ZORIAH - A PHOTOJOURNALIST AND WAR PHOTOGRAPHER'S BLOG: Catacombs of Paris

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Zoriah has begun to devote a portion of each year to lecturing and presenting to universities, institutions and at political events. For universities, a typical itinerary consists of two days of presentations to multiple departments followed by a public, multi-departmental lecture. The presentations can be tailored in length and subject matter to each department and the multidepartmental lecture currently consist of a thirty minute slideshow showcasing recent work from Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, the Asian Earthquake and the Tsunami. The lecture touches on many subjects including the art of visual storytelling, the current state of the media and my own thoughts on documenting life in conflict. Lectures can be tailored to the need of each individual organization, university or event.

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Biography

Zoriah is an award-winning photojournalist whose work has been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries, museums and publications. Zoriah's clients have included The BBC, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, ABC News, NPR, Focus and many others. With a background in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Aid, Zoriah specializes in documenting human crises in developing countries. His vitae not only lists photographic achievements and study, but also the in-depth training and experience necessary for working under extreme conditions in some of the world's harshest environments

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February 24, 2009

Catacombs of Paris - The Real French Underground

Deep below Paris’ winding streets lies a vast network of subterranean tunnels and caverns stretching more than 300 miles/777 kilometers. Formerly mines and quarries, the catacombs became a dumping ground for human remains in 1786 when Paris’ cemeteries began to overflow from generations of the dead. The catacombs have had many uses over the centuries, including housing members of the French Resistance and a German bunker during World War II.

Now Paris’ Catacombs are explored by small groups of urban adventure seekers and partiers called Cataphiles. They illegally descend into the tunnels to explore, dig, take part in parties — some of which last for days — and place new art and graffiti on the walls. Entering through the city's sewer systems, metro tunnels and other secret entrances begins a game of cat and mouse between the Cataphiles and the French police unit tasked with patrolling the tunnels, the Catafics.

For years I have wanted to explore the Catacombs of Paris but have not been able to get access, as it is even very difficult for most Parisians to get connected with a group willing to take them into the tunnels. On a trip last year I met up with a group of Cataphiles who offered to bring me into their world and allow me to photograph a two-day descent into the Catacombs.

We met late on a Friday night at a house party in central Paris. A five story climb led to an old apartment packed so full of people it took them two minutes to shift themselves around to get the front door open and allow us in. Everyone at the party knew one another and most of them were Cataphiles, although our group for the evening only consisted of eight people.

At midnight, the group met outside and reviewed their maps and made an equipment check, as broken flashlights, lack of food and water, and a host of otherwise minor inconveniences can be disastrous in the underground maze. When everything was sorted out we hopped on the final train of the night to the outskirts of Paris.

A manhole cover leads to a ladder descending deep under the streets of Paris and into the Catacombs.

A Cataphile crawls through a dangerous, narrow passageway leading to a secret corridor and tomb within the Catacombs.

A corridor filled with human remains.

Cataphiles’ headlamps illuminate a passageway as they navigate through the deep water sometimes found in the Catacombs.

Human bones and skulls litter a tunnel floor.

Cataphiles consult a map in a secret room deep within the catacombs. Many rooms are decorated with candle chandeliers, which the Cataphiles place fresh candles in and light for the next group that may discover the room.

A close-up of a map of the Catacombs showing a web of corridors and rooms. Maps are made and updated by the Cataphiles and placed on secret websites distributed within the community.

A group of Cataphiles break from exploration to drink wine, listen to music, cook dinner over an open fire and talk with others whom they have met underground.

A fire-breather performs during an underground party.

A magician performs a card trick for partygoers.

The mud and water-soaked exploration boots of a group of Cataphiles.

Several groups of Cataphiles meet up in an underground chamber for an impromptu underground party.

A catacomb guide, identified by a mobile phone attached to computer speakers hanging from his neck. Guides, who work illegally and without pay because they love the Catacombs, play music and dance through the tunnels, leading groups of varying numbers through the intricate maze of corridors and chambers.

A Cataphile illuminated by his headlamp.

Skull shaped candle holders carved into the wall of an underground chamber.

Carvings indicating the date of one of the tunnels. Dates, street names, intersections and other information dating back centuries are carved into the walls of the Catacombs.

A Cataphile consults a map, illuminated by a small fire.

Graffiti art has been a tradition in the Catacombs dating back to the 18th century. Cataphiles uphold this tradition by painting on and carving into the tunnel walls and leaving tracts, drawings, information and humor that they hide in various places for each other to find and collect. In this photo, a graffiti artist sprays new work onto one of the walls. He agreed to have his photo taken only if his face was hidden.

Spray paint cans scattered on the floor as a new mural is painted on the tunnel walls. Cataphile ethics require individuals and groups to remove all their garbage from the tunnels when they leave and overall these guidelines are followed.

A fresh mural painted on a Catacomb wall.

One of hundreds of paintings on the rock walls of one of the tunnels.

A mural on one of the walls.

A Cataphile scales the walls of an underground corridor in hopes of discovering secret passageways or entrances.

Cataphiles sleep in a hidden chamber deep within the Catacombs after exploring and partying overnight

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Comments

yet another great post from the world's best photojournalist.

Posted by: unxpektd | February 24, 2009 at 18:36

This is fascinating!

Posted by: Flaneurbanite | February 25, 2009 at 14:51

Nice pictures!! ^^

Posted by: Pu | March 09, 2009 at 05:13

is this not illegal???

Posted by: chech | May 08, 2009 at 18:36

this is really amazing.

Posted by: Amber Moore | October 05, 2009 at 20:28

That is amazing. I really need to get in contact wth these Cataphiles...

Posted by: Maria | November 24, 2009 at 16:42

Why is the enemy cat?I like cats, because they are very docile. But even the dogs don't like mice, as far as I know, the dog will go after them, and seize it.

Posted by: AJF 4 | June 19, 2010 at 09:01

use Flatr to collect money for your blog....$25 is far to much to pay...u won't earn much

Posted by: pss7 | August 15, 2010 at 11:03

Truly amazing and very good pictures! Compliment! :-)

Posted by: Daikyu | August 15, 2010 at 16:09

Learning English can be fun. Open sesame.

Posted by: supra skytop | November 18, 2010 at 09:25

OMG, it is amazing!

Posted by: Led Headlamp | February 23, 2011 at 03:31

For years I have wanted to explore the Catacombs of Paris.
i hope u did explore it ?

Posted by: plavix | July 14, 2012 at 12:24

Nize i luv ur work u just helped me alot with my Historical Investigation about The Catacombs!!!!!
THX

Posted by: susannah | February 06, 2013 at 17:03

Catacombs of Paris - The Real French Underground.What rick able work .This work not socially legal ..... this work is full of horror but brave able .Thank's for the post,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Posted by: sports | February 26, 2013 at 02:09

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"There is a hunger to know the truth about war and your accurate presentation of it is exemplary. I don't believe it possible to be unmoved by your images. This is especially true for those of us who live in a very different world, essentially free from the suffering and carnage you portray. Thank you for your dedication and courage. You are making and incredible contribution to world understanding, hopefully not at an extreme cost to yourself. War photography seems like a hard way to make a living on many levels. Living and breathing civilian trauma is not easy but it is more localized. You can get away from it by driving or moving to another location, but with war there is no escape. The reality is so harsh and overwhelmingly pervasive into all areas of life. Stay safe. Many will be following you." Phopper Nowlin
"Thanks, Zoriah, for your hard work and incredible vision, and for the inspiration your example lends to others who have put down the gun, or never carried one." eL Bz
"All I can say: 'It's very, very impressive.' Keep up the good work. The world must know!" Mulder Photography
"Oh my God! His work is very dramatic! Reporting reality in a way never before seen ...I am impressed." Primo Tacca Neto, Brazil
"Your images are so profound - they have so much depth and feeling attached to them. I have much admiration for those who are willing to risk their own safety in order to capture images such as the ones you do." Luke, UK
"After watching your pics... I´m absolutely tired. Exhausted. Sooooo much information inside them. One day, I will make pictures like yours, but it will take me three or four lives to learn to do it. Not great but incredible work. Thanks for showing us all the way. Master." Jose Manuel, Spain
"I feel honored after I have seen your great work; one day maybe, with more time I hope I will also be able to take the picture I like, going to those place where a photographer contribute can be of a help to improve the quality of life of all those people suffering. Thank you again" Piero
"Your images work so well. One thing I would love you to photograph in an ideal world: The impeachment and sentencing of Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, George Bush, Paul Wolfowitz and team for international war crimes. Those pictures would make a fitting end to your middle east series. Keep doing your thing, you are making a difference." Dan
"All Wars are very bad and nobody wins...your photographs are very impressive. Congratulations!" Engin Gerçek
"Thank you. Your work is amazing, photojournalism is my most desired form of photography. The stories, emotions, and sights your photographs bring to their audience are moving, maddening, touching, frightening - all the things good photojournalism does. Rock on." Podolux
"Powerfoul work. It catches visually my attention, and after some pictures I was inmersed in the humanity, the pain, the fight it reflects. Thanks for sharing this work!" Alejocock
"You are an amazing photographer. I look forward to following your work." Professor Brian Morley, Ph.D
"Your work is absolutely amazing, I love it because it´s hard and beautiful at the same time, you have the most amazing eye, congratulations." Mirelle B
"I am often full of words, but tonight your photos have left me speechless. I cannot even begin to imagine the things you've seen. May God keep your heart as you bare your soul through your captures." Michelle
"Really, I can't stress how I admire your work. Your photos really move me. I like photography for its beauty, but how you embed meaning in your photos, is just MIND-BLOWING." Screaming Snapshots
"Your photos are incredible, for me photojournalism is the most important form of photography, risking your life to show the world real life is crucial." Colin
"Nothing makes me cry these days, too complicated to explain, but having just looked at your photos I am sobbing. I can honestly say they are most shocking and at the same time touching photos I have ever seen. You made me think not just of the subject matter but the situation, atmosphere and also how you felt observing and photographing. Thank you for sharing, truly moved." Anonymous
"Your photographs are incredible, powerful and touching. I admire that you have a background in humanitarian aid." Terence
"Congratulations for your work, your images give us a glampse about what war is about. Humiliation, pain, only for interests. You make this horrible thing seem human. Thank you." Rafael de Carvalho
"I find these kinds of life photos as heartbreaking as those which vulgarly show death and destruction. Such good capture, it tells a whole story..." Petit1ze
"Tus fotos son increibles, impactantes. El tratado de blanco y negro es fenomenal... Me quito el sombrero. Ya me gustaría a mi poder hacer trabajos de ese tipo..." Javier Martin
"Superb photojournalistic images you have in your gallery! Compels me to comment on almost each one. Let them speak for themselves because they really don't need comments. They yet deserve to be deeply appreciated for all their quality. Hope to see more of your fantastic work soon." Mario Proenca
"I've often tried to express this practice, but a photo is worth more than my words." W. Quatman
"I've always thought that photographs are a kind of self portrait of the photographer. I appreciate your eye and sensibility and the work you do to make the act of war real to the rest of us I mentioned your "eye," your heart is just as visible in your images." Jerry Downs Photographer
"Your work is amazingly powerful. Some hard to look at, but gripping nonetheless." Ron Landucci, Infinite Editions
"Simply excelent! It's a great reportage of a difficult situation." Rancescamare • "Stunning!" Matteo de Mayda • "Deserves to take a well earned place in history in the company of Phillip Jones-Griffith, Don Mc Cullen, Larry Burrows and Robert Capa. The minimal presentation of his work is perfect...the viewer fills in the details, and the images linger stubbornly in the memory, to awake one from sleep in a cold sweat...these images cannot be taken in in one viewing...the viewer returns restlessly again and again, attempting to process the information...this is really happening. Iconic, compelling images of war by a true professional.... I take my hat off to him." Goddessofxanadu
"A chilling commentary on the madness of war, ALL WAR." Ronzig's Gallery
"The worlds cruelty compressed into some thousand pixels ... it's so impressive" Cavo Kernich
"This is what photography exists for." Dot Spiral
"Right up there with Robert Capa. Wonderful work, you should be with MAGNUM. You are showing all sides of the conflict." Old Rollei
"Haunting beyond words." Yarnahoy
"Hugely thought provoking work." Leah Franchetti
"What you are doing is so, so important. I cannot even contemplate what horror and pain you have seen. But see it we must. True dedication and bravery is the only way to expose such inhumanity. Keep truth as your motto, and maybe this silly world we live in will someday wake up and treat people as living souls, not simply pieces of meat to be traded in worthless pointless conflicts. I salute you sir." Jim Bodownie
"Simply excellent! It's a great reportage of a difficult situation."Frances Camare
"Amazing work. Absolutely outstanding!" Thomas W.P. Slatin Photography
"I am awed by these images. Some rank among the best millitary images I've ever seen, and I've collected all the greats." Konsum Terra
"I am in awe. I really don't know what to say. I haven't been this affected since I saw Nachtweys work." Dude Crush
"It is a eye opener to view your work, it brings strong emotions when doing so. Your work reflects another side of the world around us and beyond. I will use it to find inspiration for myself. Thanks for sharing these pictures with us." Frits van Sambeek
"Amazing! difficult to stomach (I am very emotional)... but just brilliant and captivating. Thanks for sharing all your photos..." Penelope Gan
"A photograph is like a symbol for all the frightening aspects of a disastrous war that brings so much suffering to so many innocent people on both sides. Great, valuable, artful, high class photography that shows the true face of what is going on in Iraq after the "Holy Mission" was declared completed so long time ago. I bow in respect of your great work." Helmut Schadt

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February 24, 2009