I was in Paris to attend Valerie Jardin’s street Photography workshop. On Friday I had visited the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation and in the evening met the other members of the workshop at a café in the 5éme.
Day 3: Saturday 28th January 2023: Workshop
Unlike the previous night, the street below was not quiet. The partying went on to well past midnight. Then at 6 am, the bins were emptied by very loud shouting garbage men.
To make sure I was on time for the start of the workshop. I was having my breakfast dressed and ready to go at 8:20 am.
My route to the Paris American Academy was very easy. I just went to Rue Cujas and then right onto Rue Saint-Jacques.
Paris American Academy
I had plenty of time to window shop and to walk slowly to the school. In the square, outside I sat on the bench and watched people going into the school itself. They were followed by a group of over 20 people all pulling carry-on bags.
To get to our room we went down the alley, and then up a flights of spiral stairs until the final landing and then straight up more stairs to an attic.
The back of the attic was laid out with sewing machines, tables with hats, and lots of samples of material on the walls.
After our introductions and a talk on street photography we started to walk to the first location of the day.
The 6th
We passed the Luxembourg Gardens and entered a part of Paris that I’ve not been through before. We were soon on a bustling street line with restaurants and thankfully very few cars.
Bar du Marche on Rue de Seine
We stopped for lunch in a corner restaurant, the Bar du Marche, and were all crammed into the throng inside. I had cafe au lait along with croque monsieur (this was a special one with garlic oil).
Our photographic interest was provided by a lady with two dogs. The young collie stood on his hind legs to be fed. When I spoke to the lady, she told me he was just four years old. The other dog, a Scottie, had reached 14 years and was just content to sit at her feet.
In the corner behind us, two girls were practising their makeup, posing and photographic skills. One of our fellow photographers joined in the fun with his camera, promising to send the images to them later.
