On the occasion of the launch of the Mural festival, the French artist Saype created an immense work at the foot of Mount Royal. Designed in early June with an eco-responsible paint that dissolved in about two weeks, it has now disappeared. However, even just after its completion, it was not easy to admire the fresco from the ground floor. As a trainee photographer for La Presse, I can always rely on technology to see things better, whether it’s through a long focal length lens, a wide angle or even, in this case, a drone. A few seconds of flight were enough to contemplate the work as a whole and, at the same time, admire the city.
Charles William Peltier, The Press
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, THE PRESS
Fire 172, an uncontrollable fire monster, ravaged hundreds of kilometers of forest there.
I was dispatched to the North Shore at the beginning of last month to cover the immense forest fires which forced the evacuation of nearly 10,000 people. Fire 172, an uncontrollable fire monster, ravaged hundreds of kilometers of forest there. On June 3, the entire population of Sept-Îles was hoping for good news from SOPFEU. While waiting, I took photos in the Sainte-Famille district, looking for a scene that would sum up the uncertainty and the state of mind of the place. From my first steps in the park, I noticed this perfect scene: children playing under a sun veiled by smoke. One of them was watching a toy plane, reminiscent of the hard work of the CL-415s protecting the area.
Martin Tremblay, The Press
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher
Aware of the importance of understanding the realities experienced by people in vulnerable situations, Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher is preparing to spend a night in room 4-10 of La Maison du Père on June 5. This room is normally for men engaged in a rehabilitation process in the hope of breaking free from the streets and rebuilding their lives. I had the chance to follow the chief of police for two days, as he immersed himself in daily life, the palpable difficulties and the budding hopes of vulnerable populations. The experience has given the police chief an in-depth understanding of the challenges they face.
Olivier Jean, The Press
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Robert Charlebois
“The first three songs. This is the time generally allotted to photographers when they are given access to the front of the stage for a show. They must then leave the field open to the spectators. The instruction was in effect for the performance of Robert Charlebois, at the end of the Francos, on June 17. Arrived early despite the rain, the crowd deserved a good one show. As many photographers were there, you had to play around to be well placed. Towards the end of the third song, already well served by the singer, photographers began to clear the front of the stage. More or less satisfied with my photos, I took advantage of their departure to place myself right in the center, just in front of Crazy Garou, who then offered me this photo on a silver platter.
Dominick Gravel, The Press
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The Holi Festival, in the Old Port of Montreal
On June 24, I had to go to the Holi festival in the Old Port of Montreal. On the occasion of this traditional Indian festival, the participants toss colored powder made from corn starch in a great burst of joy. My boss had warned me: “Get an old device because it seeps everywhere, this little powder. At first I had promised myself to stay on the periphery so as not to be too much the target of other people’s happiness, but because I was working with an almost obsolete tool, I was able to enter the dance with confidence to take this photo.
Dominick Gravel, The Press
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
A tree frog at Mont Saint-Bruno
I had the chance to follow the SEPAQ people when they released tree frogs into bodies of water at Mont Saint-Bruno. These frogs were ready to live on their own, transported in coolers on the back of golf carts. It took several efforts from the team to cross the forest, the grass being too high in places. We would have believed ourselves in the African savannah. Arrived on site, I was very happy to be able to immortalize these small amphibians in their natural habitat, in particular this specimen perched on a blade of grass.