Small Wonders of the Eiffel Tower: Unveiling Its Hidden Details

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most photographed landmarks in the world, yet few truly see it. As an artist, I believe in looking beyond the obvious—seeking out the details, the textures, and the moments that make something iconic feel like something new again. This isn’t your standard travel photography blog. 

I won’t tell you where to stand for the perfect postcard shot or how to frame a romantic selfie. Instead, I want to take you on a journey of rediscovery, showing you how to break down something familiar and see it in a new way. What happens when a familiar structure becomes almost abstract? And what differs if it’s in color vs. black and white? This is my journey of photographing the Eiffel Tower—not as a landmark, but as a work of art.

Beyond the Snapshot

The Eiffel Tower is more than just a tourist attraction; it’s a masterpiece of design and engineering. Built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, it was a bold statement of innovation, symbolizing France’s industrial prowess. Constructed in just over two years, its intricate ironwork still stands the weathering of time.

Today, nearly 7 million people visit each year, craning their necks to take in its towering 330-meter-high frame. Many capture the same predictable images—full-length shots from the Champ de Mars, dramatic silhouettes at sunset, or the classic couple’s embrace with the Iron Lady in the background.

While these shots are great, on this particular day, I was on a new mission. I found myself wondering, what happens when you get closer? What do you see when you strip away the grand spectacle and focus on the intricate details?

That’s what I set out to explore.

Creating Art from Details

Equipped with my 70-200mm lens and a curiosity for the unseen, I approached the Eiffel Tower not just as a subject, but as an experience. I wanted to capture its essence in a way that challenges the way we perceive icons. 

Standing at the Palais de Chaillot, I wasn’t right beneath the tower, but even from across the river, its complexity was striking. With my 70-200mm lens, I zoomed in to see just how close I could get while keeping the structure recognizable. What I found surprised me.

The Eiffel Tower’s iron framework isn’t just functional—it’s art. Up close, it almost resembles woven wicker, an intricate lattice of interwoven beams and thousands of rivets.

Seeing it this way made me wonder: how much of an object do you need to see before your brain recognizes it? If I isolated certain sections, would people still know they were looking at the Eiffel Tower?

That’s the perspective I love to bring into my photography. I’ve explored similar ideas in other locations—finding ways to capture famous places that reward those who truly know them. When you spend time with a place, really observing it, you begin to see the small details that most overlook. The Eiffel Tower is globally iconic, yet when you get close when you break it down into sections, it almost becomes abstract.

This approach is what separates a snapshot from an artistic interpretation. Most visitors aim for a standard wide shot, trying to fit the entire tower into their frame. But by narrowing the focus, capturing the iron patterns, the play of light and shadow, and the subtle imperfections in the metal, I was able to create something that felt fresh.

I gave myself time—no rushing, no checklist. I sat, studied the tower, and let it reveal itself to me. Carrying all my gear, walking from my hotel to the site, I was tired. But I remember thinking, You’re not going anywhere, and neither am I. Let’s do this.

Photography That Sparks Recognition

This is what excites me most about photography—capturing images that are immediately recognizable to those who have a personal connection to the place. If you’ve been to the Eiffel Tower, you might see my close-up shots and think, I know exactly where that is! Maybe it’s a beam you leaned against or an angle you admired without taking a second shot.

I used this technique in Florence too. Once, instead of photographing the full figure of Michelangelo’s David, I focused only on his hand. At first glance, you might not recognize it. But for those who do, there’s the “aha” moment—a flicker of memory that makes the image resonate on a personal level.

With the Eiffel Tower, I wanted to create that same moment of rediscovery. To make viewers pause, look closer, and appreciate a monument they thought they already knew.

The Adventure of Capturing the Eiffel Tower

Getting that close with a telephoto lens felt like uncovering a secret layer of the tower’s identity—one that most people overlook. By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I usually follow a routine—finish shooting, head back to the hotel, drop off my gear, and then go out for a drink. 

But, this time I decided to treat myself to a beer early. So I headed to Frog XVI because I heard that they actually brew the beer onsite in their microbrewery and had a good selection of artisanal beers. They didn’t disappoint.

Your Turn: See Differently, Capture Uniquely

The beauty of photography lies in perspective—how you choose to frame the world around you. Whether you’re shooting the Eiffel Tower or a quiet street corner in your hometown, challenge yourself to see beyond the obvious. Find the unexpected angles, the overlooked textures, the hidden patterns.

Next time you’re behind the camera, ask yourself: How can I make the familiar feel new?

If this approach resonates with you, I’d love to hear about it! Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other to see the world differently.