Travel Photography - A month of photography in Paris

I will spend a month in Paris in November/December in a professional (non-photography) capacity. I anticipate having many hours for photography in this city, often credited as a/the birthplace of photography. Would appreciate any suggestions that offer (non-tourist) opportunities. I enjoy street shots, small jazz venues, architecture, night photography, etc. Late fall/early winter will offer short days and low sun for landscape shots.

An advice and recommendations for unusual and atypical sites and (safe) areas would be appreciated.

I will spend a month in Paris in November/December...

I am envious. Last time I went we had children in tow.

....(safe) areas would be appreciated.

That depends on whether you want to look like a tourist with a camera or something you can pocket but lack a "raw buffer". Just pulling your leg...:D

I am envious. Last time I went we had children in tow.



That depends on whether you want to look like a tourist with a camera or something you can pocket but lack a "raw buffer". Just pulling your leg...:D

:D Good, very good!!

Actually, I am following the "Lexus/Toyota debate" regarding Leica vs. Panasonic with great interest!

My uncle has a Leica III since he was a young man. It would have been gone by now if it was a Panasonic, just the lack of intrinsic value I guess. I doubt people hang on to them because it cost a few hundred dollars more.

I had a Canon 7s and made a serious mistake, lent it to somebody.

Fry's has the G10 in the paper today. At $500 it is may be $50 cheaper than a D60. May be it will be a winter pocket camera, when you are wearing a coat.:)

How can you stand being in Paris for a month? :D:D
Seriously, I am envious too.
I recently visited Paris for 8 days, strictly for photography and food !!!

Before I went, I did a little research about photography and food, daah!

About photography: I thumbed through a book that I have on my shelf of years, called Paris 360. It is a photo album with photos by 2 Italians, Antillo Boccazzi-Varotto & Enrico Formica. There are shots of many familiar landmarks but shot from obscured vantage points. Might want to check it out in book stores or library. It serves as pretty good reference for me.

Other references that I found useful (if I can only find my bookmarks….):
Photographer’s Guide to Paris: http://photo.net/france/paris Although I don’t think the photos posted on this site are all that great, but it spells out suggestions, from a photg’s perspective.

I also took a look at this site and its galleries:
http://www.offrench.net/photos/gallery-5.php

I looked at this guy’s photos for ideas:
http://www.paris-in-photos.com/paris-photography.htm

Well, I am sure you did online searches. There are plenty of resources, some good and mostly so so.

Sorry, time is running short. But, I will return with some additional notes from my last trip.

Thanks, allset2travel. I had seen a couple of those websites (I agree that the photo.net are not great), but not all of them. Very helpful.

Some of the "antique" photos on paris-in-photos are really nice.

great time...and venue!!! need an assistant?

anyway, here are two of my favorites that I have done on recent trips to Paris:

--5 arr back streets are great, especially the different lights hanging off buildings and the street signs. 4 arr isn't bad either. but, you have to get into the off-the-beaten path areas.

--Eiffel Tower from a distance and from many different angles...especially from some of the older neighborhoods where just a piece of it is visible beyond the older buildings in the foreground. it's always amazing to me how much you can see it off in the distance from so many places around the City.

have fun...truly a wonderful opportunity

great time...and venue!!! need an assistant?

anyway, here are two of my favorites that I have done on recent trips to Paris:

--5 arr back streets are great, especially the different lights hanging off buildings and the street signs. 4 arr isn't bad either. but, you have to get into the off-the-beaten path areas.

--Eiffel Tower from a distance and from many different angles...especially from some of the older neighborhoods where just a piece of it is visible beyond the older buildings in the foreground. it's always amazing to me how much you can see it off in the distance from so many places around the City.

have fun...truly a wonderful opportunity

I will be living in the 5th arr and will walk to work most days. Probably should allow an extra 30 min each way for photography!

Thanks for the tips.

To continue my prior post.
Personally, I have collected plenty of photos of Paris on various trips. I am more fascinated by Paris at sunset & night than day. In part it is due to the fact that I seldom find Paris on a nice sunny day (with blue sky and white clouds). On my most recent trip, if it can be served as example: I had 1 great day (from photog’s perspective) out of 8. That day, I scraped all my plan and grabbed my gears and ran out of hotel and shot some 3,000 shots all over the city, most were repeats. Alas, by 2pm, the gray clouds rolled in and every shot became flat again! At night I don’t have to worry about that.

For night photos,be sure to have a tripod. You can pretty much revisit all the “touristy” spots that you have been to during the day. Shooting traffic at night is fun with long exposure. Stand on a little island (middle) on CE to photography ADT is scary with non-stop traffic on both sides. The result is rewarding.

More specifically here are my favorite night spots for shooting:

· Place de la Concord: the water fountains (south fountain with Tour Eiffel in background; north fountain with Hotel de Crillon in background). Shoot some on ground level in the square (traffic); shoot some on an elevated terrace (technically I think it borders Jardin des Tuileries).
· The bridges: Pont Alexandre III & Pont des Invalides and others
· Of course the Tour Eiffel – shot from Parc du Champs de Mars & Palais de Chaillot (as always, watch out for your belongings)
· Pyramide du Louvre: shoot from all angles, try to use fish-eye or super wide lens.

Day time photos:
· Shoot pano: look for high vantage points such as the Tour Eiffel itself (fun to take 360 up there); Up on Montmartre; up on Grande Arche de la Defense, Observation deck of La Tour Montparnasse (I missed it), just to name a few.
· Shoot gardens: Jardin des Plantes, Jardin du Luxembourg (hope you have better luck; when I was there, most flower beds were tilted).. Parc de Monceau was not as good as I expected.

To shoot indoor: Churches big & small; The dome inside Galeries Lafayette Haussmann; Musee d’Orsay

To shoot colorful outdoor markets and/or street scene:
· Accidentally I discovered a street market after emerging from Metro station Jaures on way to the Canal St Martin (still don’t know if it has a name, I only recall another Metro station Bolivar); huge market with everything you can imagine.
· I also went to the area around Rue d’Auteuil (unfortunately heavy rain cut my visit short).
· Rue Mouffetard, getting a bit touristy now but remains plenty of local characters.
· Place du Tetre (artist colony west of Sacre Coeur, touristy but colorful) and the surrounding alleys. Nearby I also found the small streets near Montmatre interesting. Some has musical instrument shops; some with all fabrics shops. Colorful!
· I also shot inside metro/train stations.
· Sometimes you just go out with your gears and just aimlessly explore Paris.
· Shoot from a boat while crusing on the Seine.
· Possibilities are endless.

With one month on hand, bring plenty of hard disk storage space and Flash cards!

Sounds like you will have a terrific time. I would suggest narrowing down what interest you. Making a list of places or things that catch you eyes will make the decision easier and more enjoyable.

For example, on one of my visits I decided to do something related to food so I took shots of pastry and bakery shops. You might also choose to document a different face of the city by hanging around the different ethnic neighborhoods - Chinatown (by rue Tolbiac), Belleville, etc. Paris offers a myriad of choices and even if you just end up just walking around aimlessly, you will find inspiration around the corner.

Sounds like you will have a terrific time. I would suggest narrowing down what interest you. Making a list of places or things that catch you eyes will make the decision easier and more enjoyable.

For example, on one of my visits I decided to do something related to food so I took shots of pastry and bakery shops. You might also choose to document a different face of the city by hanging around the different ethnic neighborhoods - Chinatown (by rue Tolbiac), Belleville, etc. Paris offers a myriad of choices and even if you just end up just walking around aimlessly, you will find inspiration around the corner.

This is what I had in mind. The ethnic neighborhoods is a topic I had considered. Also considering what might be a good topic for that fits with the weather and short days of Nov/Dec.

Brush up on a little french and walk into the local neighborhoods and parks.

My husband did just that and was warmly welcomed by a group of local men who allowed him to take their picture while playing bocce. He considers that experience one of the highlights of his trip.

This is what I had in mind. The ethnic neighborhoods is a topic I had considered. Also considering what might be a good topic for that fits with the weather and short days of Nov/Dec.

The soft light during that time of the year can produce gorgeous scenes. Visiting the different parks during the day is a suggestion. If you get rainy days, that will be more challenging but outdoor bistros and cafes will be empty so you can probably get some nice and moody shots. Have you also thought about the department stores being decorated for Christmas?

Brush up on a little french and walk into the local neighborhoods and parks.

My husband did just that and was warmly welcomed by a group of local men who allowed him to take their picture while playing bocce. He considers that experience one of the highlights of his trip.

That is exactly what I am hoping for.

The soft light during that time of the year can produce gorgeous scenes. Visiting the different parks during the day is a suggestion. If you get rainy days, that will be more challenging but outdoor bistros and cafes will be empty so you can probably get some nice and moody shots. Have you also thought about the department stores being decorated for Christmas?

Yes, soft light and no shadows can really be helpful. I have some experience with that here in Seattle!