Paris in black and white

Old Aug 29th, 2014, 11:20 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,763
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
Paris in black and white

I have only recently rediscovered how interesting it can be to see Paris in black and white, just like in the old movies and photographs. When I was little, half of the postcards for sale were still in black and white, but of course I would go straight for the garish ones in color.

But when you start looking at Paris again without all of the color, it helps you to realize what a timeless place it is. Many of the scenes look 50 or 100 or 150 years old and the obvious anachronisms just sort of fade away.

Here is a compendium that I have started of modern Paris scenes in black & white or sepia and it is really remarkable how much more powerful some of the images become: http://tinyurl.com/parisbw
kerouac is online now  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 11:30 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,257
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes on 2 Posts
As a "valued" member of Any Port In A Storm, I received an email yesterday alerting me to your post. Very nice photos, and it gives one a good feel of the Paris of days gone by...even though the photos are in the present. Nice job!

maitaitom is online now  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 12:17 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
These aren't yours, correct.
IMDonehere is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 12:26 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,763
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
I have taken each and every one of those photos with my Lumix in the last two weeks.
kerouac is online now  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 12:35 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Then you are to be commended as they exceed your previous efforts.
IMDonehere is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 12:40 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,763
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
Thanks, but I think it just means that black & white imparts a completely different sensibility to pictures of Paris (and probably also London and Rome). And when you take black & white photos, you frame them differently because you are no longer distracted by the colourful elements.
kerouac is online now  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 01:18 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,422
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
great
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 01:30 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wunnerful wunnerful. As a lover of B&W, what a treat. As a lover of Paris--an even better treat.
Gretchen is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 01:39 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've always loved B&W photos of Paris. Thanks for another great report!
adrienne is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 01:45 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,278
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post


Oh so interesting and beautiful
My favorites are the after dark photos and the photos with just a touch of color really jump out at you.
Thanks for another stunning look at my favorite place.
TPAYT is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 03:25 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
J'adore Paris in B&W.
I am reading The Monuments Men so this is my frame of reference right now.
Thanks for posting.
FabulousFrance is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 03:34 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 727
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This collection is lovely, just lovely! Question: the building with the tile sign, "Assainissement de Paris," what is that, an old laundry? I loved the little signs to the left and right, of the computer game characters! They're obviously more recent additions to that facade!
tekwriter is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 04:45 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I really like the black and white and the subjects and composition of the photos.
opaldog is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 05:33 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Nice....I love B & W!
denisea is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 05:58 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Stunning! Just stunning images, Kerouac!
nukesafe is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 08:14 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you can look at B & W's made with the gelatin silver process which creates an image with low grain and high contrast. Man Ray was a master of it.
IMDonehere is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2014, 08:57 PM
  #17  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,763
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
"Assainissement de Paris," what is that, an old laundry?

That's along the Canal Saint Martin. "Assainissement" refers to sewage treatment. The artist 'Invader' has placed little computer game mosaics all over the city (in fact, all over the world). Even the building I live in has a space invader on it.

http://www.space-invaders.com/
kerouac is online now  
Old Aug 30th, 2014, 09:15 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree Paris is great in B&W. Thanks for the link to your photos. I took one that I like of the Eiffel Tower at night on my most recent trip. Link if anyone wants to see it:

http://spencercoxphoto.com/p1036742646#h3456a163
photoEU is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2014, 09:52 PM
  #19  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 23,763
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 1 Post
That's a fantastic photo. A CGI company would probably charge big bucks to recreate a scene like that.
kerouac is online now  
Old Aug 30th, 2014, 10:03 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Very nice work Spencer
IMDonehere is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -