Robert Munoz: The Child in the City
April 16th, 2026 | Robert MunozRobert Munoz – Press Photographer
Passionate about photography from a very young age, Robert Munoz began his career as a press photographer at the SIPA Presse agency in the 1970s, at the height of the golden age of photojournalism. In late 1979, he joined the Journal Afrique Asie.
Over the course of his years as a photojournalist, he covered everything from cultural programmes such as ‘Apostrophe’ or ‘Les Dossiers de l’écran’, to political radio debates like ‘Le Club de la Presse’, as well as social movements... He admits, “Press photography has no aesthetic considerations; it had to meet the demands of the news, without hesitation.”
Un, Deux, Trois, Soleil. Paris, 1974 (Grandmother’s Footsteps, Paris, 1974)
"It’s the women’s strike and the agency has sent me to cover the event. There’s a problem: I’m being turned away at the entrance to the hall where the meeting is being held.
No men allowed!
My colleagues are waiting patiently for the press conference; in the street, two little girls are playing Grandmother’s Footsteps. It’s more than a consolation; it’s a gift."
Premier round. Saint Denis, 1977 (First round, Saint Denis, 1977)
"A group of travellers had camped on the site of the future university of technology. The two lads were fighting for a laugh at first, but then things got out of hand. I took about ten photos of the fight. It was a scrapyard where lots of wrecked cars were being stripped down. Adults passed by from time to time without paying any attention to me. I was invisible."
Le Tricycle, Bondy, 1981 (The Tricycle, Bondy, 1981)
"He’d borrowed the little girl’s tricycle and her brother stepped in.
I can’t remember why things got out of hand, but the little boy got away with just a few scrapes."
Les Bonbons de la récrée, Paris, 1978 (Break time sweets, Paris, 1978)
"I was on my way back from a photo shoot in the 17th arrondissement and, as I always do after work, I preferred to walk home in search of more personal images. This little girl was coming out of the bakery with her hands full of sweets. I followed her; her friends were waiting for her behind the school gates."
La petite fille égarée, Paris,1975 (The lost little girl, Paris, 1975)
"The CRS [Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité] are facing a group of helmeted students who are maintaining a semblance of order. The protest against the Haby Reform [a landmark reorganisation of the French education system named after then-Minister of Education René Haby] is peaceful, and for now, it’s business as usual.
This little girl is really annoyed; she lives very close by but on the other side of No Mans Land. The RG [Renseignements Généraux] offer to escort her; in the end, I accompanied her after taking her portrait."
Le Bac à Sable, Place Beauvau, Paris,1975 (The sandpit, Place Beauvau, Paris 1975)
"Outside the entrance to the Home Office, a child was playing, watched with amusement by passers-by. It was a Wednesday and I was leaving the press conference at the Élysée Palace. Every Wednesday, after the Cabinet meeting, it was "sexy folies" – the name given by the old-timers to the antics of the ministers’ motorcade as they got back into their cars."
La belle Harley, Pontault-Combault, 1974 (The beautiful Harley, Pontault-Combault, 1974)
"I leave the house and rush to catch my train. I’m running late.
That young boy has stopped in front of the motorbike. I don’t know why, but I stop too. I have a feeling something’s about to happen.
He moves forward hesitantly and suddenly places his hand on the throttle.
Click, thank you.
I’d prepared a print to give him, but nobody knew him when I went round the stairwells and asked the shopkeepers."
Les Communiants, La Chapelle Blanche,1975 (First Communion, La Chapelle Blanche, 1975)
"This little village in Touraine has remained true to its roots. There are no shops left; only the café and the bakery remain. This spring day is a day of celebration. The children receiving their First Communion are walking through the village in the traditional manner, accompanied by the parish priest, of course. The children are proud; they are dressed in their white albs and are thinking about the presents they are going to receive.
I was convinced I’d taken this photo in the early 1980s, but on looking through my archives, it turns out it dates from 1975."
US Mail, Pittsburgh, mai 1988 (US Mail, Pittsburgh, May 1988)
"The city of Pittsburgh was closed off on marathon day. I couldn’t get my car back from the car park where I’d left it.
I went for a walk in search of unusual photos.
I ventured into the black neighbourhoods. The locals weren’t hostile, but after taking this photo I quietly made my way back the way I’d come."
Terrain de jeux, rue de Ménilmontant, Paris, 1976 (Playground, rue de Ménilmontant, Paris, 1976)
"The City of Paris was regenerating old neighbourhoods by demolishing dilapidated buildings. This provided a wonderful temporary playground for local children."
Le téléphone, Marioupol, Ukraine, 1991 (The telephone, Marioupol, Ukraine, 1991)
"In December 1991, Ukraine is already independent. The steel production facilities at the Azovstal plant were due for modernisation. I spent my days in the factory’s basements, working out where to install the new equipment.
Outside, the city lived to the rhythm of the former republics. A few shops sold Western goods, but they were exorbitantly priced.
As I round a corner, I come across this young boy. He really is "on" the phone."
Haut Perché, Place de la Bastille, Paris, 1974 (Perched on high, Place de la Bastille, Paris, 1974)
"How did he get up there? It’s a mystery!
It’s a prime spot for watching the parade on 14 July, but goodness me, how did he get up there?
Passers-by and other spectators hadn’t noticed him until I stopped to take a photo.
How’s he going to get down? Another mystery!"