Article: The 6 (Surprising) Best Cities for Photographers to Live and Work

I have to admit, I take my city for granted!  I guess because I have lived here all my life, I forget there is a certain charm of Toronto.  There is an incredible amount of natural beauty in this city, juxtaposed with a lot of man-made beauty, that encroaches, but never overtakes that natural.  Of course, we also have an amazing thriving film industry.

Read about The 6 (Surprising) Best Cities for Photographers to Live and Work.

Yay for Toronto! Time to be a photo-tourist in my own town, again... This is where we belong!

Day 358 - Ever have one of those days...

I guess this photo can now be from "the archives"... it's been about a year since I took this photo. It was one of many that I took trying to get the shot I wanted.  I was looking for a picture to edit and post for today, and this is the one I chose, because while looking at it, I realized, it perfectly reflects how my head is feeling right now.

Day 356 - Let me shade you for awhile...

I really like this shot.  It's like the tree is leaning over the bench saying, let me shade you for awhile...

Day 355 - Lines

My camera seems to be cooperating again!  Yay! So, this is from today...

I'm still trying to figure out what I feel about this shot.  I was trying to capture the train tracks through the fence. A lot of different lines, with the leaves framing them... the jury is still out...

Day 349 - Waiting for the perfect shot

So, I'm going to be a dinner tonight, so don't have a lot of time today. I found this unedited photo from a week(?) ago.  As I was walking down town, I saw this tree canopy, which I haven't seen in years...mostyly because I didn't stop to look. It has been filling in, and I really liked the way it looked.  Had to take my picture from across the street, to frame the image the way I wanted. I ended up taking two photos, since I wasn't able to stay long.  Both of these pictures were not perfect. The first had a car zooming through.  This one, I don't mind the cyclist, what I don't like is the woman on the left who is about to fall out of shot. If I had had more time, I would have waited for the perfect shot, and I'm sure I would have gotten it.

Day 346 - Starving!

Can you guess where I was today? Just placing an order with my sister for an event at her school.  I was fasting, so sitting there watching all this food come out to the tables was torture!

Day 344 - "Let me rest in peace..."

This was from Thursday.  It was a beautiful day out, and all the urban creatures were out doing whatever it is that they do.  As I was photographing this tree, I noticed this little guy sleeping.  I stood there for a minute to figure out how close I could get to photograph him.  As I stood there, he opened his eyes, just a crack, turned towards me, as if to say, "That's far enough." He then put his head down, and tried to continue sleeping.

Day 334 - What place belongs to you?

This was on the ground in the Stockyards area.  Such a great reminder to take ownership and great care of the places we love.

Day 323 - Cityscape in construction

When I took this picture I didn't actually notice the cranes on the building.  When I as editing, I noticed them, and it really is not surprising.  The skyline is always under construction, sometimes I wonder if it will ever be done...

Day 322 - Swimming along

This looks more like it... though with the rain, I think maybe the gulls are avoiding the waters today too.

Day 321 - "Yup, the water's still too cold"

Even this gull, who swims in the cold waters all the time, is testing the waters! Doesn't he look miffed?

Day 316 - Selecting the Focus

Dunno what it is about this picture I like, but I absolutely love it.  I tried this shot a few times, first focussing on the water, then on the sand, and then this one.  This one was my favourite.  I actually didn't like the others.

Day 315 - Foiled by an old sloooow camera

So, this is what happens when you are patient, you set up your shot and then your camera foils the perfect shot...

Time for a new camera? Yes.

Day 306 - Getting the shot

When I'm with other people, I'm cognizant of the fact that they might not care to watch me find my perfect shot, so often I make due with what I can get.  Even if this is the case, I will not "spray and pray".  I try to make the best of my situation, and get the best shot I can get in the given circumstances.

When I shot this picture, I was not with anyone, who may have talked some sense into me to not try and climb down to the water.  I had passed this area a few times earlier in the week, and kept wanting to take a picture, but didn't attempt it from the vantage point I wanted to... this day, no one was around, and it was pretty dry so, I climbed down close to the water tried to take my picture.  Unfortunately, I couldn't really see my phone screen because of the light outside, so I used my best guesstimate, and shot a few pictures.

I had taken a few shots from above where the trail was, and I have to say, I do like the ones from storm drain better.  Just a better perspective.

Day 305 - Spring sunshine

I was heading home, and I looked up to see the sun shinning so bright, and I wanted to capture the warmth and beauty of the day.

Day 304 - Synapses branches

When I first got to the university for a meeting, I noticed the branches in the sky.  There is something about the branches all intertwined and messy, that grabbed my attention. As I looked for the best way to photograph them, they sort of reminded me of synapses in our brains. I think its neat that we can see the order within ourselves reflected in the world.

Day 303 - Through the glass... door

Yes, I love Knox College.  I like the structures in this building.  I thought it would be interesting to try take a picture with the glass door framing the shot, but of course with the limitation of my point and shoot, this is the best I could do.  Not at all the image I pictured in my head.

Day 302 - Path

Another photo from Knox College... I can't wait for the trees to be in full bloom.

Day 297 - Knox Presbyterian Church

Back to my love for buildings in the night.  I quickly snapped this photo as I was headed home from a workshop.  I noticed the Knox Presbyterian Church on my way to the workshop, and had hoped that there would be time during a break to take some pictures, not only of this building, but others in the area.  Unfortunately, the breaks were not long enough for me to escape. As I walked past the church, I admired it for a bit, and then took this quick snap.

Day 296 - Bridge Over Troubled Water

It was slightly misty when I took this picture.  It had been raining all day, and when I went out, it looked pretty foggy.  I liked how it looked, especially with the river swelling to the brim with all the melting snow and ice feeding it.

When I saw this picture, it just reminded me of the Simon & Garfunkel song, Bridge Over Troubled Water.  I like the lyrics

See how they shine 

If you need a friend 

I'm sailing right behind 

Like a bridge over troubled water 

I will ease your mind 

Like a bridge over troubled water 

I will ease your mind