When looking at works of notable photographers, especially street photographers, you can have a very different experience with quite similar ingredients. Looking at the work of Moriyama Daido and Henri-Cartier Bresson is decidedly incomparable despite you mostly seeing black and white photos of their respective surroundings. I feel it is impossible to have a more enjoyable time with a photographer's work than with Doisneau's.
Every shot is inarguably stunning, black and white shots of Paris and its inhabitants, but unlike the work of most street photographers, Doisneau does not seem to fire his shutter on average little moments, giving beauty where there is none. Instead showing us the most beautiful moments in people's lives. Cinematic kisses, leaps of faith, magical little moments shared between people and the city of Paris. It's as if beauty follows him wherever he goes. If you showed his work to an alien and asked what they thought of humanity I'm sure they would logically conclude that humans are the most beautiful thing there is.
His photos inspire poetry in the viewer's mind and butterflies in their stomach, more so than any other he gives the viewer something to yearn for, it's impossible to see 'Le Baiser de l'h'tel de ville (The Kiss)' and not wish to hold someone like that, to be held, for however long you look at his images you feel as if you are whisked into a Louis Malle film, the smell of croissants in the air, La Vie en Rose played on a delightfully cliche accordion, it's cliche because Doisneau effectively made it so, laying the groundwork for affectionate ideals of Parisian romance that only truly exist in the viewers head and in his photos.
Offering perhaps the sweetest, sappiest but ultimately most fitting quote in all of photography; Doisneau proclaims "I don't photograph life as it is, but life as I would like it to be.", hearing that alone is more than enough context for his work, anyone knows life is not this perfect, but when spending time with Doisneau suddenly it is, be it funnier, sweeter, prettier or certainly more romantic, he makes life out to be a really wonderful thing.
In the kiss, the camera shows us a couple embracing in a kiss, the gentleman's windswept hair and ruffled collar projecting a perfect effortless suave demeanour enough to make a nun swoon, the lady assumedly softening her grip on the chair that they have perhaps been eating at outside of some idyllic Parisian cafe no doubt, tilts her head back as if she's melting. The background gives us stylish pedestrians and motion blurred classic cars with a view of the stunning h'tel de ville, as the camera almost seems to focus more on a man exiting the frame in a trench coat and hat, it gives the feeling of a moment between a couple that you catch sitting at your own table in the same cafe, yearning to participate or making you wistfully reminisce. There are many iconic images like it of couples kissing, Alfred Eisenstaedt's VJ day kiss obviously springs to mind, but none quite as perfect as Doisneau's, it certainly feels candid and very much real, perhaps with levels of style no longer attainable, but still real, I feel it sums up the very concept of a kiss better than any other, a beautiful passing moment, that we have the privilege to observe.
Doisneau's photos of Maurice Baquet are some of my favourite ever taken, 1957's 'D'eau majeure' is just about as good as a photo can be, Baquet is pictured with just his head above the water, a quaint reflection underneath, as his cello floats near him, his playful expression seeming to say 'oh well' with neither plans, nor a desire, to change the situation. The tones are perfect, as in all of Doisneau's work you're never distracted from the subject by the quality of the exposure itself, just taken along as a willing participant as if you find yourself in 1950's Paris and happen to glance upon the most interesting thing you've ever seen.
Much of Doisneau's work can be described as funny, charming and quaint, but for what he is known and where he easily excels is his unparalleled depictions of romance on film. Worthy of poetry, his photos of couples are simply aspirational, befitting his poetic approach to the medium, giving lovers young and old something to work towards, oozing style and elegance, decidedly regal in disposition, Doisneau created some of the most visually beautiful photographs of all time.