Gallery: seeing more of Paris in black and white
If you have ever walked in Paris, you will see that Paris will ever walk in your memories!
Mehmet Murat Ildan
On our recent visit to Paris, much of the time we did just that, walk. With no need to tick off the famous sights we instead strolled some of our favourite streets, explored new ones and checked out some less well-known places. I took lots of photos, as always, some of which have already appeared in this blog and many more of which will follow.
As I did after last year’s visit, I’ve selected some that I think work either as well or even better in monochrome, for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness. Some you may have spotted already in their colour versions; others may well appear in due course. Hopefully these black and white edits are sufficiently different to justify any duplication! All were created with my go-to Nik Silver Efex Pro software.
A corner of the Rue de Seine
In one of the courtyards of the Louvre
The Louvre pyramid seen from an adjoining courtyard
On the Rue de Buci
On the Rue de Birague
In the Place Saint Michel
Some of the gargoyles of Notre Dame
In the Père Lachaise Cemetery
The Palais de Justice from the Place Dauphine
Near the church of Saint-Paul et Saint-Louis, Rue Saint Antoine
In the church of Saint-Paul et Saint-Louis
Double helix staircase in the Bourse de Commerce (now an art gallery)
The Musée Albert Kahn
I visit Paris frequently; these photos were all taken on my latest September 2023 trip
50 Comments
Anonymous
I think the monochrome works so well with the candid people shots. Very, very, good. Paris in black and white certainly looks different and I’m pleased to have seen it through your eyes in this style.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you very much 🙂 Yes, I like monochrome for street photography, it often works better. Glad you enjoyed seeing Paris like this 🙂
Pingback:
equinoxio21
PS. Le Pont des Arts is one of my favourite bridges in Paris. Something magical about it.
equinoxio21
Precious shots. I lived in the Latin Quarter for two years when I was a student. A friend of mine had a “chambre de bonne” Rue de Buci. No “visitorS” from all over the world then…
Did you know (or notice) that the floor of the Pont des arts has just been re-done? About time. The boards were beyond wear…
Sarah Wilkie
A great place to live, I love that whole area 🙂 And yes, I noticed the Pont des Arts had been spruced up. It’s one of my favourites too, the views are just perfect and I love that it’s pedestrianised so you can linger and cross back and forth at ease 😀 I have a print of a Cartier-Bresson photo taken from there on my dining room wall!
equinoxio21
There was a time when picnicking on the Pont des arts was allowed. It was fantastic. sadly there was some abuse. Now it’s not.
I agree, it is one of the best perspectives.
A Cartier-Bresson print? Hmmm. The one with Sartre and Camus? Or the little girl?
equinoxio21
I had to check. The little girl was by Boubat. Taken in 1954. The little girl is now pushing 80…
(I do miss the wire mesh. The glass panels are all scratched. But the mesh had become impossible to handle with the padlocks…)
I am curious as to which Cartier-Bresson picture you might have… (Excellent author)
Sarah Wilkie
It’s a print (poster print only, not photographic!) of this: https://collections.artsmia.org/art/99746/ile-de-la-cite-henri-cartier-bresson
equinoxio21
Posters are fine. The image is what counts. And the story behind it. Hopping to your link.
equinoxio21
I had seen the picture before. A great view of the Pont-neuf. The willow is still there. Not sure about the first, foremost tree. He must have used quite a wide angle to get the entire bridge… Hmmm. I’ll have a try next time…
Compliments. It is a great photo to have on your wall.
Tanja
great images as always!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Tania 🙂
Wetravelhappy
Your are so artistic Sarah! Monochrome but I the see that you had a colourful time taking these photos. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Ah yes, that’s true – Paris is a colourful city but one that also works well in monochrome 😀
grandmisadventures
I just love how the black and white gives a whole different feel to a city. Beautiful! 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m glad you like this ‘different feel’ 😀
Sylvia
Sarah, I have always been a fan of your candid shots of people no matter where you’ve taken them and these particular photos are no different! But ALL of these Paris photos, particularly because they are in black & white, are just outstanding! It’s clear that Paris has a special place in your heart!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Sylvia 😊 I really appreciate your feedback and enthusiasm for these photos!
Linda K
The black and white works so well with the photos you have here! I imagine Paris is lovely however you photograph it 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Linda 🙂 Well, I think it looks lovely but I know not everyone is a fan of Paris (bizarrely imho!)
thehungrytravellers.blog
Super stuff again. You know, your love of Paris shines through every time you post about it!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😊 I do bang on about it a bit, I know, but don’t worry, Chicago posts are just around the corner for a change of scene!
margaret21
You’ve chosen these well: not one of these requires colour, and in fact seem to make more of a statement because of their limited palette. A lovely gallery.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Margaret – I know you’re not always keen on B&W edits so I’m chuffed you liked all of them 😀
margaret21
Oh, I’m ok with b/w editing. It seems a fair enough deceit to me!
Rebecca
Paris is magical, but there’s something especially magical when the city is captured in black and white. It feels as if you’re transported back in time to a vintage era, a place classy and sophisticated. Great job capturing the beauty of Paris!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you so much Rebecca, I love how you’ve summarised the effect of these edits, ‘a place classy and sophisticated’ 😊
the eternal traveller
Your photos of the statuary are gorgeous.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much 😊
bushboy
All too good Sarah so no favourites for you this time just a lot of sighing from here 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Brian, although I’m sorry to have caused you to sigh so much 😆
restlessjo
That one of the Louvre pyramid is an interesting black and white, Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Jo 😊 It struck me as an unusual viewpoint and works in colour too but I think I prefer this version!
Marie
I’m opting for that staircase also – I love it…
Sarah Wilkie
It’s rather special isn’t it?!
Alli Templeton
Another great collection, Sarah. Love the candid shots of folk on the street. Looks as though you had a very pleasant walk around the city. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Alli 🙂 These were taken on several different walks during our stay, all of them very pleasant!
Alli Templeton
The mono effect really adds to them too. Very effective. 😊
Sue
Wonderful set of monochromes, I can really ‘feel’ Paris!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sue – I reckon that’s a good feeling to have!
Sue
It is!
Sue
😊👍
Susanne Swanson
Wonderful photos and makes me long for a trip to Paris! And I agree the staircase photos is fabulous!
Sarah Wilkie
If these photos make you want to visit Paris then I’ve done my job’ properly! Thank you Susanne 🙂
Susanne Swanson
Indeed you have! 🙂 🙂
Anne Sandler
Awesome black and whites Sarah! That staircase is something else!!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Anne 😊 This was originally a warehouse and they built the double staircase so that men carrying heavy loads wouldn’t have to manoeuvre past each other on the stairs!
satyam rastogi
Nice post
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks 🙂