JPG: Photos: ""Christmas Past"" by Rob Roy

"Christmas Past"

Hot! In Nostalgia

by Rob Roy

Uploaded 20 Jan 2009 — 144 favorites

Spotlight courtesy of Dawn Duffield

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Voting open until 13 Dec 2009. Tell a friend!

Snow falls on Quebec's VERY quaint "Quartier Petit Champlain", billed as North America's oldest retail shopping district. Circa 1608. See PROPS 1 & 2 below for a larger image and the official site.

Charles Dickens' "Christmas Carol" was first published on December 19, 1843... Except for electric lights, this scene pre-dates that by nearly 250 years!

BEFORE wind chill it was -33 degrees! Just back from celebrating my daughter's birthday... +25 degrees back home feels warm! Shot 1/18/09 in "mild" snow flurries with a Canon G10 wearing ear muffs and a scarf.

In the "...a few of my favorite things." II photo essay.

Also in the "O Canada!" photo essay.

138 responses

Rob Roy added a link (20 Jan 2009):
Quartier Petit Champlain, Quebec, Canada (www.quartier-...amplain.qc.ca)
Rob Roy added a link (20 Jan 2009):
Larger view... (www.flickr.com)
Einar Egeland gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Is it REAL? Beautiful!
Litz Go gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Wow! wonderful, Rob. It feels like christmas again. Thanks.
Regenia Brabham gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Beautiful shot!!! Looks like a Christmas card and would look great on a calendar.
Romain Chassagne gave props (20 Jan 2009):
wow that's a great shot !! excellent !
Steven Maguire gave props (20 Jan 2009):
A beautifully captured image!!! Love this point of view, Excellent work!!!!
Donald Garrett gave props (20 Jan 2009):
FABULOUS!!! This looks more like a Christmas card than anything Hallmark puts out!! Would love to go back there and have dinner at the Coach House.
Warren ~Mangione~ gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Perfect title and just an amazing shot! This is a super shot!!! The history!
Lynn H gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Perfect!
marilu gave props (20 Jan 2009):
This is one lovely composition! Excellent capture!
Judy Wanamaker gave props (20 Jan 2009):
It looks like a Currier and Ives print. Very dated and extremely beautiful. Splendidly composed. The snow adds so much to the ambience.
Ron LaFond gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Burrr! Beautiful! But burrr! R
John Linton gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Fabulous.
triciamary gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Fantastic shot Rob! You have really taken a step back in time with this shot.
Susan Littlefield gave props (20 Jan 2009):
This one just says Christmas! Beautiful area (in spite of the weather). So glad you captured it..definitely a Hallmark moment!!
Leslie Hunziker gave props (20 Jan 2009):
OMG! I love this shot! It would be perfect in "nostalgia"!
Michael Ball gave props (20 Jan 2009):
WOW!! I'm speechless on this one!! Like Judy said "Currier and Ives"! You hit a Grand Slam with this one my friend!!
Doug Maddock said (20 Jan 2009):
Rob, each year I try to get a shot that I can use to make my own Christmas cards. So far, I don't think any of the ones I've used have come close to this. Great shot. Many kudo's!
Andrea Petersen gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Beautiful image! I love how the buildings are framing the alley between...The lamps on the buildings are reminscent of yesteryear! I hope you can find a theme for this great picture. Maybe Nostalgia?
Joe Schaf gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Rob do you time travel!?! Super Fantastic Awesome Capture!
david ong gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Oh my! one of your best!!!!! i LOVE IT!!!!!!!
Ted Gorczyca gave props (20 Jan 2009):
post card photo, excellent capture, well composed, agree with Mike GRAND SLAM
elfriede fulda gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Ha...right around the corner almost from me,,,I love this...fab...shot...
William Garvey gave props (20 Jan 2009):
What a great shot... Stay warm.
Sonia Adam Murray gave props (20 Jan 2009):
This is really a super capture, well done.
Benny R@mirez gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Magic capture!!
A F gave props (20 Jan 2009):
very cool
June Rhodes gave props (20 Jan 2009):
beautiful
Maurie A gave props (20 Jan 2009):
That's my first thought..... straight out of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" then I read your caption :) I love this.... what a beautiful place!!!
Karen K Smith gave props (20 Jan 2009):
wonderful,magical composition Rob! And great entry!
Oregon Curly gave props (20 Jan 2009):
Absolutely stunning!!
Chessaddict * gave props (21 Jan 2009):
It's chilling... :) Well done !
Meggie Schwendemann gave props (21 Jan 2009):
Great ! looks like the L`alsace / France
Loree McComb gave props (21 Jan 2009):
Absolutely lovely -
Sarah Dudley said (21 Jan 2009):
That is so adorable!! It looks like it should be in Europe somewhere! I love it and its now on my official "places to visit" list! :)
Liliane Paingaud gave props (21 Jan 2009):
Oh! Rob I've been there and it's the cutest place, and your photo is a treasure!
Gail Anderson gave props (21 Jan 2009):
pictures perfect, Rob! i think you stood in the perfect place! (hehehe)
Andrea Petersen gave props (21 Jan 2009):
I am glad you put this timeless picture in Nostalgia theme...Beautiful image representing a bygone era.
Michael Diamond said (22 Jan 2009):
I almost expected to see the shadowy figure of "Scrooge" scowling from a window at the approaching people full of Christmas cheer. Marvelous Olde Worlde Image!
Rob Roy added a link (22 Jan 2009):
From the Marketing Director of the Quartier Petit Champlain:
"Thanks for sharing that. It’s a wonderful shot. It was nice to read the comments too.
Note : that minus 30 was BEFORE taking in account the windchill factor.
I live here and have not seen an actual minus 30 on the thermometer very often (two, maybe three times in my life and never four days in a row)
In fact, one morning – I think it was Friday, the mercury said minus 33 !!!
Geesh, that was violent. Just violent. I admired the tourists who were out walking anyway…
We gripe about Winter all the time here, but in a way we kind of take pride in it too. The freaky cold, raging winds, wild storms define a part of us.
We feel so tough because of the winters we endure year after year after year… brrrrrrr.
Louise Lévesque
Responsable du marketing
Quartier Petit Champlain" (www.quartier-...amplain.qc.ca)
Rob Roy said (22 Jan 2009):
Louise, on this site we call tourists walking outside in weather conditions like those "NUTballs"-- especially when they are out taking pictures! ...and I am one of them! :~)
Ralph Komives gave props (22 Jan 2009):
Very nice, wish I was there.
Martie Last gave props (22 Jan 2009):
Gorgeous scene worth of a Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Card. Simply beautiful!
Angelo Narciso gave props (23 Jan 2009):
well done! one of the most elegant winter shots ever!
Andrew Lorimer gave props (23 Jan 2009):
Absolutely Beautiful !!!
Aubrey's Oma gave props (23 Jan 2009):
OMG this is more beautiful and elegant than any holiday card I've ever seen!
Nancy Richard said (24 Jan 2009):
I absolutely love this!!! Next year's Christmas card? Count me in as another "nutball"!
eithne mythen gave props (24 Jan 2009):
A Majical Shot, A real winner in my opinion.
Samantha Linton gave props (25 Jan 2009):
Beautiful shot - so peaceful and reminiscent of days gone by
Ann Reece gave props (26 Jan 2009):
Very beautiful!!! It looks like it could be a Christmas card, excellent photo!!!
Renee gave props (26 Jan 2009):
beautiful!! immediately thought of Charles Dickens when I saw it!! perfect title and theme photo
Katy Baxter gave props (27 Jan 2009):
I've only been there in the summer, and it was lovely, but it looks absolutely magical here! (good composition in the photo, too)
Bob H gave props (28 Jan 2009):
This is one of your most beautiful shots! It brings back memories for me, and I've never been there. Wonderful work, Rob.
Nathan Brock said (30 Jan 2009):
I love this picture, It defenitly takes you, or at least me, back to the days when Christmas really meant something. You did a good job on this!!
JOE FAILK gave props (16 Mar 2009):
Beautiful Capture well done!
Jamie Webb gave props (19 Mar 2009):
stunning, would love to visit canada especially in the snow!
Molly . gave props (19 Mar 2009):
very nostalgic! almost reminds me of a village on an electric train set or something...
Tomitheos said (25 Mar 2009):
I loved Quebec city, so beautiful and cold, perhaps that is why everything has been preserved
this looks like a postcard
well done!
Karen Roberts gave props (11 Apr 2009):
How wonderful of shot! and I loved the story too!
Tori Lindo gave props (10 May 2009):
This is my Cup o Tea! Love it!
Gregory Mencotti gave props (11 May 2009):
Almost makes me wish it was winter again... NAHHHH!... Fabulous shot, Rob - Love it!
Ted Zahn said (15 May 2009):
Rob, this image takes me back to a wonderous childhood. It is a veritable feast for the eyes and the imagination.
It is also perfectly titled.
Rob Case gave props (21 May 2009):
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT SHOT! Kudos Rob - wow - really well done!
Laurie McCormick said (23 Jul 2009):
Love this also.Great feeling. Good job Rob.
Andria Mikkola gave props (29 Jul 2009):
Wow that makes me like Christmas
Stuart Thomas gave props (5 Aug 2009):
Thanks for the nice memories of the past.
Karen Roberts said (5 Sep 2009):
Back to vote!
ikrema al qudah said (5 Sep 2009):
great
Joe Schaf said (5 Sep 2009):
Back to Vote!
Michael Ball gave props (6 Sep 2009):
BTV! This is such and AWEsome shot!
JOE FAILK gave props (6 Sep 2009):
Back to vote!
Judy Wanamaker said (6 Sep 2009):
back to vote.
david ong said (6 Sep 2009):
btv!
Regenia Brabham said (7 Sep 2009):
I am back to vote.
suzanne said (7 Sep 2009):
Ditto to everything above! Wow!
Litz Go gave props (8 Sep 2009):
back to vote! 3 more months....
Sonia Adam Murray gave props (8 Sep 2009):
Came back to vote.
Dawn Duffield gave props (8 Sep 2009):
Wonderfully nostalgic and very warm capture :-)
Andrea Petersen gave props (9 Sep 2009):
I truly love this picture ...it is a winner! You have my vote!
elfriede fulda gave props (11 Sep 2009):
My vote for sure,,I totally love this one...
John Linton gave props (11 Sep 2009):
Oh YEAH! Rad!
Tori Lindo gave props (12 Sep 2009):
BTV I love this photo everytime I look at it I want to get a cup of hot chocolate!
Tori Lindo gave props (12 Sep 2009):
P.S. if you ever decide to make it a Xmas card let me know.
Betty Maxey gave props (15 Sep 2009):
Wow...I love this.....you really could sell this as Christmas cards!!!
Deborah Downes gave props (16 Sep 2009):
Though I'm not ready for Christmas, this sure brings on all the wonderful feelings associated with it. Wonderful entry, my friend. Wish I could vote more than once.
Matt. Fletcher gave props (16 Sep 2009):
YEAH! Rad!
Susan Littlefield said (17 Sep 2009):
BTV
Sarah Terokowskie gave props (17 Sep 2009):
OMG I love this shot!!
Patrick Westerfield gave props (19 Sep 2009):
Pefect shot for the Nostalgia theme.
Michael Lynch gave props (24 Sep 2009):
Awesome Theme Entry. Santa sez:"YEAH" !!!
Jackie Smith said (24 Sep 2009):
this is awesome
Ron LaFond gave props (27 Sep 2009):
Back to vote "Yeah!" R
Michael Ball gave props (27 Sep 2009):
This is one of my most favorite shots!!!
Maurie A gave props (27 Sep 2009):
Yes... one of my favorites too..... came by to vote!!
Natalie S gave props (27 Sep 2009):
Rob - this is an immediate favorite!!! PERFECT for the theme. Beautiful feeling.
Grigoriy A gave props (27 Sep 2009):
excellent
Catherine Kurvink gave props (28 Sep 2009):
I love this image so much :-) A beautiful capture.
Gloria Childers gave props (28 Sep 2009):
Voted. Love it.
Ed Puskas gave props (29 Sep 2009):
Beautiful shot, gets my vote!
Regenia Brabham gave props (1 Oct 2009):
I could have sworn that I voted on this fantastic picture. I am back to fix my oversite.
GayleMarie Jones gave props (1 Oct 2009):
OMG!! This is so beautiful! It's like a painting. I sure hope it is published. I am voting for you!
Timothy Ditzman said (1 Oct 2009):
What an amazing capture!
Bruce Miller gave props (1 Oct 2009):
I love Quebec city but, teah, it can be really cold in winter
Martin E. Morris gave props (5 Oct 2009):
Without the Coca-Cola sign this could be a scene from a Charles Dickens novel.Great shot get's my vote!!!
Mary Brown gave props (6 Oct 2009):
This right out of the storybooks! So reminiscent of the past. Beautiful! You have my vote.
Marie-Suzanne Nunes gave props (9 Oct 2009):
Excellent work!
Marie-Suzanne Nunes gave props (9 Oct 2009):
Came back to vote!
Nancy Charter Kechnie Goatbe said (10 Oct 2009):
beautiful! like a painting
Vidyavati Chandan gave props (10 Oct 2009):
voted!
Mykola Swarnyk gave props (11 Oct 2009):
Magic combination of the cold winter day light and warm electric lights! Very nostalgic!
Graham Skingley said (11 Oct 2009):
Wonderful shot. Fabulous work.
Steven Maguire gave props (12 Oct 2009):
Back to vote, on this wonderful image!!!!
Frank Summers gave props (12 Oct 2009):
GMV! WOW Great Shot!
Micci Shannon gave props (13 Oct 2009):
BEAUTIFUL shot! Looks like it's straight out of "A Christmas Carol."
Bentzion Elisha gave props (14 Oct 2009):
great!
A. M. gave props (16 Oct 2009):
Wow! It looks like a movie set! I want to go there!!
Christopher J Chalk gave props (17 Oct 2009):
Stunning, it looks like a scene from Harry Potter's hamlet in England! Great Essays and images too. Voted.
Yasmina Baggili gave props (18 Oct 2009):
voted for this wonderful shot. Well done
Maura Wolfson-Foster gave props (18 Oct 2009):
Captivating romantic photo......voted!
Donald Brainard gave props (23 Oct 2009):
This is a very special piece of work...Fits the theme better than anything else .
Ken McElroy gave props (25 Oct 2009):
Yeah . . . my vote. How could you compete with this?
Elizabeth Saporito gave props (29 Oct 2009):
Perfect for the theme!
Mario Scattoloni gave props (30 Oct 2009):
Picture perfect in every sense. U caught a moment of pure beauty. Great images overall BTW.
Hassan al Raisi said (2 Nov 2009):
Perfect >> excellent photo >> voted
Agus Achmadyana gave props (6 Nov 2009):
Beatifull
Jeannine St-Amour said (6 Nov 2009):
What a great shot. Quebec city has always been my favorite city. If it was not of the harsh winter, I would move there in a minute.
Richard Hall gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Place I have always wanted to see. Great photo.
Taylor Ashley gave props (12 Nov 2009):
this is just the perfect wintery shot.
Fadi Tarawneh gave props (13 Nov 2009):
Beautiful capture! got my vote!
Linda Houghton gave props (14 Nov 2009):
OMG This is so beautiful!!!!! What a picture for a card - surly you have done that
Mike McReynolds gave props (18 Nov 2009):
Wow - Very old-school, Dickens-y classic! Work of Art. Fave.
Sara Knick gave props (20 Nov 2009):
Voted!
Debrah Leonard gave props (22 Nov 2009):
BTV for the second time!!!
Leanne Silva gave props (22 Nov 2009):
Very clear and very festive!
Dawn Duffield gave props (23 Nov 2009):
How did I vote for this and forget to favor? Oooohhhhhh...I'll bet it was the same day that I looked at the essay...I was anxious!
francesco scipioni gave props (23 Nov 2009):
Wonderland! yes again
Alanna Shea gave props (23 Nov 2009):
The feeling here is so wonderful - Christmas is my favorite time of year and this captures it perfectly!