I have always loved Paris. When I was young we used to go there every year, stopping off on the way back from the south of France where my parents had a house. I always imagined I would live there when I was older, at least for a while. That hasn’t happened. Yet. But Paris has a special place in my heart.
Earlier this year I realised I was missing Paris, having not been there for several years. I wanted to wander the streets, carefree with my cameras. And then the perfect opportunity presented itself. There was a Cartier-Bresson exhibition at the Pompidou Centre!
Henri Cartier-Bresson is of course chiefly known for his “decisive moment” pictures, black-and-white images taken with a Leica and a 50mm lens. He actually did a lot of other things, including colour photography, but just as a rock band is remembered for its best couple of albums, that’s what he is remembered for. Hearing that there was an exhibition of his work inspired me, but in a different way. I had a decisive moment of my own. I booked a train ticket to Paris (and one for my dear friend Georgia, who came with me).
When the day arrived we met at the station in London at the crack of dawn. We were in Paris before lunch, and we wandered along the Seine, visited Notre Dame, had a relaxed lunch at a brasserie and (of course) went to the Pompidou for the Cartier-Bresson exhibition. It was inspirational. The pictures I took that day were not black-and-white decisive-moment pictures; instead I tried to capture the mood of the city, with its distinctive architecture and relaxed ambience. And with my digital camera’s card corrupting on the trip, all I have left from the day are these film images; it helped too that the weather was spectacular. After a brief dinner it was difficult for us to tear ourselves away, heading back to London on the train.
So here are the images that resulted from my own decisive moment. I still haven’t fulfilled my dream of living in Paris for a while, but I’m sure it’s in my future, one way or another. It was great to revisit the streets I remember from my youth, reconnect with my past, and be inspired by one of the masters of photography. Cartier-Bresson took a camera with him everywhere, and was said to shoot a roll of film for every block he walked. His work is a reminder that photography is not a separate activity, but part of life itself.
Inspirational Kirstin and gorgeous capture of your magical day in Paris x
Thank you Naima. I definitely need to return! x
Walking the streets of Paris, till you just can’t walk anymore, a (few) cameras at your side… one of my favourite things to do…
You captured her mood beautifully and I’ve enjoyed walking along with you… thank you, Kirstin.
Oh I thought of you so often while I was there. Hope you have a lovely time in France in the summer! Can’t wait to see your pics! x
Beautiful post Kirstin. The last line rings especially true, “…photography is not a separate activity, but part of life itself.”
Thank you. It is such a good line, isn’t it?
“…photography is not a separate activity, but part of life itself.”
Amen to that!
These are so lovely, Kirstin.
Thank you! I always appreciate your kind words. I was so lucky with the weather!
with your images and words it’s a bit as if you’ve made me breathe Paris’ air (which I miss a lot) and I’m very grateful for this! x
Marina, that is such a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
Is it ok to be secretly happy your digital card corrupted so you were forced to shoot these amazing film shots? 😉 jk I am sorry to hear that but so happy you had a wonderful time anyway. Great post.
Ha ha! Yet again, film saves the day!
I love this and your photos are so gorgeous! I have never been able to travel much and I’ve never been out of the USA but your photographs make me long for travel even more than I already do!
Inspirational, remarkable and outrageously gorgeous as ALWAYS!!!! How did I miss this!!! Thank you for sharing all these lovelies sweetie!!! I too adore Paris and I have only been there twice — but I know more time there is definitely in my future!!!! I am drooling!!!
xxxooo
I have never been to Paris… these are beautiful