Paris: The City of Light, and Shadow

My Dear Paris, we meet again! My first trip to Paris was in 2018, and I’m still amazed by how much inspiration can be obtained from one singular city. The City of Light (Ville lumière) is undoubtedly a city of luxury, romance, and grandeur—but this time, I was interested in focusing beyond the postcard-perfect scenes.

I wanted to also explore the contrasts of light and shadow in her side streets and alleys—to wander away and in between from the glow of luminous monuments and regal facades. My aim was to capture some of the daily life scenes you’d experience if you spent extended time in the city or even lived there. To offer a deeper, more intimate understanding of why people truly love Paris, as I do.

Using Natural Light To Amplify Travel Photography

For those who have been following my travel photography for a while, you may have noticed a common theme in my work when capturing cities.

I use natural light in my street photography as a highlighter or spotlight, amplifying a particular aspect of the image.

I like this highlight to focus on something seemingly ordinary—an everyday action that might otherwise go unnoticed. It could be a commuter cycling to work, a couple walking hand in hand, or, in Paris, someone carrying freshly baked bread home.

I never plan these shots. Instead, I wait patiently, much like a nature photographer, anticipating the perfect moment when the elusive scene unfolds before my lens.

And in that instant, what was once mundane transforms into something unique and special.

An Ordinary Life Made Extraordinary Through Art

When taking this particular photograph, I was struck by the way the darkened street almost seemed to lead out onto the stream of light at the end of the road.

Sometimes, I wait just a few moments; other times, a minute or two as I anticipate something—or someone—stepping into the light. My goal is for the viewer to feel like they’ve stumbled into the scene, caught in the moment alongside me.

I never use a tripod for these shots; every image is captured with my camera by hand. So you can picture me standing in a darkened pathway, waiting and watching, my camera raised to my eye.

It takes mindfulness to keep my full-body DSLR, with its 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, steady and ready for the split second when something crosses the light. In this case, also mindfulness of car traffic and bicycles.

There’s a certain peace in those still moments—a quiet anticipation. I slow my breathing, steady my camera, sometimes half-pressing the shutter on nearby objects to help me catch something that may be fast moving like a bicycle or a scooter. Sometimes I capture it; sometimes I don’t. And when I don’t, I simply lower my camera and move on—knowing that shot just wasn’t meant for me. I know inspiration will strike again; I just don’t know where or when, and that’s exciting to me.

Embrace the Darkness

One of the things I love about playing with light and shadow in Paris are all the opportunities to find contrast and lines of light wherever you look. Darkness adds depth to the city’s architecture and narrow streets, revealing details that would be lost in the harshness of the mid-day sun. Had I taken this shot at midday under full sun, the mood would have been completely different, completely changing the focus and vibe of the image. There’s still enough detail in the shadows for you to feel like you’re there and can image the scene, but the focus is where the darkness contrasts with the light – even more then the soft gradient of the fading blue sky.

Instinct and Precision

The only time my approach shifts is when I want to capture people within the frame to add depth and perspective. You can probably see where my mind was going with this shot. There’s a subtle curve that naturally draws the eye, a horizontal flow guiding attention toward the illuminated portion of the image.

The darkened buildings on either side create balance, framing the subject in light at the end of the street. Your gaze is instinctively pulled toward it.

I probably took multiple versions of this shot—one with no one in the frame, one with just a few people, and finally, one with a group of people. But I usually take these kinds of shadow-and-light shots in a single click.

Taking my time, waiting patiently, and then with one press of the shutter, and I know I’ve captured exactly what I envisioned. It has taken years of practice, but I’ve refined a system where my camera feels like an extension of myself.

Instinct and Precision

Most of the time when I’m taking photos of this nature, I tend to try to capture a single individual as the focus of the spotlight, but when the shot is good and there are only groups around, sometimes I also take the photo to have some variety. On this particular instance the clouds were moving fast so the harshness of the light and shadows were diffused by cloud cover in this very moment. While the clouds were constantly changing their minds, you can probably see where my mind was going with this shot. There’s a subtle curve that naturally draws the eye, a horizontal flow guiding attention toward the illuminated portion of the image.

The darkened buildings on either side create balance, framing the subject in light at the end of the street. Your gaze is instinctively pulled toward it.

I probably took multiple versions of this shot—one with no one in the frame, one with just a few people, and finally, one with a group of people. But I usually take these kinds of shadow-and-light shots in a single click.

 

Taking my time, waiting patiently, and then with one press of the shutter, and I know I’ve captured exactly what I envisioned. It has taken years of practice, but I’ve refined a system where my camera feels like an extension of myself.

Like moving an arm, I don’t overthink it. I instinctively know how to turn, how to frame, and how to adjust without looking. I simply stand still, focus on my target, and take the shot.

Slowing Down in Paris: Capturing Light and Shadow

Someone once told me that my art captures a juxtaposition between the dark, solid, and unchanging essence of the buildings—timeless in their own right—and the bright, fleeting moments that occur around them, constantly shifting in the light.

My focus is on encouraging people to shift their perspective on how they experience these buildings – and really the world around them. It’s about highlighting the details that often go unnoticed because people tend to look at them flatly, without truly seeing their beauty.

Capturing those fleeting moments is a recurring theme in my photography. As I hope you’ve understood – I don’t want to promote unsustainable travel. A place like Paris isn’t something to rush through. To have a truly genuine and impactful experience, you need to slow down, live in the moment, and not just focus on ticking off museums or monuments with a baguette in hand ( though I’ll admit that does sound rather tasty right now ).

Paris is a city to be experienced slowly— to start to really get to know her, and to have a better understanding of her depth – you have to take time to watch the interplay of light and shadows to really feel its beauty. 

Did you love this post, or do you have any comments or stories related to what I’ve shared here today? Leave a comment below – I’d love to hear from you 🙂

Cheers until next time,

Scott