Paris en Noir et Blanc:

I don’t usually think of my digital photos in B&W. I never imagine them that way because how sprawling the rainbow of colors are these days. People like the pop, or maybe it’s just me? But I’ve said it a million times, something about B&W just hits different. I found a couple that worked better without color, and then I needed to find the whole set. Lack of color gave me new perspective.

I waited over ten minutes to take this photo. People were all over. I just needed one to give me their soul for this photo to forever have a place in mine.

Honestly, Parisian culture is a perfect environment for Noir et Blanc. The context of everyday life is what’s on tap, but it’s hidden. Searching the streets for what makes Paris Paris wasn’t an easy task. French like to say, “Paris isn’t France.” You had to wait for it. You had to really open your eyes to see past the flurry of tourists and busy Parisians to find the heart.

Actually, the city abandoned me at first. I hated it, but I had a feeling there was something more if I could persevere a little longer.

This photo felt awkward. Someone no one ever looked at me taking it. I kept thinking they would make a fuss. The colors and things didn’t look as good as I hoped, until I went without.

Light is special in this way. It’s the observation of light and dark that makes for complete understanding. Finding contrast and texture exposes what is really at work. If you only see flat exposures of a situation, it reveals half as much, but if you adjust the frequency, new worlds can unfold.

Feeling Incepted? Also another enhanced by losing the color.

This photo honestly gives me the Willy’s. It’s disturbing. I almost wish I didn’t notice it, but I did.

Searching for light gave me that extra chance. My bags were packed—literally backpack life—until I changed my tune to see something new. I like to think it’s a little romantic (and you know I’m a romantic). To look where everyone else is looking and see something entirely different: that’s treasure. Maybe the city of love still has some magic after all. You just have to wade a little deeper, take it a little slower, and to search for nothing, to find everything.

Classic European scene.

The textures and lines 😌

I love this photo, yet somehow I always lean away from it. What does that mean?

This photo feels better if you don’t have to chop off the bottom for Instagram.

Same with this one. He actually looked out perfectly when I first walked by. Then he just sat like this…forever. If you want to know what I’m doing half the time I’m traveling: it’s waiting for photos to finally work. 🥲

This one worked 🥰

Not many liked this the first time I posted, yet I was so excited when I took it!

Fuck, I love this one.

Damn, this one too.

Oh, and don’t forget the “Merci’s” and “Bonjours” because they go a long way!

Big thing here is, people like to tell me they hate a city or country from one experience or two, and I hate to give in to such ideas because once you hate something, it’s very very hard to go back. So, I always like to have faith that it will right it’s wrongs done against me next time. That’s what happened to me.

Once upon a time in Paris, I fell head over heels.