Snow Bath in Quebec City Photo

Photographer’s Note

La Plage de Bonhomme.
This was the scene, yesterday at Carnaval de Quebec.

It was a cold day with the temperatures dipping to -18 C with the windchill. But these 75 men and women were brave enough to endure these temperatures and came out for this activity. Their only protection against the cold: a bathing suit !

Carnval de Quebec is the largest winter carnival in the world. Since the beginning of this French colony, the habitants of New France formed a rowdy tradition of getting together just before Lent to eat, drink and be merry. Already at this era, this intense period of revelry was designated as the Carnival - a word of Italian origin that signifies Mardi Gras. The tradition of celebrating at the end of January until mid-February is a custom long in progress.
Source: Official Website

PS: I just returned from a fantastic weekend at Quebec City where I met many of my friends studying at Laval University. I had some great time over there, the trip made me realize once again why I like this city sooo much ... most likely because of the people living in it .

faganrodney, jaja1970, ktanska, riclopes, asajernigan, isabela_sor, singuanti, UlfE, digi-mom, PixelTerror, nivaldo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

faganrodney (496) 2007-02-11 21:31

You have done a good job to capture a moment of the Quebec culture. I like how you chose to present it as a panorama. If you crop out the snow you would think they are in the south rather than the frigid -18°C of Quebec winter. TFS Rodney

Manamo (3472) 2007-02-11 22:17

Hello Sarju,
I'm glad you posted a picture of the snow bath because I would have liked to go but I was unable to. I'm glad as well you chose a shot with a beautiful girl in front:D It's good advertising for our city!!!:D
The small version looks very soft but the large version is super sharp! Just perfect! I like the numerous vivid colors but most of all is the joy in the face of the participants. Very good as well to have Bonhomme in the frame!:D
I'm glad you spent a good time here!
Marc

nmess (2285) 2007-02-11 23:05

Whoa... Way too cold for my taste Sarju. Beautiful shot.. beatutiful women.. great capture of the action... Might be tempted to call this a "free frame"

jaja1970 (1286) 2007-02-12 1:17

Hi Sarju,

Wooow! Great Job! It is Coooooool.

Great colors and pov.

Well done,

Javad.

ktanska (16530) 2007-02-12 4:32

Hi Sarju,
Excellent, sunny and joyful shot of this winter carneval. Looks good, especially in large size.
In Finland there were winter swimming championships last week in about similar conditions.
Kari

riclopes (32971) 2007-02-12 4:42

All right, Sarju! How nice to see you here again and I'm glad that you had fun in Quebec city :)))
First thing I though here was, what the hell was this freak image: it must be freezing in there! These guys are completely nuts, or may be drunk...lol. The large version is for sure very attractive, especially those pretty girls...they really look good in bathing suit ;-) Great set of joy and colors in a winter/summer atmosphere, with snow instead of sand. Crazy people!!!!!
Did you also tried to be naked, as well?
Cheers,
Ricardo

asajernigan (14090) 2007-02-12 6:07

Sarju,
What a crazy bunch of people! The lighting and colors are great with excellent sharpness and DOF. This is a nice humorous special event photo.
TFS,
Asa

singuanti (15240) 2007-02-12 22:29

Hi Sarju. Oh you crazy Canucks! :) The panorama was an ideal format to show this wild scene off. I hope everyone had a few beers in them to warm them up, lol! tfs Sarju.

isabela_sor (42078) 2007-02-13 3:37

I really don't want to tyry this :::))))I love snow ....but... :)They have a lot of fun there :)
Good framing and joyful shot
Isabela

UlfE (8965) 2007-02-17 5:45

Hi Sarju,

A very funny and amusing shot. I really enjoy it. Excellent framing and very colorful. Have a nice week-end!

Cheers,

Ulf

hoorge (1434) 2007-02-17 10:54

I like this pano shot. The girls in bikini obviously attracted me to this picture. Nice note too. The pov is pretty good but I'm not sure of the clarity. It seems like it's missing some sharpness especially in the center of the shot. It could just be me, my computer, or my vision but that's what i see.

PixelTerror (86058) 2007-02-22 4:42

Salut Cousin !
So you're back in Canada ? or is this the Dominican Republic ?
A nice beachside photo with lots of fun to be seen, but reading the context setting note info it gets another dimension, indeed a confirmation Canadians are crossed with polar bears ;-))
Have a nice day,
Jean-Yves

cam (8880) 2007-02-28 20:55

Hi Sarju
Well,well,always at the most interresting place I see,and you are right,who can beat a beach,white sand provided and the sunstroke is already showing,almost instant.
Keep having fun.
What are you doing on june the 9.A te meet is getting organised in Montreal,Sasha(designsoul)should come.
You want to come,Harjit(hoorge)is organising it.Hope you will be able to make it.Will like to meet you in the flesh....
Bye for now
Charles

nivaldo (13043) 2007-05-13 0:47

Salut Sarju,
Quite different from Brazilian Carnaval, specially the Carnaval in Recife (see Galo da Madrugada on Google).
A very interesting photo and note.
TFS,
Um abraço,
amicalement,
Nivaldo