On Les Champs-Elysées, be careful because it is always here hiding somewhere. Like an Angel of Doom reaching out to you with the forbidden fruit, the Devil of shopping will try to tempt you at every corner, and unluckily you will probably surrender… (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2.8, 1/180, ISO160
At least that it what this Sephora advertises; switch the traditional flowers for perfume. This did not seem to convince this woman today as France celebrates Mother’s Day. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/500, ISO640
A few hours before the final of the French Rugby Championship took place this afternoon, a crew of kids enjoy a game in the Park Monceau. Sports played in parks is the most genuine kind. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/4000, ISO160
Ever tried to leave Paris for the weekend in May? You’ll only get the opportunity for a quick glance at the timetable before the crowd pushes you unrelentingly to the piers. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2, 1/1000, ISO160
A chess game in the Luxembourg Garden … what better setting can one find ? Note that it should not be difficult to determine who was on the losing side. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 50mm Summicron at F2, 1/500, ISO160
Reflections, trompe l’oeil ? Let’s see if one of you can explain the action and setting in this picture, so take a guess …. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F4, 1/250, ISO160
Two men seem to realize their mistake. They have just sat in the ladies Coffee Place. Guys, you’re doomed, endless hours of blah-blah are ahead. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/1500, ISO160
In Paris, the lames are the eccentrics and open the way to the glamourous. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.4, 1/4000, ISO160, ND filter
Kids always will prefer to go run around then listen to a teacher. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/1500, ISO80
And the 2010 Smile Awards goes to ……By the way, who said Parisians are bad-tempered ? (click on picture to enlarge)
The flea market in Saint-Ouen, sometimes referred to as « biggest in the world », is a very special place that you cannot miss when visiting Paris. Not only it is enormous but it is also a fantastic mix of different types of markets, people and atmospheres. Best is to start your visit at the Porte de Clignancourt metro station. You will head north and cross path with many sellers and gamblers on the run. Be smart there, cameras are not welcomed so if you are going to shoot, do it extremely discreetly. You will then go through a first market which is typical French small town but don’t spend too much time there, not of much interest. Go on your way under the bridge, you will then be entering the flea market and his many worlds. It is better to inform yourself and get a map because it is so big and intricate that you would miss a lot of hidden places if you just strolled without an itinerary. Nevertheless, to give you some hints, here are the main areas to discover while there :
- What I would call the « R’n'B market ». Selling mainly clothing and electronics. Lot’s of young kids gangs wandering at the sound of R’n'B and Hip Hop music. Colorful and multi-ethnic.
- antique shops warehouses. These are huge building full of shops, great spots to play with the architectural structures and light.
- Vernaison market. A labyrinth of tiny old houses where you’ll find the spirit of the initial flea market. Absolutely gorgeous and great for pictures.
- Restaurant and terraces. There is nothing better than a lunch at the flea market on a sunny day. You’ll be able to blend customers with antique shops in the background for pictures full of atmosphere.
Pictures type : Antique shops, crowd, terraces, multi-ethnicity, markets
Your best lens : 35mm
Favorite spot : Marché Vernaison
When to go : Weekends, closed most of the week.
Must go : Have lunch in one of the restaurants featuring live bands.
Metro Station : Porte de Clignancourt
Sample shots (click on pictures to enlarge)
A homeless man eats his lunch under a light rain. Paris can only shelter him under the form of an umbrella. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/2000, ISO640
In the Marais, a crew of friends enjoy a few ping pong games. When I was a kid, the loser always ceded his place at the table. If still the case nowadays, this young boy took the forced break with good humour. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/250, ISO160 ND filter
As she waits for the painter to begin her portrait, a woman stares at the drawing of young boy. Suddenly she raises her hand and gently caresses his face. Look closer, the boy is smiling. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/1500, ISO 80
Once upon a time, a young man was left broken hearted and pledged to let his moustache grow until he found true love again. It took him nine long years before he fell in love desperately with a beautiful girl. As a vow of love, she asked him to shave the mustache she was not fond of. He quickly surrended to her request and they lived happily after … stop stop … Why then did I encounter him yesterday in front of la Madeleine with his magisterial moustache grown again ???
No, I did not invent this story as this man participated a few months ago to a French reality show called « Love is blind ». A true story that seemingly had a bad ending. Did Mr Moustache find out that love does not need pre-requisites ? I hope it won’t take another nine years before he finally finds his soulmate. Good luck Mr Moustache. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/4000, ISO160
An odd scene this afternoon on Place Colette where a just married couple stopped for a few drinks. Maybe a great way to recover from the day’s emotions. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2, 1/350, ISO160
« Pièce unique » in French can be more or less translated in three different ways : one coin, special play or unique collector item. So which one best matches this scene ? Or maybe the three apply … (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2.8, 1/500, ISO160
I spent five years of my life in Madrid. Five wonderful years in acity where the « marcha » (party) rythms most of your nights. But there is also a more quiet Madrid during the day, which is perfect for a few wanderings on a mild Spring weekend. Here is a short music slideshow on what could be called « The other Madrid ». Click here or on picture to launch.
All pictures taken with Leica M9, 35mm Summilux Asph and 60mm Hexanon
Kodachrome is probably the most popular color film in the history of photography. While film processing will go on until the end of 2010, production stopped last year, being another victim to the massive switch of photographers to digital. I love the colors of Kodachrome, which are very difficult to replicate with digital, and some aspects of it did influence my perception of colors. So when Dan Bayer of the Kodachrome project told me he would visit Paris, I gladly proposed to go on a few shooting sessions in the streets of Paris. It was a great experience and very insightful to see Dan’s perception of light and colors as well as shooting technique. Dan is a professional photographer who is on a quest to celebrate the 75th (and last) anniversary of Kodachrome. Shooting mainly with Leica’s, his work will result in a book that can be considered as a the closing act of the Kodachrome history. So if you are interested in learning more, please visit Dan’s Kodachrome project website.
Exploring the streets of Paris, Dan became a Parisian the day he finally bought a beret and paused in front of the Moulin Rouge. Obviously … still scanning around for his next « Kodachrome shot ».
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.4, 1/250, ISO1600
Finally back in Paris ! Here is a group of friends I met this afternoon at the entrance of a metro station. So if any of you wonder what are the latest trends in fashion in Paris, I guess that this joyful bunch can give you some hints ! (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 75mm Summicron at F2, 1/350, ISO160
