Summer Street Stories in Paris

The Paris Vignettes series features the inspired work of street photographer William “Bill” O’Such in themed installments

I was recently inspired by a YouTube video by street photographer David Ken, who spoke about wandering through neighborhoods with your eyes and mind open to unfolding stories, chance intersections, or compelling compositions. Like all trips, many of the stories are elusive and vanish before your eyes, while others simply appear.

Exiting the Pompidou Centre one day, I decided to go right instead of left, and as I reached the busy area, a woman was happily feeding a flock of birds (“une femme et ses oiseaux”). Other motives are more furtive — whether it’s someone who aligns perfectly with a poster (“je te presente”), someone stepping toward the Metro (“vers le metro”), or a bicycle zipping past on Rue de Rivoli on a warm August evening (“velo du soir”).

Opportunities also arise when Paris itself “frames” a scene (“sous le train”, “escaliers vers Montmartre”). And of course, it’s impossible to resist the stories of dogs, who are often the first to recognize a photo opportunity, whether posing (“son chien regarde”) or acting (“pas dans cette direction”).

As I head home, I dream (“je reve”) of that unique story that one day I hope to capture and share.