Street Photography in Paris

… one’s most basic blood instincts surge back.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F8, 1/500, ISO200

Free the Golden dummy out or let the fanatic shoppers in ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/180, ISO800

When the Tower, the Obelisk and a woman wearing sunglasses under an umbrella align, does it trigger the curse of 7 days of rain ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F4, 1/250, ISO200

As the sun slowly disappears behind the place, a phone suddenly rings in a busy street. A man picks it up and hears the four words sentence. Operation Clichy is on.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 90mm Tele Elmarit at F4, 1/2000, F4.0, ISO200

In a street close to downtown work a few prostitutes. A red umbrella to protect from the rain, or a promess of warm moments to passer-by’s.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.4,  1/750, ISO200

In an American style fast food restaurant located downtown, Marilyn looks through the window with apparent thoughts of freedom. Yet, decorations for the coming Halloween party seem to have been positioned to cut short any hopes of an escape. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/125, ISO200

A group of friends wanders on Les Champs-Elysées dressed up for an event. A girl sits, grabs a cigarette and suddenly stares at me. Was it an angel look … or a devilish look …  or an angel with a devil look  ? I still haven’t figured it out. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/350, ISO200   Tweet

In front of the Hotel Crillon, a man and woman tenderly hug. Suddenly the man raises his eyes and stares into the night anxiously. Did  he catch a glimpse of evil forces nearing by ? I hope that his bat outfit was in the car.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/45, ISO800

While a magazine proposes a debate on whether drugs should be legalized, I was lent a potential new addictive lens for the coming 6 weeks. Indeed I’ll be experimenting with one of Leica’s masterpieces, that is the 50mm Summilux asph. I should also get back my M9 soon, can’t wait to see how this combo works.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 50mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/350, ISO160

A girfriend, a wife, a daughter, a mother, a friend … they are always there, in the back of your mind.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 50mm Summicron at F2, 1/1000, ISO200

With the driver and Paris eternal look, this bike seems to be « Back from the future » with some secret load. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summicron IV at F4, 1/500, ISO200

Should I leave him and run away ? He has been so nice to me, he would be destroyed. But I can’t stand him anymore, he treats me like a dog.  Wait, he would be so hurt, I fear the worse…. ok then, I’ll stay until the puppies are given away.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 60mm Hexanon at F1.4, 1/4000, ISO200, ND filter

In Versailles, these tourists show a « Goyesque » discomfort among statues and paintings decorating the rooms of the King’s palace. Did they fear that the revolutionary citizens would come back centuries later to have their heads cut ? (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/125, ISO200

One might be built like Van Damme, but what can muscles do when stabbed in the back. The Almighty decides. (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F1.4, 1/4000, ISO160

A man seems to appear on Les Champs-Elysées through a time tunnel. Elegance is timeless in Paris.

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

On Les Champs-Elysées, a girl plays with a hula hoop. Almost seems a leathal weapon to enfrent the three threatening shadows walking toward her.  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 75mm Summicron at F2, 1/4000, ISO160

Are you sure about what you see ? Or is the illusionist tricking you ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

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

Invisible men group therapy ?

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux at F1.4, 1/2000, ISO160

A man walking by a neighbourhood flea market does not seem convinced by the goods sold by a Russian antique stand. Are they that fearful even in paintings ?(click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M9 with 35mm Summilux Asph at F2, 1/125, ISO160

Fear of expulsion of Heaven or belly growth ? (click on picture to enlarge)

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