Monday, November 06, 2006

Riding through Durham Forest


It was really cold and windy last Sunday, but it didn't deter these guys from going for a stroll through Durham Forest. Although a different pic was used in the paper, I like this one better.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Pix from GWNW'06

Here are a few photos from GWNW'06. I didn't take many over the two days (three if you include Thursday) I was there, as there were a lot of things going on, and I was trying my best to take in the experience as opposed to recording it.

In a nutshell, the workshop being my first one ever, was very humbling and a little overwhelming. Coming off of two consecutive extra long work weeks, I think I may have had a total of 6 hours of sleep from Thursday through Saturday, so for me it was a weekend of inspiration and complete and utter exhaustion.

Not ever attending photojournalism or photography school, I was pretty much starting from scratch meeting and getting to know many of the fellow Canadian photographers who attended GWNW, and for the most part felt very welcome, especially during the nightly 'technical meetings'. It was nice to finally put faces to names, and meet some talented individuals who are extremely passionate about their work.

The Friday workshops were very informative, and personally helped me with my photography. The Saturday lectures were amazing. If you missed them, well... I feel sorry for you.
The organization of the entire event worked like finely tuned clockwork. A lot of time and effort was dedicated by the many volunteers who put this whole event together, and for that I thank you. It was very well done. and I can't wait for next year.

The PhotoSensitive luncheon with an open invitation for their next project, was just what I needed.

The Canon and Nikon clinic cleaned everyone's cameras, and even fixed my hotshoe free-of-charge, with a turn around time that would make CPS or NPS blush with envy (or embarrassment).

The portfolio reviews were priceless. When else are you afforded the time by leading industry professionals to have your work critiqued, and have suggestions made? The 20min timeslots flew by so fast. Maybe next year they'll extend them to 30min, but somehow I doubt that.

I do however have some tips for next year.
1. If you're attending both days, and don't live in the core of DT Toronto. Get a room at the hotel. Especially if you plan on attending the late night meetings at the bar.
2. Have a portfolio printed up. I got screwed when the laptop I was using started giving me error blue screen messages and kept on crashing 2 hours before portfolio review time. Thankfully I had a MacBook Pro on order, and was able to expedite the whole transaction thanks to the Apple store. Problem could have been averted if a. I used a Mac to begin with, or b. had the whole thing printed and ready to go.
3. Get some rest before GWNW starts. It's two very, very long days.

So that's it. It was awesome.

Now to the photos...


Phill Snel, Deputy Photo Editor at the National Post reviews Vancouver photographer Rafal Gerszak's portfolio, while Steve Russell, staff photographer at the Toronto Star reviews someone else's, during the non-official after hours portfolio reviews at the bar.

(above) Toronto Star staff photographer, Peter Power talking during his 'Feature Hunting' workshop.
(below) Peter Power critiquing other peoples work during the 'Feature Hunting' workshop hands-on portion


Participants of the 'Feature Hunting' workshop were given an hour to roam the wild and untamed streets of Toronto, and to take 'feature' photographs of whatever they saw, which were later brought back, projected on screen, and critiqued for the remainder of the workshop.

These were the two photos I came back with. One was taken under a stair-well somewhere on Spadina, of people playing chinese checkers . The other was taken in an ally way somewhere just north of Queen St.




Thursday, October 26, 2006

Great White North Photojournalism Workshop - 2006


I'm going to be attending the workshop over the weekend, so if you see me, stop by and say hello. Should be tons of fun.. and informative too :)

www.gwnw.ca - Great White North Photojournalism Workshop

Monday, October 23, 2006

Opening of the Toronto Futsal Centre

Futsal is a small-sided game (5v5 including the goalkeepers) played on a small field roughly the size of a basketball court. The game does not require the use of dasher boards. It is played with the touchline boundaries with no walls to bang the ball against. The official ball is a special low bounce ball that is heavier and smaller than an official size 5 soccer ball. The ball forces a player to use their skill rather than the ball’s bounce to propel it. It is a complete skill game. Futsal develops the overall fundamentals of soccer more effectively. It has been proven that youth players develop quicker reflexes, faster thinking and pinpoint passing. It is a superior game in terms of establishing players’ touch and technique.
Therefore, an individual’s overall ball handling skills and off the ball movement enhance considerably. When a player gets in trouble with the ball, there is no whacking it off the wall. Their split second thinking improves automatically as one learns how to maintain possession and distribute the ball quickly. Shots must be more accurate, since a shot off target will not produce a rebound. More shots are also taken during the course of a game, which will enhance a player’s confidence, by taking on a defender and shooting quickly. A player does not have as much space or time to dribble with the ball. Futsal helps to develop tremendous close quarters footwork. - Text courtesy of www.torontofutsalcentre.com




North York Hearts Azzuri Under 12 boys, Luca DiGiuseppantonio scores on the Toronto Eagles Under 12 girls team during an exhibition game at the Toronto Futsal Centre.
Fireball 2006 - In Support of Sheena's Place
October 21, 2006

In support of the 10th anniversary of Sheena's Place, the 8th annual Fireball was held at the Capitol Event Theatre. Sheena's Place is a community-based centre offering hope and support services, free of charge, to people affected by eating disorders and related issues.

Dancing the night away on the dance floor.
GuluWalk 2006
October 21, 2006

On Saturday, October 21, GuluWalk Day, over 30,000 people, in 82 cities and 15 different countries took to the streets to urge the world to support peace in northern Uganda. About 500 people gathered at Lawrence Park at Yonge and Lawrence to walk down towards Nathan Phillips Square as part of the worldwide walk, focused on raising awareness and support for the terrorized children of northern Uganda.

www.guluwalk.com - GuluWalk Home Page

Toronto Mayor, David Miller posing for a photo with York University students who were taking part in the walk.
GuluWalk Co-Founder, Adrian Bradbury listens with his son Isaac to the speeches before the start of the walk.



Walking down Yonge St. toward Nathan Phillips Square.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Various snapshots from last couple months

Kinda sleepy hollowish.

Casa Loma
Up north in the forest.

Taken at 2am at 30 sec, f7.1 - Initially I stopped the car to take a picture of the fog... but then I noticed a sewer pipe.


Monday, October 16, 2006

Antique Show - Port Perry
October 15, 2006


Uxbridge Bruins vs. Port Perry MoJacks - Junior "C" Hockey
October 15, 2006

There's nothing like shooting hockey in dim lit arenas, behind dirty glass in small towns. Who am I kidding - I love the game. Go Leafs go! Well, maybe these arn't the Leafs, but it's still damn good hockey.

MoJacks' Russell Bradley and Bruins' Steven Nagymarosi get up after colliding with one another on the blue line.
MoJacks' assistant captain Todd Evans, tries to hold back Bruins' Ryan Rinneard behind the Port Perry net in the first period.
Bruins' Adam Leeder thought he hit a brick wall, while in fact got knocked flat on his back in a crushing open centre-ice hit by MoJacks' captain Derek McTeague.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

A Farm in Nestleton
All day it was rain.. hail.. sun.. repeat.
Headshot - Graham

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Headshot - Kay


New studio gear finally arrived. Here's one of the shots from the first session.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Durham Farm Fresh - Gates Open 2006
October 01, 2006

Durham Farm Fresh Gates Open 2006 had farms in Durham Region opening their gates and barn doors to the public, also offering free tours of their facilities. Musthaven Farm in Uxbridge was one of the participating farms.

Above - Owner and farmer of Musthaven Farm, Grant Mustard attends to a one-day-old calf. Standing next to him is a five-day-old.
Below - Tours of the milking facility, and feeding area.




The Thistledown Pet Memorial - Blessing of the animals
September 30, 2006

Above - Rev. Elaine Lush blesses Imus, a six-year-old seeing eye dog.
Below - 17.5 year-old 'Mudgeeraba' travelled a long way with her owner to attend the blessing service. Sitting on a blanket, she has a quiet moment with the Reverend.


Saturday, September 23, 2006

Green Roof - Phase 1 Completion Ceremony
September 21, 2006

The first phase of the world's largest residential green roof was unveiled in Toronto at the Hugh Garner Housing Co-Operative, as part of the Donor Recognition & Phase 1 Completion celebration. The second phase of the green roof, which spans a total of 22,000 square-feet, is scheduled for completion in late 2007. The total cost is expected at around $1 million.

More info:
The Moment - article
Hugh Garner Housing Co-op Green Roof - website




People enjoy the view and sunset before the press-conference. Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, speaks with (clockwise) Bethane Currie, landscape designer from Gardens in the Sky, Beata Domanska, President, Board of Directors Hugh Garner Co-op, Terry McGlade, landscape designer from Gardens in the Sky, Monica Kuhn, architect devolping the project, Jonathan Cheszes from Villagetechnologies and Carolyn Moss, project manager .


Toronto skyline - view from roof top

Friday, September 15, 2006

Airport Limo Accident
September 15, 2006


UXBRIDGE - Emergency crews responded to an accident at Hwy. 47 north of the Brock Road turnoff, between an Airport Limousine and a tandem gravel truck Friday just before noon. the driver of the truck, who did not give his name, said the taxi did a U-turn in front of him and caused the accident. A lone unidentified occupant of the taxi, which was crushed on the driver's side, was loaded into and ambulance. No other details were available at press time.
Sheep Shearing Demonstration
September 10, 2006

Lightning snapshot.
September 08, 2006

First attempt at lightning photography. Tripod, 30sec., f.11

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Peacful Rally in memory of Omar Wellington
September 09, 2006

17-year old Omar Wellington was brutally beaten, stabbed, stripped and left to die in Flemington Park on July 17th 2006. There were many witnesses to the event, yet none had come through with any help. A peacful rally took place on September 9th at Don Mills and St. Denis where marchers walked through the neighborhood where Omar was beaten, urging residents to stand up for the community, stand against violence, and come forward with information regarding Omar's death. The march ended at Flemington Park, at the spot where Omar's body was discovered.

Omar's mother, Joy Wellington (centre), is flanked by organizers of the rally Patricia Moore (L), and Vicki Williams (R).




The rally gathered in front of the housing complex where Omar was beaten.

Amon Beckles, who was murdered in Toronto on November 18th, 2005 while attending a funeral for his best friend, has his photo held up by his younger brother at the site where Omar's body was found in Flemington Park. There were also many witnesses in Amon's murder, yet none have come forward.


Riverdale residents voice concern over pipeline.
September 06, 2006

Putting together lawn signs.

Enbridge representative tries to convince local area residents that the pipeline and power plant are safe, over map of proposed site.

EAST YORK/RIVERDALE - Concerned local citizens came to the Matty Eckler Community Centre to voice their concerns at an open-house put on by Enbridge Gas Distribution Incorporated, regarding the plans by Enbridge to build a gas pipeline through lower Riverdale to supply the proposed Portland Power Plant with natural gas. Concerned parties argue that the power plant would emit 1.7 million tons of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere, causing severe respiratory problems to nearby citizens as well as to all Torontonians.