Last night was the final show in the 30th edition of the Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition. Unlike in 2012 when I attended all 8 displays, this year I only managed to catch last nights show that was a tribute to Pink Floyd.
Unfortunately I decided to go last minute and didn’t get to the Old Port until about 10 minutes before the fireworks started at 10pm, by which time it was impossible to get a good view to take photographs and I ended up in the car park near the clock tower.
From this vantage point I only got to see the larger shells, but at least being able to shoot with the edge of the clock tower and a row of people in front, I was able to capture some foreground interest in the shots – albeit pretty much the same for every shot.
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f11 – 1.6 secs
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f11 – 2.6 secs
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f8 – 2.7 secs
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f11 – 1.4 secs
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f10 – 4.6 secs
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f11 – 3.4 secs
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f11 – 0.8 sec
I was shooting with a prime lens and so didn’t try any zoom effect shots. I did however try a couple where I changed the focus during the exposure. I didn’t manage to get the effect I wanted, but I played with one and layered with a sharp image of the edge of the clock tower from another exposure.
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f11 – 3.5 secs
Since a few of the shots I took just captured white bursts, I decided to process some in black and white.
On the first 2 I also added some selective blurring.
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f8 – 3.5 secs
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f13 – 2.6 secs
For the next shot I went for a silhouette look…
Loto Quebec International Fireworks competition
ISO 100 – 85mm – f8 – 0.8 sec
I mentioned at the outset that there were big crowds attending the fireworks. As everyone left the Old Port and made their way up into Old Montreal, it became clear just how many had been there. I stopped to take a couple of quick pictures from the steps of the Marché Bonsecours…
Crowded streets in Old Montreal
ISO 100 – 35mm – f1.8 – 1/3 sec
I really liked the shadows and highlights cast by the street lamp. The following pic was just a quick grab, but I think I will go back to this spot as it could be a great place to do some evening street photography given the light and textures.
Street lamp shadows
ISO 100 – 35mm – f1.8 – 1/3 sec
I really wish I had pre-planned my visit better and got to the Old Port earlier, especially since this was the only Loto Quebec firework display I managed to attend this year, but at least there is always next year.
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.
– Martin
Montréal in Pictures
Your virtual guide in and around Montréal