Galeries Lafayette - Paris Haussmann
The main hall of this iconic department store is anchored by a stunning Art Nouveau stained glass dome, built in 1912, that makes for one of the most dramatic interior architecture shots in Paris. Position yourself on the ground floor and shoot straight up to capture the full dome with its concentric rings of colored glass and ornate ironwork balconies spiraling above you. A wide angle lens in the 16-24mm range works well for this, and you will want to experiment with standing slightly off-center to include the balcony railings as a framing element. Midday is actually useful here since the dome relies on natural light filtering through the glass, giving you warm, diffused color without harsh shadows. The store opens at 9:30am and crowds build quickly, so arriving early gives you cleaner shots of the interior. The rooftop terrace also offers a free panoramic view over the Haussmann rooftops and toward the Eiffel Tower. (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
