Street Photography in Paris

A woman remains lost in her thoughts with a finger pointing out. Is her unconscious longing for a ring to adorn it ? (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F2, 1/125, ISO1000

This girl found in the metro almost looked like a student of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft. Maybe she had just missed the train, leaving Harry Potter and his group begin new adventures without her ? (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2, 1/90, ISO640

Not quite a Hell’s Angel nor a Harley Davidson, yet this little scooter is definitely a great mean of transportation in the dowtown streets of Paris.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2, 1/180, ISO640

Indeed, this girl did not seem too keen on boarding the incoming metro train     (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2, 1/60, ISO640

As they wait for the next metro train, a couple walks aside of the mass and have a gentle private chat.     (click on picture to enlarge)

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Leica M8 with 24mm Elmarit at F2.8, ISO640

If you don’t pay your ticket in the metro, there is always a small chance you’ll get caught. It wasn’t the case of this girlthough as she kindly requested help of a underground controller because of a disfunctional gate.  Some would have just jumped over the turnstile (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, ISO640

Luckily, the metro train driver never had to break in urgency during this route. This carpenter would obviously have woke up on the floor as he mixed up the wooden and iron posts.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 75mm Summarit at F4, ISO640

An old lady stares at the rails of the metro while the young singer Berry looks up with a mischievous laugh.  A life behind, a life in front, part II.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 90mm Summicron at F2.8, ISO640

It is strictly prohibited to smoke in the metro so when people finally exit the underground world, they light one up as soon as they see the light.    (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 85mm Jupiter 9 at F2.8, ISO160

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This shot was taken at the Franklin D. Roosevelt metro station where posters are currently hung to illustrate how the metro looked in the first part of the 20th century.  The stationmaster and his assitant seem to look endlessly at the passengers walking by while the girl on the vintage poster appear intimated by so much attention.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with CV 40mm Nokton, ISO160.

Push, rush, mush, crush …. any of these words could describe the atmosphere in the Paris metro.  In this case, this new release poster fitted well the flow of passengers hurrying up to catch the next train.  (click on picture to enlarge)Leica M8 with CV15mm, 1/6th, ISO160

For some reason, this métro picture reminds me of one of the very first book I read in English “The catcher in the Rye” of J.D. Salinger, a classic book about letting children grow up and discover the joys but also sorrows of life.     (click on picture to enlarge)

Epson R-D1 with 50mm Summicron at F2, IS800

View picture location on Google Maps

After more than a century of operations, many metro stations are currently being renovated. This is currently the case of one of the most famous one, Etoile Charles de Gaulle which is located just under the Arch of Triumph. This woman obviously took advantage of the works to find a nice resting structure to wait for the next train.

Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron IV, ISO640 (click to enlarge)

While the man and woman share a similar position and both are deeply asleep, their fate and dreams are probably completely opposed . The poster advertises a special discount on beds, a cozy place where this man would probably have enjoyed a lot more his lonely little rest. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 50mm Jupiter 8, ISO640

View picture location on Google Maps

Saint-Lazare is one of Paris main train stations. A place where people rush and wait … just like this man sitting at the feet of this huge statue made of dozens of clocks.

Leica M8 with 35mm Summicron, ISO160

(click to enlarge)

Paris can be very tiring after a long day wandering through the streets. These two tourists where taken between two underground stations on Les Champs-Elysées. Probably missed their stop and woke up at the terminus in La Défense …

Taken with RD1, 35mm Summicron F2, ISO1600

(click to enlarge)