The Agonist At Théâtre Corona

The second group on the bill for our first concert of the year at the Théâtre Corona shared something with the openers, they also hail from the city of Montreal.  The Agonist have been around since the early 2000's and are well known in extreme and black metal circles.  They survived losing their original lead singer and found a more than capable replacement in current singer Vicky Psarakis who can handle the typical black metal growls, but can also sing in a more melodic style when it is called for.  Not being a fan of 'growlers' myself, I did rather enjoy her more melodic moments.  They were touring their 6th and most recent album, Orphans, which was released late last year.  The first photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/80sec, ISO 6400 at 70mm.  Here are several more photographs that I took of their performance.

f/2.8, 1/100sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 6400 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/250sec, ISO 6400 at 27mm

f/2.8, 1/100sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/125sec, ISO 6400 at 70mm

f/2.8, 1/160sec, ISO 6400 at 28mm

f/2.8, 1/160sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 6400 at 42mm

f/2.8, 1/50sec, ISO 6400 at 50mm

f/2.8, 1/200sec, ISO 6400 at 39mm

f/2.8, 1/80sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

A terrific set full of energy before a crowd that was really looking forward to seeing them.  The Agonist already had a big following here in town, and judging by the crowd, a good percentage of them came out for the show.  If you'd like to find out more about The Agonist and their music, don't forgot to follow the link to their website.  While you're clicking links, don't forget to also check out my photographs of Blackguard and Epica who also performed that night.

Blackguard At Théâtre Corona

It's a new year here on the Old Blog, but Your Friendly Neighbourhood photographer is starting by spending some quality time in the photo pit of the Théâtre Corona for a triple-bill of musical goodness.  Up first on the night was local band Blackguard, who formed back in the early 2000's right here in Montreal.  The home town crowd really showed up to support them as well.  I'm used to going to shows where the venue is maybe half-full at best for the opening acts, but the Corona was already pretty close to capacity as the opening notes were played.  It was also an important day for the band as they released their latest album, Storm, in digital form earlier in the day.  The first photograph was taken at f/2.8, 1/160sec, ISO 3200 at 31mm.  Here are some more photographs I took of their performance.

f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/100sec, ISO 3200 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/40sec, ISO 3200 at 30mm

f/2.8, 1/160sec, ISO 6400 at 57mm

f/2.8 1/320sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/160sec, ISO 6400 at 39mm

f/2.8, 1/320sec, ISO 6400 at 30mm

f/2.8, 1/320sec, ISO 6400 at 24mm

f/2.8, 1/250sec, ISO 6400 at 42mm

It's always nice to see a 'hometown group returns' show as you know that the crowd will be lively.  If you'd like to learn more about Blackguard and their music, don't forget to visit their website.  Don't forget to also check out the photographs that I took of The Agonist and Epica as well.

The Sun Sets On 2019

It's time to turn over a fresh leaf as we get ready to begin yet another year.  Before we do that, it's always good to take a moment to reflect on the year that is coming to an end.  I've been saying this for a couple of years now, but this was quite the busy and exciting year for Your Friendly Neighbourhood Photographer.  All kinds of events passed in front my lenses.  Among the record 144 updates were the usual assortment of fireworks, sunsets, cars, insects, sporting events, musicians and other things that I may have found interesting  A couple of 'Wow' moments were when I found myself on the floor of the Bell Center to photograph Weezer and the Pixies.  There were also the many passes to concerts that were passing through town, as well as photographing the musical acts at the Canada Day celebrations in Greenfield Park, the Festin Culturel in Brossard and Saint-Lambert en Fête.   The many outdoor concerts in Greenfield Park, Saint-Hubert and Longueuil for 'Longueuil est culture', 'Les jeudis de la place' in Saint Lambert and a pass for the prestigious Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.  With all of that, some more photographs appearing on CTV Montreal newscasts and in the La Presse+ online newspaper were just a topping on the sundae.  I think that deserves a moment to kick up my feet take a moment in front of a nice relaxing sunset.  Kind of like the one a little bit higher up on the page.  It was taken at f/16, 1/125sec, ISO 100 at 63mm  So, how do I follow 2019 up?  I'm not really sure that I can, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to stop.  If you've been enjoying my photographs over the last few years, dont forget to keep passing by.  Who knows what you'll end up seeing.  Here's to wishing you all a Happy New Year and a great 2020.

Van Houtte Fire On Ice At The Old Port Of Montreal

f/16, 25sec, ISO 100 at 45mm

I suppose that it's a good lesson to learn that things don't always go as planned.  Last night was the third edition of the Van Houtte Fire on Ice fireworks display from the Old Port of Montreal and I felt like trying something new.  One of my few frustrations during the fireworks in July is that they shut off the lights on the Jacques Cartier Bridge during the shows.  I had noticed that they didn't do so in December so I thought I'd go out and try getting some fireworks and bridge lights in the same shot.

 f/16, 20sec, ISO 100 at 45mm

However, my judgment of distance was a little bit off.  Based on the fact that I have shot the fireworks from that bridge near the towers on the left hand side of the photograph, I figured the fireworks would be going off above the part of the shot.  As you can see, it wasn't quite the case, which is why these photographs are being presented in a panorama style.  Added to my fun were some high winds which resulted in a little camera shake and a passing cargo ship which blocked my view for a few minutes as it passed.

f/16, 30sec, ISO 100 at 45mm

As is usually the case, I did manage to pick out a few useful shots, though they are somewhat more cropped than I had originally planned.  On the positive side, I did manage to get those shots of fireworks and an illuminated bridge, just not exactly as planned.  Here are a few more shots.

f/16, 25sec, ISO 100 at 45mm

f/16, 25sec, ISO 100 at 45mm

f/16, 15sec, ISO 100 at 45mm

There's still one more of these shows to go, so head out there to enjoy them.  Though I suggest you get a little closer to the action than I was for these photographs.

Christmas Dessert

It's been one of the busiest years here on the old blog, yet it has been a long time since we've featured any of My Lovely Assistant's creations.  Christmas is a time that she gets to shine and put her talents on display.  This year, she made a raspberry and chocolate yule log cake.  Not content with only that, she also made little chocolate soldiers and different coloured chocolate Christmas lights which were a hit with dessert fans of all ages.  For my part, I'm told that I spent almost as much time posing My Lovely Assistant's creation as she spent making it.  After arranging the village and repositioning some of its inhabitants, I took the photograph at f/10, 1/200sec, ISO 100 at 45mm while bouncing some flash off of the ceiling.  It was then eaten with knives, forks and little chocolate covered fingers and enjoyed by all.

Merry Christmas To All

Just taking a little break from all of the shopping, cooking and wrapping to wish all of you out there a Merry Christmas from Your Friendly Neighbourhood Photographer and 'My Lovely Assistant.  While there may be more 'snow' in this photograph than on the ground, I hope it won't keep you all from having a good time with friends and family.  I had a little fun with the Christmas scene My Lovely Assistant created for the house this year.  Everything is still kind of new at The Head Office, so this was what we had instead of a tree this year.  Knowing her, it will be back, with a tree to go with it, next Christmas.  The photograph was taken at f/10, 1/200sec, ISO 100 at 70mm with some bounced flash to give a little life to the whole thing.  Hope the photographer got as nice a shot of me, as I got of him...though I think he should start looking for the missing piece of his tripod.  Maybe he'll get a new one for Christmas.

Van Houtte Fire On Ice At The Old Port Of Montreal

December in the city means people rushing around to make sure all of their Christmas purchases are made on time, but it also means it's time to light up the sky.  No, not with the light from Rudolph's red nose, that will be a little late, but with the light from the annual Fire on Ice series at the Old Port of Montreal.  This year, it is being presented by the Van Houtte company and takes place during the last three Saturday's of December and the first Saturday in January.  Though I no longer live next to the action, I made my way down to a favourite spot on Île Sainte-Hélène to watch the fireworks go off with the downtown core in the background.  The first photograph was taken at f/16, 20sec, ISO 100 at 70mm and the second photograph was taken at f/16, 20sec, ISO 100 at 57mm.  Here are a couple more shots of the show.

f/16, 25sec, ISO 100 at 70mm

f/16, 20sec, ISO 100 at 57mm

f/16, 15sec, ISO 100 at 70mm

f/16, 20sec, ISO 100 at 70mm

There are still a couple more weeks left if you want to take in the shows.  The Old Port is kind of busy at time of the year, but there are several other interesting vantage points that you can watch from.