Why is Montreal so Easy to Photograph?

In this video I talk about the many elements that make Montreal so easy to photograph. We go over walkability, accessibility, affordability, and certain geographical features and how these aspects make street photography easier. I share some clips and photos from my time in the city, and some personal experiences as well :)
Music:
All of Me- Teddy Wilson
Liebestraum- Liszt
Liebesleid- Rachmaninoff
Notcurne in F Sharp Minor Op 15 No 2- Chopin
Nocturne in G Major Op 37 No 2- Chopin

[@Juleslechat]

Happy to hear you enjoyed my home town. It’s nice to hear something positive. Next time you are in Montreal, take a couple of days to go to Quebec City. The transit system is not as good, however, you’ll love old Quebec. Just as beautiful as Montreal with an even greater European influence. Happy travels, and keep shooting.

[@visualsciencelabkirktuck3834]

Wonderful. I love Montreal. So different from my daily life in Austin, Texas. Such a nice culture. And...a great video. Really great!!!

[@BillyHopscotch]

If you liked Montreal, Quebec City is worth a visit too! Only thing that I struggled with was the Quebec laws about photographing people on the street-even though I wasn't making strangers the center of my images, I was still concerned about someone arguing with me.

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

That's a really good point that I hadn't considered! Luckily I didn't encounter any issues, but sounds like something to keep in mind!

[@BillyHopscotch]

@@YvonneHansonPhotography I think it's definitely in the "unlikely but possible" category, and even if they argue with you it's debatable whether there's anything illegal until you publish the photos. As an American tourist I just played it safe!

[@JohannesS]

I have been a street/urban photographer in Montreal for well over 20 years. I've never experienced any issues with photographing people. What thay aim to protect against is the likes of a "Bruce Gilden" type of photographer, who gets into your personal space, or photographers taking photographs of children without consent, to name a couple of examples.

[@vincentlamoureux422]

Great video! Makes me happy to live in Montreal!

[@gamers_spot]

Great video

[@marc.s.moisan]

This was a great video! Thank you.

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

Thanks very much for watching!

[@mythicbone]

Thanks for the video. My city! Yes, Montreal have so many things to photograph in every seasons :)

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

I can't wait to return! I want to experience it in the winter some time >:)

[@AlexLuyckxPhoto]

I love Montreal as a city for all the reasons you mentioned. I've only visited twice, I nearly visited a couple years ago in May, but that got kyboshed thanks to the pandemic. I hope to visit again next year and share the city with my wife and son! I could spend days just wandering and exploring every part. Plus, there's a handful of really good photography shops! As someone who frequents Toronto more often I want to hear your thoughts on the city!

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

I totally didn't mention the photography shops in Montreal but now I wish I had! I had no problem finding places to buy and develop film there, and replace a broken film camera as well. Honestly picked up some really interesting vintage film stocks last trip too! haha, notes for what to include in my next video. I'm planning to go back to Toronto some time late next year, so stay tuned for that video!

[@tonycapo8015]

Thanks for making this video there is not much on photography in Montreal I am born and raised here and still trying to get a good street photography day in I just gotta keep practicing lol

[@NPJensen]

Okay, I stopped the video less than 1:30 into it, because I had to get this down... Maybe it's because I live in Europe in a city counting age in millennia rather than centuries, but Montreal is in no way an old city - it just isn't! Montreal looks like a very modern, new city based on your photos. Try visiting pretty much anywhere in Europe, and you'll find truly old cities with high accessibility. That being said, I agree with you on places vs. spaces, and I think you really nailed it with your photos. Nicely done 👍

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

Haha, it is one of the oldest cities in my country, and has the oldest building in Canada in it! I guess I'm speaking relative to the other cities I see frequently on this side of the pond! That said, I have visited Europe and I agree you have a few extra Millenia of history to draw from! Hahaha, thank you for watching :)

[@JohannesS]

Being a resident of Montreal since I was born here, I can categorically say that you are incorrect. I suggest you do a little background history on Montreal and Quebec in general, to see just how far back our history goes.Ville-Marie, which went on to become the colony known as Montreal, was founded on May 17th, 1642.

[@maxrockatansky2003]

You can easily get lost in that cemetary. It is the biggest one in Canada with over a million people interred there. You're right, it's a beautiful and peaceful place.

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

Over a million people! That's wild, I had no idea. Absolutely a beautiful place though, the care of all those people's loved ones really shows.

[@wnose]

If you'd liked Montreal, I highly suggest visiting Singapore/Malaysia/Bangkok. You'll have no shortage of opportunity for street, architectural and coastal photography.

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

Singapore is definitely on my bucket list for the next two years- there's so much about that place that I find fascinating, and I would LOVE to explore it!

[@wnose]

@@YvonneHansonPhotography A lot of people say Singapore is expensive but if you eat like a local at the food courts (they call them hawker centers), you would be VERY well fed. And everything is in English, too!

[@nelsonm.5044]

If you loved Mtl, you could love Quebec City. Quebec City did a much better job at keeping its old architecture. They have buildings dating from early 1770's, small streets, cobble streets, very old churches. No subway system but they have a good bus system. The city is smaller in size compare to Mtl so you can cover a lot by walking

[@YvonneHansonPhotography]

I actually meant to take a bus over there when I was in Montreal because I've heard such great things about it! It's absolutely on my bucket list for next time I take a trip out east!

[@theluckystreet]

Montreal people are so open minded.