When architectural and street photography meet: Elena and a Passer By. Newcastle-Upon-Tyne September 12 2014

Was out and about in Newcastle today working on fairly standard architectural photography views with heavy and slow kit ( tripod , D800 , 24 mm PC lens). I was setting up a shot ( the wall and the reflection in the building’s window had caught my eye ) when this lovely young lady, Elena, if I caught her name right, offered to go around me and said “I hate it when people pass in front of my shots” to which I replied that I sometimes liked it when people became part of a photograph. We had a lovely brief chat about her own photographic pursuits and she accepted to pose against the wall. I  didn’t have a card (unprofessional I know ) so she wrote my long and complicated name on her hand. I hope she finds this blog and is happy with the photo. And of course I wish her the best for all her projects . The photograph is stitched from two frames . As for the second photograph, also stitched, it was taken by the Library. In  a way, although in colour, both these photos  are akin to  the La Piscine rue David d’Angers and to Près de la Gare du Nord captured on film around twenty years ago in Paris.The resolution of the D800 with that particular lens of two images stitched is an invitation to print these big.

Elena

A Passer By

La Piscine rue David d’Angers et Près de La Gare du Nord : Paris un début de projet de livre/ Paris book project

A few months ago I started an ambitious project to put the photos of Paris that matter to me the most in to book form. I’ve almost finished phase one of the work:selecting and editing the photos, many of which where captured on film.

Phase two, the layout, is seriously underway. My options were either to place the photos in more or less chronological order or to link them somehow: I quickly opted for the link them somehow. Furthermore Bruno Chalifour, photographer and critique prompted me to think in terms of series as opposed to stand alone approach.

It’s been a fascintating journey that has revealed to me how much, and sometimes, how little, I ‘ve changed my approach to organising the elements of a photograph leaving aside all considerations of content, lighting and rendition of the black and white.

“La Piscine rue David d’Anger”s is one of my favourite personal photographs. Everything comes together: subject, key elements, light and tonal range. “Près de la Gare du Nord ” I only edited recently (it’s been sitting in my archives for years). It works for me too. Because my archives are not organised , I don’t have a clear idea of how far apart in time they were taken( I suspect not very far ) but no matter how different they are in terms of content, it struck me that they are linked and  need to be on opposing pages:  of course they share obvious features but most importantly in my view they work in similar ways to create a feeling of space and of time captured.

 

 Black and white street photography by Christophe Chevaugeon  taken at the Piscine rud David d’Angers in Paris probably around the mid 90s

 

Black and white street photography by Christophe chevaugeon taken Près de la Gare du Nord in Paris probably around the mid 90s too