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The selfie no-one sees you take
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There's a culture of discretion in Paris that makes most forms of selfie-taking feel extra taboo (even those that don't involve a collapsible 3-foot stick.) Enter the Fotoautomat. Not to be confused with the Photomaton (Paris's leading provider of harrowingly-lit passport photos), Fotoautomats are distinctly retro-looking, totally analog, and appear in only seven spots across Paris (400 around the world). Plus, they're equipped with a privacy curtain.
The first one materialized in the lobby of the Palais de Tokyo in 2007, rescued from obscurity by retronaut Eddy Bourgeois, the somewhat enigmatic figure behind Fotoautomat France. When asked if he had a tip for the perfect Fotoautomat selfie, he had this Wes Anderson-like advice for us:
"Adjust your seat by swiveling it in the direction opposite to the moving hands of a Swiss Watch. Sit at the very edge of your seat, turning your shoulders by 30.26° relative to your center of gravity and raise them by exactly 2.7 centimeters. Place your hands on your upper thighs in such a way that your arms do not come into contact with your body. Lean back three millimeters, ever so slightly tilt your head, and narrow your eyes. Stare into the lens: a sulfurous gaze. Sulfurous..."
Below, the addresses for all six Parisian Fotoautomats. (Seven, counting the one that's just been installed at the Grand Palais in time for the new Irving Penn exhibit.) Thanks to Eddy for the tip.
LE PALAIS DE TOKYO, 13 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75016
MONTMARTRE, 53 rue des Trois Frères, 75018
LE CENTQUATRE, 5 rue Curial, 75019 Paris
LA MAISON ROUGE, 10 Boulevard de la Bastille, 75012
LA COLONIE, 128 Rue la Fayette, 75010 Paris
LES BUTTES-CHAUMONT, Le Pavillon Puebla, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, 75019
Follow Fotoautomat on Instagram here.
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