Had a wonderful short break in Paris; galleries, cafes and photographs. There is something about the place.
We saw a couple of photoshoots going on in the distance on occasions - the sunlight was fabulous, but we felt very sorry for this model on the Esplanade des Invalides. She was wearing quite a short wedding dress and thin veil. Yes, the sun shone but there was a cool breeze and she must have been freezing. The photographer took forever!
I had been reading up on Henri Cartier-Bresson, the famous French photographer of, mostly, people out and about in cityscapes. He famously spoke of the decisive moment, but he seemed to also have an instictive sense of shape and form which meant he could snap a photograph and capture that second where an expression or a posture spoke volumes, but frame it within a space of shape or geometry which allows the eye to linger and linger. An interesting piece I found is here, and there is a beautiful documentary on Youtube which I absolutely adored watching.
the pleasure is the here and now, to be alive and to be present
he says at one point.
So I loved the opportunity to walk around, to enjoy the art and cafes, and to take a lot of photographs. Many of them didn't work. I found it interesting to see how people reacted in galleries to the exhibits and sometimes to me having a camera.
I was waiting in front of this large picture made up of blocks of colour and this man walked past and then signalled his apology for spoiling my shot. Actually, it was me that had spoiled the shot as I snatched at the moment and left the background out of focus. I loved the blur of his movement though.
Once back at home I have had a bit of time to try to make some black and whites with Silver Efex Pro.
This couple were taking a self-portrait at the Gare du Nord whilst queuing for the train home
and this man waiting for the incoming Metro is also one I am pleased with, but it is out on the streets that I loved capturing the people and the place.
We also went back late one evening for some night shots of the Eiffel Tower.
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