Florian1234
it's just hide and seek
Gentlemen (and -women of course), what are your experiences of photographing in Paris? Especially "street" photos.
Is it generally possible or do I get punched and arrested?
Is it generally possible or do I get punched and arrested?
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
You will not get punched and certainly not arrested. If you get yelled at, however, you can bet the farm that the complainer is not a native French person. The French, in general, are very healthy in matters social when it comes to strangers.
However, some push the boundaries and think that anything goes. Don't put a camera in people's faces (like tourists from the far East tend to do with French children). It's not that you become invisible, it's just that you're not automatically thought of a pervert.
Use your rights responsibly!
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
I've never had an issue shooting in Paris, just the opposite. A street shooters dream.
frank-grumman
Well-known
I have photographed in Paris for three years in a row. Utterly remarkably beautiful city. Everyone, LE included, friendly, helpful, willing to assist across my language incompetence. Just a great place to take photos. In fairness, for some folks, I asked permission and was refused once by one of the most beautiful women I've encountered 
I complied with her refusal.
http://flic.kr/ps/A3uph
I complied with her refusal.http://flic.kr/ps/A3uph
rbelyell
Well-known
i was in paris recently for a very extended period with only my x100 and had literally the best 'street' photo experience of my life. just be discreet, but 'its' literally happening all around you!
tony
tony
kxl
Social Documentary
People just ignored me and my camera. It was awesome!
L Collins
Well-known
Wow. Things must have changed since 2004. I lived there for two years and found Parisians to be very irritable about having cameras pointed in their direction. A lot of talk about "rights to ones image" etc in the profession as well. I've been accosted on numerous occasions when shooting in the street. But then again, it tended to be in areas that were not on the standard tourist trail.
Florian1234
it's just hide and seek
What's that, please? No clue what you mean...
That's exactly why I ask.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
I wouldn't be surprised if they were "adopted" Parisians (like myself). I haven't seen a change since 2004, when I first set foot in Paris, in people's attitudes towards having their photos taken. I've been living here since mid-2010.
I spend most of my time in the "areas that are not on the standard tourist trail" myself, and my observations hold the same.
As a sidepoint, I've noticed that what people perceive as "irritable" in Parisians, it's because they're not aware of their own attitude towards them that makes them behave this way. This is not an attack or anything. Just another observation, that's all.
Let me put it this way: in the U.S., if a tourist shows up and impatiently snaps their fingers at you to grab your attention, you'd find it highly irritating, and they would be irritated in turn at your uncomprehensible irritation. There are lots of finger-snapping equivalents here. It is irritating. But at least I know where they're coming from (figuratively speaking).
Michiel Fokkema
Michiel Fokkema
Haha, get arrested! You're funny.
Richard G
Veteran
I used a 50 in 1983, a 35 in 2006; I reckon a 25 or even a 21 would work well. Everything works in Paris. Never encountered the so-called rudeness of Parisians. Relax.
Ljós
Well-known
I had overall good experiences photographing "street" in Paris, only one encounter with a man who actually more walked into my frame than that I had wanted to photograph him. He struck me as the type who is looking for something, anything to be upset about, and those you can encounter practically anywhere.
Apparently the use of tripods is something that would draw attention quickly, and question for a permit.
Greetings, Ljós
Apparently the use of tripods is something that would draw attention quickly, and question for a permit.
Greetings, Ljós
Vics
Veteran
I've been shooting in Paris for many years with no real problem. Now and then someone will have a word with me, but come on! It's the world's most popular tourist destination. Travel light and have fun!
L Collins
Well-known
I think we may be speaking of two different things. I'm not trying to perpetuate the standard "Parisians are rude" trope. Some of the best people I've ever met are native Parisians. I love the city and it's people. And I'm more than familiar with the standard ugly foreigner jumping off a tour bus and expecting the French to speak English etc.
What I'm talking about is my experience with a camera in public places. Based on two years shooting extensively in and around Paris, and teaching photographic arts there and thus witnessing both public and professional attitudes towards photography in public places, my sense is that the French, and Parisians especially, are much more sensitive to the protection of their image in public spaces. Unlike the US, French law does not hold that one waives one's right to one's image while in public.
According to French civil law, aperson’s image constitutes one of the chief attributes of his or her personality, as it reveals the person’s unique characteristics and distinguishes the person from his or her peers. The right to the protection of one’s image is thus one of the essential components of personal development and presupposes the right to control the use of that image. Whilein most cases the right to control such use involves the possibility for an individual to refuse publication of his or her image, it also covers the individual’s right to object to the recording, conservation and reproduction of the image by another person. As a person’s image is one of the characteristics attached to his or her personality, its effective protection presupposes, in principle and … obtaining the consent of the person concerned at the time the picture is taken and not simply if and when it is published. Otherwise an essential attribute of personality would be retained in the hands of a third party and the person concerned would have no control over any subsequent use of the image.
With that in mind, as a general rule, it is illegal to take pictures of persons in public places in France without their express permission. This can be an unsettling reality for Americans especially, who are used to being legally protected in public places.
With all of that said, you are fine in traditional tourist areas. The locals expect it there. But go into normal urban Parisian neighborhoods and point a camera at the locals and you 'may' have issues.
YMMV.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Sorry, but it's a VERY important point, and yes, I knew exactly what you meant. I apologize that I used your post as an excuse for my mini-rant -- I am sure you meant no harm -- but I still think that the point is worth making whenever possible. The whole idea that some people in some places are 'illegal' really deserves to be challenged at every opportunity.
Cheers,
R.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I've had no problems in shooting in Paris, or elsewhere in France, such as Arles or Cassis. I use small unobtrusive cameras; a Leicasonic D-Lux 3 or 4, and a IIIc. No one pays any attention. Just another tourist in a tourist part of town. I get people as part of the overall scene, at a little distance, not right up in their face.
L Collins
Well-known
No you will be fine.
These cops just beat someone up and didn't seem to mind me, so you should be fine as well.
Wow! Those are the French National Police. You're lucky they didn't break that camera over your head. In my experience, you NEVER point a camera at them.
