Street Photography in Paris

A man walks slowly towards the entrance of the Louvres on a rainy day. Mona Lisa’s melancolic lover or its  kidnapper ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

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

On a Seine River arm, a ghost barge is docked waiting endlessly for a captain to take its command. One could almost think that zombis will appear from the decks. Well, look closely, a presence is making sure nobody will board the ship looking for adventure.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/2800, ISO80

A shadow stands on the forecourt of Saint-Ouen’s  Notre Dame du Rosaire. Why do church look like crime scenes at night (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 24mm Elmarit at F2.8, 1/3, ISO1250

… while the whole world is fast asleep.

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.4, 1/1000, ISO160

The Alma bridge becomes a supernatural setting after heavy rainfall. Were the souls in the distance wandering to another world? (click on picture to enlarge)

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

Seems that this freaky little girl is all over Paris. Wander through the hallways of the underground, and suddenly her scary face will appear, a bus and here she is looking at you, … almost feels like she is after us.  (click on pictures to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 24mm Elmarit and 60mm Hexanon.

As the night falls slowly over the Tuileries garden, a couple sneaks in before the gates close. Maybe for some naughty … snow games.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 40mm Sumicron at F2, 1/90, ISO640

As strange as it sounds, Paris has a dog cemetery; “Le cimetière des chiens”. Created in 1899, it is believed to be the first pet cemetery in the world. You will find hundreds of tumbs under the shade of trees longing the Seine River. You will also be amazed by some of the tumbs, worthy of the greatest human celebrities. Yet, there are still some living souls in this cemetery as a dozen of cats pace up and down the alleys. You can almost hear them cry on the graves of their buddies cat. Yet, they will also lay peacefull with a slight grin on dogs’ last residences.  (click on pictures to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/710, ISO160

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

Though it looks like a scene taken in the depth of a Magic Forest, it happened downtown Paris, in the midst of the Tuileries Garden (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/1500, ISO160

Timing is King in street photography.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Lux Asph, 1/45, ISO640

Sometimes one comes to a crossroad in life. He then takes a sit, contemplates his options and chooses a way. Obviously, more easy to say than do. Especially when you live in Saint-Denis, one of the toughest suburbs of Paris where this religious center is located.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 90mm Tele-Elmarit at F4, 1/500, F140

In front of the Saint Eustache Church, a giant stone head looks at a little girl’s game.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.2, 1/8000, ISO160

I come across these two monks very often on my way home. They hold up each other during their short walk around the block of houses. Every day at the same hour, and always the same path. And this will probably go on until the day that one has to go … and climb the Stairway to Heaven.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Sigma DP2, 24mm at F3.5, 1/320, ISO200

Back to Martyr street flea market where stand owners always take special care in setting up their merchandise. Sometimes almost in freaky ways that almost make you believe you are in some sort of horror movie.  (click on pictures to enlarge)

Epson R-D1 with 50mm Jupiter 8 at F2.8, 1/200, ISO200

Epson R-D1 with 28mm Industar 69 at F4, 1/240, ISO200

When I saw these rays of light piercing through the stained glass window of Saint-Germain-de l’Auxerrois, I could not resist staging this shot. Yet, after looking at the result, I got the impression that it looked more like an alien communicating with her mothership  than a divine ray

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F2, 1/30, ISO640

As this man played his didgeridoo, I almost expected a Dragon to answer his call, fly over Notre Dame and grab a few bystanders with his claws before entering his lair    (click on picture to enlarge)

Epson R-D1 with 28mm Summicron at F2, 1/240, ISO800

If you ever go to in Park Monceau in the early hours of the morning, your might encounter ghosts and their freightening shadows. You can observe them performing a series of ritual exercises before they eventually decide to chase you and end your life in atrocious sufferings. Nevertheless, do not worry as, most probably they’ll just run a few laps and go take a deserved shower.    (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F4, ISO160

Heavy rains started suddenly to pour down on the Marais neighbourhood last night. A girl soaked from head to feet soaked stands in a door porch, waiting for the shower to weaken .      (click on picture to enlarge)

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

In front of a closed pet shop, a group of friends walk in herd. Tightly grouped, cautious, with the leader setting the path … just like animals would behave in a dangerous countryside.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 75mm Summarit at F4, ISO1250

A girl emerges from the shadows of the Seine banks. A last look behind before she will face the blazing afternoon sun of the Ile de la Cité.

Leica M8 with 75mm Summarit at F4, ISO160