Festival Mode & Design - Montreal

Montreal is one of the fashion meccas of the world and is known for its diverse looks and multi-talented designs. To the world, Montreal is known for it's many wonderful festivals including the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs festival. The Festival Mode and Design is no exception.

This festival showcases many fashions of well known brands and labels including Bedo, Dom Rebel and Foxy Jeans. It also features local designers, schools of design and now more integrated music performances including a performance by K-OS. The festival has also been expanded to reach from De Maisonneuve to Cathcart and the Place Ville Marie esplanade. The major highlight will be Saturday Night with the festival's lingerie and music performance.

Photographers are definitely allowed on the site but be warned, if you want the best shots, be ready to bunker down hours ahead and to deal with the immensely large crowds. I've shot freelance style at the festival for a few years and I can share with you a few tips:

• Depending on lighting, be ready to use a monopod for stability. I tried this once and found it more got in the way of my shots, so a Shake Reduction of image stabalization system will make it easier.
• Bring an 18-50, 17-70, 18-135, 50-135 or ideally 70-200mm f/2.8 lens for those runway shots.
• Although regular lenses will work with high ISO (800-1600), F/2.8 lenses will work best.
• Bring a portable strobe (flash).
• Use Av if you aren't comfortable with manual, set you WB and remember to use the selectable focus point on the eyes of the models.

With all that in mind, this is one of the few events of the year that many amateurs DSLR owners come to play photographer and practice their skills. It's certainly been a great testing ground for myself. Although many will be out and about trying to get THE SHOT (as I will be once again), please do try to be considerate and respectful of others. That way, we can all enjoy the fun and excitement of the Montreal Festival Mode & Design.

The festival is free to attend and will run from June 17-20 on McGill College.
The schedule of the runway shows is available downtown at the Eaton Center or online. Click the title for the link.