Tripod in Paris

[bjannsen]

Going to be spending some time in Paris this June and wanted to get some night shots. The architecture is so cool and the lighting... it's amazing.

Anyway, I don't want to get kicked off the streets for carrying and using a tripod. Sunrise is about 5:45a and sunset is around 9:45p in June, so it won't be at the height of tourist traffic, but I'm sure it will be crowded nonetheless.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for your help!

Brian

[TheHoff]

I brought a gorillapod with me to Europe, including Paris. It was quite useful but my goal wasn't to do a lot of night photography. If that is your main focus, you'll probably want a full set of legs, head, and remote release. For me though, with a vacation as my main goal, street photography second, and pictures with us in them third, a gorillapod was more the size and weight I wanted to carry.

If you know you'll have a centralized hotel location and you won't mind popping back there after sundown to grab it, maybe a full-size will work for you.

[bjannsen]

Thanks Hoff! Yah, the idea was to spend the day with my wife having a good time then grabbing the gear at 8p or so and run out to the spots that I'd researched. We have an apartment by the river.

I'm using a manfrotto with quick release and can set it up and tear it down pretty quick.

I just don't want cops coming by telling me to pack it up...

[TheHoff]

I don't know the law but if it is like those in the states, they don't want you impeding the flow of traffic or set-up where anyone could get injured or trip over it. That is up to you to determine if you're safe -- anywhere around the Tower, probably not, as it is constant flow of people. A gorillapod is fine there, though.

Nearby other monuments you'll probably have more free space at night but even the worst that would happen would be cops telling you to move along. Police abroad generally aren't like those in Tennessee :D they won't run your name or ask to search your bag or harass you to see if you're up to anything, they'll just want you to get moving.

btw, I also have a Manfrotto monopod, the kind with the three small legs stored in the bottom that expand out so it can stand on its own. You could likely get away with that almost anywhere as it doesn't take up the space of a tripod. It certainly doesn't have the stability of one but if you keep it low, with wide angles and if you trip it remotely it is pretty good.