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Ryan Szulc Photography
  • Photography
  • Motion
  • Personal Work
  • About
    • Ryan
    • Testimonials
    • Services
    • Clients
    • Blog
  • Contact

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.

tags: Still-life, Ryan Szulc, landscape, elements, skies
Wednesday 03.23.22
Posted by ryan szulc
 

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.

Dupont St.

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.

High Park

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.

Laneway behind Dundas St. W

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.

Laneway behind Dundas St. W

Beneath the Red Hill Expressway and Old Van

Alley near Dupont St.

Algonquin Park

The Junction

Dupont St.

tags: Photo Journal, Ryan Szulc, Toronto, Contax T3, olympus OM-1
Friday 03.18.22
Posted by ryan szulc
 

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.

Malton

tags: Mimico Creek, Ryan Szulc
Tuesday 03.08.22
Posted by ryan szulc
 

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.

Camper Window and Crumpled Blinds - The Junction

Mail & Spray Blast - Dundas St. W

tags: street photography, The Junction, Toronto, Ryan Szulc
Monday 03.07.22
Posted by ryan szulc
 

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.

Dirty Window and Fresh Roses

tags: street photography, Toronto, Ryan Szulc
Wednesday 03.02.22
Posted by ryan szulc
 

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.

Blinds & Vent

tags: Ryan Szulc, street photography, Hamilton
Thursday 02.24.22
Posted by ryan szulc
 

Canada's 100 Best Restaurant

Here are a few selects from a recent project I shot for Canada's 100 Best Magazine.

I haven't done much restaurant location shooting in a while so it felt good to get back to my roots and where it all began for me.

Chef Rob Gentile at Buca Yorkville

Chef Rob Gentile at Buca Yorkville

Chef Julie Marteleira at Leña Restaurant

Chef Julie Marteleira at Leña Restaurant

Chef Patrick Kriss at Alo Restaurant

Chef Patrick Kriss at Alo Restaurant

tags: Food, Toronto, Toronto Restaurants, Chefs, Toronto Chefs, Ryan Szulc
Tuesday 12.05.17
Posted by ryan szulc
 

Toronto Eats

Toronto Eats, the follow up to Amy Rosen’s Toronto Cooks is out now.

Shooting this project was like speed dating 50 of Toronto's best chefs - big thanks to them for making this beast of a project come to life. Stay tuned this week for some of my favorite shots from the book.

Brioche-Crusted Nova Scotia Halibut with Morels, Asparagus, and Wild Leek-Brown Butter Tartare Sauce

Brioche-Crusted Nova Scotia Halibut with Morels, Asparagus, and Wild Leek-Brown Butter Tartare Sauce

Tyler Shedden | The Chase

 

Apocalypse Cow Pizza

Apocalypse Cow Pizza

Shlomo Buchler | Maker Pizza

Zucchini Manicotti with Cashew-Dill Ricotta

Zucchini Manicotti with Cashew-Dill Ricotta

Jennifer Italiano | Live Organic Food Bar

NB Tuna Tartare

NB Tuna Tartare

David Lee | Nota Bene

Fogo Island Fish Tacos with Spicy Citrus Slaw and Pickled Jalapeños

Fogo Island Fish Tacos with Spicy Citrus Slaw and Pickled Jalapeños

Lynn Crawford and Lora Kirk | The Hearth

Lobster with Citrus-Roasted Potatoes, Grilled Lemon, and Darbichurri

Lobster with Citrus-Roasted Potatoes, Grilled Lemon, and Darbichurri

Darby Piquette | One Restaurant

Squid Ink Corzetti with Mussels and Nduja

Squid Ink Corzetti with Mussels and Nduja

Basilio Pesce | The Cheese Boutique

Slow-Cooked Chicken with Tomatillos, Poblano Peppers, Sheep’s Milk Cheese, and Corn Pudding

Slow-Cooked Chicken with Tomatillos, Poblano Peppers, Sheep’s Milk Cheese, and Corn Pudding

Cory Vitiello | Flock Rotisserie and Greens

Weslodge Chop Salad

Weslodge Chop Salad

Ben Heaton | Weslodge

Rabbit with Olives, Honey, and Vinegar

Rabbit with Olives, Honey, and Vinegar

Anthony Walsh and Julie Marteleira | Leña Restaurante

Peking Glazed Duck Breast with Asian Bread Stuffing and Mandarin Cranberry Sauce

Peking Glazed Duck Breast with Asian Bread Stuffing and Mandarin Cranberry Sauce

Nick Liu | DaiLo

Pecorino Focaccia Bianca

Pecorino Focaccia Bianca

Simon Blackwell | Blackbird Baking Co.

Spatchcocked Cornish Hen, Honey Herb and Spice Butter, Fresh Corn Polenta, and Tomato Jam

Spatchcocked Cornish Hen, Honey Herb and Spice Butter, Fresh Corn Polenta, and Tomato Jam

Renée Bellefeuille | The Art Gallery Of Ontario’s Frank Restaurant

 

Bay Scallop and Shrimp Balls with C-Plus Gastrique

Bay Scallop and Shrimp Balls with C-Plus Gastrique

Craig Wong | Patois

 

Margherita Pizza

Margherita Pizza

Rocco Agostino | A3 Napoli

 

 

tags: Food, Toronto, restaurants, chefs, food photography, Ryan Szulc
Monday 09.11.17
Posted by ryan szulc
 

Newfoundland Polaroids

In search of a more tangible photography experience, I brought my polaroid camera to Newfoundland.  Here is the series I shot.

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tags: polaroid, sx70, tangible, simplify, analogue, travel, Newfoundland, landscape, Ryan Szulc
Wednesday 02.22.17
Posted by ryan szulc
 

The Studio Top Ten

As a follow up to the top ten shots of my personal work from 2015, i’ve decided to do the same for my work done here in the studio.

This was a really great year.  I took the summer off for the birth of our daughter.  We shot 4 cookbooks which will all be coming out in 2016.  I produced a book of my personal travel landscape work.  Did some shooting in Kauai and a big road trip from Vancouver to Whitehorse.  

Read more

tags: top ten, studio, food photography, Ryan Szulc, summer grilling, chocolate, Hawaii, Kauai, lighting, camera techniques, camel, cigarettes, shrimp, burger, crab, cupcakes, cookbooks, cocktails, apples, fall, eggs, morning light, Canon, doughnuts
Friday 01.29.16
Posted by ryan szulc
Comments: 2
 
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