Those who have been to Paris....

[wonton]

I am going to Paris in 2 weeks. I will only be there for a total of 3 nights. To me, the best shots are the ones when the sun sets. Since I only have 3 sunsets to work with, I have been debating how to schedule my days to be the best pictures. Many suggest getting a shot of the Notre Dame at night. Some say the Eiffel Tower. Then we also have the Louve, the Siene and the Arc de Triumphe.

For those who have been there, any input would be great. Where are the best pictures when the sun is setting?

[joaquimjssoares]

Go to the top of Eifel tower. You will have the best shots there!
Notre dame at night is ok, but kind of boring (IMO).

Enjoy PAris. For me, the most beautifull city in Europe! (Well Prague is also vey nice)

[Huckaback Photo]

Hi Wonton
The place I thought was amazing is not on your list,
Take yourself up above the city to the "Sacre' Coeur" get there early evening and wait till it gets dark. the views across paris are wonderful.
The building itself is just mind blowing, but dont try for pictures inside you will be stopped, noticed people walking around with camera in hand and were told to put them into there camera bags.
For some of the most incredible interior pictures shots, DO NOT MISS The Museum De Orsay,
where photography seems to be allowed, sugest available light with a fast lens , is ideal, do not be put off by any queue around the outside.

Martin (Huckaback Photo)
Wonderful city enjoy

[Reflection]

Notre Dame can be quite nice for long exposures at night, and the Seine is attractive with lighting at night, particularly around the islands.

Cimetere de pere lachaise (sp?) is also quite nice during the day. A huge cemetery for the famous and rich and celebrities. Quite a few tourists, but interesting tombs and headstones etc.

[wonton]

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely try to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower but I know the lines can be quite long. May be difficult to get there at the "right" time.

I will definitely try to check out the Sacre Coeur.

One more question. Which landmarks can you take pictures inside and which will not allow you to?

I think Louvre will let you. What about Notre Dame?

[Steven M. Anthony]

What about Notre Dame?

In Notre Dame it depends on how crowded it is (if you are trying to use a tripod) and whether there is a mass going on. I was there a couple of years ago on a Friday afternoon and was able to use my tripod with no problem--being very respectful of other people and quiet about it.

[tim]

Take a tripod and do night shots of the famous places. Bracket your exposures by -2, -1, +1, and +2, just to be sure, and to get the most dynamic range you can. Do a test, maybe to +/-3 as well.

Can't help with sunset pics.

[Huckaback Photo]

Please take care if you decide to take a tripod and set up to photo buildings etc.
This may sound daft, but I read an article not long ago about a photographer had set up and was taking pictures of buildings somewhere in Paris. Next thing he was carted off by the police,
What he had not realised apparently, the buildings were official residences.
I guess in this day and age with threats of terorism, who knows.

Martin (Huckaback Photo)

[acidhouse]

I second the Sacre Coeur, have a good telephoto lens 300mm sould do, and you'll be able to catch the Eifel tower from just going into monmattre, which is also a great place to photograpgh.
the Louvre allows photographs but expect to get close to to the mona lisa, massive scrum round that ugly picture. although i think its been moved to its own room now.
If you have a nifty fifty or anything similar then you can also take pictures inside notre Dame. very dark but beautiful.

[Digital Prophet]

Personally I am not entirely sure that France exists at all. I think that it is just another ploy by the man. And obviously you are all in on it.

I'll be watching you people.

- Digital Prophet -

[wonton]

Take a tripod and do night shots of the famous places. Bracket your exposures by -2, -1, +1, and +2, just to be sure, and to get the most dynamic range you can. Do a test, maybe to +/-3 as well.

Can't help with sunset pics.

Tim, I am fairly new with photography. Can you explain what you mean by bracket +/-3? I have the Canon Rebel XT.

[joaquimjssoares]

If you go to Sacre cour be carefull. I was robbed there. Just keep an eye in your stuff while taking the pictures.
About the tripod, I was asked not to use it twice by the police, and on the top of arc du triumph the guy asked me money to use the tripod.
On the top of Eiffel tower (where I spent almost 2 hours waiting for the sunset and took almost 300 pictures) nobody asked me nothing.

Have a good trip

[Reflection]

There are many stories about warnings of taking pictures in public in Paris, particularly off the tourist routes. Just keep your eyes open, be respectful and use your initiative. If someone indicates not to take a photo, don't. If you are questioned by police, stay calm and polite.

[wonton]

I don't understand? You cannot take photos in Paris? Even if it is on the streets? How would one know?

[Huckaback Photo]

Wonton
Of course you can take photo's in Paris millions taken every day ,such a wonderful place, there have been some bad press reports and this will always trigger a negative reaction with some. Just take care is all we are saying.

Just leave the tripod at home, often they only draw attention and your getting about is restricted at times.
shoot with high ISO settings as I did, when the light is low,
Most important take plenty of cards and batteries, use a Phototainer or Flashtrax to load your full cards onto as I promise there really is so much to shoot in Paris.
Try a "Baton Rouge" boat trip along the Seine, just wonderful.
Finally don't forget the charger and leads and adaptor. on one visit I totally blew it I did forget the lead and could not recharge battery. failed to buy one in Paris.

Enjoy yourself
Martin (Huckaback Photo)

[wonton]

Huckaback Photo, I was planning on taking a majority of my photos with a tripod. That is the only way to get a picture of my husband and I (instead of asking someone to take it). If I stick to the tourist areas you think I will be ok?

[miklav]

I live in 3 hours drive from Paris and visited it several times.

If you are interested in city panorama, I would NOT advise use to go to Eiffel tower nor to Sacre Coeur. The view is much better from the Montparnasse tower - just to give you an idea see my photo http://miklav.com/php/showpic.php?33 - although I am not sure they are open at sunset time.

This picture was taken from the Eiffel tower: http://miklav.com/php/showpic.php?51 and the tall building far away on the left hand side it the Montparnasse tower.

If you happen to be near Louvre at sunset, you can catch the silouette of the Eiffel tower on the sunset sky (again, just as example - http://miklav.com/php/showpic.php?35)

In case of bright low sun, the Louvre itself may be interesting, but difficult because of shadows. I was there once when the light was like that:
http://miklav.com/php/showpic.php?29 - the undeground station not far from Louvre (pont Neuf)
http://miklav.com/php/showpic.php?12 - same station, same time
http://miklav.com/php/showpic.php?32 - the Louvre itself (+/- 20 minutes later than metro)
http://miklav.com/php/showpic.php?36 - the Tuileries garden near Louvre (a bit later)

(you can see my entire Paris page at http://miklav.com/php/browse.php?Category=Paris)

Paris was photographed millions of times, so it's difficult to be original. I only provided the links to my pictures to give an example about places, views and possible light conditions.

[wonton]

miklav, thanks for the information. I will actually be dining at the Ciel de Paris, I believe it is in the Montparnasse building on the 56th floor.