Hi everyone, so nice to be back here after a very busy year photographing mostly birds and winter scenery -

We were blessed with great weather on June 13, 2009 - probably the best evening if I have to consider all the rain and wind and nasty weather from last year

I shot again from my main point of view, parc du Havre - there was so much people there, I could not believe it - it must have been all the publicity this year about the 25th anniversary of the pyrotechnical shows. Of course, there were the usual people complaining that I was standing in front of them and blocking their view, never mind that I was there setting up at 7 pm -

All in all, the bickering stopped as the show started and ended way too soon - I could not believe that 30 minutes passed so quickly

So as usual, I am offering photos showing a very different point of view - when I looked at the video from Paul (thanks Paul for that as it shows me everything that I cannot see from my vantage point) -

I will send my favorite six images for the website here but in the meanwhile, you can see them all here: http://pbase.com/rachelita/fireworks2009/panzera


and click here for the slideshow version: http://www.pbase.com/rachelita/panzera&view=slideshow

Have a great day - the weekend is over, the fun is over, I got to get to work hehehe

P.S. I hope the 25th anniversary book was there for sale and that you each got your copy - It was said that it would be offered for sale at La Ronde and in large hotels.

Rachel,

Yes, I saw Saturday night the book available for sale in several shops through La Ronde. It looks very interesting and I plan, for sure, to buy one soon.

Fred

Hi Rachel,

It's great to hear from you again after so long, as well as seeing your stunning fireworks photos! I particularly liked these:

http://www.pbase.com/rachelita/image/113757899

http://www.pbase.com/rachelita/image/113772233

http://www.pbase.com/rachelita/image/113757927

^^^
I loved the single ring shell combo with the salute-terminating stars (always a great combination type for power and buildup for a finale!).

Yes, the time always goes by so quickly during the fireworks - it doesn't even feel like 30 minutes! In all of my years attending the Montreal fireworks competition, every time I look at my watch, or the Molson Center clock, during any given show, it always feels like a period of 10 minutes is the equivalent of a mere couple of minutes! Seriously! It's like every time I look at the time, somehow 5-10 minutes always seems to pass to fast.

As for the weather, yes, Saturday's conditions offered virtually the best settings: comfortable temperatures and humidity levels, suitable wind direction and speed, and rain/showers staying some distance from the area - what a fantastic way to kick off the 25th anniversary. I can't really state identical conditions for this coming Saturday, however, as the models are still relatively tricky to work with, but I can safely tell you that the atmospheric patterns will be quite different for a number of reasons. More details later on tomorrow.

Anyhow, thanks again for the excellent photos, Rachel! Much appreciated, as always. Will you be attending the same location for the remainder of the competition, or will you occasionally shift your position? You additionally picked out a nice viewing angle as well last year for France, as I recall, involving the city in the background. Like last year, I love your vantage point here, too, simply because it incorporates both a nice view of the bridge and some of the rides in the park along side the fireworks! The corresponding reflections of light coming off the water surface are also most inviting. Good stuff!

Trav.

All the photos of the opening show from Panzera are now up and the links at the left of the forum are updated to reflect this.

Enjoy!

Paul.

For those who cannot accept missing the first two minutes of Panzera's display I have uploaded a YouTube video. Nothing special - a little something for the die hards who could not see it in person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kiXc1Y_q78&feature=channel_page

Tyler