http://i.imgur.com/UK5baQ7.jpg

The streets where quiet and it was getting late but from these two small restaurants, the sound of warm laughter, beautiful French and the glow of lights spilled into the darkened and abandoned streets. My wife commented that a scene doesn't get much more Paris life than this as I took the shot. And added, if I lived here, this is how I would want to spend my nights, laughing with friends over good food, a glass of wine, in a warm summer night.

The shot itself was hard to frame as to what was around the scene. Because it was dark, the lights were so bright that it was necessary to balance the exposure so there was not too much white blowout but also the shadows didn't overpower the image and inkblot large areas. 

I like how there are still some darkened fills though as it emphasises the warmth of the moment. Like a beacon to the closing in world that life goes on, laughter always prevails. A bastion of life, where all of the challenges and trials faced during the day can be washed away, the muscles relax and recover in preparation to do it all again tomorrow.

Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]