A day at the Louvre: light moves, people move too

It was not yet nine o'clock that morning, and the sun was not very strong. But the building facades are already warming. That warmth is not the yellow in the filter, but the real golden color that hits the stone. I stood in front of the statue, just in time to see the light falling from the eaves, turning the entire building into soft lines. 📌 Tips: If you want to capture this kind of light, I recommend going to the Tuileries Garden behind the Louvre between 8:30 and 9:30 in the morning. There are fewer people there and the view is wider. Arrive half an hour before sunrise to see the transition from blues to warm colors. 🔺 Sunset in front of the glass pyramid, no composition required The pyramids have been photographed so many times, but when you stand there, It will still make you feel "a little worthwhile" again. The light just passes through the glass from the back and reflects out layer by layer. Then there were skateboarding teenagers on the ground, and people sitting and chatting in the distance. The whole space is quiet and balanced. 📌 It is recommended to use a wide angle + low angle camera on your phone to take this type of photo. Try to keep as much white space as possible on the sky line and the ground. There are many people in the evening but it is not noisy. It is recommended to find a position slightly to the side to get a stronger sense of "penetration". 📷 Light passes through the colonnades, illuminating people and structures The Louvre's marginal promenade is one of my favorite places. The stone columns are arranged neatly, the arches are regular, but the light is free. You can see it coming in piece by piece, lighting up one part of the wall, while the other side remains quiet. People come and go in a hurry, but their shadows are slow. I took a picture of a girl in a dark coat passing between the light and shadow. At that moment, the light seemed to actively follow her rhythm. 📌 If you also want to take this kind of "light composition + character silhouette" picture, it is recommended to go to the outer corridor area on the south side of the Louvre after 4 pm. The backlight effect is obvious, which is suitable for taking "light literary style" photos. 🎨 There is light inside the museum, but it is a little quieter There is a photo I took in the Napoleon III Room. The light there is not natural light, but reflections from chandeliers, candlesticks, and gilded mirrors. If the light outside is free, then the light here seems to be carved and arranged. Neat, quiet, and ceremonial. 📌 Tips: It is recommended to turn off the flash when taking photos in the museum to avoid disturbing other tourists Photography is allowed in the Louvre, but prohibited in some special exhibition areas. Please pay attention to the signs before entering. If you want to take photos of the "palace-style" light and shadow, it is recommended to check the opening status of the Napoleon III Apartments exhibition area in advance 🪞 The water and reflections on the ground are sometimes more moving than the sky The last photo was taken when I walked out of the square outside the Louvre after the rain. The ground was filled with water and the entire building seemed to be reflected in a pond. I lowered my head and took a picture, and it became an unexpected "Mirror Paris". 📌 Want to take a reflection shot: The best places to take photos are after the rain or in the fountain area Low angle + ultra-wide angle of mobile phone + controlled exposure will make it easier to take clear edges 📝 Last words: Of course you can go into the Louvre to see paintings, sculptures, and history. But it's worth taking a walk outside. Look at the colors of the stones in the sunlight and the structural sense of the pyramids intertwined with the setting sun. This is a place that is always being photographed and can never be fully photographed. It doesn't steal the show, but it never goes unnoticed. As long as you are willing to walk slower, light and shadow will come to you automatically.