Marseille is a rapidly developing metropolis located in the southern province of France. Currently, Marseille is full of individuals from all over the globe who visit the location are not only attracted by its unique photographic views for Street Photographers but also its astonishing tourist destination. As a result, these make Marseille and the ideal place to explore street photography in France. In addition, Marseille is well known for its vibrant structures and buildings, a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a diverse society.
Street Photography in Marseille: The best places to hit the streets
The Vieux Port
The Vieux Port is the place to be if you are looking for a crowded location to make a fun Street Photography walk. The fish market in the area attracts both tourists and photographers daily from morning to evening. In addition, the city is full of street performers and musicians who are out to entertain the general public. The Vieux Port is also famous for its giant sky looking glass created by Norman Foster. The Vieux Port also has the “grand roue” from which you can take an overview photo of the area. Lastly, the Vieux Port offers a beautiful view for photographers annually no matter the season.
The Cours Julien
Next in line is the Cours Julien, which is infamous for its unique open-air street art gallery. Cours Julien is full of artists, and designers who have covered the area with some of the best graffiti art you’ll ever come across. In addition, Cours Julien has an atmosphere that is not only unique but is also cosmopolite. Also, Cours Julien is a likely tourist destination, especially in the evening. As a result, this makes the area melting pot of different nationalities. Last but not least, Cours Julien is full of unique restaurants and shops with that offer an excellent background for street photographs. You can get to Cours Julien by car via the Boulevard des Dames.
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Notre Dame de la Garde and its excellent panorama of Marseille
Notre Dame de la Garde is an attractive basilica that is not only detailed but also full of radiant colours. Also, the area is full of impressive statues that offer a beautiful background for Street Photography. The basilica also displays a remarkable piece of architectural work. As a result, this makes it one of the best areas to exercise street photography in Marseille. The basilica is a tourist destination full of pilgrims and is one of the most visited locations in Marseille. Lastly, you can either hike your way up to the basilica or either take a bus ride for 2€.
Cap Croisette
Last in the list is the Cap Croisette, which has lovely scenery. Cap Croisette is crowded with fishermen boats and yachts that would act as significant objects for your street photographs. Besides, Cap Croisette is the place to be in case you are looking for a spot to cut yourself from the world. Furthermore, the location is full of magical colours that provide an excellent view for your street photographs in Marseille. Lastly, Cap Croisette offers an end of the world view between the Les Goudes and Callelongue ports, a point that you would kill to take a shot.
The best photo galleries for Street Photographers
Musée Cantini
The Musée Cantini is a prestigious 1600s cultural establishment that was initially owned by the Montgrand family. Currently, the museum is a national label that houses several historical pieces such as the “Mediterranean landscape” Aside from historically paintings the museum also houses pieces done by great individualities that marked the twentieth century. Examples include Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, among other great legends.
Lastly, the museum has various photographic collections that offer a rich panorama of the history of how Marseille came to life. Consequently, collections from photographers like Ralph Gibson offer an inspiration to pursue street photography in Marseille.
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Marseille
The Musée des Beaux-Arts is the first museum in Marseille that begun as religious museum. At the time of construction, there were 15 museums, including the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Marseille. In addition, the museum not only offers thematic tours but also provides conferences every Wednesday. Currently, the Museum is full of paintings and sculptures from both the 16th to the 19th centuries. At the museum, you’ll be able to see a beautiful collection of the most excellent Italian and French artists such as Mr Pannini from Italy and David form France. Also, the museum is near the Gare Saint-Charles and can be reached by either a tram or metro line. On the contrary, it is unadvisable to the museum by car since the area has limited parking. Lastly, exhibitions at the museum cost €5.
Street Photography Workshops and courses in Marseille
OohProvence
OohProvence is an 8hour scheduled street photography course in Marseille. With them, you get a street photography instructor who picks you from your hotel/guest house. Clients often get to choose the area of practice and are allowed light lunch stop to rejuvenate.
Each day at the workshop is divided into two parts, the morning and the evening sessions. In the morning, you will get to develop your confidence by taking photos in town and busy streets. In the afternoon, however, you will visit a country area where you will get to practice landscape photography. Here you will practice your light and shadow balance skills to help enhance the quality of photographs you take.
Also, the (street) photography workshop is practical since it’ll combine both a tour of the Provence together with your classes. The locations you are to wonder will also be amazing and enthusiastic. In addition, you will also be able to visit various lavender fields that have attracted street photographers for centuries to the region.
You can book your course online and get a full-day tour of Provence and Marseille. On the contrary, if you are busy and only have half a day to spare, then you can sign up for a half-day class. During the session, you will be able to discover Marseille through the lenses of your camera. Furthermore, you will be able to explore the various angles from which you can take a photo as an expert. Lastly, classes are either in English or in French, depending on the language that suits you the most.
The photoacademy
On the contrary, you can sign up for a class at the photoacademy. At the academy, one can sign up for a standard curriculum that will help you establish your street photography skills in Marseille. On the other hand, you can either sign up for master classes that are not covered by most curriculums. The photo academy also offers a context of private lessons that are adaptable to your schedule and location in Marseille and France at large. The academy is also effective since classes can be either in Dutch, French and English. With the academy, one can enrol as an individual or either as a company.
Another unique feature of the academy is the exposure provided by the free photo walks within the academy. Here students are encouraged to share their passion in street photography and practise multiple numbers of times. Also, with this program, students are exposed to meet other photographers as they rediscover their cities of origin.
In addition, you’ll learn all the essentials of becoming an expert such as the ethics of taking a photograph, how to set up a scene among other practical activities. To join, you will have to sign up for a class at their easy to use website. Thereafter, you will have to select the mode of training that best suits your schedule. Lastly, the academy is the place to be, especially if you want to progress your skills at your own pace.
The Daniel Kordan Workshop
The street photography course is an eight-day training that caters for all transfers, meals, and lodging fee. During the eight-day, you will get to have morning shoots, Afternoon shoots, and evening shoots. In the morning you’ll learn how to take photos of the beautiful sun rays. Also, you’ll get to explore the market, visit artisans and learn the little details of town life. Here you will get to have street photography sessions in different towns with in the Provence.
Besides, you will engage yourself with a master class of photo processing. Come the sixth day you will have visited most markets and towns within the region. Furthermore, you will have taken photos in various landscape sceneries such as lavender valleys by the countryside. Also, you’ll have visited the beach and have taken pictures at alleys where the infamous Van Gogh painted his mater pieces. By the end of the shoot, you will have visited all the places and streets within Marseille and will be graduating from a beginner to a pro street photographer. On the eighth day, the workshop will be over with each party leaving Marseille at around midday.
Lastly, classes will be offered by two tour guides, namely Daniel Kordan and Iurie Belegurschi. Each instructor serving a different role in your training. For instance, Iurie will be focused on teaching you about landscape photography. On the other hand, Daniel will be focused on improving your editing skills.
Classes are also offered by the experiment.org although there 2019 courses have been cancelled until 2020. Nonetheless, they are also one of the best organisations that will help you work on your street photography in Marseille.