Street Photography in Paris

One could talk about women for ever … well, I must stop this series…. because there is only one I love and while I talk about other women, she is waiting for me. ;)  (I will update this series from time to time … unluckily I can’t restrain myself to shooting flowers)

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron at F4, 1/1000, ISO160

Take a walk on Les Champs-Elysées anyday and you will see beauty in every corner. The XXIst century woman is more self-confident and independant than ever and her beauty is the reflection of it, not anymore a mask to hide after. Gary Winogrand ‘s book « Women are beautiful » showed the beginning of this process, I would have loved to have seen his interpretation of our decade. This will not happen unluckily.

All shots below taken over the last two days on Les Champs-Elysées with 24mm Elmarit, mostly at F2.8.  (click on pictures to enlarge)

Indeed, have you ever seen a man reading in the middle of a square in tuxedo  ?  (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 24mm Elmarit at F2.8, 1/2000, ISO160

Three decades after, this has not changed. Though will all know that smoking kills ( … and the government takes a pleasure in reminding it in every way possible), I always the act of smoking in a women radiates a lot of sensuality. Probably a result of Hollywood and the often seen association of cigarette and beautiful women in movie scenes.   (click on picture to enlarge)Leica M8 with 24mm Elmarit at F2.8, 1/750, ISO160

Gone are the eighties and the horrendous fluo colors.Gone are the nineties and the Grunge decadent look (« I look like a trash bag and I am proud of it »).Colors belong to this decade, let’s hope it stays like that.    (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 60mm Hexano at F1.2, 1/1000, ISO160

A women stands alone on Les Champs-Elysées in a beautiful night dress. Nowadays, men arrive late too. Still not tolerable.   (click on picture to enlarge)Leica M8 with 24mm Elmarit at F2.8, 1/750, ISO160

Indeed, on a given day in the Monceau Park, you will find a lot more women running around the park then men, almost can call them the fitness generation. This shot was taken at the start of the 2009 Marathon on Les Champs-Elysées.

Leica M8 with CV 35mm Nokton at F1.2, 1/6000, ISO160

This shot taken two decades ago would have looked quite different. Indeed the women would be either reading or looking at the passerby in that busy street on the Saint-Denis Island. In 2009, you can talk in a coffee even when you are alone. Wonderful.   (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 28mm Summicron, 1/160, ISO160

Women are so beautiful, they are monuments by themselves!!! (click on picture to enlarge)

Epson R-D1 with CV15MM, 1/720, ISO200

Fashion is obviously a big thing in Paris. Creativity and style is everywhere, be it on the high couture shops of the golden neighbourhoods or on a stand at the flea market. In the end, attitude is what matters.     (click on picture to enlarge)

Leica M8 with 35mm Summilux Asph, 1/500, ISO160