#1120. Poignant and Particular Paris

By Dallas Thomas | Travel Photography

May 25

This post is the 3rd in series of images of Paris taken in 2021 during limited lockdown. The first was #1103 Scenes of Seine followed by #1107. Churches, Cathedrals and Chapels of the Capital

Paris is a city that has a recognised historical style of architecture. The obvious 1850’s Haussmann era, is the first image for most people. However, the buildings do range from classically historical, art nouveau, art deco, modern to the ultra modern. I’ve stayed away to a great degree from the well known postcards. The following images showcase some of the thousands of buildings not always seen by visitors and some Partisans.

Galerie Vivienne – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50 @f5.6
Centre National de Gestion – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50 @ f4.5
Place des Vosges – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 @f4.5
Bibliothèque François Mitterrand – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 @f3.5
Petit Palais – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 @f5.6
Samaritaine renovations finished and ready to open – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50 @f5.6
Looking inward to the Pyramide du Louvre – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 @ f8
Opéra Bastille – Zeiss Milvus 2/135 @ f2
Art Nouveau in the 16th – Voigtlander Nokton 40/1.2 (no EXIF data available)
Centre National de Gestion – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50 @ f4.5
Inside Bon Marche Department Store in the 7th – Zeiss Milvus 2.8/18 @f4
Panthéon – Loawa 12/2.8 (no EXIF data available)
Groupe Le Monde the 13th – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 @f5
Looking into the Conciergerie – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50 @4.5
Place du Tertre – Voigtlander Nokton 40/1.2 (no EXIF data available)
Charenton-le-Pont – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25 @ f3.2

A wall of the Cimetière du Père Lachaise – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25@f3.5
A building opposite the Opera Bastille – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/85@f5.6

These are a just few of the buildings that have caught my eye this year, whilst walking around the city, in partial lockdown with a curfew in place. Of course the curfew prohibits any after dark captures to showcase the another side of any city when it lights up.

One of the gates at the Louvre – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50@f5.6
The front door handle to recently completed renovation to the Bourse de Commerce – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/25@f4

It’s interesting going through a selection of images and looking up the exif data, and comparing the lens and aperture used.

Notre Dame – Zeiss Milvus 1.4/50@f5.6

David A Mack in April asked for an updated photo this was taken on the 16 May 2021 from Pont Sully Morland

 

​Never miss a post

​Like what you are reading? Subscribe below and receive all posts in your inbox as they are published. Join the conversation with thousands of other creative photographers.

  • jean pierre (pete) guaron says:

    I never thought I’d ever find myself wishing to see more tourists in the frame!

    • pascaljappy says:

      Pete, worry not. This is not a dead planet 😉 Dallas is a very early riser and parisians don’t get up until the croissants are cooked 😉

      • jean pierre (pete) guaron says:

        ROTFLMAHO – hmm – that’s the problem – my wife’s always telling me she’s a “lark” (gets up early) and I’m an owl (I sleep in).
        I think it will be more peaceful if I don’t show her your reply, Pascal
        (I did actually wonder if it was all that safe, for Dallas to be wandering around in the dark, on deserted streets, laden with expensive gear ad psortig the odd grey hair. Hopefully all of the agresseurs are safe, sound asleep, elsewhere!).

        • Pete, I hate to be the one to say this but very few of the shots were taken early. I’ve become a bed hog of late. Take care

          • jean pierre (pete) guaron says:

            Still saddens me to see Paris like this. Place des Vosges, where we went for dinner one night, on our honeymoon, and I ate the best oysters I’ve ever tasted – empty – locked up. Notre Dame – last time I was there, I burst into tears, every time I tried to look at it. I’m a highly emotional & extremely empathetic individual, and things like that hurt.

            • Pete, don’t worry too much people are staring to go out. At 9:30 this morning the queue for the Musée d’Orsay was about 30 or so.

  • Pascal Ravach says:

    Very beautiful images, and a really interesting approach, Dallas…
    It’s rare to see a familiar place with so much «  new eyes ».
    Thanks for this travel 🙂

  • Pascal O. says:

    Dear Dallas, what an impressive set of pictures!

    An interesting combo of well known places and some well off the beaten path, close ups and landscape, all executed in a flawless way. Kudos.

    As a side remark, I would say that there are quite a few taken with wide angles, my favorite lenses as you know too well ^^.

    Finally, if I look at the exifs (thank you for including them :-)), you must be carrying quite a lot of gear. Brave man!

    Thank you again for this very enjoyable, beautiful set, Dallas.

    • Hi Pascal, many thanks for your kind comments. Gear mmm far much too much, 11 lens to choose from. I now only go out with a maximum of 3 lens. Yesterday at the Opera Garnier the 12mm got a huge workout what a place to shoot with minimal people. Take care.

  • Michael Fleischer says:

    What a collection of stunning photos, subtle & straight forward with great light and details without a lot of “extra noise” added, a pleasure to watch your (so far)Trilogy…! And Zeiss-glass adds its magic too.

  • Michael Fleischer says:

    What a wonderful collection (and trilogy-so far) you’ve produced with a skilled, keen mind towards light, composition & refined tonality + details…quite a treat! Zeiss glass does it magic too – love the rich blacks and “oily colours”…

  • Lad Sessions says:

    These are wonderful images. You have a real gift. I’m especially impressed by the Milvus 25 renderings.

    • Many thanks for your kind comments. The Milvus 25 is a favourite due its rendering, the 50 & 135 are very close. If I had to pick only one lens to use for ever, it would be the 25.

  • >