Orsay and Instagram – Photographing Paris Between Heritage and Self-Image
A quiet standoff between heritage and self-promotion. This black-and-white photograph, taken inside the Musée d’Orsay, reflects how our relationship with culture has evolved: one Instagrammer poses in front of the giant clock, while another captures the moment on her smartphone. Art, architecture and digital culture now coexist in silence.
In the age of social media, everyone wants to capture their moment of glory—less to photograph a place, more to place themselves in it. As if the location only had value with them in the frame. And because so many people want the exact same image, copied from Instagram or TikTok, they monopolize the space—at the expense of those who simply want to appreciate the place… without filters, or human obstacles.
The Musée d’Orsay is where art and architecture meet, offering an exceptional setting for both visitors and photographers. Among its most iconic features, the monumental clock never fails to attract the lens. This moment captured in black and white frames one woman in the center of the clockface, lost in the Paris skyline, while another records the scene with her phone.
This image highlights how people now interact with museum spaces. Social media and smartphones have transformed our relationship with art and architecture, turning every corner of the museum into a potential set for the next Instagram post.
The choice of black and white enhances the contrast between the metallic structure and the silhouettes, highlighting the graphic perspective of the composition. Natural light streaming through the glass creates a soft backlighting that adds to the timeless feel of the scene.
Through this photograph, I aim to explore how our connection to museums is evolving—where the instantaneity of digital culture rubs shoulders with heritage and history. It has become an iconic symbol of Paris in the social media era.
Order a fine art print of this photograph, limited to 30 copies, from the online art gallery Une image pour rêver
About the artist: Sebastien Desnoulez is a professional photographer based in Paris. His work explores the dialogue between architecture, light and human presence through graphic and contemporary compositions that blend documentary vision with creative framing. Learn more.
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All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
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