Convos and Vélos: The Art of People Watching in Paris

The Paris Vignettes series features the inspired work of street photographer William “Bill” O’Such in themed installments. These photos were made in early autumn 2024.

In Paris, there are many fleeting moments that pass in a split second, like when I stepped off Pont de Sully and caught a quick glance from two bicyclists passing by (“vélo à deux”) or when someone on a motorbike (“demi-tour”) with his dog does a quick 180-degree turn, both looking together in their new direction. Other moments evolve more slowly, but capturing that perfect second is a challenge (“concentration sur le metro,” “les scouts”).

As I meander down streets that I must have walked countless times, there is always something special that appears (“les scouts,” “styling dans le marais”) to remind me that we are in a truly remarkable city. One of my favorite themes is observing conversations, where one can start to guess the details: two people waiting for a taxi (“mon taxi est ou ?”), another couple discussing something (“on y va ?”), or someone shouting at their phone in frustration (“c’est pas vrai”).

The interplay between people and the city (“femme et un chien”) is a constant reminder that Paris rarely stands still. One exception, perhaps, is when a couple sits along the Seine (“zen au bord de la Seine”), savoring a quiet moment as the river flows past them.