Montreal In Pictures

July 7 2012

If you read last Saturday’s post you will know that the International Fireworks competition is underway here in Montreal. To recap, the International des Feux Loto-Quebec competition consists of 8 teams from around the world being invited to present a choreographed pyrotechnic display lasting 30 minutes. The competition runs until August 3rd with the finale being a tribute to the band Queen.

With last week’s Japanese spectacular opening show setting the bar pretty high for the other teams, I was keen to see what Switzerland would produce tonight. This is the fifth time a team from Switzerland has participated, but the first for the Sugyp fireworks team. For the 28th edition of L’International they had selected to present a flight themed show called Aéro-Folies, choreographed to the music of movies, cult shows and science-fiction classics.

For tonight’s show, I decided to view from the Old Port again. I was thinking of setting up next to the Saute Moutons jet boats looking across the marina, but there were already crowds lined up against the railing. Walking around looking for a less crowded spot, I eventually ended up at the far end of rue de la Commune in the East behind the apartment building. Not the greatest vantage point, but since the show was about to start, it had to do.

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 70mm – f16 – 5.6 sec

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 70mm – f16 – 10 sec

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 70mm – f16 – 3 sec

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 105mm – f16 – 3.9 sec

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 105mm – f16 – 5 sec

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 70mm – f16 – 2.7 sec

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 70mm – f16 – 5 sec

I tried a few new techniques tonight including – zooming and de-focusing during an exposure and doing a double exposure by holding a hat in front of the lens during an exposure. Unfortunately none of my experimenting really worked. At least I have another 6 shows to try and perfect the techniques.

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 105mm – f16 – 1/3 sec

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 105mm – f16 – 4.1 sec

This final image is totally blown out iin the whites, but I liked how a few people in the audience were lit up by the large finale explosions.

Montreal International Fireworks Competition – Switzerland
ISO 100 – 62mm – f16 – 3.4 sec

I’m no pyrotechnic expert, but I would say Japan was much better. The fireworks seemed more varied and on a larger scale – when it comes to fireworks…I believe size matters 😉 But maybe it was just my restricted viewpoint compared to last week.

Next Saturday the home team are up and is the company that put on the opening and closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games…so they should be up for putting on a good show…Hopefully I will be there and will again try another view point in my quest to find the perfect spot.

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