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Ok, I'm a heretic

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Rachel Foster

New member
I never thought I'd hear myself say this but...photos? Who cares? I had a fabulous day in Paris today. I got lost, took the train, got lost more, and loved every minute of it. I took loads of photos, but I really don't care if they all stink.

Asher, do you think I need a script for an anti-psychotic? LOL! Or maybe it's the invasion of the body snatchers!

Naw, on second thought, I just asked for a 0430 wake up call so I can shoot dawn at the Eiffel Tower. It must be only a temporary insanity!
 
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Ken Tanaka

pro member
Glad to see you're enjoying yourself, Rachel!

Paris has been way, way over-photographed. Why take any photos at all? Just enjoy the experience and preserve your photos in your mind's eye.
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
That occurred to me as well. My friend was bemoaning that it was hard to take interesting, creative photos in Paris. I told him don't even try. Just take what he wants to for fun.
 
J

John Angulat

pro member
Hi Rachel,
I'm sure glad you're enjoying yourself!
Although I'm in total agreement with Ken, I'll bet not taking any photos might be too hard a task.
How about this: stop by the local Paris equivalent of the dollar store.
Buy a half dozen cheapo disposable cameras.
Have a laugh being a "street shooter" for a day.
No pressures, no settings, just point and shoot.
I'll bet you come up with some really great images!
 
K

Ken Tanaka

pro member
John's suggestion is EXCELLENT! Put the computer in the bag and just shoot with a competely different, care-free gadget. I know you've remarked that you're too stingy to shoot film...but you're in Paris (not an inexpensive place to visit), not gloomy Michigan.
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
It does sound like good advice. To be honest, I think I'm as capable of that as I am of growing another head. Giverny was amazing and a monkey would shoot amazing flower photos in Monet's gardens. Honfleur.. also gorgeous. Deauville tomorrow!


However, these tours are torture for someone obsessed with photography.
 
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Sandrine Bascouert

Member
my point

As a French I've got the avantage on partiality upon you. Paris is a shitty place, a rubbish, a crap to shoot. People are rude and never clear out the place even 3 seconds to let you take the shot. You're more likely to take everyone's pictures in Paris because everyone has already taken the same pictures. Loose yourself in Paris but tomorrow, holy mother of Christ, go some place elsewhere!!!! If you're keen on countryside, I've got a few recommendations to give if you want. Speak to people, I mean real people, not Parisians. Even the French hates them, They own the bad reputation we have all over the world. (I think I will got lots of new friends, now)
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Sandrine Bascouert said:
As a French I've got the avantage on partiality upon you. Paris is a shitty place, a rubbish, a crap to shoot. People are rude and never clear out the place even 3 seconds to let you take the shot. You're more likely to take everyone's pictures in Paris because everyone has already taken the same pictures. Loose yourself in Paris but tomorrow, holy mother of Christ, go some place elsewhere!!!! If you're keen on countryside, I've got a few recommendations to give if you want. Speak to people, I mean real people, not Parisians. Even the French hates them, They own the bad reputation we have all over the world. (I think I will got lots of new friends, now)
Click to expand...

Francine,

Then, does the "je m'en fous" attitude just apply to Paris? I wonder how history would have been made if Paris never existed, just Versailles and the rest of the country? Would there have been such a revolution or a Napolean?

The Eiffel Tower is a landmark within one of the greatest cities in the world. Everything has been photographed but everything remains. There are children and shop signs and roof tops galore. And, from an apartment there are 3 pigeons on a windowsill and beyond one can make out the eiffel tower.

It still is admirable and that picture can be too! If you take pictures from your mind and not the little computer, yes, even in Paris, you can make great pictures!

Asher
 
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Bart_van_der_Wolf

pro member
Asher Kelman said:
Then, does the "je m'en fous" attitude just apply to Paris? I wonder how history would have been made if Paris never existed, just Versailles and the rest of the country? Would there have been such a revolution or a Napolean?
Click to expand...

Hi Asher,

One has to understand the 'local' sentiments. According to the French people, the ones I've spoken about that subject anyway, there is Paris and there is the rest of France (the provinces). When someone is acting loud and obnoxious, he/she is typified by "C'est un(e) Parisien(ne)"... (don't blame me, I know a few very nice people from Paris).

Beautiful images can be made throughout France (think lavender or sunflower fields, and rolling hills and monumental or small churches, and colorful houses, and interesting people, and ...).

Cheers,
Bart
 
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Sandrine Bascouert

Member
Don't misjudge me!

I was a bit angry (I wasn't) But what I really meant to say is that:

1- It seems that foreigners only knows French because they went to Paris, and that's a pity.

2- That the provincials (that how the Parisians call us- They mean Peasants) deserves your visit even though there is no Eiffel tower in Strasbourg, Lyon, Brest, Bordeaux. They are usually less rude than the Parisians because they are glad to see that people travel 5000 km just to see them, the Parisian are used to it, it's SOOOO normal that people want to see the "arc de triomphe". They say it's the city of lights....uh? what else?

3-Of course Paris is a great city to visit (I've been there myself, to see if the Eiffel tower was still standing ;-) ). And they are many nice Parisians too, (as individuals...); my sister is a Parisian, and many of my friends as well.

What I meant is you will find ridiculous if I say to you, I've been in Los Angeles, so I've been in United States, it's cool , every american wear swimsuit even in January. All the american speak with the Joe Pesci accent, and they all read Variety when they had their breakfast in the patio of their Abobe house. What a great country!


PS: Unfortunately, I've never been to US but I'd be glad to spend, let's say, 7 days in a remote Arkansas house with a mere american family. And I will take some pictures! After that, I'd go to New York and even Las Vegas and do all that every tourist does.
 
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Sandrine Bascouert

Member
Still depends if you deal with friends or if you deal with café waiters, shops assistants, civil servants :) or the average passers-by. They are still hard to live on a day to day basis. Of course if you take the time to speak it's quite different. And because I'm living abroad my own country, now it's more obvious. talking loudly, acting quite arrogantly (you may say that's the average behavior :) ) I'm always struggling to act the most "elegantly" possible because of all the stories the English told me about their staying in Paris.
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
Maybe that was it. I think my fractured French was quite comical. (It made me laugh, anyway.) They went out of their way to help me. I did notice they withdrew a little the few times I forgot and spoke first in English.
 
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