If you are familiar with my photography, you know that with the exception of my portrait work, I typically don’t have people in my photos. Usually with a combination of patience and very long exposures I can virtually eliminate the people. On this day in May at the Louvre, that simply was not possible, There were so many people that visually, the people almost became the event. So like they say, “If you can’t fight ‘em, join ‘em.

It’s extremely rare that I re-post a photo. However, one of my readers informed me that George Whitman, the American born owner of the iconic Paris bookstore “Shakespeare & Company” passed away yesterday. Of my thousands of photographs I have published, this would have to be one of my very favorites. I love Shakespeare & Company and I feel my photograph “Shakespeare’s Chair” does a decent job of conveying the spirit of the shop. Thank you George Whitman for creating so many wonderful memories and to your daughter Sylvia for continuing the tradition. Click here for a link to a New York Times article published yesterday December 14th, 1011  about George Whitman & Shakespeare & Company.

The Louvre is an amazing place. You can walk for hours, days actually, and never really get a chance to see all the amazing art and artifacts on display. On my last visit I spent a little time looking at not only the art in the building, but also the art in the architecture. This is the view when you look up to enjoy the ceiling in one of the many galleries.

Another great place to visit in Paris is the Château de Vincennes. We sorta stumbled upon the Château while walking the neighborhood where we were staying. In addition to serving as the royal residence where a couple of Kings were married & several French kings were born, it later served as a state prison for prisoners including the marquis de Sade and others. There is still graffiti left by the prisoners high on several walls. (Since the small windows were placed high on the walls, that was where the best light was.) I also photographed the Royal Chapel at Vincennes. (You can see that image here)