Canadian Parliament Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hello TEers
Salut tout le monde

What I present today is the Parliament of Canada (Parlement du Canada) in the blue hour.

Continuing with my dedications to express my gratitude to other members on TE, I would like to dedicate this photo to what I would say the Godfather of the Blue Sky on TE. And that person would be Jean Yves Roure.

Jean Yves was one of the most influential person on TE (among many other people) who helped me in a very complicated decision to decide about which camera I should buy and this is my first posting from the new camera (30D).

What you see in this photo is the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa. I took this photo from across the Ottawa river in Gatineau, Quebec.

I would have liked to capture more reflections in the water, but as for now the only good lens I have is 50mm prime and this is pretty much the best composition that I could get.

Technical feedback for this photo would be very appreciated as I tend to leave for some trekking in the Himalayas in less than two months from now and I need to get a control over my beast before that (my Canon 30D).

To read more about the Parliament of Canada.
Click here

Marche, fertxu, riclopes, PixelTerror, PJE, rafelito, Clairedelune, cam, PLD_images, PDP has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Stepan (27175) 2006-06-01 2:21

A risky pov choice because of the dark part, but an interesting night composition. The light is OK and the reflection works pretty well. A little mysterious finally.
Stéphane

fertxu (325) 2006-06-01 2:33

Hello Sarju
Perfect night composition I like it.thanks
Regards,Fernando

riclopes (33003) 2006-06-01 3:50

What a pleasure to see you, Sarju!!!
Welcome back. Actually, I've learned the 'blue hour' with Aubrey (rosaline), but I remember the night series of Jean Yves, as well.
This night image is fantastic, with amazing attractive colours and a very nice horizontal composition. Yes, I guess that it would be nice to see more reflections in foreground, but I don't know if they were good enough to enhance the image. Did you try a vertical one? Problably you would loose interest...Anyway, a very well suceeded one with lovely architectural buildings.
Cheers,
Ricardo

PixelTerror (86146) 2006-06-01 4:16

Allo Sarju, mon cousin Quebecois !
I see you've been shopping a bit, Congratulations for this major upgrade ! I see you got the best value lens too, given its size and price this 50mm is not to be missed. Did you buy another lens as well ?
A nice blue hour picture where I like the two levels with the gradual elevation of the view, looks nice. Thanks for the dedication but actually as I told to Aleks a few days ago I did not invent the blue hour, it's something I have learnt on TE, if you look at my oldest night posts they were bravely taken during the black hour, it's a strength of the TE to open your eye and lead to to change your habits if you find some benefit to it.
To come back to your picture, I tend to close much more on night shots, generally beyond f/16, no problem if being on a tripod, and don't forget to use the shutter delay or remote control on such shots. I don't know if you shot it RAW or JPG, but from a RAW file, adjusting a bit the temperature to make the warm colors shine a bit more could have been an option worth considering.
Oh, and isn't it time to adapt you intro a bit ? LOL ;-)
Have a nice day and a lot of fun,
Jean-Yves

fabio_ts (13674) 2006-06-01 5:14

Hi Sarju, excellent night shot with lovely reflections, I like it, fine work, compliments!!

have a nice day,
Fabio.

Marche (4307) 2006-06-01 11:12

Bonjour Sarju,
Un nouvel adepte de l'heure, et d'un 30D, très réussi pour une première. Les couleurs sont très belles et très fines, une bonne définition permet d'en apprécier tous les détails.
J'ai de bons souvenirs de cet endroit.
Bonne journée
Martine

mile27 (256) 2006-06-01 20:54

Very nice view, Sarju. I like how you've framed the scene using the Chateau Laurier to the left. The colours are good and the refections on the water add interest. Job well done....

PJE (19453) 2006-06-01 21:31

Sarju I am so glad to see our Canadian Government buildings on Trekearth. The night scene is really lovely. I understand the Parliment buildings recently finished a remodeling in one section. Do you have any photos of that? Thanks for sharing...

placombe (7187) 2006-06-01 23:33

Bonjour Sarju
Excellent pov. I like the lights reflections in the water.
Pierre

bibiweb (8) 2006-06-02 3:27

Hi Sarju,
Congrats for your new camera. You've made a good choice. I've had my 30D for a little over a month and I'm extremely plaesed with it. I see that JY has also converted you to the blue hour and you've managed a very well balanced compo with the parliament on the right and the other building on the left to balance the whole.
Have a nice day.
Brigitte

P.S. Thanks for the flyers. Seems very interesting!

InasiaJones (20323) 2006-06-03 13:19

Hello Sarju,

Great blue hour shot of our Parliament (I can see that Stephen is still working in his office...). You have chosen a great point of view to show us the Chateau Laurier as well, so it almost look like Europe :-D)

It’s cool that you enjoy night shot and I can understand why; I’m a great fan as well.

Please Sarju, now that you have a Canon, you’ll have to change your intro, where you’re mentionning that you are a Nikonist... Yes, you did have your minute of fame because I’ve read all your profil.

Have a great weekend!

André

feather (49862) 2006-06-04 3:25

Welcome back to TE Sarju and with a new camera I see. And what is wrong with NIKON?? :-D
As well as JY have a look at Aubrey Stoll's (user ID rosaline) nightshots of London. He gives lots of advice on his posts too.
This is a good nightshot and exemplary seeing you are learning a new camera. I like the reflections which provide a good balance with the lit-up buildings.
Kath

rafelito (3645) 2006-06-04 17:45

Hi Friend,Welcome again to TE, whenever I pass review to my favorites was finding the light truck as a sign of do not present, you return with new camera, new vigors to share your photos. This night capture seems to me to be excellent and very well compound, we expect to see many shot now with new toy.My best regards, Rafael.see you tomorrow for p

talikf (1290) 2006-06-06 7:17

Hey Sarju, looks like you also were away for a while, the last picture I had seen from you was the panning an this is your only addition. I really like this one, especially the reflections on the water. Well seen! Tali

Clairedelune (4885) 2006-06-06 20:29

Hi Sarju!
Ah! at last! A picture with your new beast! I hope you will keep this one! ;-) Yes, very nice picture of the blue hour. I especially like the blue reflection on the River. It is good to have included the Parliament and the Chateau Laurier as well. I agree with you that more light reflection could have been nice too, but you would have to take care of not cutting the picture in two equal parts. My only technical point would be to suggest a smaller aperture. Since you did not have to bother about DOF, I don't really understand the f/4.5 for this picture. With a smaller aperture, your picture could have been a little bit sharper.
I hope you will enjoy your new friend and make beautiful photos with it in India!
Claire

cam (8880) 2006-06-07 0:32

Welcome back Sarju and congratulation for your new toy.I am sure that you will appreciate it as much as I did for my 20D.I found it quite simple to use,compare to my previous camera.Good idea to fameliarize yourself with it before leaving.
AS for your photo,I like your POV,and composition,classic but the best with an excellent play of the light reflexion on the water.
Charles

rbcy1974 (20742) 2006-06-08 7:56

Hello Sarju
Nice seeing you again
Really wonderful sharp and clear image, the sky colour is wonderful, well managed light.
Regards
Daniel
PS Where did you end up settling down in?

PLD_images (7141) 2006-06-09 8:48

Salut Sarju,

I totally agree with you, The Pixel Terror is one great member of TE (among so many more as yourself) and I to have learned to do "Blue hour shots" from TE. This is a mighty fine exemple of a blue hour shot. I have never seen a photo of our parlement from the side of the Rideau Canal. You have position yourslef so well for this image. The addition of the reflected lights makes this image even better.

Now, you need to change your intro pronto my friend. You have passed from the dark side of the Nikoniste, to the force of the Canoniste. Welcome to the force, young SarjuWalker....
;-)
Congrats on the new camera, I wish you so many great pictures with it.

Yours - Pablo

rosaline (0) 2006-06-12 14:19

Hi Sarju
An impressive building. I remember visiting this place in 2003. The whole of Quebec is gorgeous and one of my most favourite places. I like your shot with good composition and nice blue sky. I, personally, would have gone for a longer exposure to blurr the water more, and get a good star effect from the lights. Overall, though, the shot is great.
Cheers
Aubrey

sergio1 (12150) 2006-06-13 5:35

Hi hi hi my friend
How are you??? i'm fine.
I like this night picture. Good compo and reflecion.
Regards
Sergio

t0mmm1 (5434) 2006-06-20 5:44

Hi Sarju,
you continue with great night shots. Great compo and colours.

jafadabret (39697) 2006-07-04 4:48

Sarju, c'est une réussite cette heure bleue avec les deux bâtiments bien illuminés. La composition est rigoureuse et les couleurs ainsi que les reflets sont superbes.
Jacques

gebala (0) 2006-07-05 4:29

hello,

this is very importment building in ur country;)
I like the way how u showed it
exellent point of view
great colours
great evening shot:)

well taken
have a nice day
rgs

toni_al (15430) 2006-07-05 17:17

Salut Sarju
Belle image nocturne, juste a la bonne heure. Bon cadrage
@+ Toni

capthaddock (28640) 2006-07-20 14:19

The calm water aloowed alluring reflections of the lights, nothing wrong technically except a wider lens would have captured more of the reflected lights, but also would make the buildings smaller.

PDP (439) 2006-07-21 15:04

Hello Sarju, this is a nice shot. I like the lighting with all the reflections. I do think the photo needs a counter clockwise rotation. Lovely shot.