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 359 - Random flower

After the crumby day I had yesterday, I figured I'd post a picture of some flowers because I need something uplifting to make me smile.  Flowers always make me smile, especially when I can smell them even when I can't see them.

Day 340 - Choosing which bridge to cross...

This is one of the pictures from a hangout last summer.  I had to work on this one a bit, because it was way overexposed. I also added text, just because.

Day 326 - The power of nature

I was looking through some pictures on my phone, and found this one.  It was from a couple weeks ago, when there was still snow on the ground in some places around the city. I remember when I was walking past this "carnage" (it looked like someone massacred these trees, with branches strewn everywhere!), I thought about all the crazy weather we have had since the beginning of this project. With all the incredible weather, I'm surprised more trees didn't come come down.

Day 318 - A lonely tree...

Today's photo is one I've entered in a contest on Viewbug. I call it the lonely tree because it looks like it is alone, and longing to be with the buildings on the other side of the lake.

When the voting opens on this contest, please do vote!

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 314 - Unvisited treasure

I was out running some errands, and with the weather as beautiful as it is, I was walking everywhere.  This is a view of the trail I sometimes run on.  I never stop here, and now that I've seen it from this perspective, I think I'll be heading to some time soon to take some pictures.

Can't wait 'til tomorrow.  Heading out to a new place to explore and photograph with a friend.

Day 311 - Moon rise

I do love the moon, and seeing it rise while the sun is up always fills me with wonder.  This is the way it looked a couple days ago.

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 302 - Path

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

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

Day 295 - Fog over gentle waters

It has been raining all day, so it took me a while to get out the door.  I like the look of the fog over the river, but am never in a place where I can capture it.  So, when I went for a walk today, it was the perfect opportunity.

Day 293 - Toronto is thawing out

I haven't been out running in a long time, and today, was the first time in a LONNNG time I made it out to the trail for a run... jog... no, more like a brisk walk.  It felt so good.  It was chilly, but the sun was warm, and the skies were amazing!

As much as I LOVE the winter, I really like this time of year, when you can see the world waking from its winter slumber. Although I was by myself, I was accompanied by a deer looking for food, and a whole host of birds!  There really is a beauty in each season.  Can't wait to see the trees blooming and the tree canopy filling in.

Day 261 - Where does the road lead?

It's only been for a few months since my trip, and I'm going stir crazy.  There are so many places in the world I want to experience, and every time I look at a road, I wonder where it will lead.  Don't you ever just think of the road of life and wonder where it will lead?

Day 258 - A rainbow in the rough

This is another one taken from the inside of a car.  If you live in the city, chances are you know where this is.  I love this random rainbow painted on the concrete on the side of a major road way.  I wonder if people actually notice it, especially when they are stuck in traffic.  It always makes me smile.

Day 244 - Interesting carvings

What I loved about walking through the cemetery was seeing how Toronto has changed over time, not only with the names on the epitaphs, headstones, etc, but also in the styles and carvings on them.  I like the carvings on this one.  I wish I knew more about how it was selected and some of the traditions and cultures represented.

Day 243 - ... and the road goes on

This was also from my walk through the cemetery.  It was so big, with many plots, that we ended up getting lost trying to get back to our car.  Every so often we would look back to see from whence we came, and the roads looked like they were unending.  I loved how this particular road curved.

Day 242 - The sun sets on another day

I don't know why I had to take this picture, I just did.  The sun was lower in the horizon, but not quite ready to set.  My friend and I were ready to leave the trail, the quiet, and the souls that had been laid to rest.

Day 241 - Winter escape

I've been dying to go skating, and well, really do anything that is outside, but people just don't have a love for this weather as I do!  A friend did come to my rescue, and we decided to go on a winter hike, which really turned into a winter walk.  We "hiked" through an urban escape in the city.  This trail runs through a cemetery.  It was a nice walk to reflect on life, but also to appreciate the history of various families in Toronto.  Unfortunately, the snow was so deep we didn't venture too close to the graves, and couldn't read many of them very well.

Loved the carvings on this one.