Layover in Parigi
Paris, 2025
For street photographers, there may be no pilgrimage greater than the streets of Paris.
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Missing the Decisive Moment, an anecdote:
I came across two people who looked as if AI had created a futuristic Hollywood rendition of a stereotypical French couple. I decided to get right in their face and take their photo—usually something I reserve for when I get permission, but they kind of had it coming. So I did, they were very confused but were preoccupied with being created by AI or berets or something, so there was no follow up interaction. As I walked away to admire what was sure to be one of the greatest street photographs I'd ever taken, it wasn't there. Why? I don't quite know, but the Parisian gods of street photography sarcastically said "se la vie..." to my obnoxious American tourist response to their obnoxious hyper Frenchness.
A note on Parigi:
The title of this photo essay is in reference to the moments I pretended to be an Italian tourist to better my odds of getting a street portrait. Paris in Italian is Parigi. Bella, bella Parigi.