Germany? It is hard to tell. Good food, good wine, and some of the quaintest towns in Europe. I visited Alsace in the spring of 2013 and stayed in Colmar as a home base.

It was the coldest, wettest May in 100 years according to locals. It was only rare moments when the sun came out from behind the clouds, which presented a mixed blessing. Although bright sun is usually a detriment to my photography, it is nice to have a mix. The constant cold and damp  made for a lot of coffee breaks and seriously hindered our plans for picnic lunches overlooking the vineyards and villages.

Photographs of Alsace France - Colorful Homes, Windows, Wisteria

Alsace, is it France or is it Germany? It is hard to tell. Good food, good wine, and some of the quaintest towns in Europe. I visited Alsace in the spring of 2013 and stayed in Colmar as a home base.

It was the coldest, wettest May in 100 years according to locals. It was only rare moments when the sun came out from behind the clouds, which presented a mixed blessing. Although bright sun is usually a detriment to my photography, it is nice to have a mix. The constant cold and damp  made for a lot of coffee breaks and seriously hindered our plans for picnic lunches overlooking the vineyards and villages.

Morning Reflections in Colmar France

Morning Reflections in Colmar France

This photograph was captured early in the morning during one of the few breaks in the clouds throughout the week. The calm canal reflected the buildings, clouds and blue sky beautifully. I used a neutral grad filter to keep the brightness-contrast in balance. Colmar was my base for exploring the region and this was the only morning such a scene presented itself.

Home in Kaysersberg France

Home in Kaysersberg France

Although my visit to Kaysersberg was the coldest day of our trip, I made the best of it. There was off and on rain and a stiff cold breeze blowing through the town. Kaysersberg is the home of Albert Schweitzer. However, it is a pretty town and I captured some lovely images there. This is one of my favorites.

Wisteria and Yellow Wall in Alsace France

Wisteria and Yellow Wall in Alsace France

The character of this old wisteria vine speaks volumes. The accent of this grape hod repurposed as a wall planter adds to the charm of this photograph. Many homes had these grape hods on the walls filled with flowers.

Bistro in Colmar France

Bistro in Colmar France

I was attracted by the color combinations of this café scene in Colmar. Getting the composition just right was a challenge but it came together.

Wisteria Encircling Brown Shutters in Alsace France

Wisteria Encircling Brown Shutters in Alsace France

This lovely photograph of wisteria on a home in Riquewihr captures the charm of the region. This image went viral on Facebook (at least for my work that is) when it was pulled off Etsy and featured on Faerie Magazine's Facebook page. People envisioned it as a Hobbitt home.

Cat On a Wine Barrel in Alsace France

Cat On a Wine Barrel in Alsace France

Normally cats will not stand still for me. Perhaps this cat found satisfaction in that I was standing there photographing in the rain, with my tripod, under an umbrella and the cat was dry under the overhang of a roof.

Blue Home in Niedermorschwihr France

Blue Home in Niedermorschwihr France

I am often asked: "Was this building really this blue?". The answer is yes! The buildings of Alsace are painted with very bold colors. In fact the building next to this one was orange. The bold colors, combined with the half-timber buildings contributes to Alsace's charm.

View of Rodern From the Vineyards in Alsace France

View of Rodern From the Vineyards in Alsace France

A view of the colorful village of Rodern nestled amongst rolling hills and vineyards. You couldn't ask for a more picturesque setting.

Green Shutters and Ivy in Riquewihr France

Green Shutters and Ivy in Riquewihr France

Green and more green. If you like the color green it can't get more green than this... well they say Ireland has more shades.

Mauve Wall and Window in Eguisheim France

Mauve Wall and Window in Eguisheim France

This photograph possesses a very simple composition. I was drawn to the harmony of the pastel colors and textures in this scene.

Les Bateliers in Colmar France

Les Bateliers in Colmar France

Morning Reflections On a Canal in Colmar France

Morning Reflections On a Canal in Colmar France

This section in the village of Colmar is called La Petite Venise or "little Venice". Can you guess why?

Wisteria On Home in Zellenberg France 4

Wisteria On Home in Zellenberg France 4

The village of Zellenberg is a little off the beaten path in Alsace. It sits high up on a hill overlooking the vineyards and valley below. Finding this home covered in wisteria made the side trip worth it.

Old Well Planter in Alsace France

Old Well Planter in Alsace France

An old well that has been repurposed into a flower planter in the village of Riquewihr.

Orange Home in Niedermorschwihr France

Orange Home in Niedermorschwihr France

This bold orange colored house was really this orange and it sat next to a bold blue building. Such is Alsace boldly colored half-timber houses with lots of character.

Pump and  Flowers in Alsace France

Pump and Flowers in Alsace France

Another planter from a repurposed object. This old pump makes a great planter. I was standing under the awning of a café, out of the rain, to get this shot.

Rustic Courtyard in Alsace France

Rustic Courtyard in Alsace France

The collection of rustic objects in this courtyard in Colmar creates a wonderful scene and captures the feel for this region.

Yellow Wall With Green Shutter in Eguisheim France

Yellow Wall With Green Shutter in Eguisheim France

This photograph can certainly be said to be minimalistic. Although it is a simple composition, the bold yellow and green combination give it a strength of character.

Stone Planter and Flowers in Kaysersberg France

Stone Planter and Flowers in Kaysersberg France

There were a number of these stone troughs that were being used as flower planters in the village of Kaysersberg. It made a great still life.

Vineyards and Village of Riquewihr France

Vineyards and Village of Riquewihr France

Voila! This is Alsace, colorful villages nestled amongst rolling hills and vineyards. You couldn't ask for a more picturesque setting. It was our intention to sit out here in the lovely spring weather and picnic with such views. Alas, I made this photograph in the cold rain, under an umbrella, and we ate our picnic lunch in the car.

Blue wall Shutther and Window in Alsace

Blue wall Shutther and Window in Alsace

Old Door in Colmar France

Old Door in Colmar France

Blue and Yellow Buildings in Colmar France

Blue and Yellow Buildings in Colmar France

View Over Riquewihr in Alsace France

View Over Riquewihr in Alsace France

Wine Barrel and Vine in Alsace France

Wine Barrel and Vine in Alsace France

Bicycles On a Bridge in Little Venice in Colmar France

Bicycles On a Bridge in Little Venice in Colmar France

Four Pale Blue Shutters in Colmar France

Four Pale Blue Shutters in Colmar France

Wisteria On Home in Zellenberg France 2

Wisteria On Home in Zellenberg France 2

The village of Zellenberg is a little off the beaten path in Alsace. It sits high up on a hill overlooking the vineyards and valley below. Finding this home covered in wisteria made the side trip worth it.

Window Green Shutter and Yellow Wall in Alsace France

Window Green Shutter and Yellow Wall in Alsace France

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Caveau St Pierre in Colmar France

Caveau St Pierre in Colmar France

Blue Winstub in Alsace France

Blue Winstub in Alsace France

I set up my tripod, made all my settings, composed this scene and took one image when a car pulled up right into the scene (no more than 20 feet from me) and parked. The driver got out, looked at me and then walked away. Was I wrong to expect a little more politeness and consideration?

Colorful Homes in Niedermorschwihr France

Colorful Homes in Niedermorschwihr France

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