Project 365 – Day116: Place des Arts HDR and student protest

By Montreal in Pictures | Published April 25, 2012

April 25 2012

I’m a bit late posting today’s images due to getting back late from taking a few night HDR shots around Place des Arts and then getting caught up in another student demonstration that turned ugly.

I’ll start with the peaceful images.

HDR of Salle Wilfrid Pelletier

HDR of Salle Wilfrid Pelletier

La Maison Symphonique de Montreal

La Maison Symphonique de Montreal

La Maison Symphonique de Montreal

La Maison Symphonique de Montreal

Musée d'Art Contemporain de Montréal

Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal

Salle l'Astral

Salle l’Astral

Following on from the success last year, there is an interactive installation on avenue du President Kennedy of swings that are lit and each play a different note when swung. I plan doing a separate post on this installation soon, but for now I wanted to share a shot I took tonight. The semi circle white streaks are the swings in motion.

Water fountain in front of lit/musical swings

Water fountain in front of lit/musical swings

As I mentioned at the start of the post there was yet another student demonstration tonight. Talks between the Quebec Govenrment and students broke down earlier today and students immediately took to the streets and were out in large numbers tonight. I ran into the march on Sherbrooke street as they headed west, so of course I tagged along. Unfortunately I don’t have a very fast lens and my camera (Nikon 40DX) creates a lot of noise at 1600 ISO, but I thought I would share a few shots anyway.

Thousands of Students march along rue Sherbrooke

Thousands of Students march along rue Sherbrooke

Mounted police at rear of student march

Mounted police at rear of student march

When the students were on rue Sainte Catherine a few students began smashing windows at which point the police called the march an illegal gathering and began using pepper spray, tear gas and flash bangs to break up the march.

Police use Tear gas and flash bangs to break up protesters

Police use Tear gas and flash bangs to break up protesters

Protester running from police tear gas

Protester running from police tear gas

It really doesn’t seem like any end is in sight with the talks breaking down and with frustration setting in, it appears each day the demonstrations are becoming more violent. Hopefully Montreal will return to the fun party city it normally is soon.

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.

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Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

– Martin

Related Images:

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If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

  1. Project 365 – Day 82: 200,000 students march in Montreal
  2. Project 365 – Day 143: Massive protest against student fees and Law 78
  3. Project 365 – Day 68: Student Demonstration
  4. Project 365 – Day 174: Montreal Student and Bill 78 Demo
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98 Comments

  1. Mikalee Byerman April 30, 2012 at 12:13 pm #

    These are absolutely breathtaking photos — gorgeous work.

    I’m only sad to see the last few images…I do hope, like you said, that the city returns to its pre-protest peace and fun soon!

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 6:44 pm #

      Thank you Mikalee…Indeed with festival season almost here, hopefully things will return to normal.

    • zoetic * epics May 3, 2012 at 6:39 am #

      that’s the beauty and the ugly of a big city! and you captured both but made them both beautiful! great architectural shots!

      • Montreal in Pictures May 3, 2012 at 10:33 pm #

        Indeed…After 11 weeks of daily demonstrations I wouldn’t mind living in the countryside 😉

  2. Carlie Chew April 30, 2012 at 1:00 pm #

    Wow! Great photos. I like how your started with the peaceful pictures and moved to the protest. Even though you said your lens isn’t very fast, I think your pictures of the protest came out great.

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 6:49 pm #

      Thanks Carlie. I had only planned on a few pics of Place des Arts, but glad I decidedto tag along to the student march, even though sad to see it turn violent at the end.

  3. ReadeTheReviewer April 30, 2012 at 2:14 pm #

    Great Pics.

  4. katiestew April 30, 2012 at 3:01 pm #

    GREAT photos! I took my first trip to Montreal this past fall and cannot wait to go back. What an amazing city.

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 6:57 pm #

      Thanks Katie…It is a great City. I’ve been here 13 years and still discovering.

      • katiestew May 1, 2012 at 9:29 am #

        I can see why! So much to see. I loved going up to Mount Royal, great views from up there.

  5. Steve Osborne April 30, 2012 at 3:01 pm #

    Down here in Atlanta, we’re impressed by your turn out. When we march, there are almost as many cops as protesters like these pics from Nov.5 show:
    http://nexusofchange.wordpress.com/2011/11/12/occupy-atlanta-reoccupies-park-clash-and-tactical-brillancies/

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 7:04 pm #

      The student march on the 22nd March was quite something with 200,000. Seems like most days now every policeman in Montreal is on duty. Love your pics from the Atlanta Occupy demo.

  6. Claire April 30, 2012 at 3:02 pm #

    cool. montreal is one of my favorite cities! i hope everything’s okay over there.

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 7:08 pm #

      Thanks Claire…The student marches are becoming a standard sight everyday and unfortunately doesn’t look like ending soon. Except for the odd outbreak of violence the demos are mostly festive. Violent protesters are now often handed over to police by the other marchers.

  7. Two Troublesome K9s April 30, 2012 at 3:21 pm #

    Those are some really amazing shots!

  8. HipsterApproved.net April 30, 2012 at 3:38 pm #

    Nice pictures!

  9. brianhawley365 April 30, 2012 at 3:48 pm #

    Did the students antagonize the cops, or did the cops just do that like a bunch of thuggish criminals. I though the picture of the students marching the street was your best photo of the lot, both in terms of beauty, and meaning. Good job.

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 7:12 pm #

      6 of one, half a dozen of the other – although when the police move in to break up the marches they don’t help by hitting anyone that doesn’t run the other way.

  10. Constance V. Walden April 30, 2012 at 3:59 pm #

    These student protestors have got to be the most malcontent people on earth. Whine, whine, whine. Give me, give me, give me, and make it free, too. They are all the same around the world with the same mindset of entitlement. Connie
    http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 8:15 pm #

      Thanks for stopping by Connie. My main gripe is that neither the Government or the students appear to be willing to sit down and negotiate a solution to what is becoming a major issue.

  11. Mark Mendonck April 30, 2012 at 4:03 pm #

    Nice set of images, looks very good!

  12. hswinson April 30, 2012 at 4:28 pm #

    I used to live off Sherbrooke Street. So crazy to see it crowded with students protesting. Beautiful pictures of the Place des Arts. Montréal me manque!

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 8:18 pm #

      Thanks Haley…It is weird to see main streets of Montreal empty of cars and filled with protesters – great if you don’t have to drive or take public transport around town 🙂

  13. annhaycox April 30, 2012 at 5:35 pm #

    Found you on Freshly Pressed, and I must say I’m shocked that our US press has had absolutely zero about the student-government stand off in Montreal! Thank god for the bloggers like you. I’ll be looking into what the commotion is all about. Your images, on this and your previous April post are riveting. Thank you!

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 8:21 pm #

      I was wondering if the student strike was making news outside of Quebec/Canada…Thanks for stopping by, and no doubt I will have more posts on the student protests while it continues.

  14. Scott April 30, 2012 at 5:50 pm #

    The protesting in Montreal provokes me to state my position on regional secession: Any region of any nation has the right to seceed from that nation if the majority of it’s people desire it–no matter what the reason. This went for the Confederate States of America. This goes for Northern Ireland, for Chechnya, for Tibet–and for Quebec. From what I see, here in the U.S., every time a vote is taken for Quebec to gain independence from Canada, and form its own nation, all Canadians are allowed to vote on the issue. And this is unjust. Only the people of Quebec should be allowed to vote for secession from Canada.

    • Montreal in Pictures April 30, 2012 at 8:24 pm #

      Actually Quebec are the only people that vote in referendums held to decide the separation issue, just that the vote (although close) has so far been to stay part of Canada.

  15. misty maples farm April 30, 2012 at 6:51 pm #

    Striking images.

  16. Lulu Simawati April 30, 2012 at 8:23 pm #

    beautiful buildings, lighting and views too !

  17. aFrankAngle April 30, 2012 at 8:25 pm #

    Wonderful images of a beautiful city.

  18. Alyssa April 30, 2012 at 8:30 pm #

    Great shots! The lights are captivating…. 🙂

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  19. triptracker April 30, 2012 at 8:55 pm #

    Fantastic arrangement in the order of your photos. My favorite is the water fountain…. thanks for sharing

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 12:19 am #

      I have to admit I was happy with the way the water fountain and swings came out….I need to go back and take some more 🙂

  20. fromghost April 30, 2012 at 9:02 pm #

    My brother is a student at McGill on leave and he happens to be in Montreal now. I hope he’s Ok. But yeah, there does seem to be a lot of protests from students in the city. When I visited Montreal for my brother in the fall there was a McGill Staff strike with protests in downtown Montreal.

    I love Montreal. Such a nice and livable city!

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 12:23 am #

      Hope your brother is keeping safe. I have no doubt this year will be a record for demonstrations in Montreal (and record earnings for police with all the overtime they are doing). Thanks for dropping by the blog.

  21. dreamz infra May 1, 2012 at 12:28 am #

    Awesome pics like it very much….

  22. Teri Tyler May 1, 2012 at 1:04 am #

    Just what are the students protesting for? If 200,000 participated, there must be major issues. It is baffling unless those issues are aired.

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:20 pm #

      Thanks for stopping by Teri.
      The students have been boycotting lessons for 11 weeks due to the Provincial Government’s plan to raise tuition fees by $1,625 (75%) over 5 years starting next year. Currently Quebec has the lowest tuition fees in Canada and will still be among the lowest after the rise. However students are fighting to continue having fees frozen at the current rate. Hope that clarifies the key reason behind the current student crisis taking place in Quebec.

  23. newnessmusic May 1, 2012 at 1:50 am #

    Wow beautiful shots!

  24. fromghost May 1, 2012 at 2:31 am #

    you’re welcome. Great photos too! Even though my dominate trade right now is writing, I do some photography also, and so I know how to critique photos well like a pro. You have some amazing work on your blog!

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:21 pm #

      Thanks for the kind comment 🙂 I look forward to checking your blog out when I’ve caught up.

  25. Wyn N. Davies - Davies International - The Sales Experts May 1, 2012 at 4:15 am #

    Montreal is a great city! Amazing people and energy! It is always come back from any challenge.

  26. friwanphotography May 1, 2012 at 5:11 am #

    Great protest pictures. I always admire a photographer who braves situations such as this

  27. Marvin the Martian May 1, 2012 at 5:24 am #

    Lovely pictures. Rubber bullets and water cannons work very well on protesters.

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:24 pm #

      Seems like the police here prefer pepper spray, batons and tear gas…hopefully Montreal won’t see water cannons on the street.

  28. healingpilgrim May 1, 2012 at 6:51 am #

    For many reasons I no longer follow the news as I once did, so it especially saddens me to fund out about such violence in my hometown from the other side of the world.. stay safe and blessed. Your photos are beautiful reawakening dormant memories and images of Jazz Fest in my soui… thnx.

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:25 pm #

      Thank you. I prefer showing the beautiful side of Montreal rather than protesters and violence – it really is a peaceful city normally.

  29. seawind141 May 1, 2012 at 6:57 am #

    Nice Photo.
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  30. Properties in Bangalore May 1, 2012 at 6:58 am #

    Extraordinary pictures and things are also too good…

  31. Katie Raspberry May 1, 2012 at 8:34 am #

    That picture of the water fountain is pure art. You have the eye of an artist!
    I live in Montreal and have been watching this protest for so long now – and I’m not sure which side is right and which one is wrong. However, it is costing the tax payers alllot of money 😛

    Great post and outstanding photos!
    Katie
    http://katieraspberry.wordpress.com/

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:35 pm #

      Thank you Katie. Indeed tax payers are having to foot the rising bill. I hope the province will help cover the cost of policing. But not only that, I’m sure some tourist’s are either deciding not to visit, or if they see the violence when visiting will not be saying great things about our beautiful city on their return home. Just hope it ends soon for business sake !

  32. Kim May 1, 2012 at 8:38 am #

    I was a student at McGill and fell in love with Montreal; it is such a beautiful culturally rich city. It almost seems unreal to see the photos of protesters flooding Sherbrooke Street in this way………I hope that the situation comes to a head soon and some settlement reached so the city can return its peaceful, beautiful, inviting state……..thanks for sharing this on your blog.

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:36 pm #

      Thanks for stopping by and you comment Kim. Totally agree with you 🙂

  33. booksandasummergirl May 1, 2012 at 9:27 am #

    So why are they rioting?

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:38 pm #

      The students have been boycotting lessons for 11 weeks due to the Provincial Government’s plan to raise tuition fees by $1,625 (75%) over 5 years starting next year. Currently Quebec has the lowest tuition fees in Canada and will still be among the lowest after the rise. However students are fighting to continue having fees frozen at the current rate. Hope that clarifies the key reason behind the current student crisis taking place in Quebec.

  34. Pedro Alvarez Fotografía May 1, 2012 at 9:31 am #

    Unas HDR muy buenas…

  35. G! May 1, 2012 at 10:31 am #

    I enjoyed your photos! You’re so talented!
    Makes me miss Montreal so much!

  36. pnwauthor May 1, 2012 at 11:20 am #

    Whoa! If it weren’t for Word Press, I would not know what was happening in the world.

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 11:45 pm #

      Pleased I could help bringing a little news your way 🙂

  37. davidhelpswo May 1, 2012 at 1:13 pm #

    I’m an Ontario student going to McGill next school year, and so have been following written and news coverage, but I haven’t seen enough good photojournalism coverage. These shots reminded me of the Kent State Vietnam protest pictures that became iconic with that movement and era.

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 7:50 pm #

      Hopefully all will be resolved one way or another by the time you come to McGill. Good luck with your studies and I’m sure you will enjoy student life in Montreal 😉

  38. Keith Miller May 1, 2012 at 2:37 pm #

    Thank you for taking the time to share these great captures with us! I really liked the exhibit with the various artists in the windows that play different songs. You really opened up my eyes to Montreal and I can’t wait to visit soon. Thank you so much. Keep doing what you’re doing!

    cc:Keith

  39. miltongomes May 1, 2012 at 6:10 pm #

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  40. Una voz en el silencio May 1, 2012 at 7:48 pm #

    Reblogged this on " Una Voz en el Silencio ".

  41. camarografo93 May 1, 2012 at 9:17 pm #

    There are so beutiful!, il take it to my computer an my phone, if you dont mind

    • Montreal in Pictures May 1, 2012 at 11:41 pm #

      Thank you, and please feel free to use as screensaver on whatever 😉

  42. Todd Materazzi Photography May 1, 2012 at 10:16 pm #

    Love the “Thousands of Students march along rue Sherbrooke” picture.

  43. pixelogist May 1, 2012 at 11:39 pm #

    stunning work! i especially love the b/w – great great

  44. Lizz Ashley May 2, 2012 at 12:32 am #

    Your pictures are gorgeous!

  45. Cardinal Guzman May 2, 2012 at 3:43 am #

    Great set of HDR & action photos.

  46. John Saddington May 2, 2012 at 5:14 am #

    Reblogged this on 8BIT.

    • Montreal in Pictures May 2, 2012 at 8:42 am #

      Thanks for the re-post John. I will check out Standard Theme. I’m looking to move blog over to a third party host sometime and will be looking for a new theme.

  47. writerwendyreid May 2, 2012 at 7:59 am #

    I was born and raised in Montreal so when I saw your blog on freshly pressed, it caught my eye. I am presently living in Gatineau but go to Montreal a few times a year to see family. I will follow your blog to keep up with the current events happening there. You are an amazing photographer. My favorite was the water fountain. 🙂

    • Montreal in Pictures May 2, 2012 at 8:27 am #

      Thank you Wendy. Let me know if there are any places in Montreal you would like me to go shoot. I often need inspiration to keep up with taking a photo each day 😉

      • writerwendyreid May 2, 2012 at 8:33 am #

        Your welcome. I lived in a small town (St. Hubert – Perrier street) on the South Shore from the age of 7 until I married at 22 (to a man whose last name is Perrier, believe it or not). I’d love to see pics from that region. I imagine that things have changed a lot since I left. I don’t expect you to run to the South Shore to take a couple of pics. But thanks for the offer. 😉

  48. dianasschwenk May 2, 2012 at 2:54 pm #

    Great pictures! I am saddened by the violence in my hometown and I hope it gets settled soon. Montreal is a great city and when I am asked by foreigners where in Canada they should visit, I always say Montreal; for its rich history, its european feel and yes, its ability to out-party any other city! Take care of yourself 🙂

  49. Irfan Hussain May 3, 2012 at 12:24 am #

    Nice street shots. And the HDR’s are really cool

  50. Four May 15, 2012 at 10:37 pm #

    Great I like ^^