Looking back, Reza's Photography exhibition at Luxemburg RER station in Paris - Street Photography
Street photography in Paris, Looking at and Looking back.
I admire those photographers that do street photography. As far as I’m concerned it is one of the most advanced types of photography that exists.
It requires an exceptional knowledge of your camera as you don’t have much time to play with your settings. It requires a prediction of behavior and activity and an amazing speed. Because once the moment is lost it’s not coming back.
So a few weeks ago I went out and decided to try my luck. I was inspired by the blog of Yanidel, http://blog.yanidel.com/ he does some great Paris Street photos (and he manages to produce one a day!)
As I was taking the subway I stopped at Luxemburg station as I saw these huge posters by the photographer Reza. I waited at the other side of the station for people to do interesting things while watching the posters.
I liked this one best, the kids looking back at the guy looking at them was quite nice.
Well, I’ll be trying some more of this in the next few weeks.
Tips on street photography:
– Find sites with great street photos and get inspired, try and imagine where you could find something similar and then go there and try your luck. Be ready to waste plenty of time to capture something good.
Martin Soler Photography 
I love the shot at the top of this page, and many more on your site. You are a reminder to others that just shooting in the streets does not make you a ‘street photographer’; you must capture the essence of being human.
I agree with you that street is a difficult photographic discipline. It has been made even more difficult with the recent terrorism phobia and privacy laws. Personally the passion is their and I try to go unnoticed as much as possible using wide angle lenses does help to get people fooled at what you are shooting.
As you might have noticed from my blog I find the streets of Paris very intriguing and they contain the perfect atmosphere for black & white. I will be revisiting the city again in about a months time and I would love to get some info about great locations were to shoot such as markets and street events? Do you have any suggestions.
About great locations in Paris. Try the Marais district, there are some markets in there – small and old like the Marche des Enfants Rouge which is pretty cool. Subway is great too, Chatelet as you’ve noticed is a busy station and quite good. But I think the RER stations are almost better than the metro stations for people shots since people wait longer. Bastille area has lots of small streets with cafes etc, not many tourists. Canal St Martin can be good on a sunny weekend day. Hope these help. Check out the blog of Yanidel above, he has some good ideas as well.
Thanks a lot Martin, to tell you the truth I had given a look at the other blog all ready. A lot of great work and I did ask similar questions. I like to make my research so as no to miss any thing during my short stay. I love the metros they are always great and full of life. What is the policy about street photography in Paris? I always pointed and shot what ever came up to mind but due to the situation as is at the moment I wouldn’t like to get myself in some useless trouble.
Last year I went up to Montmartre and there was a great deal going on there. What I also loved was sitting in the bistro next to our hotel and shoot from the table.
One project that I wanted to work on again was the metro life. We dont have the metro here in Malta so to me its amazing to how such a place is busy one second and deserted the next. It’s astonishing to see the different kind of people making use of the service, you get the lost tourist, the busker, the green grocer, the tramp and the busy locals who commute in a hurry on daily bases. For example one of my favorite photos from my post is the one of people in the train. Its just amazing how in such a small place with so many people confined for such a small time together every one tries to avoid eye contact. From were I come every one says hi and puts a smile to every one around, even to a complete stranger.
Looks like quite the surreal image, but very nicely done… You’re right though about street photography being quite advanced… It also requires an exceptional level of confidence to just shoot candid shots of complete strangers…
wow! great picture. i love it to look at photos that force me to take some seconds to get the scene… wonderful
Thanks Jonas, yes that was the point. I wasn’t sure if it was clear enough and probably some people think I’m just plagiarizing a great photo by Reza. Well I was relieved and pleased to see that people do see what I was trying to show.
Great capture! Love the eyes 🙂
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