Photographers in Cannes

Cannes splits neatly into two sessions. The first is the one clients picture: palms and belle-époque hotel facades along the Croisette, the beach in front of the Carlton, and the red-carpet steps of the Palais des Festivals — the steps are open when no event is on, you simply wait your turn among the other dreamers. The second is better photography: Le Suquet, the old quarter climbing above the Vieux Port in cobbled lanes to the Musée des Explorations tower, where the terrace faces west over the port, the bay and the Esterel hills — the town's one genuine sunset spot, and quiet with it. Shoot the Croisette early, before the promenade fills, and keep Le Suquet for golden hour. What goes wrong here is the calendar: during the May film festival and the big congresses the seafront is barricaded, hotels are full and nothing moves — check the dates before promising Cannes at all.