Photographer's Note
English language bookshop, Shakespeare and Co, Rue de la Bûcherie on la Rive Gauche, Paris. Although often referred to as the original bookshop opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919, this incarnation was opened by the American George Whitman in 1951. Its premises, the site of a 16th-century monastery, are at 37 rue de la Bûcherie, near Place Saint-Michel, just steps from the Seine, Notre Dame and the Île de la Cité. Much like the original Shakespeare and Company, the store became a focal point for literary culture in bohemian Paris, and was frequented by many Beat Generation writers, such as Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, and William S. Burroughs.
In 1964, after Sylvia Beach's death, Whitman changed his store's name to Shakespeare and Company in tribute to the original venture. He described the bookstore's name as "a novel in three words", and calls the venture "a socialist utopia masquerading as a bookstore". Customers have included the likes of Henry Miller, Anaïs Nin, and Richard Wright. The bookstore includes sleeping facilities, with 13 beds, and Whitman claims as many as 40,000 people have slept in the shop over the years.
Regular activities that occur in the bookshop are Sunday tea, poetry readings and writers' meetings. Whitman's daughter, Sylvia Beach Whitman, now runs the shop.
Vato_Law, williewhistler, tatadalou, ptibelo has marked this note useful
Critiques | Translate
Vato_Law
(12718) 2011-12-10 12:21
Hello Will,
something very parisian on this shot, the atmosphere, the couples reading something on their books, even that small pigeon wandering by helps to get a relaxed atmosphere.
I like this shot!
Cheers.
Paulo
wolf38
(28208) 2011-12-11 2:20
Hi Will. What a nice title for a book shop. Here, people can read even outdoors. Black and white is a good choice. The photo is realistic and worth seeing. Well seen and realized. Rgds, Wolfgang.
williewhistler
(7299) 2011-12-11 3:37
Hello Will,
There is an awful lot going on in this well taken street scene with each couple sharing a single book whilst the pigeon keeps guard!
The conversion to BW is very good as there is a fine range of tones.
Nice one.
Les.
divail
(7233) 2011-12-11 18:15
Bonsoir Will,
C'est un beau choix que le noir et blanc pour cette composition. Cela lui donne un petit air 1950. Le couple plongé dans un livre ainsi que ceux qui choisissent un livre apportent beaucoup de vie à la photo.
Diane
mesutilgim
(68014) 2011-12-12 14:57
Hello Will,
Wonderfull b&w capture with good pov and layout.
A perfect show for me;
1) As a friend of b&w photography and
2) As a bookworm !
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM
tatadalou
(3273) 2012-01-10 12:58
Hi Will,
I like the slightly bohemian atmosphere that emanates from the picture, very "Rive gauche", the shelves in the street, the couple immersed in reading. B & W processing was well chosen.
Regards,
Delphine
Juzo
(4242) 2012-02-06 23:42
Hi Will,
This bookshop evokes romance for so many of us English speakers who visit Paris, and the nostalgic simple tones of the film here make this even more so..
Cheers
Justin
ptibelo
(3371) 2012-07-30 14:43
bonjour will,
merci pour votre critique qui ma fait très plaisir.
j'aime beaucoup votre vision des personnes ...d'être là sans déranger et de capturer des instants de forts sentiments ....
bonne soirée.
Jean-marie
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Will Perrett (willperrett)
(2959) - Genre: Places
- Medium: Black & White
- Date Taken: 2007-02-18
- Categories: Daily Life
- Camera: Nikon E5700
- Exposure: f/4.2
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2011-12-10 9:53









