Nostalgia And History: How to Take Photos in Glorious Paris
Glorious Paris evoked in this scene featuring the Academie Nationale De Musique.
The opportunity to visit and photograph glorious Paris is at the top of the bucket list for many aspiring travelers. Here's some tips to help you take photos in glorious Paris.
Paris is considered to be the most beautiful city in the world. Known as the City of Light, Paris is a living museum showcasing extraordinary palaces, museums and art galleries; iconic architecture; grand churches; and the beautiful La Seine. Be sure to take photos that celebrate glorious Paris.
I’ve had the good fortune to visit Paris on two occasions during summer. The visits were quite short, but I did my best to take photos of as many historic and nostalgic sites as possible.
Having said that, there’s still so much I want to see and so many photos I’d like to take in the City of Light. With luck I’II get to visit Paris again soon.
One of the amazing historic buildings I got to photograph was the sublime Academie National De Musique.
As you can see, I opted for a street scene that showed some of the hustle and bustle around this popular Parisian attraction.
I was fortunate to have silvery light illuminating the buildings and used some of these glorious structures, as a frame within a frame, to draw attention towards the famous museum.
I decided on a contemporary black-and-white rendering of the scene, as a way of evoking the sense of history and nostalgia we feel when visiting one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Take photos of nostalgic memories, like this Metro sign in glorious Paris.
How To Photograph Glorious Paris, The Living Museum
I heard an interesting report on the radio recently discussing the fact that many young Parisians feel that their city, rather than being a modern, vibrant metropolis is actually suspended in a kind of time warp.
In other words, living in Paris is like living in a museum.
Dare I say, that’s what makes it so attractive to tourists.
In fact I wrote a post on this very topic titled Paris City Living: Would Your Life be Better Lived in Paris which you might want to check out.
Just think of the body of work an enthusiastic photographer could build living in Paris for a year or two. And if you need proof of that, take a look at the work of the now world-famous French photographer Serge Ramelli
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Take Photos That Explore History and Nostalgia
Notions of history and nostalgia were vey much in my mind when I decided to render the photo of the streetscape, leading down to the Academie Nationale De Musique, into black-and-white.
Likewise, I see the photo of the Paris Metro sign as the kind of detail we often look back on, with a sense of nostalgia, after visiting romantic and historical locations around the world.
I was ambling along La Seine on a sunny, summer’s day admiring the buildings along the river and soaking in the vibe. I noticed the Metro sign and immediately set about to take a photo.
It’s such a simple scene, but one that will be instantly recognizable to so many people that have lived in or visited Paris.
The sign, and the lamppost on which it’s attached, was nicely illuminated.
However, to ensure it stood out from the colorful and highly detailed buildings behind it, I employed a shallow depth of field to blur the surroundings.
You might also notice how the pedestrian lights and the streetlamp, on either side of the Metro sign, form a subtle triangle and a frame within a frame to further emphasize the sign.
These are simple techniques that work together to dramatically improve the quality of the photos we make.
Rooftop view towards the Sacre Coeur Basilica on Montmarte in Paris.
Take Photos, But Don’t Forget Black-and-White
Paris is certainly a beautiful city, and it was a great thrill for me to be able to take photos of major landmarks and tourist attractions during my own visit.
But I know, as far as building any kind of a portfolio on the City of Light, that I’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s possible.
The longer you’re there, the more you’ll get to see. Likewise, the longer you look, the more you’ll become attuned to the unique character of glorious Paris.
For example, let’s examine this rooftop view towards the incredible Sacre Coeur Basilica on Montmartre in Paris.
It’s interesting how, when viewed from a reasonably elevated position, just how glorious the almost chalk white surrounding buildings can appear when sunlit.
It’s an impressive scene, full of subtle tonality and fine detail.
Removing color from the scene was necessary as, by doing so, it emphasized those very elements of composition that were so important to the success of the image.
As a result, there’s very little in the scene that dates it to the present day.
If you’re looking to portray history and nostalgia, a black-and-white photo may be the way to go.
Why not try it for yourself, madame and monsieur?
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Are You Ready To Take Photos On Your Own Paris Adventure?
Do you see yourself taking photos while you’re there?
Please, do what ever you need to do to ensure you’re camera is up to the task and that you understand how to use it.
Without that knowledge there’s just no way you’ll be able to take photos that adequately explore your creative vision and your own unique worldview.
Most of the folks who contract me for a private one-to-one camera course do so after they’ve returned, disappointed with the photos they’ve made.
To deliver value for money, and help set folks up to take photos successfully, I continue to promote that service.
My hope is that, my doing so, I’II be able to provide folks with the information and confidence they need before they embark on that once in a lifetime travel photography adventure.
