April in Paris - A Trip Report

Beautiful photos Scott! I'm heading to Paris on Thursday, hoping to get some nice shots myself!

Wow!!! Those photos are gorgeous!!! You're a great photographer. Can I ask what brand of camera you used? I saw a reference to "X20" but I'm not familiar with that reference. Oddly enough, I actually like grafitti art (not just lines/scribbles but images or representations). I go to Brooklyn partly to photograph grafitti, and I've seen some great grafitti in other places (Berlin Wall, etc).

Hi Scott, These pictures are fantastic. You really managed to capture the feel and ambiance of the city. Thank you for posting them. Paula

Thanks! Agnes, the camera I used is a Fuji X20. It's relatively new, but there's plenty of info out there about it. About the graffiti. I'm not a big fan of it. What I saw was all initials and (probably) gang symbols, no attempt anywhere at "art".

Enjoyed your report and your photos! Especially... "Boats on the Seine."

Wow Scott! Are you a professional photographer by chance? These photos are awesome and so crisp and clear, felt like I was in Paris again (I wish)! Thanks for sharing them, wonderful!

I have seen hundreds of peoples photos on trip reports and forums, and after awhile they do often seem to look the same,, but I have to say Scott, you have some truly amazing shots, lighting, set up , just amazing. Thinking you should go back and take some more!

Thanks, everyone. Pat - I do believe you're right. I do need to go back and take some more!!

Scott, I also wanted to compliment you on the great photos - good composition. I was surprised they were taken with a P&S Camera. Were you using mostly JPG or also RAW? I'm also somewhat of a photographer and pack a large DSLR on travels, as it provides a lot more flexibility. I've always used Canon but perhaps I'll take a closer look at the Fuji products (possibly the F900EXR as I prefer more zoom range than the X20 offers). Cheers!

Ken - Thanks! They were shot in RAW. I didn't want to take a big DSLR because I knew I would be out walking all day. The Fuji X20 was just the right size and gives good results for a P&S.

Scott, Thanks for the info. How much post production did you do with the images, and what software did you use? I know what you mean about packing a large DSLR around all day when walking. I agree, it's a bit of a "pain", but I put up with it because that's the only way I can get some of the shots that I want. I did have a look at the Fuji F900 and Panasonic ZS-30 yesterday, but I'm cringing at the thought of dropping $525 for a Camera I don't really need. In addition to my DSLR, I also pack a Canon P&S, so it's hard to justify the money for a new Camera. Maybe I'll win the Lottery this week......

I must say your Notre Dame Gargoyle photo is fabulous. One of the best I've ever seen! I wish I had your eye! Bravo!

I just loved your photos! Thank you for sharing. I have been to Paris a few times and it was great to see just wonderful photos. If you go back to Europe, please share your next set of photos. I looked up your camera on the web and will write down the information if I ever buy another camera. It would be my first choice. I am going to study your photos to see if I can understand how you took them and improve upon my taking photos. I am going to Istanbul and Rome this year and hope to take some good photos, but not as good as yours! Again, amazing photos and thank you for sharing.

Thank you, again! I can't wait to go back to France and I will definitely share my photos here. Ken - I used Lightroom 4 to convert the images from RAW then I would do any final tweaking in Photoshop CS6. In my own tests, I found that LR4 seemed to do the best job of converting (even better than the software that came with the camera).

Scott, Thanks for the info on your RAW software. I tend to use DXO most of the time, but may take a closer look at Lightroom. I'm on a Pension so no way I can afford CS-6. Hopefully I'll get some good shots this year. I'll have to try tweaking the settings in DXO to see if I can increase the contrast and saturation when I do the RAW conversion. Cheers!

Hi Scott, As everyone has said the pictures that you took were breathtaking! I wanted you know where you stayed while your were in Paris? Hotel or rental unit? Thanks Melinda

Hi Melinda, Thanks! I stayed at the Hotel Muguet, in the Rue Cler area (recommended by Rick Steves - and by me!). It was a nice walk to the Eiffel Tower and very near the subway stations. Nice place. Scott

Thanks for the report Scott. I too hope to fall in love with the city within hours(since I am unsure I will).

Your photos, especially the night ones, are amazing. The photo of the statue looking at the Eiffel Tower is my favorite. I definitely need to take a photo class or two before my trip in September.

Oh, the doll photo really creeped me the blank out :O But I forgive you.

What a treat to see your photos... amazing shots. So glad you fell in love with Paris and had a good time!

These are the best photos I have seen on this forum. Amazing work! I love the way you captured the lighting and shadows. You covered a lot of ground…. I’m returning this May, sweet, can’t wait!!!
Thanks for sharing.

Wonderful pictures
Thank you for sharing. I have a Paris screen saver that's dreamy