A lifeguard makes sure that the ships keep on floating…
As I was completing a walk around Stanley Park, in British Columbia, I saw this lifeguard comfortably sitting in his chair and protected from the sun by a large yellow beach umbrella.
In the near distance, numerous vessels were anchored while waiting for the appropriate tide in order to reach Vancouver Harbour. Everything in the scenery was quiet.
However, reality was quite different since, when I got closer, I saw a huge beach loaded with swimmers in front of the lifeguard. The latter had to keep his eyes wide open.
A funnier approach was nonetheless to present the most tranquil scenery possible by avoiding to show the beach and the swimmers. This gave the impression that the lifeguard had the responsibility of watching the ships in the distance.
Slightly moving the skyline higher in the shot in order to only see the vessels and the lifeguard did the trick. This is the fun part of street photography.
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In 2018, marijuana will probably become a legal substance in Canada. But for now, it is still considered an illegal drug by Canadian authorities.
In the picture above, a “plant” dealer, acting as a “florist”, does not hesitate to publicize his business in British Columbia. He chose to modify the reality until it finally meets his goal.
The “florist” above proceeds in the same way as Sean Spicer, the White House Speaker, who gives new meaning to words during his press conferences in order to make sense of some of Donald Trump’s electoral promises.
Street photography is often unplaned, as it is the case here. But I had with me the necessary equipment to capture the van before it got away.
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The French novel by author Catherine Mavrikakis : Les derniers jours de Smokey Nelson
Catherine Mavrikakis dedicates her French novel “Les derniers jours de Smokey Nelson” to those “who die murdered by the governments of numerous States of America”. She also wishes to underline the work of “David R. Dow who, in Texas, tries to save them”. [my translation]
The author presents the faults of Middle America with, in the background, the sordid murders of of a family of four people in a motel, twenty years ago. Details of the crime are only incidental in the novel.
The crime is the opportunity for the author to present the very different lives of the people who were directly impacted by the drama. Through the personal history of these people are expressed the fear and the imbalances of the Americans. Catherine Mavrikakis has an original way of presenting the injustices lived because of a different skin color. She also skillfully develops on religious habits, mental illness, drug and alcool abuse, lack of education and extreme gaps in wealth among American citizens.
Another theme presented in the novel is the fear of their own government by many Americans who see it as a potential enemy and against which one must protect himself using firearms if necessary. An American citizen, like Timothy McVeigh, becomes a terrorist as he is so absolutely sure of “ the conspiracy of the State against his beliefs” [my translation].
Backcover of the book: Les derniers jours de Smokey Nelson, by Catherine Mavrikakis
The novel also addresses the difference of treatment between Blacks and Whites in front of justice. This really is not a surprise. There are far more Blacks in jail than there are Whites, and far more that end up in the death row too.
The inequality of treatment between Blacks and Whites is also raised by the author when she brings back to memory the damages caused by the Katrina hurricane and the questions surrounding the destruction of the dams protecting the different neighborhoods.
Rumours are that some dams were volontarily destroyed in order to control the trajectory of the flooding. The will to protect wealthy neighborhoods, mostly inhabited by Whites, would have caused the destruction and flooding of the Lower Ninth Ward district, where a majority of Blacks were living. It is up to the reader to determine whether a further research is justified.
Some sections in the novel marvelously summerize the contradictions present in the religious discourse. On numerous occasions the reader witnesses a God proned to bragging, in front of which humans must prosternate in order to celebrate “His Glory”. A God approving the use of violence and justifying radical actions in order to win over a Satan who, sometimes, takes the liberty to take a break. This short absence is always an occasion not missed by God to fully shine.
At the end of the book, the death row inmate, after having taken a last hearty meal, reflects on the pertinence of meeting a priest before being executed. He has this snarky remark: [my translation] “A pastor is like a steak, at the last moment, it can’t be refused”.
This street photography shot, taken in Paris with a Canon 5D MKII full-frame camera, works better in the French language since the word « occupé » placed on the banner plays a crucial role. In French, “occupé” can mean that there is a labour unrest and that the activity of a company is being disturbed by its employees. “Occupé” can also mean “busy”. This street photography shot uses both meanings.
In the background, some people are removing the stickers that have been placed on the wall of a store representing an international company. One can see the word “occupé” written on a banner, which here means “labour unrest”. In the mid-plane, everyone is in movement. Each person is looking somewhere except toward the foreground where a beggar without legs waits for donations.
Three levels of wealth are represented in the picture. There is the fortune associated with the owner of a very well-known international company (the name is mostly hidden for legal reasons), there is the standard financial situation associated with the citizens in the mid-plane and there is the beggar’s financial situation.
I wanted to include the word “occupé” (busy) in the photo in order to express something else: people who are walking and who seem to benefit from an acceptable financial situation do not have any time for the man who cannot walk and who certainly does not benefit from an acceptable comfort. The banner announces that everyone is “occupé” (busy).
A green apple, put down on the sidewalk in front of the beggar, and a green bag behind him seem to summarize the belongings of the disabled beggar.
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In 2002, the Quebec flight information center employees were advised that journalists had been authorized to film inside the Nav Canada installations.
In anticipation of the shooting, one of the flight service specialists went over the list of employees who would be working during the journalist’s visit. He phoned those employees and suggested an appropriate dress code. He was just trying to help. One of the employees that we will name Denis could not be contacted, but the message was nonetheless left to his wife.
The next day, just before the journalist’s visit, Denis arrived in the center. He entered the flight service station room and dryly demanded the name of the employee who phoned his wife to suggest a dress code for him. It just happened that this employee was facing him. Denis kind of lost his temper and ordered everyone to mind their own business. There was some tension in the air. It would not have been a good idea to contradict him…
Few hours later, during a coffee break, I found myself in the employee’s kitchen in company of Denis. He put a donut in the microwave and sat down in a corner by himself, waiting to hear the “beap” from the microwave, indicating that the donut was hot enough.
But from where he was sitting, Denis did not see that the donut was overheating. In fact, the donut was gradually changing color and shape and smoke was coming through all the microwave’s gaps it could find. For safety reasons, I was checking that the damages were limited only to the donut.
Overheating fat really makes a lot of smoke. Denis asked me: “Don’t you find that it smells of burning?” I answered positively. He added: “ But look, there is smoke near you!”
Realizing that I was not going to move, he stood up to find out what was going on. He soon discovered that the source of the smoke came from a deformed and darkened entity still turning on the tray. He shouted: “It’s my donut! It’s all burned! Why didn’t you tell me?” I could only reply: “ Just about an hour ago, you told us in no uncertain tone to mind our business. How can I know how you prefer your donut?!” Useless to say, this did not help in calming him down…
Click on the link for other real life stories at the Quebec flight information center on my blog.
Aerial view of the Rothera research station in Antarctica.
For this flight, you will need the Antarctica X flight simulation software made by Aerosoft.
The maintenance of BAS Twin Otters and their Dash-7 is done in Calgary, Canada, and head to Antarctica during the austral summer, between October and March. So if you want to try a flight simulation with a Twin Otter or a Dash-7 from Chile to Antarctica, pick one of those months as it is more realistic.
Since it would be a bit long to make all the virtual flights from Canada to Antarctica, I chose to do the last three legs to see what the landscape looks like.
A Twin Otter is normally approved for a maximum take-off weight of 12,500 pounds. But with skis weighing 800 pounds and additional fuel required to fly longer legs, BAS (British Antarctic Survey) has arranged to have their Twin Otters approved at 14,000 pounds. Even at this weight, the aircraft could still operate on one engine.
First, the aircraft departs La Florida airport (SCSE) in Chile, after a mandatory fuel stop before its next destination, the El Tepual de Puerto Montt airport (SCTE), also in Chile.
Airborne from La Florida, Chile, after refueling.
This virtual flight with the Twin Otter last about 4:25 hours (696 nm) with a heading of 185 degrees.
In flight towards El Tepual de Puerto Montt, Chile.
For the screen captures, FTX Global, FTX Vector and Pilot’s FS Global 2010 were installed. Orbx has also reworked the original El Tepual de Puerto Montt airport to include some people, aircrafts and new buildings. It makes for a more interesting destination.
Twin Otter on final approach for El Tepual de Puerto Montt, Chile.
Ready for refueling at the El Tepual de Puerto Montt, Chile.
The next flight is from the El Tepual de Puerto Montt airport (SCTE) to Punta Arenas (SCCI), both in Chile.
Twin Otter aircraft airborne and heading to Punta Arenas, Chile.
This flight, made low across the Andes, absolutely requires good weather. You will have to climb to 17,000 feet to make the direct route between the airports.
Twin Otter over the Andes climbing for17,000 feet
There are often spectacular views available to the virtual pilot. Yes, the BAS Twin Otter is flown by only one pilot, but there is always somebody else accompanying him.
Don’t forget to lean the mixture during the climb. Also use some additional oxygen (!!) if you don’t want to start singing and flying in circles after a while. Again, pay attention to the mixture during the descent, considering that you will be losing close to 17,000 feet.
Refueling at Punta Arenas, Chile.
The Punta Arenas airport, straight from FSX, is not an interesting airport to look at. It is a very bare airport, with just a single building and a VOR.
But since the BAS pilot do that mandatory leg just before heading to Antarctica, I chose not to change the route. The general direction for the flight to Punta Arenas was 164 degrees and the duration approximately 4:28 hours. You can obviously accelerate the process once the aircraft is established at its flying altitude.
The last flight is from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Rothera, Antarctica.
Twin Otter aircraft heading for the Rothera airport in Antarctica.
The Twin Otter will take between six and seven hours on an average heading of 162 degrees to cover the distance between Punta Arenas (SCCI) and Rothera (EGAR).
Over the snowy mountains of Chile towards Rothera, Antarctica
Carrying extra fuel on the flight towards Rothera, Antarctica.
The runway at Rothera is made of gravel and is 2953 feet long. That is plenty for the Twin Otter and the DASH-7. Before you make the flight, go into the aerosoft/Antarctica X file in your flight simulator and click on the “LOD 8.5” option (the default is at LOD 4.5). It will give you much better details when you are approaching Antarctica.
The antarctic Rothera research station is in sight
Twin Otter aircraft on final at Rothera, Antarctica.
The Airliner World magazine had an excellent article on the BAS operations in Antarctica in its March 2017 edition. It included plenty of interesting pictures and detailed explanations on what is expected from pilots and personnel working for BAS. I compared the Rothera virtual airport with the real one through the available pictures in Airliner World and was pleasantly surprised with the level of accuracy of the details.
A British Antarctic Survey Twin Otter aircraft is landing on the Rothera runway, Antarctica
The BAS always prepares itself for the worst: “[It] carries parts valued at around $5m, including a replacement engine for each aircraft, spare props and undercarriage components”.
Twin Otter aircraft after a landing on the Rothera runway, Antarctica
“A new development for the Air Unit has been its work with the RAF, using C-130 Hercules transports to airdrop supplies into the field. They fly from Punta Arenas and drop fuel to support our science programmes on the Ronne Ice Shelf. […] It is all part of their training system and the accuracy they drop to is very impressive. They might drop 250 drums, think how many Twin Otter trips that would have been for us (48 or more than 400 flying hours)”.
The main hangar in Rothera, Antarctica.
Aerosoft has made an excellent job in replicating the buildings in Rothera, BAS’s main research station in Antarctica. The biggest hangar can accommodate three Twin Otters and a Dash-7 altogether.
Inside the main hangar at the Rothera research station, Antarctica.
When your flight is over, do not forget to change the settings back to LOD 4.5 for Antarctica in your aerosoft/Antarctica X files.
Here is a night picture that speaks volume about the ambiance that generally prevails in Quebec City. Wherever he walks, the photographer will notice citizen and tourists admiring the town.
The photo was captured with a Canon 5D MKII full-frame camera equipped with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 fixed lens. This kind of maximal aperture allows to take pictures at this time of the day without the need of a tripod and without grossly increasing the ISO, thus protecting the picture’s quality. The use of a tripod is always giving better results, but for the occasions where the photographer does not have one with him, the maximal aperture of 1.4 (or even better 1.2 for the lucky ones) can save the day.
The stars surrounding the city lights do not result from using a special photography equipment. Instead, they are produced by the multiple elements present in the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 fixed lens. Since every lenses available on the market are not of equal quality, some lenses naturally offer a much nicer bokeh than others.
It is quite difficult to obtain something else than human silhouettes when the light is so weak. The lower third of the image also proves to be a problem for the camera, as the luminosity created by the streetlights is much more intense. Nonetheless, it was not too difficult to correct the contrasts using an image editing software, since the photo was taken using RAW files.
For other photos on the province of Quebec and also Quebec City, click on the following links from my blog:
Short of talented musicians, this military band finally decided to use an extra-terrestrial in its orchestra, hoping he would get by undetected. He is nonetheless betrayed by his eyes and teeth.
For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:
While I was walking around Toronto during a photography session, I found myself near the Rogers Center, facing a huge artwork installed on top of the building. One of the man in that artwork was pointing straight ahead with his index. The CN Tower being in the area, I could not resist an easy but efficient composition. Street photography offered the fastest way to touch the top of that tower.
For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:
In 2017, Quebec City has opted for a decentralization of the Carnival activities which where always organized on the Plains of Abraham. Part of Grande-Allée was blocked to traffic and other activities where also held in the parc de l’Amérique-Française, the parc de la Francophonie and at Place d’Youville, in the hearth of the touristic sector.
Quebec Carnival 2017 symbols
This new formula seems to be a success, according to the number of people met during my photography sessions on the different sites. Children, as usual, were not really bothered by the cold temperature et found a way to have fun. The picture below was taken while the wind chill factor was -20C.
Child playing at the parc de l’Amérique-Française during the 2017 Quebec Carnival
The parc de l’Amérique-Française was receiving the international snow sculpture contest. Many countries were present: Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Peru and the United States. Italy won the first prize with an excellence award from the Quebec Carnival, added to an award from the public and the benevolent staff. The Italian sculptors were Pietro Germano, Samuel Bonapace and Gino Casagranda. The picture below represents one Italian sculptor at work.
An Italian sculptor at work during the 2017 Quebec Carnival.
The second prize, with a Government of Quebec award, was offered to the team from France, who was composed of Pascal Veuillet, André Marastoni and Éric Margery. The pictures below show the work in progress and a French sculptor taking a few minutes to talk with a citizen. He does not seem too annoyed by the cold weather…
French sculptor at the 2017 Quebec Carnival
A French sculptor at the 2017 Quebec Carnival
The team from Canada won the third prize, with an award from Quebec City. In the team were Jessy Armand, Michel Proulx and Mathieu Béchard. The pictures below represent two of the Canadian sculptors at work.
A Quebec sculptor at work on the Canada snow sculpture during the 2017 Quebec Carnival
French Canadian sculptor at the 2017 Quebec Carnival
Some sculptures had a really original look. Instead of capturing the whole creation, I decided to frame a section of one of the sculpture in order to emphasize the artwork.
Section of a snow sculpture at the 2017 Quebec Carnival.
All the pictures have been taken using a Canon 5DSR full-frame camera equipped with a Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 II USM lens, with or without tripod, depending on the amount of light available. The picture above was shot using a 1.2 aperture to maximize the blurred effect in the background. It was then reworked using two different image editing softwares.
For a better idea of all the activites organized by the Quebec Carnival, head towards the following official and bilingual site: Quebec Carnival official site
For other photos on the province of Quebec and also Quebec City, click on the following links from my blog:
