Fire Worship

All along Place des Festival on this winter's night, the crowds mingled, enjoying the sites. Food and drink to be enjoyed, activities abound, and fun to be had by the crowd.  When a break was needed, groups huddled around fire pits, warming hands or roasting marshmallows and sausages.  After collecting enough warmth, the fire worshipers rotate, as the recharged disappear back into the flow.

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 17mm | ISO 800 | shutter 1/30sec | f 4

St. James the Apostle

The steps at St. James the Apostle, a church on St. Catherine Street in Montreal, has long been a perch for people from all walks.  A vivid memory for me was walking past the steps many, many years ago - noticing two guys side by side with their bottles in bags.  The older one had clearly been on the street for a while, while the younger one, around my age, was new to it all - still looking healthy, and well kept.  I still remember being struck by the thought of "what brought this young guy to this sad turning point"? - the start of many hard days ahead.

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 18mm | ISO 250 | shutter 1/30sec | f 4.5

The Taco Truck

Business was booming outside Grumman '78 - taco truck extraordinaire.  Highlighted as one of Montreal's little treasures, these entrepreneurs found a way to get around the City's food truck bylaws, by building their clientele around special events. Arriba!!

http://grumman78.com/?lang=en

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 26mm | ISO 3200 | shutter 1/30sec | f 5.0

Light Box

As we entered Festival Square for an evening at Montréal en Lumière, we passed by this wonderful structure.  Old school television boxes, back lit with a delicious combination of colours, lighting up the night.  Nostalgic and soothing, the whole space was further proof that Montreal knows to how to get it done.

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 22mm | ISO 3200 | shutter 1/4sec | f 4.0

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

Heading down St.Urbain's brick road, to a favourite cafe from years back, we couldn't help but notice the amount of graffiti everywhere.  Passing this door, I smiled to myself, imagining a pointed message being delivered to a partner coming home late one too many times.  Not likely, but a funny thought nonetheless.

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 17mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/50sec | f 5.0

The Dome

I guess, we have always known it, but this trip to the old city really highlighted the extremes of architecture in Montreal's downtown core.  This view of the dome Cathedral of Marie-Reine-du-Monde, contrasted against the sparkling lights of the high rises in the background dramatically illustrates the point.

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 17mm | ISO 3200 | shutter 0.8sec | f 5.0

The Sanctuary

Spending some time strolling down St. Denis, we are struck by the number of closed storefronts.  As we pass this church, this image calls out more that it intends, the irony demands to be captured.

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 17mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/60 | f 5.6

The Back Door

Walking down St.Catherine's towards the gathering crowds on a crisp night, we passed alley after alley, lined with bins and street tags.  This spot caught my eye, with the single lamp over a back door, casting just enough light to highlight the interesting combination of shadows, lines and colours.

Montreal, Canada  02.2012

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | focal 17mm | ISO 3200 | shutter 1/10 | f 4.0

MovingPic: "A Walk in the Byward Market"

Here is a first step towards my goal to expanding my storytelling through a new visual medium: video.  This will be an exciting journey is learning, refining and bringing together all the variables that are needed to harness the potential of video shorts.  Let's see how it goes.

Ottawa, Canada  12.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 7D | Post Production Apple Final Cut Pro X  Gear  Canon 10-22mm/24-70mm, Manfrotto Tripod

The Baptism

The crowd has gathered for the baptism of the treasured girl.  Daughter, cousin, niece, and future friend to many - all gather at the celebration in her honor.  Observing, I am taken by this image of this wonderful child, surrounded by so much love.  What better place to be for the journey ahead.

Ottawa, Canada  11.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 42mm | ISO 1600 | shutter 1/125 | f 3.5

She's All That

Enjoying a wonderful celebration at a family baptism, the children were running joyful and free.  Magic show, singing, and a game of tag in their Sunday best.  Caught in the excitement of the game, the kids trip to the ground, giving this little guy a chance to steal a kiss.  Remember those days?

Ottawa, Canada  11.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 70mm | ISO 1600 | shutter 1/50 | f 2.8

The Commute

As a people watcher, the New York subway provides a rich stage.  It offers a wonderful blending of local and traveller, affluent and on the margins, the joyous and the burdened.  A delicious range of societal extremes that are reshuffled from stop to stop.  What is clear from each ride is that a common thread is shared across the commuters - that in the end, all are just trying to make their way the best they can.

New York, New York, 08.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 400 | shutter 1/25 | f 11

Vegas Glow

Another early Vegas morning, the room once again lit by the neon green glow of the strip. While some (many) find this to be a bit on the side of tacky, I find the glitz and lights entertaining.  Granted, it is over the top, but it is also unapologetic.  Love it or leave it - with no in between.  The clarity of what this town is offering cuts through the subtlety.  Not necessarily a bad thing some days.

Las Vegas, Nevada 10.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 1600 | shutter 1/4 | f 3.5

Scrap Metal

I love street performers.  Laying their talent on the line for all to see.  This group was no exception.  The "Scrap Metal" trio jammed away on the Las Vegas strip , a junkyard symphony of plastic pails and metal drums, banging out a hypnotic beat.  What was great to see was how these artists were lost in their music, almost as much as the onlookers were taken by their passion.

Las Vegas, Nevada 10.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 27mm | ISO 1000 | shutter 1/40 | f 22

La Fontana

We stopped by this Italian fountain near "The Venetian" for a brief pause, admiring the tribute to Piazza San Marco, canals and gondoliers.  I must admit, once you allow yourself to step back from the point where grandeur meets gaudy, the accomplishments of Las Vegas theme casinos are quite incredible.  Attention to every detail, wrapped in a masterful process of squeezing as much from the consumer as possible - something to behold.

Las Vegas, Nevada 10.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/5 | f 22

Urban Cowboy

During our walkabout, we came across one of the coolest urban cowboys you will meet.  He was setup on a walkway arching over the Las Vegas strip, leaning back as he looked into the setting sun, playing his squeeze box.  When I gestured to him to capture his image, he smiled and said "yyyip" - and when I asked if he had an email address I could send the image to, his answer was a precise "nnnope".  We added some appreciation to his tin cup, and then moseyed off into the sunset.

Las Vegas, Nevada 10.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 15mm | ISO 100 | shutter 1/30 | f 13

Sleepless

After a long day of travel across time zones, I was faced with the inevitable 3 a.m. wide eyed delirium.  Trying to get back to sleep, I found myself wandering my hotel room, grinning at the green neon from the street that was lighting the ceiling.  As I filled a drink of water, hoping that might do the trick, I noticed the intriguing effect of the side lighting in the mirror.  Of course, it was as good a time as any for a first self portrait.

Las Vegas, Nevada 10.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 17mm | ISO 250 | shutter 1/30 | f 4

il Laboratorio del Gelato

In pursuit of the best gelato NYC had to offer, we found this spot on East Houston street.  Il Laboratorio del Gelato delivered on its reputation - refreshing and delicious gelato flavour, in a storefront with beauty through simplicity.  If you have the chance, don't be turned off by the lineup.  It's worth the wait.

http://www.laboratoriodelgelato.com/

New York, New York 08.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 400 | shutter 1/25 | f 11

50th Street Station

The New York City underground is great.  The subways provide an environment full of flavour.  People from around the world, from all walks of life, on the move.  As a subject, these spaces are equally fun to work with, trying to capture the essence of the moment with the constraints of time, light, and traveller patience.

New York, New York 08.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 10mm | ISO 200 | shutter 1/8 | f 5.6

Under Pier 21

Walking along the beach beyond the Atlantic City Boardwalk, we cross under this massive pier supporting a fun collection of boutiques and restaurants.  The water breaking against the pillars, combined with the worn concrete and sparse light made for an interesting setting and subject to capture.

Atlantic City, New Jersey 08.2011

ShotSpecs: Canon EOS 50D | focal 22mm | ISO 1000 | shutter 1/125 | f 8.0