France, in 1989 was a country in the midst of social and political changes. The 1980s was a time of great economic growth for France and high unemployment, especially among young people. This led to social tensions and unrest, with a rise in protest movements and strikes. The government of President Francois Mitterrand was facing a growing conservative opposition, as well as calls for more radical reforms. The country was also undergoing significant changes in its culture, with a rise in youth-led subcultures like punk, new wave, and hip hop and a growing influence of American pop culture.
These fascinating photographs show France in 1989, and Eesomest captured them. He took a photography class whilst studying in France. The professor had brought with him an extra field camera – one that fits a negative of 4×5 inches – and gave him a few instructions on how to use it. The process involves a tripod, focusing hood, negative carriers, and a great deal of patience. However, the results can be stunning, with detail not yet achieved even by the most expensive digital sensors (apart from composited digital images). The photos here, as scanned, have over 100 megapixels each.
