PARIS AKA THE CITY OF LIGHTS A SNEAK PEAK & A NOT SO GREAT PHOTO SHOOT

I have been a bit MIA with Fashion Week in New York and my trip to Paris. Here is a sneak peak of what I was up to in the city of lights. From an evening boat ride around the city with my brother to the heights of the Basilica to the Rick Owens show. Here I am in a photo shoot which I arranged through Air BNB. I would like to say it was a positive experience but it was not. When I was looking for photographers she seemed to be the best and she claimed to work professionally for magazines. But I find this hard to believe unless they are online fanzines.

The first reason I find this hard to swallow is the time of day she chose to shoot–11 am, a terrible time to shoot, everyone knows this, even non professional photographers know, that this is hands down, the worst time to shoot. Shooting at mid day is when the sun is highest in the sky, and the light is harsh and creates extreme shadows, which is not only unattractive, but it is also distracting as it creates distorted shadows on the face. And then to shoot a portraiture in direct sunlight? No photographer does this.

I get that she wanted to have the background in focus, but then really what do you have? Just a high end snap shot

Then, what was the most reveling trait of an amateur was the whole “run your hands through your hair” I am sorry what?? She kept directing me do this. I was annoyed and would do it for one shot and then stop. But she kept at it. She also did not shoot with a 50mm lens which is the best for shooting people. I get that she wanted to have the background in focus, but then really what do you have? Just a high end snap shot. On top of shooting in the direct sun, it was also extremely windy which made me squint even more. She should have arranged the shoot for the golden hour, late in the afternoon. And asked if I wanted the typical tourist shots. Also when I zoomed in the photos are grainy (which really annoys me) and is odd as we not shooting in low light. Hmm. Look at this photo my brother took of me in 2016. Not only it is more attractive but the quality is better and light is vastly better.

I was not impressed. I have gotten better results with my friends shooting me, as I direct them with my 50mm lens. I could only use about 15% of the photos and they will require heavy retouching.

She also seemed to have a bit of an attitude. When I got off the metro I texted her and let her know I was off the train so we could meet. I was standing on the platform near the Tulluries next to the lion, though in my text to her I said tiger. She said there was no tiger and to just come to the Concorde. I let her know I was at the Concorde stop on the metro, but she meant the Concorde column, when I turned around it was right across the street. She couldn’t tell me this?

Over all I could have skipped this experience and saved my money

I was a bit annoyed as she was not helpful and said can you just some here? She is not originally from France but Taiwan, and has only been in Paris for about eight months so I will cut her a little slack on that note. She may not have realized I was right across the street. But she often walked ahead of me and she just seemed to have bit of an attitude. Over all I could have skipped this experience and saved my money. Oh well.

Maybe I should move to Paris and do this for a living, I could certainly do a better job.