“This photograph captures a vivid, candid moment on the Champs-Élysées, using color to emphasize the humor and intensity of a fleeting street scene. It’s a snapshot of Paris in the late 1960s, made compelling by its immediacy and unexpected hues.”
A lone figure strides across the Champs-Élysées, caught in a moment of candid observation. This photograph, taken in 1967, uses vibrant color to capture the fleeting energy of a Parisian street scene. The man, seen from behind, is a study in contrasts: his dark suit and hat stand out against the soft, almost painterly blur of the background. It feels like a quick, almost stolen glance, emphasizing the immediacy and humor that color photography brought to street scenes of the era. The decision to use color film, rather than the more common black and white, adds an unexpected intensity, highlighting the bright red of a distant car and the specific hues of the urban environment. This work is a testament to the power of a photographer's quick eye, transforming an everyday moment into something memorable.
- Artist
- Joel Meyerowitz
- Date
- 1967
- Medium
- Dye imbibition print
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- Image: 30.3 × 46.2 cm (11 15/16 × 18 1/4 in.); Paper: 40.8 × 50.7 cm (16 1/8 × 20 in.)
- Collection
- Photography and Media
- Culture
- United States
- Credit line
- Gift of Jack H. Hayflick
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The way the man's dark suit contrasts with the lighter street.
The pop of red from the car far down the avenue.
The blur of the background, suggesting motion and speed.
The subtle reflections on the wet pavement.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Joel Meyerowitz
Joel Meyerowitz, a pioneering American photographer, championed color photography in the 1960s and was the only photographer granted unrestricted access to Ground Zero after 9/11.
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