SergioGuerra
Well-known
I am spending some days here in Paris with my gf, and had never seen so much interest with the cameras I carry...
I am shooting with a Bessa-R (15mm and 35mm), a Rolleiflex automat II and a small Oly XA. I almost dont see anyone carrying film cameras, but most people seem to love them (specially the TLR)... if they love them, why not start using them?
One of the guys who started chatting with me had a film camera, a Leica with a 50mm f0.9, I should have asked him if he knew RFF (saw him by Pompidou center).
Photography wise (for taking photos, not buying stuff), what are the best spots in Paris? I seem to have some problems with too many tourists on my frame ehehe
Regards,
Sergio
I am shooting with a Bessa-R (15mm and 35mm), a Rolleiflex automat II and a small Oly XA. I almost dont see anyone carrying film cameras, but most people seem to love them (specially the TLR)... if they love them, why not start using them?
One of the guys who started chatting with me had a film camera, a Leica with a 50mm f0.9, I should have asked him if he knew RFF (saw him by Pompidou center).
Photography wise (for taking photos, not buying stuff), what are the best spots in Paris? I seem to have some problems with too many tourists on my frame ehehe
Regards,
Sergio
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gabrioladude
Member
there was recently a lively thread about what to shoot in Paris which may interest you....
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76400
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76400
AgentX
Well-known
Huh. I walked through Paris with an M3, Ikonta 6x6, and a pink Holga and no one really took notice except an Italian tourist with an R4...
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
I walked through wit Nikon FM2, 35mm/2.0. One camera, one lens, one film. On occasion would have liked a 28mm.
Haigh
Gary Haigh
Some of the guys there showed some interest in my wife but not in my cameras. Paris is Paris after all.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
The tourist crowds at Hotel de Ville, the narrow avenues at the Marais district, the Victor Hugo museum and its neighboring area, the "bouquinistes" selling books on the sides of the Seine...
Check that thread mentoned above!
Check that thread mentoned above!
larmarv916
Well-known
Yes...Paris has always been good to me. The French seem always enjoy seeing what ever old camera I carry. I very good example of how well we get treated in Paris. I took my daughter with me on business and stayed in Paris for a few days as it was her first visit. We were walking to find the Rodin Museum, got turn around and a very nice older gentlemen got up from his lunch and asked if he could offer directions? He said " you" have gone to such trouble to bring your daughter to Paris, and Rodin's Museum I want to make sure get as much enjoyment from Paris as possible. So he walked us to the corner and pointed us towards our goal. A great guy..Parisian's get a bad rap for no reason I can see. So the next day we came by about the same time and our "guide" was having lunch. We stopped and picked up his check.
A great story my daughter loves to tell anyone.
A great story my daughter loves to tell anyone.
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
larmarv916 -- wonderful story. I do believe they get a bad rap. Ive been several times and always had a great time.
larmarv916
Well-known
I see the Parisian's like a mirror reflecting back in kind...we appreciate the people and city. I think it shows and we smile. And even though our french is terrible, at best. Most people enjoy that we appreciate the difference.
arseniii
Well-known
Parisians are generally rude, hate English and American cheese. However, it's understandable with the amount of tourists in the city. Summer is the worst time to be there, lots of annoying gypsies and not so annoying tourists which basically make 80% of digi-photographers in Paris. The best time is late fall and early spring, IMHO...
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Helps to speak French, and dress like they dress (as opposed to big white sneakers and shorts). My M2 proved to be a great ice breaker in Paris, and never found them to be rude at all (and I'm also from Toronto, BTW).
I found Rue Moufftard (5th Arr.) to be an interesting street for photos - it is, after all, where Cartier-Bresson did his famous photo of the boy with the bottles of wine, and Luxembourg Gardens is good. Another one you might want to look at is Parc des Buttes Chaumont.
I found Rue Moufftard (5th Arr.) to be an interesting street for photos - it is, after all, where Cartier-Bresson did his famous photo of the boy with the bottles of wine, and Luxembourg Gardens is good. Another one you might want to look at is Parc des Buttes Chaumont.
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Wow. No stereotypes or blanket judgments there. When do you go back?
Thardy
Veteran
Oh yes, the gypsies. Just make sure you don't wear big white shoes with shorts and you'll be okay.
yanidel
Well-known
A lot of stereotypes here about the city I live in.
- people are not rude, or at least not anymore than other large European cities. I personnaly find Parisians to be nice people.
- there is always tourists, no best time to visit by this criteria. So May to September is still the period I would recomment as the city is beautiful in nice weather.
- gypsies are here all year. Results of economic realities within Europe. I work next to Gypsies camps, looks like favelas, these people have not chosen this life. Sorry they bother you as a tourist.
- American cheese sucks, that is the only statement I agree with
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
I enjoy Paris and France in general. For the most part my wife and I have been treated very well there. Nobody has ever shown any interest in what camera gear I was using.
Bob
Bob
Thardy
Veteran
With airlines not providing food now, I bought a little snack that had some "cheese", crackers and a couple of other little food items. Wasn't too bad. Of course I was very hungry, and I have no idea how good cheese even taste.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
My wife & I spent 10 days in Paris this past spring. I'd say the thing about Parisians being rude is only a stereotype, with only minimal evidence to justify it. (In the south of France, they are pleasant and friendly as can be.)
OK. some favorite shooting spots. I liked Montmartre for its storefronts and street photo opportunities. And the Moulin Rouge, of course. And the square where all the artists hang out, and the Sacre Cour, and the view of Paris from that high vantage point.
The Notre Dame area on l'Ile de la Cite. The catherdral, but also the surrounding area. Over the pont from Notre Dame, to the left bank, in the Latin Quarter, there is a book store that has many english language books. It's called "Shakespeare & Co." A narrow street close by, lined with many stores and restaurants: a place where the French really go; not so much a tourist street. At the far end of it is a book store for serious scholars. I think the street it intersects with at that end is Blvd. St. Michel (not sure). Good street photography all through there.
A walk through Ile de St. Louis (next to Ile de la Cite and connected by a pont) around lunch time will yield a photo or two of frenchmen walking with a baguette under their arms. More street photos there!
Just a few spots etched into my memory!
OK. some favorite shooting spots. I liked Montmartre for its storefronts and street photo opportunities. And the Moulin Rouge, of course. And the square where all the artists hang out, and the Sacre Cour, and the view of Paris from that high vantage point.
The Notre Dame area on l'Ile de la Cite. The catherdral, but also the surrounding area. Over the pont from Notre Dame, to the left bank, in the Latin Quarter, there is a book store that has many english language books. It's called "Shakespeare & Co." A narrow street close by, lined with many stores and restaurants: a place where the French really go; not so much a tourist street. At the far end of it is a book store for serious scholars. I think the street it intersects with at that end is Blvd. St. Michel (not sure). Good street photography all through there.
A walk through Ile de St. Louis (next to Ile de la Cite and connected by a pont) around lunch time will yield a photo or two of frenchmen walking with a baguette under their arms. More street photos there!
Just a few spots etched into my memory!
tajart
ancien
paris loves
paris loves
my experiences in paris have pretty much always been positive; the only times when a situation could have been interpreted as "rude," was a result of my lack of understanding or ability to communicate. i've seen good natured humor and situations that could be interpreted as being rude, that were indeed just people playing. i've also seen on more than one occasion, a confused shop owner not being able to figure out what the foreign tourist was trying to order, and i'm sure the customer left thinking they had been treated rudely just because the shop owner didn't understand the language.
people are people and common courtesy goes a very long way to negotiate unchartered territory.
ps-you can have fun photographing all over this city- have a look at yanidel's blog.
paris loves
my experiences in paris have pretty much always been positive; the only times when a situation could have been interpreted as "rude," was a result of my lack of understanding or ability to communicate. i've seen good natured humor and situations that could be interpreted as being rude, that were indeed just people playing. i've also seen on more than one occasion, a confused shop owner not being able to figure out what the foreign tourist was trying to order, and i'm sure the customer left thinking they had been treated rudely just because the shop owner didn't understand the language.
people are people and common courtesy goes a very long way to negotiate unchartered territory.
ps-you can have fun photographing all over this city- have a look at yanidel's blog.
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Haigh
Gary Haigh
I have always found Parisians friendly. I start speaking in French to them and often they will reply in English. There have been times when they have gone out of their way to be kind. I do not expect a lot from them when there are always so many tourists, some of whom may be rather demanding. They take no notice of my cameras. Interestingly, they do occasionally mistake my wife for a Parisienne.
John Robertson
Well-known
Old rule, Dress like a tourist and you will be treated like one!!!
Large portly (fat) men in silly shorts with loud shirts, with either sneakers
or worse Jesus sandals and short socks (suspenders optional)
Oh yes and carrying huge camera bags which get in everyones way:bang:.
I've always found Parisians polite and businesslike, helps to speak a little French though.