In the City of Light: Photographs from Paris

Of all the cities across the Atlantic, Paris has been the one city that I have been to the most. It started in the first days of 2013, and this trip marks my fifth time in Paris. Oddly, despite numerous visits, I have few photos of the city, which prompted me to return to Paris. With the last few days of my recent trip, Paris would be my last stop before returning to Halifax.

Coming directly from Dubrovnik, Croatia, there was a stark difference. Dubrovnik was sunny and hot, and a slower-paced place. My Airbnb, located up on the hill, offered a beautiful view of Old Town and the Adriatic Sea beyond it. Arriving in Paris, it was dark. Not only was it after 7 pm, but it was pouring rain. The temperature was much cooler, and if you aren’t aware, Paris is quite chaotic. It was a completely different experience. Although it was not a worse experience (the walk in the rain was not enjoyable), it was different. One that was a shift, but one I remembered. Paris is a great city to explore, and there are plenty of opportunities for street photography amongst well-known landmarks.

Exploring Paris

After arriving from Dubrovnik, I anticipated that exploring would be a bit less challenging, and it was. It was early September, and Dubrovnik was still swelteringly hot. There were also many inclines in Old Town and from my wall back to my Airbnb. Comparatively, Paris was much different. It’s relatively flat, thankfully, but it’s much more sprawling. Walking via Google Maps can be deceiving, as the distances shown can be farther than you realize. It was also much cooler. Jackets were noticeable!

My Airbnb in Paris was conveniently located. I was 1.5 km away from the Eiffel Tower, which was good as it made getting up early to catch the morning sun not much of a hike. Also, a friendly note: accommodations in Paris are pretty small. This goes for Airbnbs and hotels. Unless you are spending big dollars, get used to staying in a tiny place. My Airbnb was tight even for just me.

It is easy to get around Paris on foot, and early in the morning the city is relatively peaceful; however, by midday it becomes busy. There are people everywhere, especially in the main tourist areas. As a result, the Louvre grounds and the Eiffel Tower are places you want to be early. Additionally, the lighting will be improved. Fortunately, the Eiffel Tower is easily visible from many areas in the city, making finding various compositions that feature the tower relatively easy, meaning you can avoid crowds while composing without issue.

The subway can get you around easily, but I recommend walking as much as possible to maximize your opportunities for spontaneous photography.

Photo 1 - Bridge

This is probably the least Parisian photo I captured during my entire stay in the city, which makes it stand out even more amid some of the more quintessentially Parisian scenes I’ve included here. In fact, this spot is just a few minutes’ walk from my Airbnb, yet it offers a perspective strikingly different from the images of Paris that I was familiar with from previous visits. What immediately caught my attention was the bridge overhead. Its architecture reminded me more of what you might see in an American city than of the historic look European cities often present. This contrast was why I wanted to photograph this scene, capturing the city's more urban side.

Photo 2 - Trocadero Gardens

This photo was captured in the early morning at one of the most iconic spots in Paris for viewing the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadero Gardens. This location offers an unobstructed view. While the Trocadero is often bustling with crowds, especially during sunset and after dark when the Eiffel Tower is illuminated, the early mornings are, in my opinion, some of the best times.

At this time, the sunlight was horizontal, casting almost perfect silhouettes against the wall. The intrigue of this moment lies in its simplicity. There’s a vibrant warmth in the early morning sun, and combined with this lighting, it creates a simple yet intriguing image.

Photo 3 - Morning Exploring

I visited Paris in September and the colours were vibrant, especially in the foliage. I believe I was standing in the middle of the street, on a divisional strip separating the two lanes, for this photo. As I was only shooting with the 23mm, I didn’t have any zoom, which was fine with me. I prefer the constraints of composing naturally without simply zooming in on subjects. I honestly feel that my composition has dramatically improved over the past few years, as my limitations now allow me to approach scenes with greater nuance.

I’m aware that this photo isn’t groundbreaking or entirely original; however, what truly captivates me here are the vivid colours and the scene's vibrant energy. The sunlight hits the leaves just right, illuminating them in a way that intensifies and creates a vibrant outline.

One of the elements I appreciate most is how the woman walking through the frame becomes the perfect focal point, positioned precisely in the middle of that patch of light. Her presence not only adds that human element but also connects the composition. It’s spontaneous but thoughtfully arranged.

Photo 4 - Le Recruitement

This cafe is a beautifully decorated establishment that offers a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower. Admittedly, finding a vantage point to see the Eiffel Tower around Paris isn’t a challenge. The tower’s immense presence allows for compositions from virtually every angle. Yet what makes this cafe special is how it incorporates more of that quintessential Parisian atmosphere into the view. Rather than focusing solely on the tower, the scene blends the iconic landmark with Paris’s urban character, providing an authentic sense of place.

Paris is renowned for its abundance of cafes, which are found on nearly every corner. However, Le Recruitment stands out, particularly for its exterior presentation. The decorative details and inviting facade elevate it beyond just another cafe. This adds depth to the photograph, capturing not only a view but also a mood, a lifestyle, and the city's lived experience.

Timing was crucial to this shot. The dark shadow cast in the lower left corner helps conceal an otherwise unremarkable area of the frame, effectively guiding the viewer’s eye toward the Eiffel Tower rising above and the cafe’s facade and presence.

Photo 5 - Early Morning

This moment was captured on my last day in Paris, and knowing it would be my final chance to experience the city, I was determined to make the most of it by waking up especially early. I wanted to catch the sunrise by the Seine River with a clear view of the Eiffel Tower. My Airbnb was a short walk from the tower, and this particular spot, situated on the opposite side of the river, offered a slightly different perspective from the more common viewpoints.

I relied on the PhotoPills app to confirm the time and direction of the sunrise. I set out just as the sky began to lighten, and after enjoying the sunrise, I continued my journey by crossing the Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge. Once across, I paused at the street to take in the low sunlight, casting long shadows across the ground in warm, golden tones.

This photo, to me, is that perfect transition of two seasons: the warmth of summer with hints of fall’s arrival.

Photo 6 - Along the Seine

Good light shapes the mood, enhances textures, and highlights details. Many times when travelling, we don’t have the luxury of being in certain places at optimal times and weather, but when everything comes together, the results can be fantastic.

There are millions of photographs of the Eiffel Tower, which isn’t surprising given its symbolic status as the very definition of Paris. Its towering presence is evident across the city, making it an irresistible background for many photos throughout Paris. The tower is undeniably spectacular to see, and although I enjoy pictures of it on its own, I also enjoy incorporating it into a broader composition of Paris, as it can add context, atmosphere, and depth.

This particular photo was taken on the same morning as Photo 5, about 20 minutes later, during my walk along the Seine. Here, if you look down the embankment, you can see the activity along the river with tourist excursion boats, river buses, and other vessels lined up. In the distance, the Eiffel Tower grounds the photo with its presence in the skyline.

Conclusion

Having visited Paris multiple times since my first trip in early 2013, this most recent journey marked my fifth visit, driven in part by the realization that I had surprisingly few photographs to show for it. This was my first solo visit, so I had all the time I needed to explore on foot and photograph at every opportunity. It was a lot of walking; fortunately, Paris is relatively flat, so it was a much different experience than my time in Dubrovnik. The terrain was much different, and the weather was cooler.

Having been a few years since my last time in Paris, I was happy to be back. It remains a fascinating city, offering a wealth of opportunities for street and travel photography. It’s definitely a city I’d recommend everyone visit if they have the chance.