I get the impression that over the last decade, at least 5% of all pictures taken represent people having a drink at Starbucks. So to keep with my times, here is my Paris Starbucks shot.
Note that the garbage can is here to remind us that though Starbucks might taste good, it belongs to the large and growing family of junk food chain stores. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2, 1/250, ISO160
Are phone booths non-smoking areas ? In these day were legislation prohibits smoking in public places, people usually get out to have a smoke and brave the cold weather. Probably too cold that day for that woman, I even wonder if she wasn’t faking a call for a quick sheltered smoke. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/1600, ISO160
In France, most bakeries act also as pastry and candy shops (Boulangerie, Confiserie, Patisserie). Meaning, it is quite impossible to spend a day without a quick stop in one of them. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/125, ISO200
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
For a change, life outside shot from inside. This picture gives a flavour of the atmosphere in Paris during the month of August. Sun, warm days and terraces full of Parisians enjoying a nice lunch with some fresh white wine. This shot was taken behind the Montmartre hill, a neighbourhood that remains very Parisian and where few tourists venture.
Leica M8 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/3000, ISO160
I always imagined that the restaurants kitchen were located on the same floor or below the restaurant. It was not the case of this place close to the Royal Court where it seems that both the waiter and the cook were in position to hunt customers (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summilux Asp at F1.4, ISO640
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
While visiting the Artparis modern art fair, I noticed how the 150 stands each had their different layouts and interconnection between the staff. I thought the box below was an illustration of it. Class struggles, age, business, love affairs … obviously, there are many interpretation that can be made of this scene. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO320
photographie rue street photography paris leica m8
Close to Notre Dame stands Café Panis where visitors lingered in this busy stop. It reminded me of these cafés where people would gather to discuss politics, art or philosophy endlessly and made Paris the great City of Lights. They are also a big part of the history of photography as Capa or Henri Cartier-Bresson were regulars and probably had their vision of the world strongly influenced by the many hours spent chatting and debating around a few glasses of beers.
Leica M8 with CV25mm at F5.6, ISO160
On Place Victor Hugo, this seafood tent replaces the lovely summer terrace of this restaurant giving the impression that it is actually located in some harbour of Brittany. The cars in the background brings the guests to reality as their roar replaces the shrieks of the seagulls. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO640
Second part of the Life Inside series with this art gallery located in the Marais. Have you ever noticed that most gallery owners spend their time surfing on the internet ? Probably the result of long days awaiting for customers in these times of economic downturn. (click on picture to enlarge)
Leica M8 with CV28mm Ultron at F2, ISO160
This post will start a new series called “Life Inside”. It will portray scenes seen from outside of public places such as restaurants or shops.
This first shot was taken in Le Marais where a young couple was seemingly arguing in the laundry. Were they not in agreement about which temperature to select on the wash machine ?
Leica M8 with CV25mm, ISO320