The man who knows the quarter

You are taking a walk and you watch people around you searching for someone special to take picture of… Someone who would represent the quarter that like that much, someone with a feeling and a story.

He was standing in the middle of the open door of his old clothes store looking far away as if waiting for something special. When I saw him I just had to get closer even if I was not sure about the reaction. But no fear necessary, he was a very kind man…

“You know, I have been here since 35 years. Nothing was the same as it is now, do you se that fontaine? No way that existed when I came here…”. He looked quicky to his colleague, who smiled at me: “Not me, I was not here since that long time ago!”.

I was glad to be able to take photos of both of them. If one day you pass by that street between Chatelet and Le Marais, let you be charmed by this place.

9. The man who knows the quarter

What do colours represent in your life?

For me a lot! A colourful photo is magical, full of life, energy and joy. If you add a beautiful smile and friendly attitude, you have the woman that I recently met at the Marché des enfants rouges. She runs a restaurant at the market and the food looked just delicious! I promise that I will come back to taste one of your cocktails :-)

For more photos of the 100 inconnus project, see the gallery.

8. A woman with many colours around her (Marché des enfants rouges)

A couple of new inconnus joined the gallery!

On 26 April 2014 I went again in the Parisian streets with the aim to find some interesting people to be added in the 100 Inconnus gallery. And indeed, I had a great photo time with one young Spanish, two Salvadorian friends and a French couple visiting Paris. They were all amazing people and I feel blessed to be able to have them here. See more in the gallery!

Where to get inspiration?

I just love the article on Digital Photography School. It gives the best advice on how to create a powerful photo – something to take inspiration from!

Besides, it fits perfectly to my principles of the 100 Inconnus project.

100 Strangers … 100 Inconnus

Originally named 100 strangers, I nicknamed my project 100 inconnus. Why? Well, my current place to live is Paris. This beautiful, romantic, historical, expensive, smelling-bad, dirty & semi-dangerous city situated in France. Don’t be mistaken, I love Paris with all its imperfections that make it even more charming. Paris is also a melting pot of various populations, tourists from all around the world, French from all around France and a bit of real Parisians. In brief, so many faces to be shown in photos! See more here.

Why to start a blog?

I like taking pictures. I like to think of them, find time to do them, post-process them, I like to look at them and show them to my friends. But why should I showcase them to the whole world? Are they that special to be shown?

I actually did not feel the need to have a blog until I launched myself in a project “100 strangers”. This challenging excercise gave me a new look on what I do. I was so happy with the first 3 strangers, which portrait I succeeded to shoot, that suddenly I felt the necessity to show it to the world. And to those who I take in the photo.

Now, here I am. And I promise not only continue with my challenging project but also try to upload other photos that I will estimate interesting, most probably not perfect, just interesting to be shared.