Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
A couple of years ago, I arrived in Montreal on the second leg of a photography assignment for the Canadian Tourism Commission. I dropped my luggage off at my hotel and immediately set out on foot to explore the city. It was not long before I found myself at the Notre-Dame Basilica or Basilique Notre-Dame, as the locals refer to it.
Instead of walking straight to the basilica, I took several shots in and around the square before walking over to the front of the great cathedral. To my good luck, the time lapse while shooting scenes in the vicinity worked to my advantage.
Right in front of one of the large banners proclaiming "And Then There Was Light" was a maintenance worker. He was up a ladder, replacing a light globe. He noticed me as I got my cameras out. Catching my eye, he courteously asked me if I would like him to get down and move the ladder out of the way so I could get an unobstructed view.
I grinned. I told him not to worry. I could get a shot of the basilica at any time. But it would take a huge effort to choreograph someone changing a light globe in front of a sign that said "And Then There Was Light" – at such a magnificent place of spirituality and worship.
As far as timing goes, I could not have been luckier. Maybe there was a little divine intervention on my behalf.
Instead of walking straight to the basilica, I took several shots in and around the square before walking over to the front of the great cathedral. To my good luck, the time lapse while shooting scenes in the vicinity worked to my advantage.
Right in front of one of the large banners proclaiming "And Then There Was Light" was a maintenance worker. He was up a ladder, replacing a light globe. He noticed me as I got my cameras out. Catching my eye, he courteously asked me if I would like him to get down and move the ladder out of the way so I could get an unobstructed view.
I grinned. I told him not to worry. I could get a shot of the basilica at any time. But it would take a huge effort to choreograph someone changing a light globe in front of a sign that said "And Then There Was Light" – at such a magnificent place of spirituality and worship.
As far as timing goes, I could not have been luckier. Maybe there was a little divine intervention on my behalf.
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