Paris: City of Light

Imagine an entirely empty Louvre, or the Eiffel Tower minus the lines of tourists waiting to ascend. By taking advantage of the late night and early morning hours of a notoriously busy city, Christopher Thomas is able to capture familiar sights devoid of people. Using a large-format camera, long exposures, and the last of his remaining Polaroid film, Thomas shows us Paris as an explorer might experience a forgotten city. Without the human element, the buildings, streets, landmarks, and gardens take on an architectural significance that is at once majestic and intimate. As with his other books in the series, these photographs are stunningly reproduced on heavy paper and bound in a linen cover. Framed by the ragged edges that characterize Polaroids, each print is given space to breathe on the page. The result is a sequence of dream-like images that encourage close, contemplative examination. Fans of Thomas' earlier books on New York and Venice, and anyone who loves Paris, will treasure this exquisite tribute to one of the world's most captivating cities. AUTHOR: Christopher Thomas's photographs have appeared in magazines such as Geo, Stern, and Merian. His books include Venice in Solitude, New York Sleeps, and Passion (all by Prestel). He lives in Munich, Germany. Ira Stehmann is a curator and photography expert based in Munich, Germany. 80 b/w illustrations