Thursday 30 September 2010

Montreal

Begging raccoons and foraging groundhogs are not exactly what I expected to find in Montreal, but I guess I didn't know what to expect.  Our main reason for going to Montreal was to visit our good friend Mayssam, who I must add (apart from being the most wonderful host of course), has two of the most beautiful cats I have ever seen, Moody and Spike.  Spike was pretty shy, but Moody was a true model and I probably took more photos of her than I took during the rest of our stay.

Montreal is an island city (I never knew that) and consists of many different neighbourhoods, each with their own distinct flavour.  Among these is Old Montreal which has a European flair, Downtown feels very North American and the Plateau I would say is a mix between the two (very Montrealian in fact).  And everything is in French (don't worry most of it is in English too) which took a bit of getting used to seeing that we were in a predominantly English speaking country.  I liked it though, and feel that it gives Montreal a uniqueness that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. 

Aside from attractions such as the Olympic Stadium, the Notre-Dame Basilica and Mayssam's cats I would have to say the food markets were the highlight, particularly Jean-Talon.  I saw things there I had never seen before: purple peppers, white peppers, yellow cauliflower, purple cauliflower and white aubergines!  And the produce was ultra-fresh, with peaches so full of flavour they sent me right back to when as a child I used to eat them straight from the tree.  The sheer size of the market was pretty overwhelming, as was the selection of goodies, a true foodie and photographers heaven.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the begging raccoons as we saw them at night on Mont-Royal harassing people coming to enjoy the view.  Below however are a few of the pictures I did manage to take during our stay (and yes there is one of Moody there too).



Notre-Dame Basilica
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 1000
Aperture: f/4
Shutter Speed: 1/5


The Aldred building on Place d'Armes
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter Speed: 1/250


The dome of Marché Bonsecours
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8.0
Shutter Speed: 1/640


 Artichokes at Marché Atwater
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/50


  Reds and greens at Marché Jean-Talon
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/60


 Marché Bonsecours at twlight
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 30 s


 Graffiti
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/125


  Watchdog
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/80


  Getting ready for winter
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/60


 Moody the model
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 500
Aperture: f/4.0
Shutter Speed: 1/40


 Stade Olympique at twilight
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/13.0
Shutter Speed: 30 s


The magic of lanterns at the Jardin botanique de Montréal
Canon EOS7D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/10.0
Shutter Speed: 5 s

Monday 6 September 2010

Roma

This time last year we were in Rome, and boy do I wish we were there now.  Gorgeous weather, great food, amazing sights and of course gelato around every corner.  I am sure those of you who have been to Rome will agree with me when I say that the city just oozes ancient history.  From the Colosseum and the Roman Forum to the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain there is just so much to see.  And photography wise so much to capture.  Join me on a visual tour through the streets of Roma.

Priests in Rome
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed:1/160

The inside of the Colosseum
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/9
Shutter Speed:1/200

The Roman Forum
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/10
Shutter Speed:1/200

Castel Sant'Angelo
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/10
Shutter Speed:1/200

GUCCI store
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed:1/80

Basilica dei Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 200
Aperture: f/10
Shutter Speed:1/200

The Colosseum at night
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 6.0 s

The Pantheon at night
Canon EOS30D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
ISO 100
Aperture: f/5
Shutter Speed: 5.0 s

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