I got the call at around 4pm. The photo editor tells me that all she gets from the photo agencies is politicians. She wants to put « Quebecois enjoying themself » on the front page. « Can you go downtown and see what you can get? » Sure can!

Granby resident Sylvain Brodeur and his mother Claudette sing along during the Quebec city’s 400th anniversary show in front of the National Assembly Thursday July 3, 2008. Photo Francis Vachon for the Montreal Gazette.
Technical: Canon EOS 1D mark II, 1/250 at f4 with a 24-70 at 45mm – ISO 200 + fill flash

Vancouver resident Angela Spacewalker, 5, dances as she sits on her father shoulder, Simon, during the Quebec city’s 400th anniversary show in front of the National Assembly Thursday July 3, 2008. Photo Francis Vachon for the Montreal Gazette.
Technical: Canon EOS 1D mark II, 1/250 at f4 with a 24-70 at 70mm – ISO 200

Elisabethe Bussiere, 4, carefully watches the show as she stands on her uncle’s shoulder during the Quebec city’s 400th anniversary show in front of the National Assembly Thursday July 3, 2008. Photo Francis Vachon for the Montreal Gazette.
Technical: Canon EOS 1D mark II, 1/250 at f7,1 with a 70-200 at 170mm – ISO 200

Quebec Premier Jean Charest hugs Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity Sam Hamad as they inaugurate a soccer field, part of the Promenade Samuel-de-Champlain Tuesday June 24, 2008 in Quebec City. The Promenade, a 2.5km parkway along the St-Lawrence River, is the gift from the government of Quebec to Quebec city for her 400th’s birthday THE CANADIAN PRESS/Francis Vachon
Technical: Canon EOS 1D mark II, 1/2000 at f4.5 with a 24-70 at 67mm – ISO 200

Quebec Premier Jean Charest speaks at the inauguration of the Promenade Samuel-de-Champlain Tuesday June 24, 2008 in Quebec City. The Promenade, a 2.5km parkway along the St-Lawrence River, is the gift from the government of Quebec to Quebec city for her 400th’s birthday THE CANADIAN PRESS/Francis Vachon
Technical: Canon EOS 1D mark II, 1/200 at f16 with a 70-200 at 120mm – ISO 400

Quebec Premier Jean Charest receives the wafer after the VIPs took cover under a tent due to heavy rain at the 49th International Eucharistic Congress on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec city Sunday June 22, 2008 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Francis Vachon
Technical: Canon EOS 1D mark II, 1/80 at f3.2 with a 24-70 at 43mm – ISO 400

A participant to the 49th International Eucharistic Congress gestures on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec city Sunday June 22, 2008 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Francis Vachon
Technical: Canon EOS 20D, 1/1600 at f4 with a 300mm prime lens – ISO 200

Governor General Michaelle Jean and her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond speaks to a member of the Church as their daughter Marie-Eden joins hand at the 49th International Eucharistic Congress on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec city Sunday June 22, 2008 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Francis Vachon
Technical: Canon EOS 20D, 1/1600 at f2.8 with a 300mm prime lens – ISO 200

*****

Towards the end of the ceremony, a huge downpour begins. I’m starting to worry, but I really need a photo of the VIPs (The premier, the Governor General, etc…) receiving the communion so I stay in position.

The security is high, so I’m far away with my 300. And it rains. And it’s taking forever. And it rains. And they are not finishing. I’m really concern with my gear: the rain is like I have never seen before. I decide to bail and take cover under a nearby tent.

It’s still raining like crazy when all of a sudden I see all the VIPs running for cover in the same tent that I am. A priest then tells everyone that anyone who wants to receive the wafer can do so, here and now. And that’s how I was able to turn a 300mm boring shot into a funny close up of the Premier in his raincoat, face still wet.

Saturday May 31, 2008. Fédération des femmes du Québec members take part in a protest in front of the National Assembly in Quebec city. Protesters demands included a minimum wage of $10.43, indexing social assistance payments to the cost of living, free prescriptions for low-income people and more money for feeding kids. Photo Francis Vachon for the Montreal Gazette

Saturday May 24, 2008. Daniel Casgrain puts his hand over his son Charles-Etienne’s shoulder at the funeral of Nancy Michaud, respectively their wife and mother, in Riviere-Ouelle, 150km North East of Quebec City. Michaud, politic aide of Quebec minister Claude Bechard, was abducted at her house and her body was discovered last Sunday. Photo Francis Vachon for the Montreal Gazette

Saturday May 24, 2008. A hands his put on Claude Bechard’ shoulder at the funeral of Nancy Michaud in Riviere-Ouelle, 150km North East of Quebec City. Michaud, politic aide of Quebec minister Claude Bechard, was abducted at her house and her body was discovered last Sunday. Photo Francis Vachon for the Montreal Gazette