This is a very special place, one must have been there at least once to understand its special feel, its essence.

When I took these shots, it felt as if I was in a wind corridor. 5 km to the West, sky is calm, 5 km to the East, no clouds above.

Don’t know if this is caused by the topological properties of the region; the presence of the St-Lawrence going trough Valleyfield Islands or the near by mountains of New York states, that creates this phenomenon.

Nothing to complain about if you are shooting photos…

François

2 pictures taken in Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue, a place I cherish for it’s numerous photo opportunities.

Starting with a self portrait. While eating a Vegetarian Chili, I spot on the other side of the street, an handsome young man.

Then, walking along the frozen shore of the waterway, I saw 2 palm trees made of plastic, with ice and snow around them.

François

And the geeses.

Change of plans, meant to go at Coteau-du-lac, a village near Valleyfield, to take pictures of the surroundings of the “Old fort”.

Coteau-du-Lac on Google Maps

On arrival, I noticed a fairly large group of wild ducks. They are taking advantage of the open waters created by the Delisle river at the junction of St-Lawrence river.

So, change of plans, we will be shooting ducks today (picture wise!). I trade my wide-angle zoom for a Tele Zoom (70-300 mm).

These ducks, for some unknown reasons (at least to me), prefer to stay here in the cold instead of going south like all normal ducks would do.  Are they lazy?

I slowly approach the water edge, the birds are nervous. All of the sudden, little panic, the bulk of the group is taking off.

No problem, I have lots of time. In the wet snow, up to my waist, I get closer to the water. I lay down on my back and wait for them to come back. I know they will: water is frozen everywhere else.

Slowly, as planned, they are coming back. I stayed in that position for an hour and a half and took more than 400 pictures.

The problem is that I was wearing the wrong pants, and got soak, and cold.

No pain no gain.

François

It is always a good idea to bring along a camera with when going to a shopping mall.

Very often, the light is nice and there is the occasion to observe all kinds of people.

For exemple, a young fellow is meditating in the middle of the crowd.

Why?  Is this to increase the coefficient of difficulty or to draw attention on himself?

There are also the lines and structures. I really enjoy taking pictures in moving stairs.  To do it with my lovely daughter, just add to the pleasure…

François

I will take it cool with the last photo session (With Martine and Alicia), will make the pleasure last.

In the mean time I have some catching-up to do. Two totally different styles.

My favorite son: Cédric.

and, steam from a sewage hole in Notre-Dame-de-l’Ile-Perrot.

Those with a sharp eye, will notice the Planet Venus.

François

Yesterday was a special one; did my first photo shooting with professional models, in a professional studio with prof..  people.

Ah well, life got to be good at times. It was as part of a photo session, given by 2 really kind individuals; Marie-Claude et Patrick.

We were 8 photographs each one with a studio photo, taken on the Net or elsewhere, the goal was to try to reproduce it’s lighting patterns.

That is easy with Marie-Claude’s hawk eyes.

It end up to be a wonderful experience. Could not ask for any better.

Everyone was warm and open, it was a joy to participate, especially for a “newbie”.

A million of thanks to the 2 models present, Alicia et Martine from the Scoop agency.  You really are pros!

I bring back lots of material, I will slowly work on it, to enjoy every second of the process…

For now, let me show you 2 pieces of the sessions.
Alicia

And  Martine

To reproduce my selection, I am a bit olf fashioned I know ):

Life is good! I will try to “recuperate” in the upcoming days…

François