This oft-photographed staircase, Rue Foyatier, climbs up the Butte Montmartre in Paris ending near Sacre Couer basillica, the highest point in the city. It was a soggy, overcast day, and I wanted a somber, lonely look. I waited with my Leica IIIc and this solitary lady obliged me by starting the long climb upward. December 23, 1977.
Yes, I know that I took this photo a *very* long time ago, but I figured that since it was taken in the actual France with an actual very HBC-like Leica (screw-mount, yet), the chances were greater of getting a "BIP" for the "Henri" project :-)
Seriously, though, HBC was one of the truly great photographers of the Twentieth Century, and like most anyone who ever held a 35 mm camera to his eye, I looked up to him, both then and now.
Yes, this is good also. Your inclusion of a figure in the middleground was essential. I probably walked these steps in 1961 because, having little money, I walked everywhere. Paris, even then, was not a place to be comfortable without resources! What do you mean 1977 was a very long time ago. I've been throwing up images from 1959!
Excellent choice for Henri tribute image! Old,or new doesn't matter to me as this is just a very good shot..has a nice vintage look..composed well and love the perspective..this shot just takes me up those stairs..huffing and puffing for sure!..LOL..love the toning and most of all i like how the image starts with that part before the first step at photo's foreground edge (does that make sense?)..regards,gayle
Great photo Steve, it brings back memories for me as I used to do training running up and down steps like these when I once took athletics seriously lol Nowadays I prefer Blizzards at Arundel Mills mall ... how times change lol
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