A quick look on internet provided the exact location and time where the moon would rise in the Quebec City region. On September 27th 2015, one had to look towards 089 degrees and be ready for 18:25 PM.
September 27th 2015. Blood Moon photo taken from Promenade Champlain, Quebec City, with a Canon 5D MKII.
Imagine being able to connect your camera to a modern personal telescope. That would make for fantastic shots. But since I deal with a Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM coupled with an extender, I cannot expect the same results. Nonetheless, it is not a reason to stay at home…
September 27th 2015 Blood Moon Eclipse. As for the blue object to the right of the screen, your explanations are welcomed.
The most interesting effect happened during late evening. I caught the above shot around 22:15. Cranking the ISO, I saw a blue planet or something that looks like it in the frame. The shot was not taken through a window so there was no glass reflection. I was kind of surprised to see this addition to the Blood Moon Eclipse. I wrote to a local astronomy club, asking them what it could be. They answered that unless I took the shot through a window, causing a reflection, they did not know what it was.
I know nothing yet about astronomy. If it is the reflection of the moon, I don’t know how it got there since I was taking the photo outside, without a polarizer. According to a recent comment sent by Mario Cloutier (see the comments) who points the reader to another blog looking at this question, it is possible that the picture of this ghost moon is the result of an overexposed shot combined with the atmosphere’s specific characteristics of temperature and moisture which would increase the reflexion and refraction. That is a logical explanation. The last shot was taken around 22:35:
September 27th 2015 Blood Moon Eclipse. Camera adjusted on BULB priority, with ISO 100 and 2.8 aperture.
(Un précis sur le droit de la photographie au Québec et au Canada)
Grand angle sur la photographie et la loi
For those of you who can read French, here is a very interesting handbook. The author, Jean Goulet, is a lawyer by profession and was a full time teacher at the University Laval Faculty of Law in Québec. Himself an amateur photographer, he decided to develop on the many legal questions pertinent to amateur and professional photography.
The author skims through national and international legislation and takes a moment to discuss the Berne Convention. He uses real life examples in order to help the photographer understand the legal consequences of his actions when taking a picture.
Mr Goulet uses Canadian, Québec, French, American and English jurisprudence to highlight the legal aspects in the Aubry, Théberge, Snow, Roby, Ateliers Tango argentin, Xprima affairs, etc.
The reader is informed as to copyright, counterfeiting, reproduction of photos legal limitations, as well as monetary compensation granted regarding defamation. The amateur or professional photographer can learn about the legal obligations pertaining to filming of taking pictures during a show or a theater piece. Details are also provided for anyone interested into photographing animals, expensive private properties, people on a private or public lot, political figures, etc.
Many other aspects are brought forward in this really well done handbook but I cannot present them all in a short article. All you should know is that it is easy to find the information you need and that reading this handbook will help you to take informed decisions before taking pictures.
Here are few points, among many more present in the book that a photographer should know:
[My translation] “The right to take pictures in a private property exists as long as the property owner gives you his authorisation, or is non-existent when the law strictly forbids it”.
[My translation] “ Everybody possessing a personal and exclusive right on his image, nobody can photograph a person and transfer the photo in the public domain without the person’s personal consent, if the photographed person can be recognized and if that person does not hold in the scene a role that is only an accessory role ”.
As well, [My translation] “ If the photographed person is a minor, the photographer will have to obtain the full consent from the child’s parents in order to publish the photo; if the parents cannot come to an agreement, the case will have to be brought to Court (a.604 C.c.Q) ”.
When it comes to copyright: [My translation] “ Photographers hold a copyright as soon as they have used the camera shutter, this copyright protecting their economic rights and including a moral right that they keep even if they have sold copies of their original work, unless they have explicitly gave up that privilege ”.
[My translation]: “Owner or holder of rights, the independent photographer still remains the only master of the photography he created. It is the basic rule when it comes to ownership or rights linked to photography”.
Here are few aircraft photos taken at the Rouyn-Noranda airport (CYUY) during the 1986-1988 period, while I was working as a flight service specialist (FSS). Those are not fancy pictures but they nonetheless provide a representative sample of what was flying over the Abitibi region during those years. As such, they are part of the Quebec Province aviation history. It is possible that you might see some of the company names or colours for the first time.
I took these photos with an old Pentax KX, using Kodachrome film. I intend to publish the three series over the next few weeks. Many types and categories of aircrafts will be included: private, commercial, corporate, governmental, military, etc. I am convinced that some pictures will bring back memories to older pilots.
In this first part, you will find the following: Tim Hortons AC6T, Sunwest Lear 35 C-GVVA, Québec Aviation SW4 C-GQAP, Propair DHC-3 C-FOOH, Government of Québec HS-125 C-FSEN, Trans North Air helicopter Bell 47G3B2 C-FQJY, Government of Québec DC-3, Conquest Flight Group C-411 N88727, Cité Express DHC-7 C-GHRV, Government of Canada CL-601 C-GCFI, Manitoulin Air Service C185F C-GTLO, Central Airways BE-20 C-FANG, Canadian Pacific B737-200 C-FCIP, Bellanca Scout C-GPKB, Aérospatiale Écureuil AS-350, Austin Airways BAE-748 C-GGOO, Viking AS-350 C-GBPS, Air Dorval SW2, Air Canada B-727, Aero-Commander C-GOTL.
For more real life stories on the Rouyn-Noranda flight service station and flight service specialists, click here:
Summer 1988. I only had few months left as a Transport Canada flight service specialist (FSS) in Rouyn-Noranda (CYUY) before being transferred to Iqaluit, an isolated Arctic post in the Nunavut, Canada. That summer, during my annual holidays, I took few days to drive to St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, just in time for my parent’s wedding anniversary.
We thought of offering them a ride in a hot air balloon. The balloon would lift from a field facing the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Cégep.
Hot air being blown in the balloon C-GFCM in preparation for the flight from the Cégep de St-Jean-sur-Richelieu terrain, 1988
The winds were favoring a flight path that would allow the crossing of the Richelieu River. The pilot would profit from that opportunity since the crossing of that river is very popular with the city’s inhabitants. We just hoped that the wind direction would not change while the balloon was over the water.
The amount of propane gas being limited, the flight would have to be at a quick enough pace to allow the pilot to get away from Iberville’s buildings once on the other side of the river. I don’t think my parents were worried about those details. I imagined that their anxiety was instead building up at the same time as the balloon envelope was gaining volume.
Hot air balloon C-GFCM in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu 1988
As soon as the balloon lifted off, it drifted towards the river. This would allow the pilot to touch the river with the basket, something he did twenty minutes later with great ability.
The hot air balloon C-GFCM is now airborne in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, (1988)Hot air balloon C-GFCM over the Richelieu river in Québec, about to touch the water. (1988)
The balloon then regained altitude, just high enough to skim over a corn field on the other side of the river. We were following the balloon’s path by car. We used all the shortcuts available, and were creative when it came to following traffic rules and road signs.
Hot air balloon C-GFCM and an old Quebec farm (1988)
About one hour later, the pilot started the descent. The balloon landed without problem in a field. When essential manoeuvers were completed, he surprised us by pulling few items out of the basket: a small folding table, a red-checked tablecloth and glasses for everyone.
The evening was a complete success. Somewhere in the countryside, just before night time, we celebrated with a bottle of champagne…
For more real life stories on the Rouyn-Noranda flight service station and flight service specialists, click here:
Reflections of buildings and sky on a Black Lamborghini
I took this picture using a Canon 5d MKII with a Canon 14 mm 2.8L lens while walking on Crescent Street in Montreal, just few days before the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2015. All kind of festivities had been organized on Crescent and Peel streets to celebrate the 2015 edition of the Grand Prix.
Montreal’s buildings are reflecting on a black Lamborghini. I know that the car looks blue, but that color is only the result of the sky’s reflection. This intense reflection was a personal choice available through the use of a polarizer.
The only remaining aspect was the composition: I had to position the camera in such a way that the buildings followed the Lamborghini’s curves, down to the inferior limit of the photo. I tried few shots that were not satisfactory until, finally, the buildings seemed to follow the car lines. Obviously, we are quite far away from a standard Lamborghini shot: here, Montreal’s buildings are getting more attention than the car!
For other photos on the province of Quebec and also Quebec City, click on the following links from my blog:
In order to give an impression of a very busy day in the Port of Quebec, during Spring 2015, I used a Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM. A zoom is very useful to achieve some special effect in photography.
The apparent chaos in the photo is created by numerous details: first of all, the viewer has to read numerous words that have very different impacts on him: POLICE, CANADA, OCEAN, Sécurité Maritime, Maritime Security, GRC, RCMP, MEGA, Sea Tel, and part of the word Coast.
Secondly, there are numerous vertical lines of all sizes that interfere with multiple horizontal lines. The BUNGE silos, in the background, are themselves vertical lines, but much larger than the others.
The compressed perspective obtained through the use of a zoom gives the viewer a feeling that all the objects are close to each other. We are left wondering how the captain can manoeuver his boat with such little space available.
What is really happening in the scene: it is a very quiet day, where almost everything is immobile. There is only one boat that has started to move and the captain has all the space needed to leave the Bassin Louise and head toward the St-Lawrence Seaway without being concerned with any serious obstacle.
For other boat or ship photos posted on my website, click on the following link:
In the middle of a public place in Montreal, I saw a chromed office furniture installation inside a plexiglass box. As interesting as it was, I thought that the scene would be more attractive if I waited for nightime.
Street Photography: Montreal night reflections
Darkness meant that nearby lamposts would be lit. The additional white light would contrast with the night and also help to improve the reflections caused by the chrome and plexiglass.
I only then needed a bystander to add a human presence to the scene. I waited for the moment he would stand still before taking the shot, since I was working with quite a slow speed.
We rapidly recognize three elements: the chair, the person and the rounded white lights. The rest comes after a brief moment of observation. The man attracts our interest as he makes us wonder what he is actually doing: he seems to be looking at the installation, yet he might also be reading some explanations about what he sees.
The viewing angle is wider, thanks to a Canon 14mm 2.8L lens. I did not need any tripod for this photo since the Canon 5D MKII was stabilized by being in contact with the plexiglass box. The only remaining aspect to take care of was to find a good angle to take the shot.
For other photos on the province of Quebec and also Quebec City, click on the following links from my blog:
Street photography: parallel universe in Quebec City
This photo was taken in May 2015 in Quebec City, in Old Quebec, with a Canon 5D MKII. The store decorator has chosen a striking subject with this weird humanoid floating in silence in the presence of a green glass bottle in the foreground.
But a shot taken from the street would have only offered a simple picture with a weird subject. In choosing the side window to take the photo, many other dimensions could be integrated in order to increase the final impact.
1. From the side window, the photographer can add people’s reaction to the humanoid. But there is a bit of waiting involved until the appropriate persons pass by.
2. You can see multiple reflections from the front and side windows that are now visible in the sky.
3. The old architecture on the other side of the street offers a surprising contrast with the modernity of the main subject.
4. The eye naturally moving from left to right, the humanoid’s head has been positioned in the upper right corner of the picture. Once the viewer sees the head, he then follows the blue poneytail to witness the reaction of the two persons on the sidewalk. The loop then starts again.
5. The orange element facing the humanoid offers a strong orange-blue complementary color contrast that should not be neglected to increase the visual effect.
6. Finally, the converging lines help to add depth and increase the visual impact.
This is a photo that could have been much more standard if taken from the sidewalk. The fixed lens used was a Canon 14mm 2.8L.
For other street photography pictures posted on my site, click on the following link:
The CL-415 is on final for runway 11 at the Québec Jean-Lesage international airport. Each Spring, the Canadair Cl-215 and 415 pilots go through annual training before being deployed across Quebec territory in preparation for the next forest fires season. This picture was taken with a Canon 5D MKII. The speed was 1/320, aperture 8.0 and ISO 250 and a polarizing filter was installed on the lens. The photo was taken using a Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II USM.
For other articles on aviation and photography, click on the following link: Aviation photography
1. A picture you would never have thought possible, because of extreme contrasts between brightness and darkness, is now accessible to you through HDR.
2. For a good HDR picture, you need at least 1) an interesting subject 2) an appropriate setting or background 3) the appropriate light and 4) a wide range in contrasts. That seems basic, but HDR will not save a picture that was not thought through.
3. You need a software like Photomatix, to transform several pictures taken at different exposures into one HDR picture. But this is only the first step. You will also need another editing software to improve the general result after Photomatix has been used.
4. A tripod is required to help Photomatix align the pictures and create the HDR effect.
5. As with your normal pictures, it is always better to try to use the lowest ISO as possible.
Gruyères, Switzerland, 2013.
6. It is safer to work with manual focus. This way, none of your shots will have been influenced by external objects without you noticing. It will always be the exact same focus throughout the HDR photo session. With automatic focus, you generally notice your blurred pictures when you’re back home and then it is too late (it will often happen under low light conditions).
7. The greater the contrast, the more exposures you need to take (up to nine) in order to match the dynamic range of your eyes.
8. The idea is to take each exposure at a different exposure setting. If you need seven exposures, an example of settings would be: -1, -2/3, -1/3, 0, +1/3, +2/3, +1. You might decide that three exposures only are necessary and go for -2, 0, +2 or -1, 0, +1. The choice is yours but you must take only the required number of exposures to avoid including too much noise in your shots.
Canon, 16-35mm, HDR format.
9. Throughout your HDR exposures of a specific scene, always keep the same aperture.
10. A scene is rarely perfectly balanced with light and shadows. If there are many shadow areas in the photo you want to take, then take more exposures over the recommended settings to ensure that you caught the whole dynamic range of the scene.
A house in Sainte-Pétronille, on Île d’Orléans, autumn 2012. HDR picture.
11. Inversely, if your scene has lots of highlight areas, take more exposures under the recommended settings.
12. Setting your camera to “automatic bracketing” is preferable because all the pictures are taken quickly thus avoiding to show any blurred picture in the final HDR picture. But if you want to show the movement of water in a creek, you don’t need bracketing: just take few shots with different time of exposure (in number of seconds). Just don’t overdo it otherwise it will give place to an uninteresting undefined white surface.
13. Check your LCD monitor so that none of the highlights are blown out. There would be a loss of details. For the same reason, you must avoid to block the shadows.
14. Always work with RAW files, it gives you better results. The RAW file already provides you with more f/stops then the JPEG file, and this before the transformation in HDR has even started).
15. Of all the lenses I’m using, the wide angle lens is my preferred one with it comes to HDR photography.
Spring light in the lower town of Quebec City
16. To improve the composition or enhance the general impact, crop the picture.
17. Not all pictures are appropriate for HDR transformation. If you want a dramatic silhouette as the final result, for example, HDR will not be appropriate. It will reveal too many details in the shadows and you will lose the high contrast effect that you were looking for. With practice, you will recognize where HDR is the most effective.
18. Whether you want a realistic picture or not, you can obtain surprising results with the combined effects of softwares like Photomatix, Topaz, Photoshop, Nik Software, Lightroom, Lucis Pro and so on. It’s only a matter of taking your time to experiment.
19. If you have only one picture on hand, like a shot you took years ago, and you would like to give it an HDR effect, you can use a software likeTopaz Adjust. There is an HDR effect section in that software that allows you to get a wide range of effects. But this is not going to be nearly as good as the real HDR resulting out of many pictures. The final editing step is, most of the time, done using Photoshop.
20. An unpretentious book about HDR is “Rick Sammon’s HDR Photography Secrets for Digital Photographers”. It is simple, colorful, well written and loaded with practical informations.
Eiffel Tower at night with HDR effect
Note: All the photos were taken with a Canon 5D MKII
