For hours, this museum guard waited for the antique muse to end her streep tease. Yet in the end, he had to surrender to his sleep. Did he miss something meanwhile ? (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summicron IV at F2, 1/60, ISO1000
As her man shows the way, this woman can’t help having a nostalgic look to that what might have been their first car (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/250, ISO320
Antique or modern hair style … a never ending cycle. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/4000, 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
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
Few French can resist to eat into a fresh baguette on the way home. Such a intense moment of happiness! (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/350, ISO160
On their way to the horse betting bar in the Menilmontant neighbourhood, this sympathetic man and his dog gladly took the pause for a picture. Obviously, the dog could not restrain himself to go for a big drooling lick on the nose of his owner. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summicron IV at F4, 1/250, ISO160
I found the reason why Santa Claus was lost (see post below) … he got stuck shopping for Miss Santa Claus. Merry Christmas to all of you! (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F2.8, 1/250, ISO160
Maybe you should start to worry about the delivery of your Christmas gifts. It seems that Santa Claus lost his deers. Since most metro workers are on strike and the Eurostar train is still out of order, he is probably stuck in Paris. We are sorry about the inconvenience, Vive la France ! (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/4000, ISO160
This is the writing of a bold tagger that defied the tidy look of Mr Clooney. Yet, not enough to challenge his stoicism … what else ? (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Lux Asph at F2.8, 1/180, ISO160
France has traditionally been home to many of the world’s most famous sailors. To do so, they start to practice in their earlier years. While kids in Brittany definitely have an advantage due to their proximity to the sea, Parisian kids learn patience as their boats slowly cross the even waters with little help from the wind. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Lux Asph at F5.6, 1/1400, ISO160
It seems that hats are back in fashion in Paris as this scene taken this morning in the Aligre market seems to suggest. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F5.6, 1/125, ISO400
In order to protect the main places of the Champs-Elysées against potential riots during the World Cup celebrations last night, several hundred officers were placed at key entrances. It was indeed also the case in front of famous Lido Carbaret. Maybe under the influence of the glamorous place, the leftmost policeman seems to be starting a little dance step. Obviously, it did not end in a French Can Can but I can’t help imagine the scene. (click to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Lux Asph at F2.8, 1/20, ISO1250
As the Eiffel Tower suddenly appears in the sight of this little boy, he is so overwhelmed by the heigth of the steel structure that he does not even bother to remove the Cocher’s hat that just slid on his face. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/3000, ISO160
“Bella, I am so tired, this city is so big and we still haven’t found the Institut de France” …
“Bello, even after all these years, you never stop to surprise me …. look behind …”
Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph, ISO160 (click on pictures to enlarge)
This scene makes me think of a potential scene in Cohen’s Borat movie : “In Kazakhstan, man always drrrrive cozy, warm and drrry. Woman always goes in back .. yeeah, no prrroblem, she check if police not coming” (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2.8, 1/250, ISO160
This butcher shop located in a strange building appeared be a meeting point for many. Just like this old man that licked his lips just as the thought of the treats found inside the shop. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8, ISO160
The economic crisis also seems to have hit the luxurious hotels such as Le Meurice on Avenue the Rivoli. In normal times, Mercedes and Ferraris would normally be seen in front of the Hotel and valets would take great pleasure in driving them to the car park. Wasn’t the case this time as these two valets seem to be playing “Rock Paper Scissors” in order to pick which of them will get the honour of parking that little … toy. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F5.6, 1/350, ISO160
“I just picked up your new lamp. Great no ? No kidding, you are going to cook ‘ Lapin à la moutarde’ for lunch ?!!! Great honey, be home in a few minutes.”
Of course, this speech is made up but the expression of this man made me think of these 60’s French movies with famous humorists Bourvil and De Funès. The scripts were probably less sophisticated than most of today’s movies, but they were great at representing the every day life of a normal French citizen.
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Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2.8, 1/250, ISO160
A street magician performs a show by the Seine River. He asks a kid to pull a piece of paper out of his mouth. It turns out to be an endless thread. If one would rewind the scene, it would look like an iguana that just caught its prey. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/1500, ISO160