What a special day last Saturday was. I had the privilege to do some shooting in Terrebonne with Robert, or treborf , his user ID in “Flickr”.

For those who don’t know, Flickr is “the reference” on the Internet for photographs to exchange opinion on their art.

After a few exchanges, we decided to go shooting together to catch the “first light”.

That is so cool, I am going to a new place with a guide ! In a few weeks, I will return the favor and show Robert nice opportunities in my region.

Be on site at 7:00, that is the plan, so I had to wake up at 5:00 to get on time to the rendez-vous point, the Tim Hortons at Mascouche.

Robert had the excellent idea for us to start the day at Rivière du parc.

Once on site, we saw hundreds of geese still through the dark. There is even a big 3 floor observatory. Only thing missing was a “Lazyboy”

There is nothing lake the morning colors…

** Click picture to enlarge

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/1000
Aperture : f/5.6
ISO: 640
Focal length : 145 mm (217 en DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise 3, Nik Viveza and Color Efex pro

After a good night’s sleep, the birds are getting ready for departure.

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/250
Aperture : f/5.6
ISO: 640
Focal length : 270 mm (405 en DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise 3, Nik Viveza and Color Efex pro

François Meehan

When you are taking risks to make a picture, you can be sure it will occupy a special place in your memory.

On a nice Sunday afternoon, I found myself in the proximity of the Beauharnois power dam . All along the shore, there are big signs with the word “Danger” all over them. That’s all I needed to convince myself to see what the “danger” is all about.

In fact, the real danger is the heavy current of the water being evacuated by the dam. There is also the level and pace of the water can change without notice.

According to experts, the water is not very suitable for swimming, this time of year.

Anyway, here I am walking toward the bridge. As I got closer, my attention was drawn by the structure underneath it; several steel pillars are forming an arc and I could smell a great photo opportunity.

** Click picture to enlarge

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/60 (-2.5ev)
Aperture : f/19
ISO: 200
Focal lenght : 50 mm (75 en DX)
Aperture with plugin Photomatix HDR, Topaz Denoise, Nik Silver Efex pro

I went underneath the bridge and found that the best place to shoot was to stand on one of those beam. The catch, there is not a lot of space and in front there is water: 20 or so feet below.

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/60 (-.5ev)
Aperture : f/45
ISO: 200
Focal length : 50 mm (75 en DX)
Aperture with plugin Photomatix HDR, Topaz Denoise, Nik Silver Efex pro

Anyway, I had a good feeling so there I stood on the structure, having the vertigo and shaky legs, in my head, an angel and a demon: “you should not be here…” and “what a shot this will be…”. Guess who won?

I have my D90 in one hand and use the other to grip a beam above my head. As I want to do HDR image, I have to do three shots per picture, no tripod, holding the camera with one hand, using the other one to grip a beam above.

Click, click, I do my thing when suddenly some heavy vehicle passed on the bridge. The whole structure shook violently and for a short moment, although it felt like a long one my head, I thought I would fall down in the water.

So I stopped shooting, my legs were to “wobbly” to continue.

Was it worth it? You bet!

François Meehan

I really like those sunsets at Place Datura, Ile-Perrot, West of Montreal.

I am so addicted to reflections, water reflections in particular. I sometimes find it mesmerizing.

Another shot taken with my 1.8 50mm lens. Can’t talk enough about this piece of optic.

** Click picture to enlarge

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/30 (-2.0ev)
Ouverture : f/5.6
ISO: 800
Focale length: 50 mm (75 en DX)
Aperture with plugin Photomatix HDR, Topaz Denoise, Nik Color Efex pro

François Meehan

So Val must have been very very close!

Nikon D90
Exposition : 1/500
Ouverture : f/2.8
ISO: 400
Lentille : Lensbaby Composer
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Viveza et SilverEfex

Did you know that Wikipedia has a page on the subject?

Here is the link:

Objects in mirror are closer than they appear .

François Meehan

Hey,

Why don’t you comb your hair?

“Prends ça de même…”

Nikon D90
Exposition : 1/30
Ouverture : f/2.8
ISO: 200
Longueur focale : 50 mm (75 en DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise 3, Nik Color Efex pro

François Meehan

Such a nice lens that 50mm 1.8, does not cost much and provides excellent optical performances, way better then the zooms reflex bodies are sold with.

With an 1.8 aperture, working in high ISO (and using a good noise reduction software), this lens allows you to take nice shots in low lights.

Red light: Nobody moves!

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/90
Aperture : f/2
ISO: 800
Focal length : 50 mm (75 en DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Color Efex pro

François Meehan

It has been a long time since the last picture of Val. Too long.

The blur effect comes from my Lensbaby Composer lens.

It is a particular type of effect, especially when used in a portrait.

Nikon D90
Exposition : 1/500
Ouverture : f/2.8
ISO: 400
Lentille : Lensbaby Composer
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Viveza

Always a pleasure to work with such a nice model.

Nikon D90
Exposition : 1/30
Ouverture : f/2.8
ISO: 400
Lentille : Lensbaby Composer
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Viveza

François

After 2 long and intense photo sessions in the bathroom, here are 3 self portraits with my faucet.

This idea came to me as I was brushing my teeth, just as this theme stroke so many photographs in the past. Got to give it a shot.

So, here are 3 different approaches:

“Get me out of here!”

* By clicking the image, you will see it in a bigger format…

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/15
Aperture : f/3.5
ISO: 400
Focal length: 105 mm (157 in DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Color Efex pro

Must have spent a good 2 hours in the bathroom, all alone, laughing every now and then. In the house, they wonder what was going on, fortunately they are use to these wild photo sessions.

I guess the hardest thing was to wear a toque. Got so warm in there…

“What the…”

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/6
Aperture : f/16
ISO: 800
Focal length : 105 mm (157 in DX)
Aperture Topaz Denoise, Nik Color Efex pro

Flashes on the toilet bowl and on the counter, let there be light!

“What’s up doc?”

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/15
Aperture : f/3.5
ISO: 400
Focal length : 105 mm (157 in DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Silver Efex pro

François Meehan

Quick visit to Ormstown, near Valleyfield QC. Felt strange, thought I would make a ton of pictures there, finally only came out with an handful of images.

Nevertheless, I really like the picture below, some kind of ladder game for kids.

Nikon D90
Exposition : 1/350
Ouverture : f/2.8
ISO: 400
Longueur focale : 50 mm (75 en DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Viveza et Nik Silver Efex pro

We found the little guys below in an antique shop.

I must return at Ormstown, I have the feeling that I missed something…

Nikon D90
Exposure : 1/90
Aperture : f/4.8
ISO: 400
Focale length : 50 mm (75 en DX)
Aperture, Topaz Denoise, Nik Viveza and Nik Silver Efex pro

François Meehan