Why Choose When You Can Have Both ?
December 8th, 2007 - Paris, France
I was trudging along in the rain behind Notre-Dame on Saturday, trying to hide my frustration at the lack of real photo opportunities behind a feigned interest in gargoyles when the friend I was with, who as a general rule finds my obession with street photography unhealthy, not to say unethical, said to me in the most matter-of-fact way, "Did you see that woman we just passed ? She was wearing different coloured shoes - it would have made a great photograph."
I barely had time to glance around before the woman in question disappeared into the crowd behind me, but it was long enough to see that indeed the potential for a great shot was there.
I walked on, my frustration doubled, trying to work out whether my friend's remark was a coded encouragement, all the more welcome for being so unexpected, to indulge my passion for once. As lightheartedly as I could manage I repeated her words. "Yes, it would have made a great photograph."
No response.
We walked on further, as the rain became increasingly heavy. We stopped beneath the awning of a souvenir store and looked absentmindedly at postcards. The missed opportunity continued to eat away at me.
Eventually, I could contain myself no more. I turned to my friend. "I have to go and get a picture of her. Wait for me here," I blurted, turning to run before she could reply.
By the time I caught up with her, the woman with the unmatching shoes - a fashion statement, or an unwitting witness to her colour-blindness ? - was almost the other side of Notre-Dame. But I caught her, and I took several shots as discreetly as I could. This is the clearest one of her shoes. You can see the whole outfit here. Trust me, it's worth it.
This photograph has been blogged on the rather fabulous This Is Star.
Comments and faves
Saul Panzer (mostly in reality these days), Mayastar, aurelio.asiain, aud..., and 80 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Mayastar (54 months ago | reply)
Wow! what a capture! thatàs really great! I always wonder how people can get so focused on their own image... excessive!!! :D
racingsquirrel (54 months ago | reply)
It is quite the fashion disaster here with the Christmas season colours and the leopard print coat. Amazing capture, especially with the splash of colour against the monotone of the pavement. Perhaps, you got her number....
St_Tr_Verkhovensky (54 months ago | reply)
coolest capture...
aurelio.asiain (54 months ago | reply)
A real finding. Well catched!
The World Through My Eyes
lillergy (54 months ago | reply)
She has a holiday spirit in her step!...a very charming story and photo both!
jamelah (54 months ago | reply)
Christmas feet!
Mary Jane 2040 (54 months ago | reply)
...and your friend, was your friend still waiting for you, under the dripping awning of the souvenir shop, when you returned with your trophies?
I'm looking forward to seeing the entire ensemble, but this is special enough in its quirkiness.
Pneumococcus (54 months ago | reply)
LOL, Tom the stalker! Great story and title. Good thing it was raining, makes for a better contrast. I look forward to the whole outfit ;-)
seligr (54 months ago | reply)
Congratulations. Where I often kick myself at 'the one that got away' you don't give up. My appetite whetted by your acount, I can't wait to hear/see more. (Nor can many others by the looks of things.)
... Tina (54 months ago | reply)
:-)))))
GattoLWK (54 months ago | reply)
:)
°freak° [ www.masiarpasquali.it ] (54 months ago | reply)
ehe he he he...
dalthonic woman or eccentric woman?!? Hamletic doubt...
however nice shot!
Have a nice trip in france!
mImma sEnna (54 months ago | reply)
lovely moment you've captured there! great colorite, story and composition !!
shotbart (54 months ago | reply)
Great shot and greater behind-the-scenes story... thanks for sharing!!!
--
Seen in Fotografi di Strada (?)
guigia1 Luca Guigiani (54 months ago | reply)
She had clearly ideas
Nikkord (54 months ago | reply)
Really cool!!
Nico
Wen Talks to Shoes (54 months ago | reply)
i love this! i love this! i have always wanted to do that but never dare!
an untrained eye (54 months ago | reply)
Thanks everyone !! I had a suspicion this might appeal, but I'm nevertheless thrilled by the response.
Stephan, you're right about the fashion disaster. But get her number ? I wonder how old you think she is... you may be in for a surprise in the next photo.
Rachel, yes she was still there - she was touched, I think, by my boyish excitement but decidedly underwhelmed by the pictures themselves.
Peter, surely you'd realised by now I have stalking tendencies ;-)
Steve, I've had so many "ones that got away" recently - ah, the stories I could tell - that something snapped inside me this time. And you know what ? It was as utterly cathartic as I hoped, whatever the quality of the resulting photographs. I recommend going back whenever it's possible to do so.
Masiar, eccentric, I like to think, on balance.
Wen, with a Flickrname like yours I'd have been sorry if you hadn't found something in this one !!! ;-)
edouardv66 (54 months ago | reply)
Smile :-))
yeoldeblackhippie (54 months ago | reply)
rather festive
robertinobobo (54 months ago | reply)
robertinobobo.it.gg/
1994SS [deleted] (54 months ago | reply)
Haha! What a story. Great shot tho.
The odd colored shoes makes it all the more interesting.
Judging from the umbrella I'd say it was choice not color blindness.
Not into street photography myself (ethical reasons) but this one is tastefully done. Good result.
Emmanuel Smague (54 months ago | reply)
Hé hé..., excellent work my friend!! :)
aliona's photos (54 months ago | reply)
Cool shot!
saint magenta (54 months ago | reply)
yay! Christmas colours!
the-singing-photographer (53 months ago | reply)
Please add your terrific tootsie photo to:
"Artsy-Fartsy-Feet"
Your photo is wonderful!!!
After adding your pic to our group, please tag your pic "artsy-fartsy-feet" Thanks!
the-singing-photographer (53 months ago | reply)
Whimsical and fun!
I saw your photo at
"Artsy-Fartsy-Feet"
I think your photo is wonderful!!!
Please tag your pic "artsy-fartsy-feet" Thanks!
the-singing-photographer (53 months ago | reply)
CHECK OUT OUR NEW CONTEST!
"Artsy-Fartsy-Feet"
marya* (51 months ago | reply)
the story made me laugh...it's like I could see the whole scene :))
great shot, applause for your perseverance in taking the pic and one for the woman that gave you the chance!
TheMusicGirl (48 months ago | reply)
your wounderfull journey to capture her feet melted my heart.
This Is Screaming To Be Rated!!
Please Add This Too 'Rate Me!!'
♥ nikabarbo ♥ (47 months ago | reply)
Oi! Sou administradora de um grupo chamado Pés.Feet.Pies.Piedi.Füße.Voeten.ноги e nós adoraríamos ter seus pés adicionados ao nosso grupo! Obrigada !!!!
EJP Photo (47 months ago | reply)
lol - great!
cessna152towser (43 months ago | reply)
Excellent capture!
(seen in Top-V)
rebekadrahos (40 months ago | reply)
haha, nice!
mhobl (37 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Just walking, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
mhobl (37 months ago | reply)
Your Walking-picture is really interesting! Gratulations!
ʎssǝɾ (34 months ago | reply)
really really cool street shot!
marinaraa (33 months ago | reply)
love this!!! great shot!
Gagosha (25 months ago | reply)
good eye for details :)
This photo was invited and added to the myfootnote.com group.
taildraggin (3 months ago | reply)
Port and starboard.
.