Street Photography in Paris

On Sundays on Les Champs-Elysées, young boys stride along the Avenue and approach lonesome girls for an un unprobable date. A look, a smile, a no, and she is gone.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/2000, ISO200

In front of a post office in Le Marais, a passionate lover wrote « I send you all my love ». Meanwhile a few blocks away a man is on his way to deliver his message himself.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summicron IV, ISO200

Being two kilometers long, the Champs-Elysées can be quite a tiring walk, especially in the wee hours of the morning. Hopefully, there still exists gentlemen to give a little help. And with pleasure obviously. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/500, ISO200, ND filter

Overlooking Paris while climbing the Sacré Coeur stairways, a couple take a little romantic break. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/125, ISO800

As Paris welcomes the solstice with music in every streets, the St-Honoré Market hosts tango dancers under his roof. A little dance to welcome the summer, three wonderful months to come, Paris at his best.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/125, ISO800

A couple contemplates the sunset over the Trocadero.

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/4000, ISO80

The sight of the majestuous obelix might throw one into a long contemplation. Hopefully, these lovers knew how to shelter themselves in the morning rain.  (click on picture to enlarge)

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

In a tiny street leading to Les Champs-Elysées, a young couple spends a few romantic minutes before facing the crowded avenue.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/125, ISO1600

As I got near this couple in the Tuileries Garden, suddenly the sound of a familiar music came to my ears. The boy was holding a loudspeaker playing the soundtrack of « Amélie Poulain ». For those that haven’t seen this iconic movie on modern romance in Paris, rent it whenever you can. For those that do have seen it, click here to launch a slideshow that will play the soundtrack and come back to the picture. Then think, is their story a good remake of the movie  ? (click on picture to enlarge)

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

Given the sweet look, he most apparently did.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/250, ISO160

A girl wandering with her dog, a boy peeping at the latest magazinse. How many stories start on the border of a street, waiting for the light to turn green ?  (click on picture to enlarg)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/90, ISO1000

How many couple of lovers must that tree have seen, wandering on the banks of the Seine River. Most of them it will forget, except for the ones that marked it with seals of endless love promises.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/2000, ISO80, ND Filter

Conquest, siege, rebellion, truce ? Love is like war games under the eyes of Rê.  (click on picture to enlarge)

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

Sometimes the most inflamed words are not enough to bewitch one’s lover.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F4, 1/250, ISO160

No, you won’t escape the traditional Valentine’s day picture. Yet, no couples, no kiss, no flowers, but a simple balloon tied up at the entrance of the Louvres. Left behind or romantic meeting point ? (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/500, ISO160

but was the inside an empty shell ?

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

Can’t  say that the look of this girl was icing her companion,  but maybe sending a magic spell.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/1400, ISO160

La Samaritaine used to be one of Paris biggest department store until it closed a few years ago. Nevertheless on that day, this girl gladly played the role of theGood Samaritan with her boyfriend on the Pont Neuf bridge.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/4000, ISO160

As they wait for the signal to let the balloons fly away at the Day against Misery charity, a man and a woman stand stoically in the wind. Others did not resist the wind.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Summilux Asph, ISO160

Sorry about this bad translation to English, the picture should actually be titled   « A kiss in front of Virgin » ;)   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2.8, 1/180, ISO160