I just started a 3 week Paris photography adventure. I didn’t get around to photographing much on day 1, but I made a vow to try to take at least one picture of the Eiffel Tower each day.
The initial goal of this trip was to develop material for a book about photographing Paris. That may happen some day, but right now I am focused on one structure: The Eiffel Tower. If you’ve seen my photo stream, you know I love iconic architecture. I still don’t get tired of photographing the Golden Gate Bridge, even after the hundreds of shots I’ve already taken. I think the same about the Eiffel Tower. The goal is twofold: 1) take as many unique and eye-catching photographs as possible, from different angles, different parts of the city, different times of day, different moods, etc. (at least 1 per day, if I’m able); and 2) record my technical observations as a photographer to write a guide for other photographers wishing to photograph the Eiffel Tower, especially those visiting from out of town for only a few days.
Nowadays, when I travel, I look for photography guides for the same reason. I was shocked that the only such guide I could find for Paris was written by Albert Moldvay and Erika Fabian 35 years ago, before digital photography! There is definitely a niche to be filled here, as Paris is one of the most photographed cities in the world (right up there with my hometown of San Francisco).
I did manage to get to a point at the Louvre (see picture above) where I could actually (barely) see the Eiffel Tower. I am going to try to maintain some discipline for my trip, because the photographic distractions are many!