Paris Photography Tours

Wednesday Dec 30 2010

I have the privilege of sharing my photographic experience with enthusiastic photographers from all over the world, and in one of the most photographed and photogenic cities in the world, Paris. Today was a perfect day albeit a little too cold, but the all important light served up a delight for both landscape and interior photography. The interior of Notre Dame is just magic when that Eastern sun shines through the stained glass illuminating the rustic stone pillars and blues of the arched ceilings that are otherwise hidden in the shadows. I explained to my group how in situations of low light as in most churches we can become human tripods. Firstly I suggested everyone select their two second timer from their camera's menu, then pre focus as most lenses struggle to fix a focal point in low light conditions, manually set the shutter speed and aperature, because camera meters cannot be trusted in mixed lighting scenarios. I also reccommend everyone shoot in RAW not jpeg. For those with cameras like the Canon 5D MKii I suggest ISO 1600-2000. With all this set they are ready, the last instruction is to hold your breath for that two seconds and to brace the camera firmly against the forehead to ensure little or no movement. With this method most peoples shots were sharp even at speeds as low as 15th of a second.

Outside the sun created sharp contrast with the raking light creating attractive highlights on the flying buttresses, and on the weather greened brass statues of the architects on the roof. On the route we visit the Greek catholic church of St Julian le Pauvre, The church of St Severin if it's open, Shakespêar & Co the oldest english book shop in Paris, which has been open every day since 1951. We walk around the back of the Il de Cité and visit the monument to the deportation of the Jews by the Vichy government during the 2nd world war.

From here we stroll along some of the small quaint streets of the Latin Quarter, crossing rue des Ecoles and taking the gently rising Rue de Calmes. Very soon thereafter arriving at my favourite church in Paris dedicated to Ste Genevieve. It's a must see church, and being situated right behind the Pantheon and a stones throw from the Luxembourg gardens there's no excuse not to see it. After the Pantheon we stroll down past the Place de la Sorbonne and the musée de moyenne age and back to our starting point at the fountain of St Michel.