Yesterday Google celebrated French photographer, Robert Doisneau’s 100th birthday. This is Google’s way of celebrating all the famous artists of the world, whether they are still alive or dead.
This actually gave me the idea to write this post on the brand new design of my blog.
Robert Doisneau pronounced (dawno) in French, was a talented and famous photographer known for capturing true life scenes of the street of Paris from the 1930’s through 1960’s.
Early Love for Photography
Robert Doisneau was born on April 14 1912 nearby Paris, two days after the sinking of the Titanic. Robert Doisneau discovered his taste for the art when he was just in his early teens. However, his taste for photography started when he was 16.
Doisneau had a rather unhappy childhood. He lost both his mother and father by the time he reached the age of 7 years old. He was raised by an unloving aunt who could have well made him a very angry person which resentment could have affected the rest of his life in a negative way. Fortunately, Robert Doisneau, on the contrary was a good nature guy who was known as a playful joker who enjoyed every moment. Some of such precious moments he photographed and became famous pieces of his art, here to stay forever, and for us to enjoy.
Early Career as a Photograph
Robert Doisneau started working as an industrial advertising photographer for the largest French car industry, Renault from 1934 to 1939 when he was finally fired for chronic tardiness. It was while photographing employees working on cars at Renault factory that he developed a taste for photographing people.
After he was fired from Renault he started his solo freelance career as a post card photographer, which industry was the largest of its kind in whole Europe at the time. Soon after that, however, he was hired by a famous Paris Photo Agency which introduced him to his new and long career as a street photographer.
Even during the 6 years of World War two in France under German occupation, Doisneau served as a soldier and a photographer of France in war against Germany. Since he never wanted his photos to ridicule his subjects, while photographing post war Paris, he refused to photograph women whose head had been shaved for punishment for having being sleeping with Germans soldiers.
After the war he was contacted by two famous magazines, Life and Vogue. While working for Vogue, he quickly got tired of photographing only beautiful women in beautiful surroundings. His true love was to the street with everyday people.
Becoming a Famous Photograph
Robert Doineau was famous for his photographs of children and adults in the streets of Paris. His most famous photograph is called “Le baiser de l’Hotel de Ville” (The kiss of City Hall) which he took in 1950. Doineau was famous for taking instantaneous pictures of regular people going about their daily lives. Whether children at play or adults at work his pictures are one of kind. None of his subjects ever expected to be photographed for posterity.
Enjoy more pictures of Robert Doisneau right here!
Hey Sylviane,
So this is your travel blog you’ve told me about. I love the look of it.
Now call me ignorant but I’m not up to date with artists at all. I remember when my Mom use to take me to museums and stuff and I whizzed right through and then sat down waiting for everyone to finish. I just had no interest in any of it. I know, kind of sad right.
Now I love photos and have always been impressed by people who have that talent for capturing just the right picture, at the right angle, at the right time of the day. I just take photos for pure pleasure myself.
Robert did take some really great pictures I will admit. I enjoyed seeing more in the video too. Thanks for putting this together and Happy Birthday Robert! Even if it is now in spirit only.
~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read..5 Easy Editing Techniques To Make Your YouTube Videos Less Boring
Hi Adrienne,
Wow, you guys are neat, you came here too….Like I just commented to Carol, I really appreciate this group, and especially the ones who are loyal contributors like you and a few other gals.
I’m happy that you like the look of this baby. This was a very neglected blog. I had to get rid of a bunch of low quality posts that I had allowed in the past (from other people) and I just finally had thesis theme installed here as well.
The header was created by an online buddy of mine which I paid back with articles to promote his business 🙂 Now with your comments and all this new beginning I intend to make the blog alive.
Well, you are not the only person not caring about art, my mother never did either. She felt a lot like you about it 🙂 On the other hand, I always did, but only for what is beautiful. meaning not painting and sculptures made by an elephant and a monkey, if you know what I mean.
Robert Doisneau was very talented photograph who loved his subject. I’m glad I could introduce it to few folks on this side of the pound.
Have a great day, Adrienne and thanks for passing by here!
It’s pretty fascinating to think about someone taking such amazing photos so long ago, in days before digital cameras or all the technology we have today. Now that’s art! I love the one of the kiss, that’s a neat photo. I especially like his style because candid photos are my favorite.
Carol Lynn invites you to read..How To Write A Blog Post For People Who Would Rather Stick A Hot Poker In Their Eye Than Write A Blog Post
Hi Carol,
Thanks for coming to this blog too 🙂 I want you to know that I really appreciate you guys.
This is my fun blog where I am being all frenchie and where I have the real fun. And now because of neat people like you it’s coming alive.
I’ve neglected this blog the most, but after having deleted a bunch of garbage posts that I had allowed people to post in the past and finally installed my thesis theme, I am now a bit more proud of this baby and want it to come alive 🙂
Have a great day, Carol and thanks for visiting here 🙂
Wow Sylviane, I had not seen this blog of yours before and although slightly off my usual topic, I found your article on Robert Doisneau very interesting – I vividly remember the “kiss” photograph being around when I was young and I even had a copy of it somewhere that went on my bedroom wall for a short time!
Nicky
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Hi Nicky,
Thanks for coming, and sorry for the late response. I am just starting not to neglect this blog so much anymore from now on. This is my fun blog with stuff from my home country, recipes, and other topics that I feel like writing about. Glad you liked this article. When Google celebrated Robert Doisneau this past Saturday, it gave me the idea 🙂
A major advantage to working as a photographer is having the opportunity to do something creative and artistic while pursuing a passion. They like learning to take the best photos possible, to see things most people don’t notice and to catch moments that otherwise would be lost.
Even a commercial photographer taking pictures of machinery will appreciate having the ability to create the best images possible for the client, playing with different angles and types of lighting and camera settings.