Montreal In Pictures

November 21 2012

late this afternoon I headed down to the Peel Basin next to the Farine Five Roses sign to get some Montreal skyline shots. This is normally a good spot for night time shots of the city in the distance, but as you will see, it has lost some of its beauty (in my opinion anyway).

Before I share the shots of the Peel Basin, here are some taken next to the railway line that runs between the basin and rue Wellington. The first shot has the trail lights of one of the many trains departing or arriving at Montreal Central Station at this time of night.

The ghost train departing Montreal
ISO 100 – 38mm – f13 – 30 sec

Montreal skyline from Peel Basin
ISO 100 – 40mm – f4.5 – 10 sec

Cycle path at Peel Basin
ISO 100 – 26mm – f4 – 6 sec

I’ve mentioned previously the large amount of construction that is currently going on in Griffintown. One of the many new condo’s being constructed is now very evident and unfortunately now blocks what was a great view of the city skyline. This is just one of many being built and although few people likely enjoy the view of the skyline from the Peel Basin, I can’t see that this will be a good vantage point to shoot Montreal for much longer.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m for developing the city and certainly Griffintown was/is in need of improvement, I just find it sad that the sole of Griffintown as a working neighborhood and Irish enclave is going to be lost in the over zealous gentrification taking place in the neighborhood. Thankfully, as far as I know, most of the current building is on land that had no heritage value.

Montreal skyline from Peel Basin
ISO 100 – 18mm – f13 – 30 sec

I’m not sure if it was just temporary or they if they drain the basin each winter, but the water level was very low this evening. Anyone know the answer?

Griffintown rising
ISO 100 – 18mm – f13 – 30 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

A slightly different perspective:

Griffintown rising
ISO 100 – 22mm – f9.5 – 15 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

I was quite pleased how this next one came out with the band of car trail lights on the bridge and in the reflection.

Farine Five Roses
ISO 100 – 18mm – f13 – 30 sec

I was fortunate that the moon was just above the Five Roses signs as I passed by.

Moon over Farine Five Roses sign
ISO 100 – 70mm – f4.8 – 1/45 sec

I have a huge fear of spiders, so not sure what my thinking was to photograph one reasonably close up. But this liitle guy caught my eye as we were were both looking at the distant lights of the Farine Five Roses sign, so I thought he would make a good subject for a bokeh shot.