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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

#7

Photography By Rene Maltete

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Fire Bird
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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Photography By Rene Maltete

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Jean Donahue
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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French-street-photography-rene-maltete

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Peter Korsten
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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Molly Block
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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ErMerGerd ItBecky
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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Julie Julie
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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Michael Freeman
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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Chris Shelley
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Ann Ros'a
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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!!!

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Photography By Rene Maltete

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Alternathy
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Photography By Rene Maltete

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Fire Bird
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Photography By Rene Maltete

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Lua boots
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Gemala Hapsari
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Photography By Rene Maltete

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Lynn Donovan
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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 :)

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#48

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Lynn Donovan
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6 years ago (edited) DotsCreated 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)

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#51

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Lua boots
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Stefano Aprea
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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

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Molly Block
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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.

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#61

Photography By Rene Maltete

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Sasy
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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Stefan Reiff
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6 years ago DotsCreated 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???

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