ADVERTISEMENT

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

#1

Photography By Rene Maltete

Rene Maltete Report

John L
Community Member
8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfect example of 'gene' matching. :D

View more comments
RELATED:
    #3

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lemur
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took me a second to realize that was a mirror

    View more comments
    #4

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Charles Laster
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Has this man never SEEN a cartoon?! You don't do that!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If he is waiting for the other guy to make his move, that will be quite awhile. Stalemate.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Mariya Stoyanova
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even dragons get sick of centuries watching people from above

    View more comments
    #11

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lynn Donovan
    Community Member
    8 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those who don't speak french : "7 deadly sins"

    View more comments
    #12

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lynn Donovan
    Community Member
    8 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those who don't speak French : "You are the majority"

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Jean Donahue
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Being a conjoined twin is hard enough when you're both the same sex!!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADHORTATOR
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Danger? DANGER?! I show you what I think of danger!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    French-street-photography-rene-maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Mical Joseph
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fake picture, WTC wasn't there in the 50s!

    Peter Korsten
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And it wasn't in France. Doesn't mean that it's fake, though, just that it wasn't in France and that it wasn't in the 1950.

    Load More Replies...
    Megan Johnson
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are mimicking the elevations of the buildings in the background?

    Load More Replies...
    Ionela Zugravu
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ascending like the buildings from the background. 😊

    Molly Block
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So how did he create this photo then? Since the WTC towers were not built until the 70's? This photo must have been taken in the 70's then, in NYC, not France. I guess it's just a photo that got tossed into this mix, since it's one of his..... I didn't get it at first either, until the comment below about how they are ascending like the buildings in the background. I don't like this photo at all and I down-voted it.

    ErMerGerd ItBecky
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh my god we really don't care what you thought of the damn photo or whether it was taken forty or seventy years ago. It's a better picture than you'll ever take. Jesus Christ stop being a pedant and enjoy it.

    Load More Replies...
    Julie Julie
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's clearly not France and not from the 50s but since he died in 2000 he could have taken this photo. It's not "fake". The title of the article is just not right.

    Ann Ros'a
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Great shot of the Twin Towers... RIP 9/11/01

    Ann Ros'a
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even though it's not taken in the 50s or France...

    Load More Replies...
    Ostide Calisse
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The World Trade Center in the 1950s?

    Ann Ros'a
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LOL you're right, we're finished until after 1970...

    Load More Replies...
    Michael Freeman
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe the compiler made a mistake. Mistakes do happen and are forgivable. The photo was taken in New York as part of a fashion piece.

    Don Bok
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    France? I didn't know the Twin Towers of New York were in France!

    Ann Ros'a
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a French influence on the this shot.

    Load More Replies...
    Karen Drucks
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice shot of the N Y skyline..mimic-ed by the models

    Mariya Stoyanova
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't that New York City, not France??

    Jeanne Richardson
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How did the WTC and WFC get transported to 1950's France?

    Sergio Bicerra
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe the atlantic ocean isn't as large as we thought...

    Cathy Shift
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i don't think this is france...

    Chris Shelley
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't have to be from the 70's, the photograph could have been taken earlier

    Ann Ros'a
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No the World Trade Center buildings hadn't finished construction until after 1970... So this wasn't taken in the 50s-- let alone in France!!!

    Load More Replies...
    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    #24

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Alternathy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Take a picture first, help later. Nothing's changed the last few years..

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #27

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Fire Bird
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That one girl is thinking twice about skiing after seeing that guy.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #31

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Natasha L
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think you'll get that ball back...

    View more comments
    #32

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lua boots
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I live in Paris and I think this one is my street xD... they are still working on that road >_< Endless works everywhere :) yeah... T_T

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Jeremie Guerra
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The arm of the inventor of car blinking lights...

    View more comments
    #35

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    #36

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #39

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #40

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Alternathy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just dumping a few holes. Nothing to see here.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #42

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Deborah Lloyd
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everything needs support....Even the building

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #43

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Gemala Hapsari
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    picture from Bretagne? (=brittany). Guessing from the lady's traditional hat..?

    View more comments
    #44

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lynn Donovan
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The first poster promotes a fair for young people and families. But the boys seem to have grown up :)

    View more comments
    #45

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lua boots
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" xD

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #46

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Molly Block
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At least she's not tossing out the chamberpot contents!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #47

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Alenchery
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There goes another Christ Impersonator.

    View more comments
    #48

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lynn Donovan
    Community Member
    8 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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)

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #51

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lua boots
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nobody leaves its handbag alone like this anymore in Paris :( ... I want to return to the past

    View more comments
    #52

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    #53

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #55

    French-street-photography-rene-maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Stefano Aprea
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a self-portrait of Rene Maltet, author of all these photos. Here in old age rene-58df9...5d2608.jpg rene-58df9dc5d2608.jpg

    View more comments
    #56

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    #57

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lynn Donovan
    Community Member
    8 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those who don't speak French : "Great fire in..."

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #59

    French-street-photography-rene-maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Molly Block
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look at those gaps in the brickwork on the road. A woman in heels could NEVER walk on that.

    View more comments
    #61

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Sasy
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    maybe it has a hole in it, to block out any other light ?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #62

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Stefan Reiff
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait! You mean Handel's "Water Music" isn't played IN the water at all???

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #68

    Photography By Rene Maltete

    Rene Maltete Report

    Lynn Donovan
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Chevaline" is a butcher's shop specialized in horsemeat

    View more comments