Street Photography in Paris

As Paris slowly vanishes in the dark, this couple takes a few minutes to talk about … the weather ?            (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 50mm Noctilux at F1, ISO160

Gary Winogrand is one  of the great street photographers of this century. He is especially famous for quotes such as “I photograph to see what the world looks like in photographs” or similarly “I don’t have anything to say in any picture. My only interest in photography is to see what something looks like as a photograph. I have no preconceptions”.

While I don’t adhere to most of his views on photography as I usually like to understand before hand why I am taking a picture, sometimes it comes instinctly just to see “how it will look like”. This is the case of this picture taken this afternoon on a street perpendicular to Les Champs-Elysées. I was probably attracted by the colors, contrast and shapes. Content took over context though the latter one can obviously be added back to this picture once taken. So really, as Winogrand would say, a picture with “no preconceptions”             (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 24mm Elmarit at F4, ISO640

A large cloud suddenly covered Paris at the end of the day just and gave the impression of a giant tsunami falling over the city. Yet the only rain that fell was the several showers that seem to be scanning the Montmartre neighbourhood in the background.          (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at F4, ISO320

How long does the life of a mortuary statue last ? Not sure, though enough for its head to grow roots to the sky.     (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with CV15mm at F4.5, ISO160

Americans sodas, hot dogs and chips ? Is it all what Paris has to offer to its visitors for a quick lunch ? Where have the Croque Monsieur gone ?       (click on picture to enlarge)Leica M8 with 85mm Jupiter 9 at F2, ISO160

Is a kid future profession decided in the early years of his life ? I do not know, yet if it is indeed the case, this little boy might become a great pianist or orchestra conductor.            (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO160

What would a modern French James Bond look like ? Maybe like this guy, though I am not sure he would scare off that many bad guys.      (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at F4, ISO160

Next to Centre Pompidou are located several bars with crowdy terraces on Sunny day. As the final rays barely make it over the roofs of the surrounding buildings, shades and reflections play with the tables and the customers.       (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at F4, ISO160

First flowers have appeared on the trees over the last few days. So on a Sunday, family and tourists invaded the parks of the city, just like this mother and kid having a laugh in the small garden surrounding Notre Dame      (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph at 1.4, ISO160

After the dummy of the flea market, this lightly dressed woman also seemed to struggle to get the attention of this man absorbed in his newspaper.         (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Nokton at 1.2, ISO320

Why run inside ? Especially with great routes in the nearby Tuileries Garden or on the banks of the Seine River.         (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron at F2, ISO640

In any large buoying city, time is always running off. It seemed to be the case for this lady as she improvised a little beauty session crossing the street in front of the Opera.    (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Nokton at 1.2, ISO160

In front of the “Requin Chagrin” (sad shark) bar, these girls were perhaps debating whether they would really spend an happy hour insde.       (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron at F2, ISO640

A nice Spring day and roses start to blossom … also in the hair of girls.      (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron at F2, ISO160

Kids enjoying a cotton candy on a Sunday afternoon at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.      (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 85mm Jupiter 9 at F2, ISO160

Last weekend took place the Paris Marathon. While the course record was beaten this year, this beer runner finished the course in an acceptable time. Obviously, it is much easier to watch the marathon with a beer than run it within one.        (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 85mm Jupiter 9 at F2.8, ISO160

Innocent games over less innocent games …. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO160

What a fun evening plan ! Dress all the same, rent a limo, get a driver (with photog skills) and pose in front of the Vendome Column. The definition of a perfect night out for girls ?    (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 85mm Jupiter 9 at F2, ISO640

All rights reserved on pictures posted on this site.

While mimes usually stay as still as possible, this one could not refrain his emotions at the view of a cute girl passing by.    (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 85mm Jupiter 9 at F2, ISO160

Spring around the corner, terraces start to fill again. A girl having a smoke and a distant figure nearing. An encounter or just a furtive look ?   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with CV35mm at F1.2, ISO160