What do you see when you look out your window? As I sit in front of the laptop and glance slightly to the left, I have a wonderful view through the full-length balcony door of the rooftop of the buildings on a side street perpendicular to the one on which I am living. I love being on the top floor and I spend countless hours gazing out the window, marveling at the architectural details, daydreaming from time to time—Paris has that effect on me.
I am particularly intrigued by all of the little reddish pipes of various heights sticking out of the larger chimneys. Are they vent pipes or are they chimneys too? Why do a small number of them have little metallic chapeaux?
Yesterday I captured these images when the sunlight was shining from a particular angle and cast some beautiful shadows from one chimney onto another. As I worked on my photos, I thought I was most interested in a shot in which I was able to isolate the details of one of the larger chimneys, which is the second shot below. After deciding that I should provide a wider view to give context, I started working on another image and decided that I liked this view even more. What do you think?
My pace of life here in Paris is slow. I am not pressed by time constraints (other than my departure date) and I have few responsibilities. I am free to daydream, free to wander, free to contemplate, and free to ponder. Life is simple and life is good. Maybe I can apply some of this thinking to my daily life upon my return to Northern Virginia.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I like both Mike and I would’ve presented them the same way you did, probably because the context photo has more overall interest (not just the two sets of chimneys but also the softly coloured sunlight reflected in the window glass, which actually creates a diagonal line of interest). But the detail shot is absolutely worth having … when you find something very interesting it’s cool to be able to zoom in really close!
Hi Mike, I like the first image for interest, but the second one shows the details of the chimneys. The “chapeau de cheminée” as it is called (the hat) is supposed to improve how the chimney draws, to protect from weather and to stop birds from nesting in there! Not sure why some have the hat and others don’t though!
Nothing quite like sitting back and feeling the weight lift. Enjoy.
Looks like you’re enjoying this vacation, very much, Mike.
I like them both for different reasons. Context and detail both of their place in the grand scheme of things. A very tight crop on the lit part of the chimney could yield an interesting semi abstract of the light and dark forms.
I hadn’t thought of going abstract like that, but I definitely like the suggestion, Michael. Thanks.
It’s a romantic scene: the artist in his loft in Paris. What better time and place to experiment with images when one is not out exploring the streets.
Wow, am I ever loving this visit to Paris you’re on. I just drooled over the baguette in a different post, and now I’m headed to backtrack on your other exotic findings. Wonderful photos of the rooftops, curious chimneys, and elegant light.
This is a three week long trip, Jet, with no planned itinerary. I am making it up as I go along with lots of long walks, a few art classes, and a lot of pensive contemplation. Plus, as you noticed, a strange array of photos, some touristy, but many not so much.
The funniest thing is that as most of the infrastructure is so old in Paris, most of the chimneys are just vents as it’s illegal to light fires in most fireplaces, especially in the older buildings.
I am in an old building with an open fireplace and my landlord told me, when I moved in, to feel free to light a fire! As I since discovered the building is falling down I am happy I never struck a match near the place!
Paris is perhaps best experienced at leisure, on holiday. In between the rush hours and shoulder shrugs the magic awaits
I figured that most were just vents, because I often see pigeons perched on them. I have my share of experience with American bureaucracy, but from you descriptions of the difficulties in getting anything done, it sounds like the French take bureaucratic procedures to another level, like moving up another level in Dante’s circles of hell.
I believe the inspiration for Dante’s inferno came to him after a dream of what Paris would one day become 🤭
Nice shots, Mike. Roof top views can be so interesting in older cities.
Sounds wonderful to be so carefree. It’s one of the things I loved best about travelling in my younger days, freedom to please myself and indulge in whims.
Thanks, Eliza. I think that way too often we assume that that kind of freedom is only for the young, that we have to be more “adult” in our approaches. Indeed life can get more complicated as we get older and responsibilities multiply. I am blessed to be able to do this kind of self-indulgent trip and figure I should just go for it while I am still physically able to do it.
Well said!
I agree with Liz on this, Mike. I also like the sky color and glow in the second one a bit more, a warmer feel. Such a different window view than we are used to!