Ya’ll know I love taking photos, and I don’t consider myself to be a professional photographer, but I do think my photography skills have gotten far better over the years, so I thoroughly believe that with the right tips, you can absolutely take some awesome photos.
But, one of my favourite places to photograph is definitely Paris. I’ve been 3 times, in various seasons and there is always something magical to capture.
So in conjunction with my one in Paris guide, I’m rounding up my favourite tips to take the best photos in Paris.
The best time to visit Paris for photography depends on what kind of shots you want to capture, but generally, the following periods are ideal:
If you’re looking for a mix of great weather, good light, and fewer crowds, late April-May or September-October are the best months for photography in Paris.
Getting great shots is all about exploring differing angles, so you must keep moving, bending, and even getting on the ground. If you’re visiting Paris for just one day (and I hope you’re using my itinerary!), you really can't do this with bulky luggage and things restricting your movement.
Nowadays, this doesn’t need to be a problem, fortunately, there are spots for storing your stuff, such as luggage storage near the Louvre with Radical Storage, for stowing essentials that will weigh you down. It may even be a good idea to store camera accessories for different shots so you can pick them up later on.
I’d actually recommend dropping your luggage in here in the morning, then when you’re finished, you can finish your day in Paris at the Louvre, photograph it in the golden hours of the day, and then grab your things!
Like anywhere else, your perception of Paris can change depending on the time of day.
Photographers have two specific times when they explore because of the way sunlight is cast on the world. The golden hour is the hour just after sunrise and the hour just before sunset.
This casts golden, orange and red hues with a softer light and shadows. However, cities like Paris are also pretty different at night, and you can get a feel for the place with night photography.
Trying to time perfect shots is a skill that takes time. However, you only have to spend a day in Paris to see that it is full of photography opportunities. Paris is one of the most popular places in the world, with over 50 million tourists per year, any of which can take a picture of the Eiffel Tower. What will set you apart is exploration.
Side streets, going off the beaten path and observing others will help you get better shots that show the authentic side of the city.
Composition of perhaps the most important part of chasing the perfect shot. But what does this mean? In short, it means setting up your camera so it's ready for the shot. This includes testing the settings, checking the external flash and using the correct lens.
For example, Paris is full of small and narrow streets. So, you may need to compensate for a lack of light with the correct ISO setting. You will also need to use a wide-angle lens such as a 24 mm for street shots.
Paris is the city of lights, so why not try a slow shutter speed of between 5 and 60 seconds for capturing light trails? If you use a lens with image stabilization, switch it off for this, as it can interfere with the shot. However, make sure your tripod stays absolutely still and shoot in manual mode. These kinds of shots are popular online, and you can actually make money by selling them. Of course, they must also be of high quality and have an interesting subject.
Travelling lightly will help with photography in Paris as you can move unrestricted. Exploring the wider city away from tourist spots can help you get more authentic shots. Have you taken any awesome shots of Paris?
Drop me a comment and let me know!
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