I started to go to Paris in 1981 as part of my responsibilities when I worked at the State Department. Probably about thirty trips between then and when I left for my next big job in 1986. Sorry, but someone had to do it! I brought my camera with me whenever I traveled overseas, which was a lot! I would try to get to where I was going a day before my meetings started. This was important for two reasons … I could rest up from the all night flight from Washington, DC, but more importantly, I could wander around the city I’d be staying in and make some pictures.

During this time I went from using Canon SLRs to Leica rangefinders and single lens reflex cameras and finally on to my first Plaubel Makina. If a trip was long enough I would find some time to photograph between meetings and other work I would be doing at the embassy. I never took a taxi if I could walk somewhere in a reasonable amount of time, sometimes the metro if need be. The great thing about the Leica’s and even the Plaubel Makina is that they were small enough to fit in my briefcase, a pocket in my suit jacket or my London Fog.

One of the early pictures I made was on the underground platform at a Paris Metro station while waiting for my train. Just the right kind of environment for a Leica … not that much available light, slow shutter speeds and the need to be discreet.  I was milling around when I noticed a family and some other passengers sitting on a bench waiting as I was for the train to arrive after a long day. To their left was a wide stairwell with a bored looking woman standing in front of it, and a small lit exit sign overhead.  Next to that was the train tunnel itself. And far down the track was a quickly approaching train with a single light on in front that pierced the darkness surrounded it.

I didn’t have much time to think about it, compose the picture, focus and make an exposure. But I did and in an instant the picture was gone and we were all on the train together. When I sat down I finally got a chance to think about the scene that had quickly unfolded before me and what kind of lives these people had.

I like this picture … the strange and difficult bright lighting that contrasts with the black of the tunnel and the people all in their separate worlds, waiting to go home. It’s been a long time since I made this print, but I remember it took some effort due to the lighting extremes. Nevertheless it was rewarding and a good example of why you should carry your camera with you whenever you can!

Stay well,

Michael