Will I be hassled in Paris if I try to shoot street scenes with a rangefinder?

Bob Carnie · Mar 27, 2012

They just have this crazy love for Jerry Lewis.

Mainecoonmaniac said:
Relax. Take some pictures. French people are cool.

Trasselblad · Mar 27, 2012

I lived in Paris from 1986 to 1997. Got my OM-3 brand new at that time. I started using it again 3 years ago after being fed up with watching a computer screen for my photography. I do the latter all day long for a living...I still have loads of negatives from those days. They have all kept well.

I never had a problem photographing anywhere in Paris. Obviously, museums and public places have rules - like anywhere - which are usually clearly posted. Common sense goes a long way. You wouldn't be setting up a tripod and huge flash inside the Louvre, now would you?

There was only one time where I felt a bit uneasy taking pictures: 14th July 1989, early morning, I made a point of driving around town "documenting" how the city was waking up to the festivities and ended up among a bunch of Nationalist skinheads, all balaclavad, gathered around the Jeanne d'Arc statue. They did not want to have their picture taken. Usual and typical cowardice that can be expected from fanatical extremists of any so called cause...now, the funny thing was that just a block away, there was a large gathering of riot police - the CRS - and they were even more upset about me taking pictures! I had to ask my then girlfriend, later wife, to step on it, or my beloved OM-3 would have permanently changed ownership at that time... Nice memories at any rate - and my own doing.

Have fun in Paris. I will also go there later this spring. Will I bring the OM-3? Mais bien sur!

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 27, 2012

May I add that a bad meal is hard to find. Other than the strange love of Jerry Lewis, they also like their McDonalds. But I think the burger flippers in Paris show the same respect for food as anywhere in France so I'd imagine the food in Mickey D's is better than what you get in the States. Don't bring too much gear because you'll do a lot of walking. The best way to take photos.

E. von Hoegh · Mar 27, 2012

Bob Carnie said:
They just have this crazy love for Jerry Lewis.

I know! And they claim to be rational!

E. von Hoegh · Mar 27, 2012

Mainecoonmaniac said:
May I add that a bad meal is hard to find. Other than the strange love of Jerry Lewis, they also like their McDonalds. But I think the burger flippers in Paris show the same respect for food as anywhere in France so I'd imagine the food in Mickey D's is better than what you get in the States. Don't bring too much gear because you'll do a lot of walking. The best way to take photos.

McDonalds is shit, everywhere, including France. Don't go to Paris and eat at McDonald's, it's heresy. Find a real restaurant that the Parisians eat at (as opposed to a tourist trap with $5 coffee) and have a meal or five. Enjoy a pastis. Get some fresh bread early in the morning and slather some Camembert on it while it's still warm. Oh yes, take some pictures. Enjoy!

cliveh · Mar 27, 2012

Photography no problem, but they may argue with you about your pronunciation of Saint Germain des Pres.

benjiboy · Mar 27, 2012

Bob Carnie said:
They just have this crazy love for Jerry Lewis.

Do you mean like Americans used to love Benny Hill ?

Chrismat · Mar 27, 2012

benjiboy said:
Do you mean like Americans used to love Benny Hill ?

Not this American.

Bob Carnie · Mar 27, 2012

Us Canadians prefer Mr Bean, but I would not eat any turkey he prepares.

benjiboy said:
Do you mean like Americans used to love Benny Hill ?

E. von Hoegh · Mar 27, 2012

benjiboy said:
Do you mean like Americans used to love Benny Hill ?

Argh.

W.C. Fields was the funniest man ever filmed.

Pat Erson · Mar 27, 2012

"Be humble, polite, and apologetic. Dumb American plays much better than Ugly American"

That's SO true!
Other advices : travel light and bring more film than you planned to. There'll always be a place or monument you'll fall in love with.

And photographing bird-feeders is tricky because what they do is illegal . Animal lovers will think you're a plain-clothes cop.

Mainecoonmaniac · Mar 27, 2012

You know Benny Hill looks a lot like Newt Gringrich

SchwinnParamount · Mar 27, 2012

I have read through all 4 pages of responses and every response is much appreciated... including the comparson of Benny Hill to Gingrich .
I have come away with assurance that my little black Voightlander isn't going to cause me any grief, I'll be fatter upon return than when I left, and I'll have some really great pictures of the City of Lights.
Thanks everyone!

Steve Smith · Mar 28, 2012

E. von Hoegh said:
W.C. Fields was the funniest man ever filmed.

No. That would be Jacques Tati.

Steve.

Steve Smith · Mar 28, 2012

cliveh said:
Photography no problem, but they may argue with you about your pronunciation of Saint Germain des Pres.

And if you ask for directions to Notre Dame, please don't use the American pronunciation which is nothing close to reality!

Steve.

Steve Smith · Mar 28, 2012

E. von Hoegh said:
McDonalds is shit, everywhere

I don't think it's that good!

Steve.

Steven L · Mar 28, 2012

Pat Erson said:
#SNIP#

And photographing bird-feeders is tricky because what they do is illegal . Animal lovers will think you're a plain-clothes cop.

I did something illegal in Paris.

EdoNork · Mar 28, 2012

You can't miss the night view of the tower and the city from the Montparnasse building:

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/France/Ile_de_France/Paris-99080/Things_To_Do-Paris-Tour_Montparnasse-BR-1.html

Leigh Youdale · Mar 28, 2012

Trask said:
I lived in Paris for three years, and I did a lot of street photography -- never had a problem. Do watch out for scam artists who will try to take advantage of your presumed greed: you'll see someone walking toward you suddenly bend to the ground and come up holding a gold ring in their hand. They'll ask you if it is yours, or what they should do with it, the whole idea being that somehow they are "willing" to give you the seemingly expensive gold ring for a relatively small sum of money. Of course, the ring is fake, the scam artist palmed the ring that was never on the ground, etc. I used to just keep walking right past them.

Yep, gat caught with that one. Near the Eiffel Tower. Was a bit nonplussed when we offered a modest reward to be abused that "she couldn't even buy a Coke with that!".

Leigh Youdale · Mar 28, 2012

SchwinnParamount said:
My wife and I will be in Paris for 10 days starting next week. We have never travelled abroad before and I am a little nervous about upsetting the locals with my camera. I've heard scare stories about tourists like myself being hassled by the local cops for taking pictures of street scenes. Is there anything to this?
If there is, what is the best strategy to get my pictures and not get hassled. If there is nothing to the stories, I'd like to hear that too.

No problems. Be sensible, courteous, and friendly, and don't try to emulate Bruce Gilden or whatever his name is. Don't use a tripod. Learn just a few words of French if you can - even enough to say "Pardon me, I only speak a little French - could we speak in English if you please?" Remember you're a visitor, not introducing them to American-style democracy. Walk where you can - don't even think about a car. I noticed your name includes Schwinn. If you're a cyclist there are bicycle hire stains all over (if you're ready to brave the traffic). Use the Metro to cover distances greater than you care to walk. It's a bit daunting the first time but we got a couple of Apps for the iPhone with maps of the Metro and a French-English-French phrase translator and we had a ball. Embrace the food and the culture. The French eat smaller quantities than you may be used to - you don't see many obese French people - but the food is exquisite.

MDR · Mar 28, 2012

Never been hassled in Paris, been there for every year for the past 15 years.
Paris is a beautiful and very photogenic city. Try to show (and have) respect for the french and their accomplishments and you won't have any problems. If you want to eat a lot for a relatively small price got to one of the moroccans Restaurants near the larger Railwaystations and order some Couscous.

Dominik

Steve Smith · Mar 28, 2012

Leigh Youdale said:
Learn just a few words of French if you can - even enough to say "Pardon me, I only speak a little French - could we speak in English if you please?"

Learn as much French as you can. It generally gets a good response in most of France... except in Paris where even perfect French with a slight English accent is frowned upon!

Most of my conversations in France have been with me speaking French to a French person replying in English - very strange at first but actually quite logical (sort of).

Steve.

ooze · Mar 28, 2012

amsp said:
I beg to differ

Antonio,

I wouldn't force my luck with the Turkish police! But I presume you are comfortable with body language and making your intentions clear before it's too late.

Cheers

EASmithV · Mar 28, 2012

This guy threatened to break my camera... Then again, he had a British accent in Paris, so maybe he was grumpy at the French.

The "Digital Revoloution" really has made people more wary of cameras...

DesertNate · Mar 28, 2012

If a man is playing guitar on the park, and has his case open for donations, don't even think about taking his picture with a professional level camera without throwing five or ten dollars in that case. It's poor taste to photograph a beggar you've not helped.

Will I be hassled in Paris if I try to shoot street scenes with a rangefinder?

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