Christian Dumont, one of the photographers featured in Trope Paris, is no stranger to the practicalities of his profession: he has been a photographer for thirty years, and has dedicated himself to capturing the streets of Paris for at least half of that time. Treating the city as a map of experiences, Dumont’s work searches for the introspective and soulful in a city often brimming with energy and life.
Trope Paris, the sixth volume in the Trope City Editions series, highlights the photographic images of 17 independent photographers from Paris and beyond, and is available now.
How long have you been a photographer and what initially drew you to the profession?
I've been a photographer for about thirty years. However, regarding street photography, which has become my specialty, about fifteen years. I remain, as they usually say, a passionate amateur.
What made you interested in photographing Paris in particular?
Paris has a remarkable diversity of neighborhoods, both in terms of architecture and the atmosphere they are imbued with. Crossing Paris, taking your time and getting lost, is a street photographer's delight.
What is your process like for shooting a new location? Do you try to match the feeling of the place with the image that you produce, or is it much more spontaneous?
I don't have a particular process. I trust my spontaneity.
Tell me a bit about your editing process.
I shoot all my photos in raw format. I edit with Lightroom and then convert to B&W.
Is there a shot that you recently took that has inspired you above others?
There is a photo I took in Paris at night on a rainy evening. There is the night, the rain, and the solitude of a man who walks with his head slightly bowed. At the same time, at the very bottom, there is Parisian life with a cafe whose bright lights illuminate the sidewalk and give the impression of a fire around which one would like to warm oneself.
What advice do you have for other street photographers?
Look at other photographers' work and, most importantly, go out and take pictures.
