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InspirationPhotography

Benoit Paillé invites us into the fascinating world of Chateau d'eau Station 'beaters' in Paris

Benoit Paillé is a 26-year-old French-Canadian self-taught photographer whose work has been featured in publications and exhibitions all around the world.

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Man wearing red jacket and black headphones, lit by red and amber street lights at night in an urban setting

This particular project at Chateau d’Eau in Paris focuses on the Ivoirian immigrants who work for peanuts to try and hook local punters into getting their hair cut at the salon they 'beat' for. It's a fascinating insight into the area at night and the colours and lights within these stunning portraits reflect the dark and moody feel of the place.

Every face tells a different story and leaves you wondering the same thing - what are these characters thinking? What have they been through and what have they seen? You can tell, just looking into their eyes, what they would say. But Benoit is merely experimenting with light and the way it plays on people's faces. See more of Benoit's work on Behance.

Man in grey cardigan and scarf stands on a nighttime Paris street with blurred city lights and pedestrians behind him
Man wearing a grey hooded jacket with an emblem on the chest, standing on a neon-lit Paris street at night
Close-up portrait of a man wearing a dark jacket and scarf with blurred Paris street lights and pedestrians in the background
Man wearing a checkered cap and dark jacket outside Chateau d'Eau station at night, with blurred city lights behind him
Man wearing a New York cap and leather jacket stands on a dimly lit Paris street at night, with blurred city lights in the background
Man in dark blazer looks directly at camera on a night street with blurred lights behind him
Man wearing a black leather jacket and cap looking directly at camera, with neon-lit street scene blurred behind him at night
Man wearing a patterned beanie and dark jacket stands on a neon-lit Paris street at night, looking directly at the camera
Man wearing sunglasses and navy hat with red and black jacket stands in front of blurred nighttime crowd at Chateau d'Eau Station in Paris
Man in black jacket and chain necklace lit by neon red and purple lights on a Paris street at night
Man with direct gaze wearing grey cardigan over black jacket, shot at night with city lights blurred in background
Man wearing sunglasses and denim jacket stands in front of a blurred urban street at night with colourful lights in the background
Portrait of a man wearing a red-hooded jacket against a blurred neon-lit urban background in Paris
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