Deja_Sue

We'll be in Paris for a few days beginning 12 Oct (one week from this Sunday). Please tell me that the leaves will still be turning and this Angeleno will get a taste of Autumn...

TRSW

I don't know how far along they will be this year. I was in Paris the first week of November last year and this is how they looked then, I hope they are just as beautiful for you.

pbase.com/trsw/fallcolors

Tom

YvonneT

Hi, Tom

What lovely photos. We don't get such beauty in autumn where I live (tropics).

Yvonne

Deja_Sue

Wow, those are stunning photos! The reason I ask is that I saw some photos taken there today and it looks like the leaves have already started to turn. Wasn't sure how quickly that process goes at that latitude. But I sure hope we get some of the colors in your pictures.

ira

Good pix, Tom.

cafegoddess

Beautiful pictures! I usually go to Paris in the winter or spring but now I think it is time to change that.

klondike

Nice pix! Love that florist shop at the Buci Market-brings back fond memories.

The later in October, the more it depends on which way the wind blows-literally! If the weather is clear, the light in autumn can be spectacular-leaves or no.

My favorite time of year to vacation.

cafegoddess

What time does it gets dark in Paris around this time of year?

TRSW

cafegoddess,

Both of my trips to Paris have been in the fall. So I would say the sun starts to set around 5:45 or so. IMHO, this is perfect to watch the sunset, then get ready for dinner.

Tom

hetismij

Sunset is around 7 pm when you are in Paris.
It really needs a short period of night frosts to get the leaves to colour well. Later in October is more normal for autumn colour.
I don't know how it is in Paris but here in Holland most of the trees are still green. It was a very wet summer so they are hanging on. The wind over the last few days has blown some leaves down but they are definitely green. Hope for a couple of cold nights before you get there!

adrienne

Hi again Tom. I'm going to study your photos and learn more about photography. They're stunning but because of the composition. I have a similar photo of that flower pot in the Luxembourg Gardens (although my shot has petunias rather than mums) but my composition is not as good. The same with the rue de Buci flower shop! Grrrr - not fair! You seem to get the right mix of close up and distance which I'm missing.

freberta

Tom,

Your photos are beautiful. We are going to Paris on the 13th, so I imagine we'll experience some of the trees just beginning to show their fall colors. We just purchased a Nikon D-60 and have a few questions about your photos. Were they taken using manual settings? We wanted one large lens but unfortunately we had to get two lenses, so we have to carry both and switch. My husband and I both have dabbled a little bit in photography but this is our first "real" digital camera. On our last trip we used a Nikon 35mm plus a Sony point-and-shoot, which produced just OK photos. If you can give us any tips on shooting fall foliage scenes in Paris, I'd greatly appreciate it. Again, fantastic photos!

Intex

Some trees have begun the change to autumn red/brown. There are piles of leaves daily being sweeped up in the parks. Last month it got dark about 9:00pm, but now it is about 7-7:30 here.
Be prepared for cold weather, everybody has changed to boots, scarves, and overcoats, especially this week with the winds and rain.

nancy1652

We were in Parc Monceau the other day and there were some gorgeous colors. Also, Jardin du Ranelagh just across from the Marmmottan-Monet museum in the 16th, which was very colorful. Spent a few hours in the Bois de Boulogne and around the lake the colors were quite pretty. There's lovely restaurant you can eat at there called Chalet des Isles. A boat will come across the lake (about a 3-minute ride) and take you to the restaurant...you feel like you're in a Renoir painting! Great fun. It is getting cold here though, so be sure and bring layers and an umbrella.

Deja_Sue

Thanks for all the info. We leave a week from tomorrow!!

TRSW

adrienne - Thank you again. About the composistion thing, it just takes practice. That is one reason I am glad that I switched to digital, no wasting of film. That and the fact that I can use the computer as a darkroom without the mess.

freberta - Other than when I am shooting action shots, I always use manual settings. IMO the auto setting leaves a lot to be desired.

As for shooting the foliage, the most important thing is to have your white balance on the correct setting that matches your actual lighting conditions.

I have a D80 and am not familar with the D60 but am guessing they have some of the same features. So when you set up your color options instead of normal set it at vivid. That should help the colors 'pop'.

I don't know where you live, but practice some before you leave for Paris. Just play around with it.

Have a great trip. I wish I were going back to Paris such an amazing city.

Tom

mamc

We just got back from Paris day before yesterday. The leaves in the countryside were beginning to change but in the city, they were still pretty green. I think they will start to change faster and you may see Autumn.
It was getting dark around 7. We had spectacular weather! I hope it lasts for you - have a great trip.

freberta

Thanks, Tom

The D-80 is almost identical to the D-60 except for a few minor differences. We've had the camera for about a month but haven't done much with it, not even looked at the DVD that came with it. We have one week to cram. It would be a shame to have a great camera and not get great photos. With digital, there's no excuse for not practicing beforehand. We're in Maryland, so our leaves haven't really changed yet, but I suspect that in the next few days we'll get a few trees starting to turn. You've inspired me to get the manual and DVD out and do some reading and viewing.

Again, thanks for the tips.

Roberta

Challiman

Tom, Sue, Freberta and All,
I am so glad to see this thread as we will be in Europe starting Oct. 15, Amsterdam, Belgium and then Paris on the 24. I hope the trees are still pretty. I also have a D 60, got it in June to replace a camera I fell on in Spain in March
, but I do like this new one.
Tom, loved your pictures, thank you for the white balance tip.
Happy travels to all!

tod

TRSW - Your photos are amazing! You have convinced me that I need to be in Paris on my birthday - Nov.10th - but not this year. We were in Paris this Spring, which I also loved with all the bright green new leaves!