The time between All Saints' Day November 1st and November 11th, the latter marking the end of the first worldwide human massacre( world war One), has always seemed a little sinister to me. Nature loses its colors as gray and black take over. (I know it's mundane, but if you happen to feel a similar malaise at this time of the year, let me know so I'll feel less lonely.) But in Paris, November is also the Mois de la Photo, and the festival Paris-Photo, as well. These are major events.

I've often asked myself what photography is good for, apart from making an inventory of monuments or capturing erotic (or even pornographic) scenes, the way it was first used. Despite all their efforts, photographers have never stopped a war, or put an end to this world's miseries. Rebel tracts, literature and the cinema have proved much more effective. And yet, in the coming weeks, photography will bring thousands of people together—people of all colors and backgrounds, drinking champagne, writing checks, and bringing simple pleasure to the spectators. Maybe that's what photography is good for.

Nothing exceptional in the papers this week, just an American election we've seen a thousand times already... Here's looking forward to next week. I hope you have a nice one.

Michel Philippot
Philippot.m@ wanadoo.fr