Street Photography in Paris

A girl passes in front of le Grand Palais. Was her mind full of sparks, like the dome of the Palace ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/710, ISO160

but was the inside an empty shell ?

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux at F1.4, 1/180, ISO160

A shadow stands on the forecourt of Saint-Ouen’s  Notre Dame du Rosaire. Why do church look like crime scenes at night (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 24mm Elmarit at F2.8, 1/3, ISO1250

When the weight of years becomes too heavy, chic might seem like futile band-aid. (click on pictures to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/180, ISO160

On Les Champ-Elysées, a waiter serves as tout for a restaurant. He looks more like movie character then a customer hunter.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/350, ISO160

A girl rushes to the Printemps Shopping center for the last days of sales. Why spend more money when one has a look that show so much personality ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/2000, ISO160

The shadow of a church, the shadows of a soul. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/1000, ISO160

A girl contemplates the poster of the “Non, je ne dans pas !” (no I won’t dance). Rain droplets on top, and hearts inside.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/350, ISO160

As this elegant cowboy walks down les Champs-Elysées, he seemed worried by the news he is getting on his mobile phone. Was it Houston on the other side as the price of oil was crashing yesterday ?

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/250, ISO2500

Well, Quasimodo was the dog and in my story, it was it that abandoned Esmeralda to go look for a more fascinating master. Looks that is he also became more human and experienced, waiting for a headless woman to pick him up ;)  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2.8, 1/125, ISO500

Next to Notre Dame, a girl sits at a coffee with her friends while the dog lays bored. Let’s imagine the girl is Esmeralda, who is Quasimodo then ? (to be followed)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F5.6, 1/710, ISO160

… while the whole world is fast asleep.

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.4, 1/1000, ISO160

While his parents are shopping in the temple of luxury, a little kid sits bored and probably craving to join the many passerby’s having a walk on Les Champs-Elysées.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2.8, 1/125, ISO160

After food for the mind, was this old lady rushing to next tea room for some long awaited biscuits ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F2, 1/125, ISO160

I encountered this man on the Ile de la Cité where he was having a morning walk in the early sunlights. The story of his life can probably be read in his face. Pain, tiredness but also pride, dignity and still ingenious glance.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/4000, ISO160

The Alma bridge becomes a supernatural setting after heavy rainfall. Were the souls in the distance wandering to another world? (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/4000, ISO160

Snow is falling as these girls take shelter at the entrance of the Queen dance club for a cigarette. It almost looks like Heidi’s land on the outside, yet in the inside, it becomes at night the hottest place in town.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2.8, 1/125, ISO200

Flowers on the shirts, not yet in the trees. This harsh Winter seems here to stay.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/4000, ISO160

To find her directions in the neighbourhood, a woman has to stand on her toes to peak over two “gentlemen”.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2, 1/2000, ISO160

Paris has been loosing its population for several decades. Indeed the raising prices of housing has slowly pushed the lower and middle class to the suburbs, leaving room for companies to occupy most of the beautiful Haussman style building located downtown. Still, everyday life is still there when one peeps in the patios of the more recent residential complexes in popular neighbourhoods such as Belleville. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summicron IV at F4, 1/125, ISO160