During the 1950s and '60s, street photography was just starting to take foot as an art form, and French photographer René Maltête gave it a push with his candid and humorous scenes.
In 1951, Maltête moved to Paris at the age of 21, and bought a Semflex 6×6 camera 3 years later in hopes of pursuing a serious photography career. His big break, however, came with a series of photos that were slightly less than serious. He became known for his 'stumbled-upon' scenes of street life that teemed with ironic humor, showing how the funniest things that happen in life are often just a matter of good timing.
Though René Maltête sadly passed away in 2000, his work continues to be published and praised. Have a look at some of his best shots below, and don't forget to vote for your favourites.
More info: René Maltête
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magic vanishing, it is like art : - "black canvas, with two n*****s fighting in the cave, in the deepest night"
Being a conjoined twin is hard enough when you're both the same sex!!
Take a picture first, help later. Nothing's changed the last few years..
picture from Bretagne? (=brittany). Guessing from the lady's traditional hat..?
The first poster promotes a fair for young people and families. But the boys seem to have grown up :)
For those who don't speak French : the text was initially "Cordonnerie" (a shoe repair shop) but the blanket hides the "RDO" and we now read "Connerie" (a screw-up)
This is a self-portrait of Rene Maltet, author of all these photos. Here in old age rene-58df9...5d2608.jpg
The guy shoveling cement looks like Robert Lepage: LEPAGE_Rob...reault.jpg
Look at those gaps in the brickwork on the road. A woman in heels could NEVER walk on that.
Wait! You mean Handel's "Water Music" isn't played IN the water at all???