Lucius Loc: Denver, Colorado

My wife and I are going to spend some time in Paris. We plan to explore, take pictures and just hang out. We know one of the keys to photography is knowing what you are going to shot and what are the best postions. This means knowing the city or going out and scouting the areas a head of tiime

So, rather than doing are own scouting, I am considering taking a photography tour of the City. The tour is with a professional photographer and the person will show you where to take shots of the most popular sites from different angles. As well as some places that are not well known.

I thought, we would get some shots during the tour and then be able to go back to some of the locations later.

What are your thoughts. Has anyone done this?

Graham Smith Loc: Cambridgeshire UK

A good tool is Google Earth, check out the pictures on there. You will see all the best spots and also be able to pinpoint the locations.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Graham is right on, google earth will save you weeks of scouting and suggest shot angles.

HEART Loc: God's Country - COLORADO

AND...google earth doesn't need tipping! Have used it so often that even on short trips within state I find myself referring to it. Have a great trip!!

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Paris is wonderful. And as photogenic as you make it as a photographer. It is also like so many other cities. Full of the usual popular tourist spots and full of interesting details and people all over the city. When my wife and I travel, we do not use a tour. We do use public transportation, walk a lot, have only a broad idea of what to see and stay open to wandering where we want and just sitting and taking in the city. Do the tourist spots of course but be open to just walking a lot and not running on schedule.

As for Paris, the Metro is wonderful. You need a day or so to figure it out but once you do, the entire city is all yours. We found Parisians very helpful and courteous (with one exception). The city is so full of little visual delights: store fronts, streets, people, parks, public artwork. In addition to the "big" picture, i.e., the tourist spots, delight in the off-beat and out-of-the-way.

Take plenty of "film" and a tripod or monopod. And enjoy.

balexander101 Loc: Occoquan VA

I have used guides and had great results. I think you will be pleased with the experience.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

If you don't speak French, at least learn a few handy phrases, such as:

"I don't speak French. Do you speak English?"

"Thank You."

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

More advice. Get a good Paris only guide book like Rick Steves and a large, heavy, laminated folding map of the city with a Metro insert.

You can also take the convenient interurban trains to places like Versailles.

mrtobin Loc: North East Ohio

When in a foreign country, having tour own private tour guide is money well spent. Shure, it will cost you some money, but hey, this is how this person makes a living. If a person wants to have photos of an event, such as a wedding they (should) hire a "professional" photographer. So if you want the most out of a tour hire a "professional" tour guide. A professional guide has done ALL of Paris before, knows the best, and some times lesser known places, can acquire tickets or passes that may be needed and can often jump you to the front of a line, saving you time to take more and better photos at more and better places. Of course, you do not need the guide every day 24-7, save some time to be alone together in this very romantic a photographable city.

Last but not least don't forget to tip for a job well done.

Lucius Loc: Denver, Colorado

Thanks for a your input.

We were thinking of having a guide for part of a day. He will be a professional photographer and give us input as to places to get good shots. We will be with him part of the first day.

Then we will just explore on our on for the balance of out time there. We will be able to use the input and insight, the guide provides.

We have been to Paris before, but wanted input with a photographers slant.

mrtobin Loc: North East Ohio

Sounds like a plan, enjoy your trip:)

amehta Loc: Boston

A tour guide who creates the tour you are most interested in is worth a lot. The best part of my four days in Rome was the tour guide who made the Roman Forum amazing. In Australia and New Zealand, after transportation my biggest expense was paying people to show me the special animals, which I could not have done on my own.

I think your plan is worth it if you do not want to spend the time doing all the research to figure that out. It can take a lot of time to prepare for a trip like this, and your time may be worth more than the tour guide's fee.