Sketches for Summer

I shot this series during the dog days of winter. When the grey darkness here in Toronto has beaten your soul down to a pulp. Using the windows in my studio I focused on those fleeting moments of brightness and colour in the sky. This series is a yearning for those summer thrills.

It was a challenge to shoot this series as it required much patience in waiting for the right sky for each shot. It felt similar to fishing, i’d set the shot, cast the lure, and had to wait for the sky to come alive. It’s actually a very rewarding way of shooting. Having things that are out of your control has a liberating effect. And if you’re willing to be patient enough, the skies never disappoint. They end up coming alive in a way that is beyond what you envisioned.

My goal in this series was to bring together still-life and landscape. Bringing them together and incorporating the elements is my way of adding more depth and nuance to my studio work. I started doing this with the Westward series, so I suppose this is an extension of that approach.

Photo Journal Book 1

For years now i’ve carried a little camera with me as a way of keeping a photo-journal of sorts. Just capturing random moments and things I see as I wander about.

Beneath the Red Hill Expressway in Hamilton

I was fortunate to come into the world of photography when printing was a huge part of the experience - the final destination. That has always stuck with me. There is just something so satisfying in the printed image. It could be just my own bias, but having the work physically printed just makes it feel so much more real. The images come to life when printed in a way they just don’t in the digital world.

I’ve always loved photo-books, so i’ve started printing 8 x 10 inch books of my photo-journals. Here are a few spreads from the first book.

For those who live near my studio, you’ll probably recognize a few spots i’ve captured on my walks. Sometimes these pictures are taken when we break for lunch and I pop out for 20 minutes. But generally, these images are just captured as I go about my life snapping away at whatever catches my eye.

Most of the photos in this book were shot with the beautifully small and pocketable Contax T3. I was also using the Olympus OM-1 at the time.

Beneath the Red Hill Expressway and Old Van

Mimico Creek

I’ve followed the Mimico Creek starting at where it flows out to Lake Ontario in Mimico all the way up to Malton just north of the airport. I’ve almost made it to the source. I expect a few more trips and I will have completed this funny little project of mine.

It’s been interesting to follow this creek over the years. It’s actually a really great way to get to know a region. Just follow the water…it’s crazy how many different terrains it will take you through. Under highways, through golf courses, along backyards, parks and through industrial areas.

I started doing this about 6 years ago and took a huge break of about 5 years. But i’ve picked it up again and i’m really enjoying the process.

The pictures I take are not so much of the creek but the things I see as a result of following its path. I’ll post more of these pics but for now here is a couple from an area very close to where I stopped following the creek 5 years ago. This is a pretty industrial area just north of the airport.

The Junction

My studio is a short walk from the junction. I find i’m drawn to windows and blinds. I’ve been taking a lot fo pictures of them lately. I suppose there’s something about the reflections in the windows creating an added layer of depth while seeing gaps and imperfections in the blinds adds to the sense of mystery.

Mimico

Another stroll along Lakeshore in Mimico. No shortage of things jumping out at me

Dundas Street West

A couple things that caught my eye as I was dropping off my stuff for my accountant on Dundas Street West and Islington.

Mimico

James Street - Hamilton

Jackson Square

I grew up in Hamilton in the 90s. Jackson Square was the downtown mall that had seen better days. But man being back here really feels like i’m capturing something on it’s last legs. Something that won’t be around much longer. It’s beautiful in its own strange way. So many forgotten pockets all over the place.