Like a lot of wistful, dreamy girls, I used to have Robert Doisneau’s “Kiss by the Hotel de Ville” hanging over my bed.
While it’s perhaps the photographer’s most famous picture, I’m glad I eventually dug deeper into his work and discovered the wealth of moments he captured.
Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary has always been one of my fascinations – and I think it was one of his, too.
“I like people for their weaknesses and faults. I get on well with ordinary people,” he once said.
Here’s a lovely montage of some of his amazing photos. I love the song, too – and was surprised it was sung by Carla Bruni! (Sarkosy’s wife).
Happy 100th birthday, Robert Doisneau. You made life look so beautiful (it is!)
paris (im)perfect 
Ah, j’adore les photos de Doisneau!! Thanks for posting that wonderful photo montage of his wonderful works — so full of humanity in their depictions of daily life — as you said, bringing out the extraordinary in the ordinary.
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Yes, amazing work! As a photographer yourself I can imagine your appreciation runs even deeper. It’s quite a gift capturing life the way he did.
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C’est merveilleux, merci, Sion !
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Always happy to share!
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I still have that photo on my wall…how incredibly beautiful are his other photos! Thanks for sharing!
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Ah, fellow romantic dreamer ; ) Yes, he has so many other incredible photos, too. I have many of those on my wall now, too!
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I was thinking of going but haven’t done so yet – thanks for the reminder.
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Mine too. Did you see the Google Doodle in honor of his 100th birthday today?
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I did see the Google Doodle! Good anniversary to commemorate!
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Thank you for sharing! I too had that same poster on my wall during my youthful days. I also remember when I first heard Carla Bruni’s “Quelqu’un m’a dit” on the radio — I was living and working in Ireland at the time. I went out and bought the CD right away and listened to it from start to finish in my small bedroom in Dun Laoghaire (this song is one of my favorites). I’m glad I knew Carla Bruni the singer, the voice, before Carla Bruni the First Lady 🙂
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Ah, interesting. Yeah, I’d never actually heard what Carla Bruni’s music sounded like before. Would have been nice to know her as the singer before she became First Lady! Also, I should do a poll – just how many people did have that photo on their walls? It’s so iconic. A staple of apartments and dorm rooms everywhere ; )
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Prévert, very famous french author and poet is this lonely man sat at a table in a public garden in front of a glass of wine and Picasso at home playing with bread. Another french artist is this guy protecting his contrabass with his umbrella. 95 percent of his work are prepared photos, he was always asking to his “models” before shooting. He was saying “nothing is serious, when I miss a shot I say to my model let’s drink a hot chocolate!”. I miss him so much. Our king of pedestrians zigzaging in the city of light.
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Prepared or not, simply gorgeous. Interesting to know the background to some of those photos!
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I adore Robert Doisneau and his always charming, playful photos! I love how he said his photos show what he wishes the world could be like all the time. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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I love that quote of his, too! I vacillated between posting that one and the one I did. I just checked out your blog – NYC/Paris connection – woot! Love it 🙂
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