Smith, Springsteen, SNCF, Snow and Salvador

Finally, some action. Just when I was getting bored. Started the week with a 2-for-1 evening.


Photographed Will Smith who was here for the French premiere of “I Am Legend” and then zoomed across the city in time to photograph Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band in concert. It was my third time shooting Springsteen and he was, like always, brilliant.


Next was a special photo exhibition highlighting environmental issues related to the North and South poles. What made the exhibition special was that it took place on the first level of the Eiffel Tower, which had its walkways covered with artificial snow. Visitors wore snowshoes and trekked through the snow while taking in the views.


The week continued with another exhibition, this one at the Grand Palais, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the SNCF, France’s national railway company. The opening of the exhibition featured a full-scale train car outside the Palais (see photo) as well as ancient and future train cars inside.


Finally, the week ended with a concert of the legendary French singer Henri Salvador. The 90-year old (!) Salvador announced that this would be his last live performance but that he would continue to record music. You could see by the reaction of the crowd how well-respected Salvador is here. Salvador’s career has spanned over 60 years, including a period where he played with Gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt in the 1940’s.


I’d like to dedicate this blog entry to my good friend and “spiritual advisor” Bipul, who will be closing the doors of his store and leaving France next week after more than 20 years here. I will miss him a lot, as will the many others that spent countless hours with him, drinking chai, laughing and delving into the life’s mysteries.


Some photos of the week:

Clarence Clemons and Springsteen
Springsteen
Joking (I hope)