Tag: photography tips

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Photos of Quebec

Old Quebec photographed with the Canon EF 11-24 mm f/4L USM lens.

Old Quebec in the evening during Spring 2026.
Old Quebec in the evening during Spring 2026.

The narrow, winding streets combined with the tall houses of Old Quebec are captured beautifully with the Canon EF 11-24 mm F/4L USM ultra-wide-angle lens. It is the widest zoom lens Canon has ever produced.

It has the appearance of a “fisheye” lens, but it doesn’t distort vertical lines, even at 11 mm. This results in more realistic-looking buildings when that’s the desired effect.

Photography Tips

The photo above requires waiting until the end of the day for better light. Position the tripod so that it captures two alleys at the same time. The rule of thirds helps place the main building for a superior photographic composition. This rule of thirds, like other rules for that matter, is always just a suggestion.

The houses at the end of the alley on the right add colour and variety. They also create a visual barrier that draws the eye back to the foreground.

A remote shutter release connected to the camera minimizes camera shake. Five photos taken at different apertures achieve the desired HDR effect.

Of course, fleeting shadows—“ghosts” are often unavoidable in a city with many tourist attractions. This occurs when people move while the camera takes five photos spaced a few seconds apart. The Photomatix software offers the option to reduce the number of these ghosting effects, but you shouldn’t overuse this feature, as it can compromise the picture’s quality.

Verify in Photoshop or a similar digital editing software if the buildings are straight. Shooting in RAW rather than JPEG allows for additional adjustments to achieve a superior final result.

Click the link to see more photos of Quebec City on my blog.

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Aviation photography

Aviation Photography: Air Transat A321neo in Quebec City

Air Transat Airbus A321neo in Québec City
Air Transat Airbus A321neo in Québec City

Today, rain and fog disrupt operations at Quebec City’s Jean Lesage International Airport. The conditions are at their minimum for take off and landing. But the captain of this Air Transat’s flight decides to proceed as the weather improves momentarily.

The passenger jet will take off from runway 06. But the airstrip is soaked. When the pilot applies power, we will only see water spray across the entire picture. A better choice is to focus on the A321neo as it taxis slowly.

Photography Tips

Since the sky isn’t particularly captivating due to its uniform gray colour, it becomes imperative to find something else to increase interest to the scene. The runway lights will do the trick. By including them in the foreground of the photo, they add life and frame the aircraft as it joins the runway.

I avoid photographing the plane directly from the side or from behind, as the effect is a bit static. Entering the runway at an angle offers a better alternative. Furthermore, it is not necessary to show the entire fuselage of the Airbus for a good shot.

With just a uniform gray sky, part of the aircraft, and a few runway lights, it becomes possible to produce a shot with more dynamism.

Click on the link for more aviation-related photos on my blog. There are also photo galleries for enthusiasts in the menu.

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Aviation photography

The first visit of the Canadian CC-295 Kingfisher to Quebec City.

First visit of the Canadian search and rescue Kingfisher aircraft at Quebec Jean-Lesage intl airport
First visit of the Canadian search and rescue Kingfisher aircraft at Quebec Jean-Lesage intl airport

In July 2025, Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (CYQB) welcomed its first visit from the Canadian CC-295 Kingfisher. This is the Canadian Forces’ new search and rescue aircraft. Sixteen units of the aircraft have been ordered.

The Kingfisher is equipped with sensors that can locate objects or people up to a distance of 40 kilometers, even in low light conditions. Its range allows it to remain in flight for over 4,500 kilometers.

Photography tips

I arrive too late at Quebec City airport: the plane is already parked. However, information obtained from the pilots indicates that takeoff is scheduled within the next hour on runway 06.

Ground traffic provides excellent opportunities to photograph an aircraft while benefiting from an interesting background. The photography technique required for this first visit by the Kingfisher is really basic.

Communications with the control tower indicate when the CC-295 is starting up. It will stop just before entering runway 06. A 200mm telephoto lens would normally do the trick, provided the ISO is not too high. But today, I am trying out a recent acquisition: a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS II USM fixed telephoto lens.

In the middle of the day, a photographer deals more with the quantity of light than its quality. However, the goal here is not to capture a bouquet of flowers or a wedding, so the harsh light should be fine. The flamboyant color of the aircraft will distract attention from the lack of interest in the ambient light.

With the shutter speed reduced to 1/125 and the ISO set to 200, I wait for the moment when the Kingfisher is opposite the control tower. This will provide a high-quality background. Twenty photos later, the plane is nothing more than a memory.

Click on the link for more aviation-related photos on my blog.