Lavirotte Building
Built at the turn of the twentieth century by architect Jules Lavirotte, this apartment building on Avenue Rapp is one of Paris's most extravagant Art Nouveau facades, covered in sinuous ceramic sculptures, organic reliefs, and ornate tilework by ceramicist Alexandre Bigot. The entire facade rewards close attention, so bring a medium telephoto lens to isolate the carved details, and then step back across the street for a wider composition that captures the full vertical sweep of the building. The narrow street means you will be working at a slight upward angle, which actually suits the dramatic, almost overwhelming quality of the facade. Overcast days are ideal here since flat light reduces harsh shadows and lets the texture and color of the ceramics come through clearly; bright midday sun can be unflattering. The building is easy to find and accessible on foot from Pont de l'Alma, and the sidewalk directly opposite gives you the cleanest view. (Paris, Ile-de-France, France)
