I went out a few nights ago to take sunset pictures. I had been aching to get out on a nice summer night to try a new spot Nick and I had found. I wasn’t able to find anyone to go with, so I packed my stuff and went out solo. With potential fireworks that night as well, I figured maybe I would try those out after.
I was able to find parking easy enough and got to the water just before sunset. I composed my shot and took it pretty easy, waiting until the right moment. I was using my Tokina 11-16 which had provided pretty good results so far.
I was finally learning to take my time with the pictures, and it help that it was warm enough to just sit back and relax. I remember reading an article about photographers taking books with them to keep them occupied while they wait. Sounds like a good idea, but I would probably miss the shot if I did that.
Using my GND filter, I got a few ok shots of the skyline. The sunset wasn’t really spectacular and there wasn’t much color in the sky. The one thing I have to start doing is learning from sunsets to see if I can judge when I am going to have a good one. I know clouds are key, but I really need to know more about the different phases.
After about 20 minutes I assumed sunset was pretty much over and I started walking farther into the park/path. I found a great train bridge and was able to capture a train going by during a long exposure (Image Above). The orange of the lights and blueness of the sky really made the image pop. I tend to like ‘Blue Hour’ rather than sunset for cityscapes.
As I walked back to the car, I noticed how cool the city was looking as it started to get darker. I changed lenses to my Canon EF 17-40 since my Tokina was a little wide, and I really wanted to start using the 17-40 more. I was able to get the awesome shot above of the Montreal Skyline as my last shot of the night.
I ditched the fireworks and went home pretty happy with the shoot.
A Few Comments from the Shoot:
- Study different phases of sunset
- GND comes in handy again
- Cityscapes look great during ‘Blue Hour’
- I have to start using my other lenses more. The 17-40 is an awesome lens
Hi,
Welldone for this nice shot of the Skyline. I just arrived in Montreal, and I am looking for a great location to take a shot like that. Could you please tell me where you were?!
Is it at the Parc de la cité du Havre?!
Thanks a lot.
Hey Kevin,
It’s pretty funny to read this today as I decided to go alone Yesterday to this same spot thinking I’d get a good shot of the Skyline during Sunset.
Also with my new Tokina 11-16! 🙂 I’m actually just getting back into photogrpahy again so still learning but got a couple good shots of long exposure at night lately.
The Sunset wasn’t all that great and the 11-16 was just too wide for where I was so I popped in the 50m static and managed to get something a little better.
Took a lot of shots but wasn’t quite satisfied until it was really dark and the light from the building started to really show. I think I might have spent 3 hours there, most likely took more than 80 pictures and I’m pretty sure I’ll be lucky if I get 2 good pictures out of this lol.
Anyway, even though your post is from 5 years ago it was fun to read you and connect. First time on your blog, I’ll browse around a bit to see what you have on this, not even sure if it’s still active.
If you’re instagram feel free to add me I’d be curious to follow your work!
@mrsanjuarez
Have a good one fellow photograph friend!
Francis, funny we had the same issue with the Tokina being to wide. I have only been to this place once. The Montreal skyline is probably one of my popular photographs, but I hate it 🙂 . I have been trying to find time to go back when I can get a pure reflection in the water. It was a little to windy for what I wanted.
The Train Bridge turn out with what I was intending. Maybe before the leaves fall this year I’ll try one more time. Will have the check the wind before I head down 😉