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- Orland Park, IL
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I just returned from a four day trip to Toronto. I was overwhelmed by the amount of interesting photography subjects. Fortunately, I stayed at a downtown hotel so that I was able to walk to all of the downtown sites. I logged 48 miles of walking over those four days...with gear!
Here are a dozen of my favorites from the trip. In future posts, I'll share more images of architectural abstracts and reflections.
1- Nathan Phillips Square and City Hall
2- Allen Lambert Galleria
3- Chinatown
4- Richmond-Adelaide Centre
5- Eaton Centre
6- One of many reflections on the downtown skyscrapers
7- Aga Khan Museum
8- Eaton Centre pedestrian bridge
9- City Hall
10- An urban rose
11- Architectural abstract
12- Toronto skyline
A few photography notes...
#1: This was looking to be a frustrating experience. My first attempt at this failed due to a large event at the square. On my last night, I was set up for the photograph but that crowds were large and people were sitting inside the letters of the Toronto sign and many were standing in front of the sign. Fortunately most people left once the blue hour arrived! This is a blend of five exposures to control the shadows and highlights.
#2: After I captured this image, I was asked by security to stop shooting. This was rather frustrating because as I was leaving I noticed 8 other photographers shooting in the space as well. I am guessing it was my tripod that led to my early departure.
#3: This shot was handheld due to the tight spaces.
#4: I happened to look up and saw this. I was attracted by the clean lines and negative space.
#5: The third time was a charm for this one. The pedestrian bridge was closed on my first attempt. The opening at the end of the bridge was a mess due to construction. I tried using Photoshop's generative AI to fill in the ugly space. I ended up going with the steel doors...although it doesn't make much sense, I liked it. This was my first attempt at the AI...and perhaps my last!
#6: There were awesome reflections everywhere I looked. I think I ended up with more than 70 architectural abstract photos from the trip.
#7: The Aga Khan Museum is the only site that I drove to as it is located about 9 miles from downtown. Security approached me to ask what I was doing. I pointed to the signs that said photography is encouraged and to please post photos to social media!
#8: I found architectural abstract everywhere.
#9: The light was atrocious that afternoon...super bright direct harsh sunlight. But, I think it almost works for this image. I had to lay on my back for this one.
#10: I came across some unusual sculptures along the lakefront. This is a small section of one of the sculptures that reminded me of a rose. I took the liberty to add a bit of color to the white sculpture.
#11: This one took a few visits. One challenge with reflections is that sometimes the sun shines too bright and sections of the glass become blinding. I returned after the sun moved to a more favorable angle. My polarizer got a workout.
#12: This one involved walking to the ferry terminal and taking the ferry to the Toronto Islands early one morning. I tried a few things. I used a 10 stop ND for a long exposure. I shot 9 vertical frames to create a high resolution panoramic shot that ended up at 17,000 pixels across. In the end, this photo is a composite of a number of images...the panoramic for the buildings, a blurred approach for the water, and a slightly different sky...for the trifecta!
Thanks for looking...and for reading!
Glenn
Here are a dozen of my favorites from the trip. In future posts, I'll share more images of architectural abstracts and reflections.
1- Nathan Phillips Square and City Hall
2- Allen Lambert Galleria
3- Chinatown
4- Richmond-Adelaide Centre
5- Eaton Centre
6- One of many reflections on the downtown skyscrapers
7- Aga Khan Museum
8- Eaton Centre pedestrian bridge
9- City Hall
10- An urban rose
11- Architectural abstract
12- Toronto skyline
A few photography notes...
#1: This was looking to be a frustrating experience. My first attempt at this failed due to a large event at the square. On my last night, I was set up for the photograph but that crowds were large and people were sitting inside the letters of the Toronto sign and many were standing in front of the sign. Fortunately most people left once the blue hour arrived! This is a blend of five exposures to control the shadows and highlights.
#2: After I captured this image, I was asked by security to stop shooting. This was rather frustrating because as I was leaving I noticed 8 other photographers shooting in the space as well. I am guessing it was my tripod that led to my early departure.
#3: This shot was handheld due to the tight spaces.
#4: I happened to look up and saw this. I was attracted by the clean lines and negative space.
#5: The third time was a charm for this one. The pedestrian bridge was closed on my first attempt. The opening at the end of the bridge was a mess due to construction. I tried using Photoshop's generative AI to fill in the ugly space. I ended up going with the steel doors...although it doesn't make much sense, I liked it. This was my first attempt at the AI...and perhaps my last!
#6: There were awesome reflections everywhere I looked. I think I ended up with more than 70 architectural abstract photos from the trip.
#7: The Aga Khan Museum is the only site that I drove to as it is located about 9 miles from downtown. Security approached me to ask what I was doing. I pointed to the signs that said photography is encouraged and to please post photos to social media!
#8: I found architectural abstract everywhere.
#9: The light was atrocious that afternoon...super bright direct harsh sunlight. But, I think it almost works for this image. I had to lay on my back for this one.
#10: I came across some unusual sculptures along the lakefront. This is a small section of one of the sculptures that reminded me of a rose. I took the liberty to add a bit of color to the white sculpture.
#11: This one took a few visits. One challenge with reflections is that sometimes the sun shines too bright and sections of the glass become blinding. I returned after the sun moved to a more favorable angle. My polarizer got a workout.
#12: This one involved walking to the ferry terminal and taking the ferry to the Toronto Islands early one morning. I tried a few things. I used a 10 stop ND for a long exposure. I shot 9 vertical frames to create a high resolution panoramic shot that ended up at 17,000 pixels across. In the end, this photo is a composite of a number of images...the panoramic for the buildings, a blurred approach for the water, and a slightly different sky...for the trifecta!
Thanks for looking...and for reading!
Glenn
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/34/34117-1b7262554b31c443fa8f93830807c578.jpg?1619736287)
