Robert Doisneau has been a prominent French photographer for the last sixty years.  He often characterized himself as a 'subjective photographer, a person who wants to help people see things which will make them laugh or move them'.  His works are characterized by "gentleness and humanity."  For these reasons, several of his photographs such as The Kiss have become popular icons.

The Helicopters is a clever illustration of his spur-of-the- moment style of photography in which Doisneau would sit on a street corner and wait.  His personal philosophy was, "wherever you go, something's about to happen."  At just the right moment, Doisneau composed this photograph, which appears as though it was planned because of the careful balance of forms in the composition.  Doisneau has also created several interesting contrasts such as those between technology and art.  Doisneau's The Helicopters also contains an element of humor as the helicopters immediately appear to have just discharged on Maillol's statue, The Three Nymphs, found in the gardens of the Louvre.