Above Paris: A New Collection of Aerial Photographs of Paris, France

by Robert W. Cameron

Above Paris. Pierre Salinger writes, "Paris, in its entirety, has never been portrayed like this. The view of the Ile de la Cite with the imposing Notre Dame; the Eiffel Tower, seen from above the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees all give an entirely new deminsion to France's capital." His word picture of the world's romantic center matches Robert Cameron's stunning photography.

Genres: Architecture, Photography, France, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1984

About the author

Aerial photographer and creator of "The Drinking Man's Diet."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...

Reviews

[Tim Pendry · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of a series by Robert Cameron in which, long before the invention of Google Earth and the transfer of satellite imagery from secret defence to public use, he took a helicopter aloft and produced high quality photographs of cities and other locations from the air.

This edition dates from 1984 and shows us Paris and its environs in that year. There is a short and informative introduction from Pierre Salinger who describes how he worked contacts in the conservative French bureaucracy to get permission for Cameron to take the shots.

The result is excellent with very short historical introductions to each photograph although perhaps the non-Parisian could have done with a map to show the locations of each photograph in relation to each other - but this is a quibble.

It's not my City though I have visited it more than once, usually on business, and, of course, the photographs have to be biaised towards the 'sights' in order to be an attractive publishing opportunity but I recommend the book for its accidental insights into French culture.

There is ample evidence of the weight of history on France. Above all, that its revolution was built on the foundations of the alliance of Church and State - the 'sights' are a complex of churches, palaces (converted to modern use) and republican attempts to seize the space defined by these.

One also reflects on the French commitment to try and 'trump' the past and pay it homage at the same time with the commitment to modern architecture for public buildings - we British seem to do such things rarely and look for utility first and aesthetics second.

The strength and distinctiveness of French elite culture centred on Paris (France is not Paris) comes across in these photographs of public space - great footprints of power surounded by a sea of ordinary residence and business. The artists get Montmartre, Pere Lachaise and a village or two.

The final section is largely of the surviving great palaces and the traces of abbeys that did not survive. There is an irony that the country of revolutions seems to be more culturally coherent than the United Kingdom where multiplicities and ambiguities have created a capital city of villages.

[Manny Villa · Rating 5 out of 5]

11141369

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

11141369

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is almost 40 years old, it provides great overview photos and explanatory text on the sites in Paris.

[Diana Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sourcebook - or just a great book if you love Paris

I am writing a trilogy set in Paris. I have used this to help me visualize the layout of the city, the look of the streets. I bought it years ago, and just bought a new copy. It has been invaluable.

But wait: This is an historic book. Low-level flyovers over Paris are not permitted. It took the authors and photographers a long time to secure permission from the French authorities to make the flight and take the photos. One day was allowed, no more. Weather did not matter. If that day contained a hurricane and a sandstorm (in Paris?) eh bien, tant pis!

As it happened, it was a lovely day and the photos are splendid. The cover contains a shot of the Ile de la Cite and the Ile St. Louis sitting in the middle of the Seine like frigates at anchor. The other shots are equally good.

Coffee table or desktop, this is a good book.