Priest Michel Poitras

Priest Michel PoitrasPriest Michel Poitras poses in front of some of the items that were brought back last week after a public appeal for their return. The St. Augustin-de-Desmaures Church was robbed in early January of several historic silver pieces. Photo Francis Vachon for The Montreal Gazette.
Technical: Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 1/80 at f6,3 with a 16-35 at 33mm – ISO 250, 3 flashes: One on the right bounced into an umbrella to the silver pieces, one direct flash 45 degree left snooted on his face, one direct flash on 45 degree from subject back left side

A couple of years ago, before I knew I was going to make a living with photography, I was shooting for a small wrestling federation in my hometown of Quebec City. At that time, I was shooting with a Rebel with a kit lens, then with a 20D with a Sigma 24-70. With the Rebel, I was using the pop-up flash, and with the 20D I was using an on-camera 420ex speedlight.

Yesterday was a back in time night for me. There was a special wrestling show held by two wrestler I met at that time, and I asked them to take pictures. This time, I was going to do it with professional equipment, Strobist style.

I put 3 550ex speedlight up on the mezzanine, allowing me to have a nice light at 400 ISO, 1/250 at f2.8 (1/250 is the max sync speed for Canon). You can see the lighting diagram here.

You can compare the pictures below with my “best shot” of my early years. I think the difference is pretty obvious!

Scott MatrixScott Matrix gets back to the locker room at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

Antonio Corsi - Matt Falco - Michael StyleMichael Style (right) team up with Matt Falco to give Antonio Corsi (left) some pain at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

marko Estrada.jpgMarko Estrada watches his opponent getting back to the locker room at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008

Damian Steele - GiovanniDamian Steel (right) tries to evade a hold from Giovanni at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008

Jake Matthews - Sunny War CloudSunny War Cloud (left) and Jake Matthews fight at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

Sunny War Cloud - GiovanniGiovanni (left) looks on his partner Sunny War Cloud (right) at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

Franky The MobsterFranky The Mobster trash talks his opponent before a fight at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

Franky The Mobster & TitusTitus applies a hold on Franky The Mobster at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

Roderick StrongRoderick Strong waits for his opponent at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

Roderick Strong Vs Marko EstradaRoderick Strong gives some pain to Marko Estrada at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

Marko EstradaDespite loosing his match, Marko Estrada is congratulated by the crowd at the « Night of Excellence » wrestling show held at CEGEP de Limoilou January 18, 2008.

And as a little bonus: a time lapse!

Jean-Rock PedneaultTown counselor Jean-Rock Pedneault poses in front of the city Hall of Alma (Quebec), 250km north of Quebec City January 16, 2008. With the death of soldier Richard Renaud, Alma is the latest town saddened by losing one of it’s citizen. Photo Francis Vachon for The Globe and Mail.
Technical: Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 1/250 at f6,3 with a 70-200 at 108mm – ISO 200, direct flash on camera right

IGACustomers get in and out of an IGA grocery store in Alma (Quebec) where soldier Richard Renaud used to work before enrolling with the military. Renaud was killed when the vehicle he was riding in was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Jan.15. Photo Francis Vachon for The Globe and Mail.
Technical: Canon EOS 20D, 1/200 at f7,1 with a 16-35 at 23mm – ISO 200

La chute Kabir Kouba en hiverMeasuring 28 metres, Kabir Kouba Falls, whose name means « the river of a thousand meanders », are on the Saint-Charles River and fall to the rocks of the Canadian Shield directly below. The surrounding canyon is 42 metres deep, and can be viewed from footpaths in the Parc de la Falaise along the river and through the woods. This is an excellent site to observe the rich plant life and to see fossils dating back over 455 million years . Many Huron-Wendat myths and legends are associated with this site.
Technical: Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 1/8 at f22 with a 16-35 at 18mm – ISO 50


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