Postcards from… a quick stroll in Paris
Probably because I was born there, I find Paris one of the most challenging places in the world to make pictures. Until recently, I just didn’t feel the energizing combination of curiosity, empathy and awe which pretty much everywhere else compels me to put my camera to my eye and click…
This is changing though. 2 very short visits there over the last weeks gave me opportunities for a couple hours of leisurely strolls: one on the Seine river banks (one of my favorite places in Paris, for its beauty and life), the other at the square des Batignolles, close to where I grew up. During both I definitely felt this exciting tingling, which enabled me to capture a few decent shots.
The view from the top of the Musée d’Orsay toward the North shows to what extent Paris is still very much a village. I like the natural highlighting of the Opéra and the Sacré Coeur basilica on top of the Montmartre hill.
Paris from the top of the Musée d’Orsay Didier Cayrac
On this gorgeous Spring day, Parisians are out and about doing… what Parisians do, together...
Paris - Seine river banksPhoto: Didier Cayrac
...or alone.
Paris - Seine river banksPhoto: Didier Cayrac
Incidentally, I saw this scene both as a street portrait (above) and as “postcard”:
Paris - Seine river banksPhoto: Didier Cayrac
… or is it the other way around? 😊
To my eyes, this one is more a street portrait:
Paris - Seine river banksPhoto: Didier Cayrac
The unusually warm temperature for May enticed quite a few to maximize their exposure…
Paris - Seine river banksPhoto: Didier Cayrac
… while others preferred to retreat in the shades of café terraces.
Paris. Photo: Didier Cayrac
The neighborhood I grew up in has significantly gentrified over the last years…
Paris - BatignollesPhoto: Didier Cayrac
… and the Batignolles parc, where I took my first steps, is still a peaceful haven.
Square des Batignolles, ParisPhoto: Didier Cayrac
I think this "postcard" scene is more powerful as a street portrait from the reverse angle (see my dedicated post for that version):
Paris - square des BatignollesPhoto: Didier Cayrac
What do you think?
More to come, stay tuned!
