Les Danseurs

Dimanche å rue Mouffetard. I hope the dancers on Mouffetard are back now that the lockdown has ended. 

Les vendeurs II

This nice vendeur agreed to a photograph as well. Some of you have asked me if I always ask permission. It really depends. Sometimes I interact with a stranger and feel like I'd like to ask their permission, which is technically a Street Portrait. Other times, I love standing afar and watching the interactions going on and choose to snap a photograph. This is what is typically known as Street Photography. Many photographers enjoy the interaction with strangers as I do, but that means you miss out on getting that special moment with them doing what they do. Regardless, I would never publish a photograph of anyone that is not flattering. Tomorrow, I'll share a street photo so that you can see the difference. 

Trois amis

These three enjoying a lovely June morning in the park.

The Photographer

We're all alike. Always waiting quietly for something to catch our eye. Sometimes it's the play of light and shadows, maybe it's a new angle on a subject we've photographed many times, or the decisive moment when we catch the unexpected.

Life on the Mètro

A violin player hopped on our Metro with his makeshift boom box strapped to cart and the obligatory cup for donations. This sweet girl asked her papa for some change to put in the cup.


I will presenting a phototalk on STREET PHOTOGRAPHY for the Shades Vallely Camera Club this coming Thursday, January 17 at 6:30 PM at the Vestavia Hills Library. The club graciously opens their meetings for visitors. I hope to see many of my Birmingham readers and fellow photographers there!

Le petit garçon et l'iPhone

Waiting on the bus, this sweet boy was amusing himself with his mom's iPhone. I amused myself taking photographs! We see more and more Parisians with their devices in Paris now. Certainly not as much as here in the US.

Paris Rouge - Le cycliste

I'm in awe. 

Déjeuner Curbside

Deux amies

rue Mouffetard

La dame en noir

Rue Mouffetard never disappoints.

Le fumeur

Another reason to always look up!

Sundays on rue Mouffetard

Sundays on rue Mouffetard, a grand time is had by all, young and old. The locals show up and sing and dance, spectators join in the singing and some join in and dance as well. This petit enfant was giving it some thought! 

Les toillet toters

This has to be one of my favorite street shots. I was sitting at a sidewalk café and watched these two go by. The guy in front clearly had the hardest job. The guy at the back, although dashing in his straw hat, was not much help. For those of us in the US who use our cars for every single errand, being a Parisian without a car, creates some very interesting ways to get home from the bricolage!

Café et un livre

I always love capturing Parisians enjoying a book whether it's in the Métro, on a park bench,  or of course, a Paris café. 

Amical parisien

This photo was taken in November, 20008, my second trip to Paris.  I had not even started my 100 Strangers Project on my Birmingham blog. Later, I would add this blog and searched for 100 French Strangers over the years since. The "rules" are that the person must be a stranger and you must have some verbal interaction with them. For most Parisians, it was VERY minimal, but I loved meeting so many friendly French strangers.

 Boulangerie et PatisseriePaul

Waiting in Paris

Once a Paris waiter, always a Paris waiter apparently. I love it when I see the same guys year after year. 

Grand mère et sa petite-fille

Both enjoying a lovely morning in May at the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Le crêpier

There are street vendors and there are STREET VENDORS.  Mon préféré! Oh la la!

 Boulevard Saint Germain

Le harpiste

 Always interesting street musicians, mimes, and artists outside the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.

Passing Time

Long days at the Marché aux Puces. Vendors pass the time reading.

Timeless

Occasionally, I snap a shot and later realize the image could have been taken decades ago. This young boy, on a school field trip near the Village Saint-Paul, gave me that feeling.