Paris TLR Photos
Paris Travel Log #4
Having processed the TLR photos I took in Paris, I can show them here.
That guy was taking photos of the woman in the street. She was posing for him. I found it strange that they’d do that lugging around a suitcase.
I think this is an entrance to a library. The woman was pacing looking at her phone behind the bars.
This is a bakery where we usually buy brioche.
I did a Vivian Maier here. But I struggled with the wrong film: ISO 100 in a dark street with overcast weather, tough.
With a little bit of light it was much easier.
I liked the sign on the road and that people were walking in the middle of the street.
I took some photos of narrow streets to keep consistent with the camera’s age.
Early in the morning, just as we were walking down the street, a group of runners passed us. A 70 year old TLR isn’t the best camera to turn, open the visor, aim, focus, adjust the shutter speed, and shoot before everybody’s long gone.
Another random street. The Marais area is full of those.
Back on the subway at the end of the day. I decided to try to take a photo of my wife aperture full open. Again, ISO 100 is a struggle. You forget how easy we have it with digital sensitivity.
The fallen chair at my parents’. The lighter areas are due to bad film rincing (I’m still learning; at least I’ve identified the cause).
I took a photo of my mum at her craft. She disapproves of monochrome photos.
And another photo of my wife in the house.
Back out the next day, I took photos around St Michel and St Germain boulevards.
I spotted an observatory at the top of the tower.
I took a photo at a street market, but the slow shutter speed made people more blurry than I wanted.
Another random narrow street. I had to wait for ages for a couple of Americans to move away.
More streets around St Michel. I used to go to one of the many Greek restaurants on Saturday to have lunch on my way to cinemas at Champs Elysees.
Traditionally, in the low season, the restaurant owners wait in the street and try to convince you to come and eat at their place. The streets were very busy this time, so they didn’t need to do that.
The Institut du monde arabe building near Jussieu is very distinctive with etched glass everywhere.
Facing l’Institut du monde arabe, there is a statue at the top of a column.
Round a corner, I saw a building with ivy growing on its facade. I couldn’t resist.
This street was really dark and photo is massively under-exposed. It was still very busy.
Crossing the river on the way back home.
This is a very quiet street full of restaurants.
I of course took photos of people crossing the street on pedestrian crossings.
Final photo of the trip. It was really dark, I didn’t manage to hold the camera still enough.
Overall I’m happy with these photos. For a 70 years old camera, the Flexaret is pretty decent. I need to improve my developing skills, but I’m getting there.
See you another time.
Your photographs are truly nice, Cedric. Full of character and nostalgia. 'Imperfections' is what I like.
However, to minimise the struggle on your side when shooting, I suggest using different ISOs according to the situation. I do that all the time - for instance, I expose my 100 ISO film on a range from -1 to +3 stops (50 up to 800 ISO). Then, the stand or semi-stand developing process will give you beautiful images. Uses less developer, too and only requires more time.
I love these, Cedric. They have a timeless quality about them.