I normally publish this much earlier in the year, but some things got in the way. I'm glad I can do so now!

(Please click here to see my favourite black and white film photos of 2023.)

OK, let's jump right in!

King's Food Market

Kodak Portra 400

These two images were captured on Lomography Redscale film...

Warden Water Tower

Birds of the Square

Click here to see my blog featuring more images captured with Lomography Redscale film.

(Stay tuned for a future blog post about Lomography Turquoise film!)

Here are three - all on Kodak Gold film - from a trip I made to California in the spring of 2023...

Cadillac

Joshua Tree Sunset

Roy's Motel Cafe

To see more images from California, please visit these blog posts:

- California Road Trip Pt I: Amboy and the End of the World

- California Road Trip Pt II: Joshua Tree and 29 Palms

A number of my favourite colour film images featured yellow...

Symbiotic Relativity

Kodak Ektar 100

Fuji Colour 200

Hadio 514

One of many great vintage stores found in Montreal

Kodak Vision 3 250D

Click here to see more of Montreal on Film.

St. Jacob's Sky

Kodak Vision 3 250D

Grow Up!

Kodak Pro image 200

Loving Eyes

I couldn't help but smile at seeing this wall!

Kodak Ektar 100

Reds also caught my eye...

Painting the Town

Kodak Vision 500T

Foxy

A double exposure of opposite sides of Queen Street West

Kodak Vision 500T

Shuter & Victoria

Kodak Ektar 100

Never Stop Loving

Kodak Gold 200

Bayview Car Wash

Kodak Ektar 100

Rouge Park Horizon

Kodak Ektar 100

Digital Outputs

Kodak Ektar 100

Fall on McCaul

Kodak Gold 200

Tree Time

Reflx Lab 800

Meeting people along my weekly photo walks is always a joy for me. Here are film photos of a few people I met in 2023.

Kathleen Byers

A wonderful crossing guard that I encountered with my kids.

Click here to see a photo feature I did of Kathleen on Instagram.

Kodak Ektar 100

Michael

I met Michael at an Indigenous Music Festival at Yonge & Dundas Square. His dancing brought joy to many who were there.

Click here to see my post about Michael on Instagram.

Madison Shadwell

An artist I met on the Danforth. Click here to see my post about Madison and his art.

Dr. Jeffrey Stevens

I had a friendly chat with Dr. Stevens (Stephens?) about his great shoes and style in general.

Unfortunately I did not get the exact spelling of his name or his contact info so that I could share these photos with him!

Kodak Gold 200

Sam, a Beck Taxi driver I met along Jones Avenue.

Sam has a very compelling story of how he came to Canada many years ago. I hope to share it in a future Instagram post.

Kodak Pro Image 100

Paul Collins, a very talented artist I met outside of the Stephen Bulger Gallery while on a photo walk with a Simon Remark.

Click here to see my post which also shows an intriguing surprise double exposure image of Paul.

Kodak Ektar 100 with a plastic Holga camera

Happy Couple

In late December my daughter and I were in Nathan Phillips Square and we witnessed an engagement of the above pair. No one around seemed to notice except my daughter and I. I had a good film camera on hand, and offered to take a few photos of the happy couple.

Reflx Lab 800

A few more colour images taken throughout 2023...

For Who?

I held an exhibit about Notice of Development signs back in 2022 called On Notice. These signs continue to draw my eye.

Kodak Ektar 100

Colours of Queen

Kodak Ektar 100

Chanel

Fuji Colour 200

Love

Fuji Colour 200

LOVE

Fuji Colour 200

Chill Out

Kodak Ektar 100

Look Closer

Kodak Ektar 100

R.C. Harris Water Treatment Facility

A panorama made from merging two film photos.

Kodak Ektar 100

Strange Love

Kodak Gold 200

I'll throw a playful one of me in here for good measure...

Kodak Vison 500T

And I'll close with this last image, taken near the end of 2023...

Christmas Eve Candles

Reflx Lab 800

To see more of my favourite colour film photos from previous years, cllick any of the below links:

- 2022

- 2021

- 2020 - Part I

- 2020 - Part II

- 2019 - Part I

- 2019 - Part II

- 2018 - Part I

- 2018 - Part II

All of my past film photo blog posts can be found here.

Follow me on Instagram to see a wider variety of images - both film and digital.

Thanks for looking!

Welcome to my annual look back at favourite black and white film photos from the previous year! The 2023 edition!

I again shot a lot of film in 2023, experimenting with a wide variety of film types.

The first image I'll share here brings to mind some classic Dylan lyrics:

Well there ain't no goin' back

When the foot of pride comes down

Ain't no goin' back

- Foot of Pride, Bob Dylan

Foot of Pride

JCH Street Pan 400 - Jan 2023

JCH Street Pan 400 - Jan 2023

Santa 1000 - Jan 2023

My son looks up at a billboard paying tribute to the late Michael Snow

Santa 1000 - Jan 2023

Mamakas Taverna on Ossington

Santa 1000 - Jan 2023

Waiting Game

Arista EDU 200 - Jan-Feb 2023

Agfa APX 400 - Jan - Mar 2023

Man in Black

Agfa APX 400 - Mar 2023

Life Is Beautiful

Agfa APX 400 - Jan - Mar 2023

Agfa APX 400 - Jan - Mar 2023

Agfa APX 400 - Jan - Mar 2023

Not For Sale

Arista EDU 200 - Mar 2023

The next four images were taken on Rollei RPX 100 film with an Olympus Pen EE-3 half frame camera that I received from my father.

The first two images were taken immediately one after the other and were intended as a pair.

Taken during an unexpected mayoral election campaign, to me they represented opposing views of where Toronto might be headed.

I like how the next two images pair together also...

There's been a lot of buzz in the film community lately due to Pentax releasing a new half frame camera called "17" (a great write-up by Analogue Wonderland).

It looks like a very well put together camera for half frame film photography.

Reformed Film Lab did a helpful video about the new "Pentax 17" as well.

The next three images are from a trip to California that I did in May of 2023. All taken on Kodak Tri-X 400 film.

The above image appears in my California Road Trip - Part II blog post.

The next six images were shot in May - June 2023 with Ilford Pan F 50.

This was a new film type for me to shoot with, and I'm especially happy with what I captured here...

The remains of one of the beautiful arches at Bloor Street United Church. The church is undergoing a massive redevelopment that will finish in 2026.

In June 2023 I shot a roll of Kodak Tri-X 400 with my Lomography Sprocket Rocket panoramic camera...

Click here to see more images - mostly colour photos - that I captured with the Lomography Sprocket Rocket.

I shot another roll of Ilford Pan F 50 in July 2023.

The next three images were captured on that film.

But Here We Are

WHAT'S NEXT

Warning!!! x 3

Yonge and Dundas - a place to encounter a wide variety of ideas

The next four images were taken on Kentmere 400 during a visit to Montreal in August 2023.

Chez Schwartz's / Schwartz's Deli

Chez Schwartz's / Schwartz's Deli

The view from St. Joseph's Oratory

Rue Ste Catherine

The next five images were taken in August 2023 with Arista EDU 200 film.

Private Property is Fake

I had a nice chat with the owner/guardian of these two dogs. This was right next to the wonderful Berczy Park Dog Fountain.

Lee's Benevolent Association of Ontario

R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant

I got a deal on an old Holga 120 film camera and shot a couple of rolls with it. Here is one image that I especially liked:

Ilford Delta 400 Pro

In August 2023 I purchased an expired roll of Kodak Tri-X film from a vendor at the St. Jacob's Farmers Market.

When I finished shooting the roll and had it developed, I was very surprised to discover that it had already been exposed!

I was not informed of this by the person who sold me the film - only that it was from a local photographer who had kept it refrigerated.

This led to some rather wild double exposures that are worthy of a separate blog post.

Here are three images taken from that roll.

The first image features Paris, France based artist Paul Collins in front of the wonderful Stephen Bulger Gallery - blended with a wintery scene.

Kodak Tri-X film - Nov-Dec 2023

The double exposure factor is less dramatic the the next two images, but I particularly like these compositions.

Annex Stroll

Kodak Tri-X film - Nov-Dec 2023

The Hidden Path

Kodak Tri-X film - Nov-Dec 2023

A trip to the Christmas One of A Kind show in November 2023 brought me a few nice exposures (the next three images).

Enercare Centre

Kodak Double-X 5222 250 film

Princes' Gates

Kodak Double-X 5222 250 film

Sacrifice

Kodak Double-X 5222 250 film

Long Live Palestine

Kodak Double-X 5222 250 film - Nov 2023

This next image came about as one of the workers saw me with my camera. He tried guessing what camera I was using and I learned that he is also a photographer. He and his colleagues let me take their photo and we exchanged contact info.

His reaction when I sent him this photo really made me smile. "NO FREAKING WAY That's so sick!!!!"

Potsdam 100 - Dec 2023

I'll end with this photo of two artists that I chatted with inside the AGO. They were making beautiful sketches of the buildings across the street.

I'll share more about this encounter in a future Instagram post.

Fomapan 400 - Dec 2023

Click here to see my Favourite Colour Film Photos of 2023!

For more black and white film photos, here are my favourites from previous years:

- 2022

- 2021

- 2020

- 2019

- 2018

All of my past film photo blog posts can be found here.

Follow me on Instagram to see a wider variety of images - both film and digital.

Thanks for looking!

This post is a continuation of my California Road Trip Part I.

If you haven't yet seen that first post, please click here before reading onwards.

Unless indicated otherwise, all images were taken with my Nikon Z6 II

Drifting Sand

Kodak Tri-X 400

- Joshua Tree

Before visiting Joshua Tree National Park, I first explored the town itself.

Joshua Tree is fairly built up now, with quite a few large chain stores and restaurants.

Of course I was mainly attracted to the more unusual places...

Alex's Barber

Ilford SFX 200

Zippy Tax Service

Kodak Tri-X 400

The True Vine Fellowship Ministries

Kodak Tri-X 400

While in the area to take photos* for the cover of their Joshua Tree album, Irish rock band U2 stayed in the Harmony Hotel.

As a big fan of the band, I had to pay the hotel a quick visit.

*Dutch photographer Anton Corbijn created the images of U2 for The Joshua Tree. (I'm also a big fan of his work!)

Photo of U2 (by Anton Corbijn) on the wall inside the Harmony Hotel.

(The above photo made with my iPhone 15 Pro)

Essential selfie in front of the Harmony Hotel sign (iPhone 15 Pro).

- Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is truly something to see.

There is so much biodiversity to discover in this region.

Thankfully the National Park Service website is full of helpful information!

Multi-image panorama of one area of the park.

We arrived a little before sunset, which brought long shadows, golden hues and made bold silhouettes out of the trees.

Ilford SFX 200

Here is a short video of driving through the park

This link on the NPS website provides some useful information about Joshua Trees.

Joshua Tree National Park is well worth a visit. If you can make the trip, I highly recommend it!

- 29 Palms

29 Palms is another fascinating community, found just east of Joshua Tree.

It has its own quirky style...

A playful installation by Hooked Hands (on Instagram, ironically) as seen in 29 Palms.

iPhone 15 Pro

29 Palms has a number of unique stores that offer locally curated and produced goods - the kind of stores I am always drawn to when visiting a new place.

One collection such stores is found at a spot known as Corner 62.

Resting my feet at Corner 62. Mural by CJ Troxell.

iPhone 15 Pro panoramic photo

The shop I enjoyed visiting most at Corner 62 was The Desert General.

It was a pleasure to talk with Patrick, one of the co-owners. He and his wife moved to 29 Palms from France to start this lovely eclectic shop that offers a wide range of art, books, and locally made goods.

A view through the alley next to Desert General.

Ilford SFX 200

Desert General has some lovely vintage black and white photography on display and for sale. One was this image below...

iPhone 15 Pro

The stunning photo in the above frame (try to ignore the reflection in the glass) is by Patricia de Gorostarzu, a French photographer I had never heard of before. I really love this composition. (That's actor Steve McQueen on the billboard in the lower right of the image.)

Next to the above frame was this small book by the same photographer, featuring beautiful black and white images of New York.

iPhone 15 Pro

I loved chatting with Patrick, exploring The Desert General, and encountering such wonderul art as that of Patricia de Gorostarzu.

By the way, if you like reading, The Desert General is one of the sponsors/organizers of the 29 Palms Book Festival, happening November 8-9, 2024. The lineup of authors is growing. I'd love to return and attend!

Before leaving I stopped for some gorgeous sunset views...

Fencing indicating the boundary of the National Park.

Eventually we had to leave this dusty land of artists and head back to Los Angeles.

Ilford SFX 200

Ilford SFX 200

This whole area left a strong impression on me and I hope to return.

If you get the chance to explore the Joshua Tree region, I highly recommend it!

Here are a few helpful links:

- Joshua Tree National Park Visitors Information

- Guide to visiting Joshua Tree (the town and surrounding area)

- 29 Palms Visitors Information

- Corner 62 shops on Instagram

- The Desert General website

Happy road tripping if you go!

If you do - send me a note and share how it went!

If you haven't yet read it, here is my previous post: California Road Trip Part I: Amboy and the End of the World.

Feel free to check out my other blog posts, or just my travel blog posts, follow me on Instagram or view my photo art products.

Thanks for looking!

iPhone 15 Pro panoramic image

A billboard promoting The Kid Laroi at Coachella, seen while driving towards Joshua Tree (iPhone 15 Pro).

It was so good to catch up with friends there after several years away.

I had a great time in LA, but a real highlight was my visit Joshua Tree and the surrounding area.

A side road near the town of Joshua Tree (iPhone 15 Pro).

An early morning over the desert landscape.

I will cover this journey in two parts.

In this post, Part 1, I will cover:

- A Visit to Amboy (very cool spot!)

- The End of the World (don't worry!)

Part 2 - my next post - will cover:

- Joshua Tree National Park (so beautiful!)

- 29 Palms (loved this place!)

I will share both film and digital images.

Unless indicated otherwise, all photos were captured with a Nikon Z6 II.

- Amboy

Amboy is a historic town about an hour's drive northeast of Joshua Tree.

I recommend a quick read of Wikipedia for more details about Amboy.

The drive there was quite interesting all on its own...

Amboy is a roadside attraction along the infamous Route 66.

iPhone 15 Pro

The major destination of Amboy is Roy's Motel Cafe. A number of movies have been filmed at or around here.

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold 200

Here's another worthy read - about the late Albert Okura, the founder of Juan Pollo Restaurants, who purchased and helped to restore the town of Amboy in 2005.

Kodak Gold 200

The motel (seen in the background of the below image) is no longer active, but remains on site for historical/tourism purposes.

Kodak Gold 200

The motel's front desk has been very well preserved.

A decent flow of people arrived while we were there, including the owners of two classic Mustangs...

The drivers were on their way back from a large gathering of fellow Mustang owners in another town.

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro

Driving onwards, away from Amboy.

2. The End of the World

In an area known as Wonder Valley - an area known for being popular with artists - we visited this curious sign...

Kodak Gold 200

The sign was created in 2022 by an artist named Jack Pierson.

He has been quoted as saying that Wonder Valley is "a place known for those who drop off the edge of civilization."

"...as we know it, and I Feel Fine"

Traditional media is certainly coming to an end...

The End of TV

(A double exposure of part of the sign and a TV left abandoned nearby.)

It was fascinating to see nice sports cars driving through such a desert conditions. (Apparently some use local roads to drive from LA to Las Vegas.)

Cyclists also manage in such dry and dusty conditions.

I'll end this post with the above image - as I do love bikes, wherever I can find them!

Click here to see Part II of my California Road Trip, where I cover Joshua Tree, Joshua Tree National Park, and 29 Palms!

This whole area left a strong impression on me and I hope to return.

Please feel free to check out my other blog posts, or just my travel blog posts, follow me on Instagram or view my photo art products.

Thanks for looking!

1. Redacted City Exhibit

Having another exhibit in the DesignTO Festival was a real thrill for me.

(Many thanks to artist SJ Kim for collaborating with me to create a collage using elements of my exhibit images.)

For years I have been documenting signs that had been covered up, or the traces of their absence and this show, titled Redacted City, gave me the opportunity to show my favourite images.

Restaurant, March 2012

Hudson's Bay Company, October 2022

(Thanks to Sammy Younan for the above photo from the exhibit's opening night.)

I'm thankful for the wonderful turnout and response to the show!

2. SNAP Auction

Another big thrill for 2023 was having my Beauty image in the SNAP Auction which raises funds for the meaningful work of the AIDS Committee of Toronto

I was stunned as the bidding went up and up and up. My humble image (which had the lowest starting valuation) went all the way up to a final price of $2600 - all in support of ACT!

A big thanks to the SNAP Auction selection committee, including PhotoED editor Rita Godlevskis, for the opportunity to make a difference in this way.

3. California Trip

In May 2023 I visited family who live in the Los Angeles area.

Newport Beach

It was so nice to reconnect and to have some fun visiting Joshua Tree and 29 Palms.

Driving to Amboy

Sunset view near Joshua Tree

These were such beautiful areas to explore. Hopefully I will find time to share a blog post or two about this trip.

4. Speaking at Photo Clubs

I had the privilege of speaking to two photo clubs in 2023 - the Barrie Photo Club in late April, and the Don Mills Camera Club in mid-October.

While I shared unique content at each club, my title for both talks was "A Pilgrimage of the Street: Finding Meaning and Creating Art on the Streets of Toronto".

(Thanks to Sammy Younan for the above photos of me speaking at the Barrie Camera Club.)

It was a real joy to meet fellow photographers and to share about my journey in photography.

5. Experimenting with Film

In addition to shooting with my favourite colour and B&W film stocks, I also experimented with some unique types of film and cameras....

- Lomography Redscale XR

Click here for a blog post about shooting with Lomography Redscale film.

- Lomography Turquoise XR

My Pal Sammy submitting to the colour shifting effects of Lomo Turquoise XR Film.

I hope to do a blog post about Lomography Turquoise film later this year. Fingers crossed!

I also tried shooting with

- a Lomography Sprocket Rocket camera

Many thanks to PhotoED Magazine for featuring the above two images in digital editions of their magazine. (If you love photography and or photo art, then I highly recommend subscribing to this wonderful Canadian publication.)

Click here to see my blog post about creating images with the Lomography Sprocket Rocket.

- I also tried a Holga 120 camera

I love how this portrait of artist Paul Collins (a serendipitous encounter while on a photo walk with Simon Remark) turned out!

6. Interesting Photo Assignments

I had a number of interesting photo assignments in 2023, including...

- Do You Hear What I Hear? Do You Hear What I Hear? - Hot DocsDo You Hear What I Hear? is a new documentary by Cat Mills that is part of the 2023 Hot Docs Citizen Minutes series of short films. There will be a free screening of it on May 4 at 7:45 PM. Click here for Tickets!
Very happy to have my behind-the-scenes images used on the Dot Docs website and elsewhere in promotion of this meaningful documentary.

I've had the pleasure of working with Director Cat Mills to capture stills/behind-the-scenes images for a number of her documentary films.

Do You Hear What I Hear? - Hot DocsDo You Hear What I Hear? is a new documentary by Cat Mills that is part of the 2023 Hot Docs Citizen Minutes series of short films. There will be a free screening of it on May 4 at 7:45 PM. Click here for Tickets!
Very happy to have my behind-the-scenes images used on the Dot Docs website and elsewhere in promotion of this meaningful documentary. The latest was Do You Hear What I Hear?, a short film that was part of Hot Docs' Citizen Minutes program which featured Ingrid Buday's work to update Toronto's outdated noise bylaws.

- Safe Third Country Protest

I captured images of a protest in opposition to the Safe Third Country Agreement.

The protest began outside of M.P. Marco Mendocino's office and marched all the way down Bathurst to Lake Ontario at Harbourfront.

The energy and dedication of all involved, including many connected with various NGOs that serve refugees and newcomers to Canada, was inspiring.

Thanks to Anne Woolger, the founder of Matthew House (and leader of the aforementioned protest) for inviting me to document the event.
 

- Non-Profit Organizations

I worked with a number of non-profit organizations before becoming a photographer, and am always thankful for opportunities to contribute to such meaningful work by telling their stories through images.

Documenting Work of Two Indigenous EldersIn October 2021 I had the privilege of accompanying Dr. Jeff Green of the Canadian Bible Society and documenting the work of two Indigenous elders who are helping preserve language and culture by translating the Bible into Mohawk (Harvey Gabriel in Kanesatake, Quebec) and Inuktitut (Jonas Allooloo in Iqaluit, Nunavut). Images and words were published in Bible & Society Journal. Images I captured in Iqaluit, Nunavut, for an international publication in partnership with the Canadian Bible Society.

(The above images were captured in the fall of 2021 and published in the spring of 2022.)

In 2023 I had the opportunity to work with several non-profit organizations, including The Canadian Bible Society and The Neighbourhood Group Community Services. My thanks to the staff at both for the opportunity to serve them.

-299 Queen Street West

I was on the red carpet at Roy Thomson Hall capturing photos at the launch of a new documentary titled 299 Queen Street West.

The film by Director and Producer Sean Menard celebrates the heyday of MuchMusic, features many of the original on-air personalities and looks at the very entertaining behind-the-scenes goings on with the launch and rising success of Canada's counterpart to MTV.

Former MuchMusic staff and on-air personalities during a post-screening Q&A with the audience at Roy Thomson Hall, September 22, 2023.

I highly recommend seeing this film!

- Riverdale Share

One of my final assignments for 2023 was a last minute request to capture images of Riverdale Share - a long-running annual fundraising concert held at the Danforth Music Hall.

It was a thrill to participate in this very special evening.

7. GO WIDE Exhibit

In October 2023 I held an exhibit titled GO WIDE: Wide Angle Views of Toronto at the Don Mills Library.

Certain images only feel right within a panoramic aspect ratio. There's just something about this format that I enjoy.

So I was especially happy to show some of my favourites in this new exhibit at the Don Mills Library. Here are some examples.

Click here to learn more about this exhibit.

8. Las Vegas

In October my family and I visited Las Vegas.

My boys standing over Elvis Presley's star, part of the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

We went to see U2 perform in the new Sphere venue. It was incredible, as you might imagine.

A display at the free Zoo Station exhibit inside the Venetian Hotel.

In addition to the concert, seeing the Grand Canyon and visiting the Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas were also real highlights of the trip.

Click here to see my blog post about the Arts District of Las Vegas!

9. Photo Workshops & Training

For the past few years I have been offering street photography workshops.

The Silver Dollar RoomThe Silver Dollar Room - one of Toronto's truly great and historic music venues. So many legends have played there. Here's hoping The Silver Dollar Room survives a proposed condo development for the site and retains it's distinct character. The Silver Dollar Room

This past year I again had the opportunity to assist a number of people in one-on-one trainings on how to creatively create artistic images on the streets of Toronto.

Grid CityCaptured in Nathan Phillips Square. This image is featured in the 2019 InFocus Photo Exhibit in Edmonton, AB. Grid City

If this interests you, just send me a message and we can take it from there!

10. Meeting People

I meet many people while walking about Toronto and many allow me to take their portrait.

This was a lot of fun for me in 2022, and continued to be in 2023.

Micheline is a super talented designer and artist and was part of CBC Gem's Best in Miniature Season 2.

See some of Micheline's miniatures here!

I met SketchNate, another multi-talented artist, at the same exhibit space as Micheline on Jan 2, 2023.

Check his work on Instagram here, and all his other links here, including a free downloadable game called "'Nump"!

I was struck by how full of joy Kathleen was in her job as a crossing guard. Click here to see my post about her, and here to visit her on IG.

I met Michael at an Indigenous Music Festival called Ziigwan that toook place in Yonge Dundas Square. He was dancing freely and so full of life and joy.

Click here to see my post about him and to find him on Instagram.

Mark Baker, aka U2Brothr - a fellow U2 fanatic, who I met at Dublin Calling for the launch of a U2 album.

Mark is a teacher, a DJ, the bass player in U2 tribute band Acrobat, and has some amazing stories related to meeting U2. It was very fun meeting him!

I am thankful for all the adventures and opportunities that 2023 brought me. Thank you for sticking with me and following my journey!

Click here to see more of my highlights of previous years.

Click here to see my blog posts about film photography.

Click here to follow me on Instagram.

(Image from Lomography's Sprocket Rocket website)

The Sprocket Rocket is a film camera that takes wide panoramic images - the equivalent of two frames in a single exposure - on 35mm film.

The camera also gives you the option of exposing images onto the sprocket holes that run along the top and bottom of the film, or to keep your exposures only within the usual boundaries.

Including the sprocket holes is the most natural thing to do though - it's implied in the name of the camera itself!

I used this image to promote my GO WIDE exhibit. It also appeared on the title wall of my exhibit.

I was preparing for an exhibit in October called GO WIDE: Wide Angle Views of Toronto - a show which shared some of my favourite panoramic images that I've created over the past ten years or so - and the Sprocket Rocket seemed like a great way to create some fun new images for the exhibit.

This triptych of waterfront images also appeared on the title wall of my GO WIDE exhibit.

I was also inspired by a very fun podcast called I Dream of Cameras, whose co-host Jeff Greenstein has been sharing panoramic images created with his X-Pan cameras. You can find links to his images via the I Dream of Cameras Instagram account.

So for this blog post I am sharing some of my favourites from the four rolls of film that I put through this camera! I hope you enjoy the wide views!

Break the Rules

Many thanks to PhotoEd Magazine for including the above image, taken with my Sprocket Rocket, in a recent edition.

PhotoEd is a wonderful Canadian magazine that celebrates unique photography. I highly recommend becoming a subscriber.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Sprocket Rocket cameras are fun to use almost anywhere!

Top Cash

Money

One of the challenges of the Sprocket Rocket is that it only has two shutter speeds - 1/100 ("N") or Bulb ("B"). It is very easy to bump the lever and accidentally move the setting to Bulb, which allows you to do a long exposure, for as long as you hold the shutter down.

The below image, of my sons jumping off the end of a dock in the Muskoka region, is one of several that I accidentally captured in the Bulb setting.

Summer Joy

I shot a roll of Black and White film (Kodak Tri-X 400)...

No More Towers

Before You Cross

Walking Pape

Hats

A few scenes from the Scarborough Bluffs...

A very curious scene on the Dufferin Bridge...

I called City of Toronto's 311 to put in a request that Animal Services help this poor possum, which seemed stuck on the fence above the tracks. A few passersby also helped place something near the fence so that it might have something to use to climb down.

A view of the Japanese Canadian Centennial Temple Bell at Ontario Place. People who care about the bell, which has been moved and is now in storage, have set up an Instagram account worth following. I also highly recommend following Ontario Place For All.

I think my roll of Portra 800 film delivered the best results from this camera. Here are my favourites, several from the CNE...

Peter the Street Dummer

Here is a good place to close, with a message from Glendale Lazaro, who submitted this message to the Talking Fences project at Downsview Park...

We definitely need more kindness in our world.

Thanks for looking!

Click here to see more blog posts sharing my film photography!

Click here to follow me on Instagram!

- Leaving Las Vegas, Sheryl Crow

When you think of Las Vegas, what comes to mind? Neon glitz? Showgirl glamour? Elvis conducting a wedding?

If someone told you that Las Vegas had an arts district, would you be surprised?

I recently asked a friend who goes to Las Vegas a lot about the Las Vegas Arts District and they were dumbfounded. They had never heard of it.

In early October my family and a group of friends went to Las Vegas to see U2 in the Sphere.

An ad for U2's latest single, Atomic City, pasted up in the Arts District.

The U2 concert - and the Sphere itself - was amazing.

I could write a lot about that, but for this post I'd like to share about the fun my friend Sammy and I had exploring the super cool neighbourhood of Las Vegas known as the Arts District.

With my limited knowledge of Las Vegas (a lot of CSI Vegas episodes plus a 2 day trip there some 12+ years ago) I was ready to take in all that the District had to offer!

The Arts District started in 1998 as an 18 block district to promote the arts. Hence why it is at times referred to as 18b, although it has expanded beyond the original area.

Fantastic Clint Eastwood inspired mural by @latin.artist (link to their Instagram page).

Our cab driver dropped us off near the building with the giant LOVE LAS VEGAS mural and we set out for adventure!

We encountered the Retro Vegas shop, which was currently closed at this location...

Great mural by @geometrkart (link to their instagram page).

We quickly were taken in by alleyway upon alleyway of incredible mural artwork...

A mural being created while we watched.

Artwork by Joe Pagac (link to their instagram page).

You can count on Sammy and I to ham it up a bit for the camera...

Here I am, playing my part...

The above mural was created by Recycled Propaganda, who has a store and exhibit space in the Arts District. A must see if you go!

Here are some of what we encountered in Recycled Propaganda...

If you like Adbusters, as I do, or any creative work that counters the dominant ad-based world that we live in, then you will appreciate checking out Recycled Propaganda (also on Instagram).

Immediately next door to Recycled Propaganda was that most American of businesses, a 24 hour bail bonds operation.

Naturally Sammy provided some joyful visuals!

Freedom & Justice!

On the side wall of the bail bond shop was another powerful mural by Recycled Propaganda...

And nearby was this quote...

Stickers and street art were found aplenty as we walked...

We stopped for lunch at the Houston Hot Chicken restaurant. Boy was it good!

Chicken tenders and fries at Houston Hot Chicken.

There were so many cool shops to explore, especially the vintage and antique stores.

Here are a few items that we saw...

Zoltar Speaks - available for $9,999!

$2 Billion in Lenny Kravitz bills. Merely $29.99!

An antique vampire hunting kit (!?!). I was amazed that this store had more than one of these.

I could go on and on about how cool this area is. Exactly the kind of neighbourhood I love to explore.

Art continued to be found around every corner!

A mural by the very talented @pwoz.art (link to their instagram).

Naturally I captured some street scenes...

Kodak Gold 200 film

Kodak Gold 200 film

The Strat Tower loomed large, especially as we worked our way south...

Juvenile Juxtaposition

Sammy took a phone call in the back patio of the super cool ReBAR...

Once he hung up, Sammy's poise and perspective quickly returned...

One thing is sure, if you are looking to get away from the thumping noise of the Vegas Strip, the LV Arts District is the place to go.

You can get there by the Deuce bus, by taxi or rideshare, or on one of those hop-on hop-off tour buses...

The Vegas Strip has a lot to offer, but if you can find the time, give this wonderful neighbourhood a visit.

This is one bet you are sure to win!

Scroll down for additional helpful links...

Greetings from Las Vegas

A beautiful mural by the ubiquitous @greetingsmural (link to their Instagram page).

Related links worth exploring...

• Official Las Vegas Arts District website
• Vegas.com's Guide to the Arts District
• Vegas Food & Fun's Guide to the Arts District
• Main Street Las Vegas - business listings for Antique Alley in the Arts District
• Las Vegas Murals Guide
• Best Art Murals in Las Vegas
• Map of bus stops along The Deuce bus route
• Tips for places to see along the Deuce bus route
• My Pal Sammy's Substack page
• Yours truly on Instagram!
• "Vegas" - a song by one of my favourite singer-songwriters, Martyn Joseph

If you enjoyed this blog post, or have suggestions, edits, additions, etc, please send me a message and let me know!

Thanks for reading. Click here to see more of my blog posts!

Recently I tried another - Lomography Redscale XR film.

Tow Away Zone

Redscale film originated from an experimental technique tried out years ago by some adventurous souls.

They tried exposing images onto what was normally considered the back side of the film.

The results were surprising and delightful - to some at least (I'm sure others were not impressed!).

Here then are some of my results with Lomo Redscale film. All shot with my Konica Auto S3.

Lane of Light

Golden Puddle

Parking Booth

(an increasingly rare entity)

Photo of a wall sized image of "Tommie peeking out of room window" by Mary Ellen Mark, from a display at The Image Centre for their exhibit of Mary Ellen Mark: Ward 81.

This was such a powerful exhibit. Click here to see more of the images that were on display at The Image Centre.

Photo of the exhibit print of "Tommie peeking out of room window" by Mary Ellen Mark as seen in Mary Ellen Mark: Ward 81 at The Image Centre.

I've enjoyed many engaging exhibits at The Image Centre. Click here to see what is currently showing there.

Square Sky

Lomography Redscale Film has an ISO range that can be set anywhere from 50 to 200. These images were shot at ISO 200.

Analogue Wonderland (a wonderful site for film shooters) has a great write-up and video about Lomo Redscale film. Check it out here!

Something about this water tower compels me to raise my camera...

A series of images from a small plaza in Scarborough...

Here There Everywhere I

Colonial Car Wash

Charlie Brown Stairs

Glove Booth

Incredible

Here There Everywhere II

Birds of the Square

Curves and Contours

Caméra Mécanique

Speak No Evil

I enjoyed shooting Lomography Redscale film. 

The results are certainly unique and add a new dimension to images that already have something interesting going on in them. I would consider shooting with this film again.

Additional blog posts featuring unique film types:

- Purple Poses: Playing Purposefully with Lomography's Purple XR Film

- Colours of Coney Island - Captured on Revelog Kolor Film

Click here to see more film photo blog posts!

Thanks for looking!

Here are some of my favourite colour film photos of 2022. I hope you enjoy them!

Tanya Tagaq

NPR did a great feature about this award-winning singer.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

Send In The Clown

Kodak Gold 200 - Nikon AF600

Repairs to All Makes

Kodak Gold 200 - Nikon AF600

Previous images of this location can be seen here, here and here!

Hotel

Kodak Portra 800 - Canon AE-1

Look After Yourselves

Kodak Portra 800 - Canon AE-1

Enter Face

A Winter Station by a design team from Türkiye

Read more about the Winter Stations at this link.

Kodak Ektar 100 120 Format - Fujica GS645W

Winsom - a very talented artist I met outside the AGO.

Click here for more about my experience meeting this accomplished artist.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Konica Auto S3

Cherry Street Skyline

Kodak Ektar 100 - Konica Auto S3

Three Crosses

Holy Eucharist Ukrainian Catholic Church

Kodak Ektar 100 - Fujica GS645S

Closing Sale

Kodak Portra 400 - Canon AE-1

Beach Reach

Kodak Ektar 100 - Olympus Stylus Zoom

Kensington Cloud

Click here (and scroll down a ways) to see a similar image in Black & White.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Olympus Stylus Zoom

Caribbean Queen of Patties

Kodak Ektar 100 120 Format - Fujica GS645S

The Colours of Vintage

Odd Finds General Store

Kodak Ektar 100 120 Format - Fujica GS645S

HENRY'S

Kodak Ektachrome 120 Format - Fujica GS645S

Imperial Pub

Cinestill 800T 120 Format - Fujica GS645S

Skyline Restaurant (A Toronto classic!)

Cinestill 800T 120 Format - Fujica GS645S

Take Away

A window of The Lakeview Restaurant that recently closed, at least temporarily.

Cinestill 800T 120 Format - Fujica GS645S

Click here to see a blog post with more Cinestill images.

Since 1860

Window at McTamney's former Church Street location, now located on the Danforth.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

Roll Around Heaven All Day

(Lyrics from Lucky Old Sun)

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

East End Proud

Kudos to DECA for all that they do in the Danforth East area.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

Long Limbs

My son and I clowning around. 😊

Kodak Portra 160 - Nikon AF600

Flying the Flag

Kodak Portra 160 - Nikon AF600

A Simple Dream

Kodak Gold 200 - Nikon AF600

Overpass Lookout

Click here (and scroll down a ways) to see a black and white view from this spot.

Kodak Gold 200 - Nikon AF600

East York Pride

This East York home was once a shoe store and has always caught my eye - so it was very nice to meet the owner and to take his photograph.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

No Wake

Kodak Ultramax 400 - Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Grossman's Tavern

One of the great music venues of Toronto.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

Electric Avenue

A street in Buffalo, NY - a city I loved visiting with My Pal Sammy in October 2022.

After Buffalo we went to Rochester, NY - click here for a blog post about our time there.

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

Elusive

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

This next batch are ones I that I considered for my Redacted City DesignTO exhibit.

Church Redacted

Kodak Gold 200 - Nikon AF600

Lowe's Redacted

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

Royal Redacted

Kodak Ektar 100 - Canon AE-1

While this is one that I did include in the Redacted City exhibit...

We Scoop

Kodak Ektar 100 120 Format - Fujica GS645S

I'll close with a few atmospheric night scenes.

Leslieville

Cinestill 800T - Nikon F80

Fox Theatre

A wonderful theatre in the Beaches neighbourhood.

Cinestill 800T - Nikon F80

Bestway

Prototype 640T - Nikon F80

Here are my favourite colour film images from previous years

- A Year in Colour Film - 2021 Edition

- A Year in Colour Film 2020 - Part One

- A Year in Colour Film 2020 - Part Two

- A Year in Colour Film 2019 - Part One

- A Year in Colour Film 2019 - Part Two

- A Year in Colour Film 2018 - Part One

- A Year in Colour Film 2018 - Part Two

Click here to see all of my film photography blog posts.

Follow me on Instagram to see a wider variety of images - both film and digital.

Thanks for looking!

Here is my annual post looking back at my favourite black and white film photos of the past year (2022).

Monk's

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

The Cinesphere

Arista EDU 100 / Konica Auto S3

George Street Stools

Arista EDU 100 / Konica Auto S3

Keep supporting small businesses like The George Street Diner.

Changing Times

Fuji Acros 100 II / Konica Auto S3

Watch Now

Fuji Acros 100 II 120 Format/ Fujica GS645W

Shout out to multi-talented actor Andrew Phung, seen in the upper left corner.

Street Lantern

Fuji Acros 100 II / Konica Auto S3

Hydro-Electric

Fuji Acros 100 II / Konica Auto S3

Bully The System

- For equal opportunity - For peace - For sustainability - For health

 Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400 / Topcon RM 300

Cherry Beach Skyline - 2022

Kosmo Foto Mono 100 120 Format / Fujica GS645W

Marlene and Winsom

Ultra Fine 100 120 Format (expired) / Fujica GS645S

It was a gift to meet Winsom, an accomplished Canadian artist, and her friend Marlene, outside of the AGO.

Click here for a colour film photo of Winsom and more details about her and our meeting.

Wrong Way

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Friendship

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Kyiv Ukraine

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Forgive Your Self

(posters by the very talented - and kind hearted - Adam the Illustrator)

Astrum Foto 200 / Konica Auto S3

Empty Cart

Astrum Foto 200 / Konica Auto S3

Toronto Life

(light leaks in lower right area)

Ilford XP2 Super 400 120 Format / Fujica GS645S

Since 1860

Astrum Foto 400 / Konica Auto S3

Cycling Parliament

Ilford XP2 Super 400 / Konica Auto S3

Contemplative Corner

Ilford XP2 Super 400 / Konica Auto S3

Overpass Lookout

Ilford XP2 Super 400 / Konica Auto S3

The Saint

Kodak T400CN (expired) / Konica Auto S3

Job Well Done

Kodak T400CN (expired) / Konica Auto S3

On July 26, 2022 a large portion of the Bloor-Danforth line shut down and everyone had to take shuttle buses. This TTC driver, Esau or Issa (sp?), helped to keep passengers calm during a very stressful situation through his kind, playful, and encouraging messages over the speaker system. I thanked him as we exited the bus and asked if I could take his photo. I shared about his good work and this photo with the TTC. Hopefully he hears about it and receives the photo.

Looking South on Spadina

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Beach Pastime

Kodak T400CN (expired) / Konica Auto S3

Cohen at the AGO

Lomography Earl Grey 100 / Konica Auto S3

I loved seeing this exhibit. On until April 10, 2023.

Daily Rituals

Swan Street Diner, Buffalo, NY

Lomography Earl Grey 100 / Konica Auto S3

One of our stops during a road trip to visit the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY.

Po ice Station

Buffalo, NY

Lomography Earl Grey 100 / Konica Auto S3

Buy Sell

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Terminal

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Into the Mist

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Kensington Cloud

Kentmere Ultrafine 100 / Konica Auto S3

(I'm not sure what happened to my film to create the darkened area in the centre.)

From here on in, my photography is going to the birds...

A Bird Above

Lomography Earl Grey 100 / Konica Auto S3

Life Is Beautiful

Arista EDU 100 / Konica Auto S3

Polson Pier Goose

Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400 / Topcon RM 300

Gray Coach Pigeon

Ultra Fine 100 120 Format (expired) / Fujica GS645S

Sunbathing Ducks

Kodak Tri-X 400 / Konica Auto S3

Wheels, Wires, Wings

Ultrafine 100 / Konica Auto S3

Tip of the Hat

Kodak T400CN (expired) / Konica Auto S3

Sculpture by Huang Wei Zhu commemorating the life of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen

There is another sculpture of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Riverdale Park.

For more black and white film photos, here are my favourites from previous years:

- 2021

- 2020

- 2019

- 2018

All of my past film photo posts can be found here.

Follow me on Instagram to see a wider variety of images - both film and digital.

Thanks for looking!

Thanks for joining me as I share some of my favourite photo moments from 2022:

1. Exhibiting Old World Shoes in DesignTO

In January 2022 I was able to show my Old World Shoes project in Capri Shoes as part of the 2022 DesignTO Festival.

Having the exhibit in the DesignTO Festival allowed more people to see the project, and to consider the value of small and local shoe and shoe repair stores.

Participating in DesignTO led me to winning a "Best of Exhibition" award which was a big surprise!

Many thanks to Paola of Capri Shoes, and to all the hard-working business people who allowed me to share their stories in Old World Shoes.

2. Film Photography

I continued to enjoy shooting film in 2022.

Colour...

A Simple Dream

Aug 2022 - Kodak Gold 200 - Nikon AF600

...Black and White...

The Cinesphere

Jan 2022 - Arista EDU 100 film - Konica Auto S3

...and less common film types were a joy to shoot with in 2022.

Stay tuned for more film blog posts in 2023! (Click here to see my past film photography blog posts!)

3. Xanap Double Exposure

In early 2022 I participated in a film exchange project organized by XANAP Filmlab of Thailand.

Rolls of film that had been exposed by photographers in Thailand were given to photographers in eight different countries to shoot with.

I was thrilled to be selected to participate by Downtown Camera.

I had a few weeks to shoot the film and then Downtown Camera collected the rolls from participating photographers and sent them back to XANAP filmlab.

In April 2022 I received the scans of the developed film. It was very intriguing to see the results.

Click here to see Instagram posts that are tagged in relation to this project.

I hope to post more about this project, but it definitely was another favourite photo moment of 2022.

4. On Notice

In May 2022 I exhibited On Notice in the Contact Photo Festival.

On Notice explored Toronto's ever-present Notice of Development signs. I owe my friend, filmmaker Simon Madore, a huge thanks for this.

Affordable Housing Now

Simon co-directed a short film called Excluded By Design that was part of Hot Docs Citizen Minutes.

The film features civic activist Dave Meslin and addresses how public notice signs can more effectively engage citizens.

House of Music

We opened On Notice with a screening of Excluded By Design along with a panel discussion which was facilitated by Dave Meslin.

L to R: Dave Meslin, Chimwemwe Alao of Mass LBP, Myself, Hanen Nanaa founder of BAM Collective and Daniel Fusca - Manager, Public Consultation, Parks, Forestry and Recreation. Thanks to each of the panelists for their insightful contributions.

I couldn't have dreamed up a better event or way to show these images!

Many, many thanks to Simon Madore and his colleagues at Dave & Moi and RingFive for helping to make it happen!

5. Newfoundland and Labrador

In the summer of 2022 my family and I travelled to Newfoundland.

A sign on the trail to Bakers Brook Falls in Gros Morne

Sunset in Bonavista

I need to do a separate post (or three!) about this trip, but needless to say it was a real highlight for me in 2022.

6. The Exhibition

In August 2022 the Canadian National Exhibition opened for the first time in three years.

As someone who has been going to "The Ex" for many decades, and made it a family tradition, it was wonderful to have it back.

I tried to just relax, camera-wise, and celebrate having the Ex back again.

Of course I did take a few fun photos though...

I went back more than once, including a visit with my friend Sammy who was possibly as excited as me to be there.

My Pal Sammy in front of the Princes' Gates

7. Meeting People

One benefit of taking weekly photo walks around Toronto is getting to meet people of many backgrounds and life experiences.

I love hearing different perspectives and personal stories so these encounters often feel like a gift.

Here are a few of the good people that I met...

Alex - Fuji Acros 100 - March 2022

City Councillor Mike Colle with Gloria and Joe outside of Caribbean Slice Restaurant - April 2022

Winsom - Kodak Ektar 100 - April 2022

It was a wonderful surprise meeting Winsom, an award-winning artist who has exhibited her work in many galleries.

I was taking photos near the AGO and Winsom called out to me. She said she could tell I was an artist. Winsom and her friend Marlene and I had a very nice conversation, after which Winsom allowed me to take her photo. I love moments like these.

I may need to do a blog post, or something more, to celebrate the great people I've met here in Toronto!

8. Being Published

I had several nice moments seeing my work getting "out there" in various ways in 2022.

An assignment I did in 2021 about two indigenous elders was published in an international faith-based journal...

Documenting Work of Two Indigenous EldersIn October 2021 I had the privilege of accompanying Dr. Jeff Green of the Canadian Bible Society and documenting the work of two Indigenous elders who are helping preserve language and culture by translating the Bible into Mohawk (Harvey Gabriel in Kanesatake, Quebec) and Inuktitut (Jonas Allooloo in Iqaluit, Nunavut). Images and words were published in Bible & Society Journal.

Seen on these pages is Harvey Gabriel with his daughter and granddaughter, who are assisting with the translation work, and Harvey Gabriel with members of the local Mohawk Council.

Harvey Satewas Gabriel with his family and with local Grand Chief and Council members - published spring 2022

My On Notice exhibit was featured in BlogTO

On Notice featured on BlogTOMy Contact Photo Festival exhibit On Notice was featured in BlogTO. BlogTO article about my On Notice Exhibit - May 2022

A photo I took for a documentary by director Cat Mills appeared in the Toronto Star...

Images of the Mesdames of Mayhem, taken while working for Director Cat Mills, published in the Toronto Star.

CBC and Al-Jazeera articles included images I created for director Cat Mills for her Billboard Squad documentary.

Images for The Billboard Squad documentary on CBCA photo I took for The Billboard Squad, a documentary by Cat MIlls and Felicity Justrabo, was featured on CBC.ca.

I'm so thankful for these opportunities. Click here if you wish to see more of my published work.

9. Rochester Road Trip

In October 2022 my friend Sammy and I went for a quick trip to Rochester, NY.

There was a talk by Martha Cooper on at the George Eastman Museum - a great reason to get out there and enjoy ourselves.

Myself with Martha Cooper and her latest book Spray Nation

I wrote about the experience in a blog post, which was shared by the Eastman Museum on their social media feed.

Sammy and I actually did one of our first road trips together in August 2006 to Rochester, NY.

We saw Bob Dylan play at Frontier Field, with several Texas blues artists opening up for him, including Jimmie Vaughan.

That was such a fun night. Road trips are worth it people!

10. Art exhibits

I'm thankful to have seen many great photo exhibits this past year.

Here are a few of them:

Art Gallery of Ontario

- Leonard Cohen: Everybody Knows (on until April 10, 2023)

Art Museum at the University of Toronto

- As We Rise: Photography From the Black Atlantic

The Cardinal Gallery

- David Hunsburger - Saturday Social

- Joan Latchford - Love Isn't Limited

Stephen Bulger Gallery

- Jill Freedman - Social Documents

- Gabor Szilasi - book signing and film screening

The Image Centre

- Sunil Gupta - From Here to Eternity, A Retrospective

Paper Mill Gallery

- Lori Spring - Bus Station
 

My thanks to all of the above artists and galleries!

I'm sure there is much more to say about 2022, but I will stop there.

Thanks for sticking with me!

Click here to see my previous annual year in review blog posts!

Click here to follow me on Instagram!

Cheers and best wishes to you!

If you love photography, then a visit to the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York is a definite must.

George Eastman's legacy is quite vast, but amongst his many accomplishments is founding the Eastman Kodak company, which helped make film photography a popular pursuit around the world.

A display of images created with Kodak cameras, seen in the George Eastman Museum.

We began our time in Rochester though with a visit to the Rochester Public Market...

And a quick visit at Pendulum's Finds & Keeps, a fun vintage and thrift store just across the street from the Market...

The view from inside Pendulum's Finds & Keeps.

(Canon AE-1 with Kodak Ektar 100 film)

And then grabbed lunch at the Highland Park Diner - a classic old school eatery with friendly staff and a great menu.

After lunch we headed to the George Eastman Museum for the afternoon.

We started in the gardens next to the Museum, which were beautifully lit on that fall day...

A few film images in front of the Museum, fittingly shot with Kodak film...

Me in the front garden of the George Eastman Museum.

(Canon AE-1 with Kodak Ektar 100 film)

My Pal Sammy of My Summer Lair podcast.

(Canon AE-1 with Kodak Ektar 100 film)

The house, or mansion, side of the George Eastman Museum.

(Canon AE-1 with Kodak Ektar 100 film)

We started the Museum on the gallery side, planning to visit the mansion side afterwards.

The gallery side of the Museum.

A highlight of the Museum galleries was Flood Zone by Anastasia Samoylova - a fascinating look at the nature of climate change in south-eastern United States.

They did a wonderful job displaying the exhibit.

I found many images in the show quite beautiful and moving.

Flood Zone was also on exhibit earlier this year in Toronto as part of the Scotiabank Contact Photo Festival.

In the hallway outside the galleries was a wall displaying chemicals used in the production or developing of film.

It was fascinating to look closely at the many small jars of chemicals...  

After the galleries we explored the mansion.

My parents took my family to the "George Eastman House" several times when I was a kid. I have distinct memories of learning about photography from the displays I encountered. My Dad was an avid photographer, and my Mom an artist, so I'm sure they both equally loved taking us there.

The mansion is filled with many fascinating items that reflect the era of George Eastman's life.

This mansion offers additional opportunities to learn about the history of photography and of the Eastman Kodak Company.

I couldn't resist getting a few photos inside the mansion...

Photo by My Pal Sammy

The George Eastman Museum is not a funhouse, but it is a fun house!

...and more film photos of the gorgeous fall colours in front of the Museum...

(Canon AE-1 with Kodak Ektar 100 film)

(Canon AE-1 with Kodak Ektar 100 film)

The main event of our trip was a talk by Martha Cooper.

Martha Cooper, also known as "Kodak Girl" due to her collection of vintage Kodak ads, is renowned for documentating the early days of street art in New York City and beyond.

A case at the George Eastman Museum displaying some of Martha Cooper's collection of Kodak advertisements that feature women photographers.

In the centre is the Kodak Girl book (link includes a slideshow of images from the book) which shares more of Martha Cooper's collection

along with essays discussing the significance of women in the early history of photography.

Everyone was fascinated as Martha Cooper shared about the early days of meeting and photographing street artists and their creations, as well as where her work has taken her since then.

I especially appreciated Martha Cooper's honesty about originally wanting to be a different kind of photographer, and how she found her calling along the way of pursuing what she loves.

Afterwards Martha Cooper signed her latest book, Spray Nation. It was special to meet her and talk with her a bit during the signing.

Martha Cooper wearing a jacket by visual artist Wagner Wagz.

The jacket's artwork is based on a photo of Martha Cooper in her early days in New York City.

I recomend following Martha Cooper on Instagram, where she is very active posting her latest activities.

After the talk, we drove around exploring some of the city, including a theatre known as "The Little".

(Nikon F80 & CInestill 800T film)

(Nikon F80 & CInestill 800T film)

(Nikon F80 & CInestill 800T film)

My Pal Sammy is ready for his close-up!

(Nikon F80 & CInestill 800T film)

We also drove by the Kodak Tower.

Naturally I also took some film photos here...

(Nikon F80 & Cinestill 800T film)

(Nikon F80 & Cinestill 800T film)

All in all it was a great day!

If you love film, or photography in general, be sure to plan a trip to the George Eastman House. It's well worth it!

My thanks to the good people at the Museum for all that they do to celebrate and elevate photography!

Here are some relevant links:

• George Eastman Museum website
• George Eastman Museum's Youtube page (Try the Wish You Were Here series to hear other photographer talks)
• George Eastman Museum on Instagram
• Martha Cooper on Instagram
• Wall Therapy - a mural art festival based in Rochester that has a global impact
• Visit Rochester - Rochester's official tourism website
• Click here to explore more blog posts that feature film photography!
• Click here to read about the inspiring photography of Jamel Shabazz.

Thanks for looking!

In my previous post I shared about the unique results offered by Lomachrome Purple XR film.

In this post I will share some of my favourite images captured with Cinestill 800T film.

Cinestill describes this film as "based on the same gold standard motion picture technology used by top cinematographers around the world. Designed for difficult low light tungsten situations, this flexible film is suitable for use in different lighting situations to achieve a variety of looks."

Towers and Bridges

While this film can be used in the daytime...

Good Time Coffee

All Day Breakfast

Ulster Arms Tavern

Product of the Year

...I much prefer the look it gives when capturing nighttime scenes, especially neon lights.

William's Shoe Store

The images in this post were taken from January to February and October to November 2021 (two rolls of 35mm film) and in June 2022 (one roll of 120 film).

Fatima Jewellery

Fatima Jewellery

Cinestill film uses a film type that was used by filmmakers. From Cinestill's website:

Now, anyone can use film in the same lighting situations as new blockbuster movies and TV shows such as Inception, Argo, Lincoln, all of the Batman movies, Django Unchained, Man of Steel, Les Misérables, The Master, the new Star Trek films, the Star Wars films, all Wes Anderson's films, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Boardwalk Empire...

Speaking of movies - many movie scenes have been filmed at the Lakeview Restaurant. Click here for details.

Lakeview Restaurant

Take Away

Lakeview Restaurant - Cinestill 120 film
 

One key feature of Cinestill 800T (some would call it a bug, not a feature!) is the halation, or glow, it creates around lights. This is due to the removal of a "remjet" layer from the film. This layer served important purposes for filmmakers, but removing it allows the film to be developed more easily using the more commonly available C-41 process.

There are many great write-ups online about the technical features of this film, along with more sample images of what it can deliver.

Here are two trusted sites where you can explore more about this film:

- Analogue Wonderland - Cinestill 800T Review

- The Darkroom - Cinestill 800T Film Review

Lula Lounge

AAA Auto Glass

The Drake Hotel

Star Convenience

Distant Light

Superfly Alley

Superfly was a Parkdale bar that closed this past year.

Grand Electric Parkdale

I have to include some of what must be my favourite neon sign in Toronto...

Skyline Restaurant

Pay them a visit the next time you're in Parkdale. The Skyline is a true classic!

Rendezviews is definitely one of the best patios in the city. It is very colourful in the daytime, thanks to artwork by Clandestinos Art, but also has great atmosphere at night.

Rendezviews

  Guardians of Queen West

Miss Jones

I really love the CHUM Radio sign at Richmond and Duncan Streets...

I captured a scene near the CHUM Radio sign back in 2014, which can be seen here in my Art Show Portfolio.

Imperial Pub

Cinestill 120 film

Lover's Glow

Cinestill 120 film

Rol San Restaurant

Cinestill 120 film

Rol San's All Day Dim Sum sign, plus their neon lights, always make me smile.

The famous neon lights of Rol San Restaurant.

Cinestill 120 film

El Mocambo

Cinestill 120 film

This historic music venue keeps drawing me back for photos.

I've seen many artists perform here. My favourite was Daniel Lanois in 2003. Such a great show.

Cocktails & Dreams

Cinestill 120 film

A bartending school on Dundas St W. Take a look at their very fun website.

I will close with one more image of the Skyline Restaurant. Perhaps my favourite of all I've captured there, and from this film type also.

Skyline Restaurant

Cinestill 120 film

If you are interested in exploring other unique film types, have a look at these:

- Purple Poses - Lomachrome Purple XR

- Colours of Coney Island - captured with Revelog Kolor film

To see other blog posts of my film photography, just click here.

And for more of my photography - film and digital - follow me on Instagram.

Thanks for looking!

- Mae Jemison

Engineer, Physician, former NASA astronaut and first black woman to travel into space.

Shooting film has made a big comeback in recent years.

There are many reasons why, but the twin feelings of anticipation while waiting for your film to be developed, and of surprise when you get back your images, are definitely included on that list.

Canon AE-1

Experimenting with unique film stocks - ones that have been pre-exposed or have unusual chemical formulas - elevates those elements of anticipation and of surprise.

I've enjoyed trying out several film types for this very reason. One of them is Lomography's Lomachrome Purple XR 100-400 film.

Monarch Butterfly I

In this blog I will share some images I captured with this unique film type. All were taken in September 2021 with my Canon AE-1.

Purple is rich in symbolism, often linked with royalty, but with many other associations also. I'll let you draw your own conclusions though, as you view the images shared here.

Monarch Butterfly II

The essential thing to know about Lomochrome Purple XR is that it shifts colours. Blue becomes green, green becomes purple, yellow becomes pink but reds stay as red. So it definitely offers some surprises, especially if you capture scenes with blue, green and yellow.

Butterflies enjoying the lush plant life in Toronto's Kew Gardens - on a gorgeous September day - provided me a great opportunity to try out the colour shifts that Lomachrome Purple has to offer.

A Pair of Monarchs

Others have written much more in-depth about the chemistry of this film, and of how to shoot images with it. Here are two such links well worth looking at if you are considering trying out this film:

- Emulsive's tips and users guide to Lomochrome Purple

- Matt Loves Cameras' review of Lomochrome Purple

A former Black's store in Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood

Black's is still active under new ownership as an online photo business, but their bricks and mortar stores closed in 2015.

Colours of Queen

I love the architecture of this building.

Making Space

A scene just across the street from the previous image.

In some images the colour shifts are more subtle...

McTamney's

One of Toronto's biggest pawn shops - seen here on Church Street but now located on the Danforth.

While in other images the colour changes are much more dramatic...

Leafy Floor

A view of the grounds of Toronto's Metropolitan United Church.

Greenwood Graffiti

Channeling Chi

Greenwood Park

Thou Shalt Not Steal

A bike with a sign noting the eighth commandment.

The bike hasn't moved in months. I guess the sign is working!

Tasty Restaurant

Tasty

A Blooming Lie

Kim's Convenience

Purple on the Tracks

Workers repair streetcar tracks at Queen Street and University Avenue

Crossing McCaul

Cycling McCaul

Passing OCAD

AGO Colours

AGO Reflections

I really like how the butterfly images turned out, so I'll end with one more...

Monarch Butterfly III

If you liked this unusual film type, you might enjoy my blog post featuring images of Coney Island captured on Revelog's Kolor film.

If you like film photography, click here to see my other blog posts featuring film images.

Thanks for looking!

"Be different. Be original. Nobody will remember a specific flower in a garden filled with thousands

of the same yellow flower, But they will remember the one that managed to change its color to purple."

- Suzy Kassem, 'Rise Up And Salute The Sun'.

(Check out Sammy's email, podcast and Twitter feed for all kinds of pop culture goodness.)

HAHAHA

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Montreal is home to the Just For Laughs festival (see image above), the Montreal Jazz Festival, and hundreds of other cultural events in the summer - nevermind all that happens there in other seasons.

I previously published a blog Bikes of Montreal from that trip.

Wheels and Hearts

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

In this post I will share my favourite film photos of Montreal.

St. Christophe Street Mural

Wall2Wall Montreal has a great collection of this artist's work.

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Sammy & I both like tea, so naturally we went by Camellia Sinensis in the Villeray neighbourhood.

Good to the Last Drop

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Here's an alternate take on a scene I shared in my Bikes of Montreal blog post.

Guardian of the Bike

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Seeing Old Montreal was essential...

Le Grand Roue de Montreal

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

Le Petit Dep

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

Old Montreal Love

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

We enjoyed exploring the Plateau neighbourhood...

Restaurant Le Fameux

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Salades

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

Hadio 514

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

A Bargain Find ;)

Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160

Paul's Boutique

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Restaurant Mont-Royal

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

J. Omer Roy - a vintage sign that locals fought to preserve

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

It's Been A While

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

We did the requisite line-up for a lunch at Chez Schwartz's...

Chez Schwartz's

(Yes that's My Pal Sammy raising his arms in victory. We finally made it!)

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

Let's go to black and white now. All on Kosmo Foto Mono 100 filnm with my Konica Auto S3.

Me in front of the wonderful hat store, Henri Henri!

I'm wearing a shirt by Montreal artist PLB.

Just as they do in Toronto, Montreal bikes have a way of disassembling themselves...

Streets of Verdun

Candles inside Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Catholic Church in Verdun

Out for a Walk

In front of Notre Dame Basilica in Old Montreal

Art by French artists 123KLAN made in connection with the annual Under Pressure graffiti festival

Statue of Mother Émelie Gamelin by Raoul Hunter in the Berri Subway Station

(Fencing was around the statue due to repair work taking place.)

LKVM Studio

We were fortunate to meet these two talented artists who graciously invited us in

to their home and shared their work with us. Pay them a visit when you are in Montreal!

I'm Your Man

A mural of the great Leonard Cohen based on a photo by his daughter Lorca Cohen.

Cohen has a way of showing up in Montreal

Visit this link for more on this wonderful mural by Kevin Ledo

Visit this link for more on Cohen, Jewish history and food (and a brief mention of this mural) in Montreal

Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160

Montreal

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

Poutine Lafleur

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

I tried my hand at a few double exposures...

Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160 Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160

I met Fethy, who allowed me to take his portrait...

Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Ektar 100

One of the friendly staff at Henri Henri

Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160

Lions in Winter

Books being given away on the street

Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160

Henry Birks

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Vert Bahamas

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

Justice Needs a Bath

Canon Sure Shot Telemax

Kodak Pro Image 100

And there's Sammy - a few steps closer to securing us lunch!

Nikon FE

Kodak Portra 160

À plus tard!

P.S. Click here to see my Bikes of Montreal post

Feel free to check out my other blog posts, follow me on Instagram or to see my photo art products.

Thanks for looking!

Wings Over Coxwell

Kodak Portra 400

This blog post, now an annual tradition for me, shares some of my favourite colour film images of 2021.

Jesus Loves You

Kodak Portra 400

It takes me a while to share these, but taking time helps my selection process too, I feel.

Keep Your Ambitions Moving

Kodak Portra 400

In previous years I shared my favourite colour film photos in two separate blog posts, but this year, for the sake of time, I will share just one.

Open Saturdays!

Kodak Pro Image 100

Hopefully I'll have time to blog a bit more before summer comes and things get extra busy!

Ray

Kodak Pro Image 100

Ray and I have met and talked a few times over the past two years. I shared a photo of Ray in my recent Favourite Black and White film photos of 2021 blog post as well.

Love is Good, Good People

Kodak Pro Image 100

Friendly Corner

Kodak Pro Image 100

Refined Spaces

Kodak Pro Image 100

A number of different cameras were used to make these images. I will list them at the end of this post.

Work to Be Done

Kirkland Colour 100 (Expired Film)

Doors of St. James

Kirkland Colour 100 (Expired Film)

Work and Play

Double exposure on Kirkland Colour 100 (Expired Film)

SPINCO

Kodak Ultramax 400

Cops on Queen

Kodak Ultramax 400

The Danny

Kodak Ultramax 400

A few more from the Danforth...

Postables

Kodak Ultramax 400

I love book stores...

Book City

Kodak Ultramax 400

The Scribe

Kodak Ultramax 400

$5 Vintage Books (at The Scribe)

Kodak Ultramax 400

Our Greatest Strength

Quote found at From The Neck Up Massage

Kodak Ultramax 400

Danny Sunshine

Kodak Ultramax 400

I Want You...

Kodak Ultramax 400

Dressy Boutique

Kodak Ultramax 400

Email God

Kodak 400, Expired (March 2021)

Email God II

Kodak Ektar 100 (May 2021)

Give

Kodak 400, Expired

Okay! Blue Jays

Kodak Ektar 100

That Way

Kodak Ektar 100

Pscychic Shop

Kodak Ektar 100

I keep returning to the AGO...

AGO Magic

Kodak Ektar 100

Anthony

Kodak Ektar 100

I love meeting people while I'm out and about. Anthony was very friendly and we talked for a bit before I took his photo.

  Style is Eternal

Kodak Portra 160

Love is Love

Kodak Portra 160

The Rosedale Diner - once featured on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

Gil and Hilary were happy to pose for a few photos.

Be sure to keep supporting local places like this!

Kodak Portra 160

Danger Due To...

Kodak Gold 200

#HAULER

Kodak Gold 200

Needs More

Kodak Gold 200

Danforth Variety & Fruit Market

Kodak Gold 200

Storefront Faith

Kodak Gold 200

Money

Kodak Ektar 100

Between Fate and Luck

Kodak Ektar 100

Town & Country

Kodak Pro Image 100

Danforth Sunrise

Kodak Pro Image 100

Snoopy

Kodak Pro Image 100

Major Convenience

Kodak Pro Image 100

Orange on the Tracks

Kodak Gold 200

Wherever You Go

Kodak Gold 200

Eyes on Spadina

Kodak Gold 200

Economy Fruit

Kodak Ektar 100

Still Life

Kodak Ektar 100

Kingsway Cinema

Kodak Ektar 100

Crossing Queen

Kodak Ektar 100

Motel Cadillac

Kodak Portra 160

  "For me it is the people" - Abeba

Kodak Portra 160

\

Steve's Music

Talented staff of this Queen West Classic

Kodak Portra 160

Returning Home

Kodak Portra 400

I love the reds of Kodak Ektar 100 film...

China Island

Kodak Ektar 100

Home Hardware

Kodak Ektar 100

Perfectly Free

A street scene showing a section of the Dupont Underpass Mural by multi-disciplinary artist Joel Richardson.

I created these images using a Canon AE-1, Canon Sure Shot Telemax, Nikon AF600, Nikon FE, and an Olympus Stylus Zoom.

Click here to see my favourite Black and White Film Photos of 2021.

Here are my favourite colour film images from previous years

- A Year in Colour Film 2020 - Part One

- A Year in Colour Film 2020 - Part Two

- A Year in Colour Film 2019 - Part One

- A Year in Colour Film 2019 - Part Two

- A Year in Colour Film 2018 - Part One

- A Year in Colour Film 2018 - Part Two

Follow me on Instagram to see a wider variety of images - both film and digital.

Thanks for looking!

This blog features my favourite black and white film photos of 2021. They were primarily made with my Konica Auto S3 camera.

Staff Meeting

Ilford HP5+ 400

These images are, for the most part, presented in the order they were taken over the course of 2021.

Coin Laundry

Ilford HP5+ 400

I have included links to many of the businesses featured in my images. Please give them a visit and show them some love! They and you will be better for it! :)

A beautiful window display at The Scribe Bookstore (375 Danforth Avenue)

Astrum Foto 400

Astrum Foto film is made in Ukraine. Stephen Dowling of Kosmo Foto and Alex Luyckx of the Classic Camera Revival Podcast each have nice write-ups about Astrum film stocks.

Bau-Xi Photo Gallery, 350 Dundas St W

Astrum Foto 400

I visited the Bau-Xi Gallery in Toronto (across the street from the AGO) with my family when I was growing up and the name (named after founder Bau Xi Huang) stuck in my mind and imagination. I am glad it is still around and thriving. They expanded in 2010 to add a gallery space just for photography (seen in the above image).

Coxwell and Danforth

Ilford Delta 400 Pro

Ray

I've met Ray in my neighbourhood and enjoyed good converations with him a few times over the past year or two.

(Click here to see a colour image of Ray in my Favourite Colour Photos of 2021 blog post.)

Ilford Delta 400 Pro

Lines to Be Crossed

Ilford Delta 400 Pro

I love experimenting with different film types as each has a unique character of tone and grain.

Japan Camera Hunter's Streetpan 400 is definitely one of my favourite film stocks...

Acadia Book Store (232 Queen Street East)

Acadia is one of the oldest, and certainly one of the most unique, book stores in Toronto.

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Shop Cat (Acadia Book Store)

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Waiting

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Jimmie Simpson Shadows

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Enforced

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

avant garde

(Store window at the very stylish Shernett Swaby at 632 Queen St W)

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Store Window at Monty's Credit Jewellers (1482 Queen St W)

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Charles on Church

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Still Alive

Super Wonder Gallery, 584 College St

Ilford HP5+ 400

Church of the Holy Name (71 Gough Avenue, near Danforth and Pape)

Taken while working on Humans of the Danforth

Ilford HP5+ 400

Meant to Last

Tote bag from PhotoEd Magazine and SPAO celebrating great Canadian women photographers

Ilford HP5+ 400

Toronto Tableau

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Our Greatest Strength

From the Neck Up Massage, 592 Danforth Ave

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Vintage

Black Market Clothing, 347 Queen St W

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Many of the images here and in my other blog posts are available as prints. More can also be seen in my Art Photo section. Send me a message if interested.

In Tandem

Kodak Tri-X 400

Looking Back

Kodak Tri-X 400

Old Friends

Fomapan 100

Walk the Lines II

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Is Not

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Now Playing

Ilford Delta 400 Pro

Our Way

Kodak Tri-X 400

Congo Coffee (298 Gerrard St E)

Kodak Tri-X 400

Riverdale Branch of the Toronto Public Library

Kodak Tri-X 400

Time is Pilin' Up

(Lyrics in Bob Dylan's Mississippi)

Fuji Acros 100

Empty Ferry Blues

(Billy Bishop Airport Ferry)

Kodak Tri-X 400

Heading North on Parliament

Bergger Pancro 400

When the Man Comes Around

(This image makes me think of a song by Johnny Cash)

Bergger Pancro 400

Sun on Spadina

Bergger Pancro 400

Parallax

Bergger Pancro 400

Outlaw Josey Wails

Bergger Pancro 400

Bar Stools at Larry's Folly (1462 Queen St W)

Kodak Tri-X 400

Something to Chew On

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Breathe Darling

(Words by poet and artist S.C. Lourie)

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Dreamer's Way

Japan Camera Hunter Streetpan 400

Keep dreaming my friends - and keep working towards it! May you find your way there!

My favourite black and white film photos from previous years can be found here...

- 2020

- 2019

- 2018

And my Favourite Colour Film Photos of 2021 may be seen here.

Follow me on Instagram to see a wider variety of images - both film and digital.

Thanks for looking!

1. Kim's Convenience

I was sad to see the wonderful Kim's Convenience show come to an end. I watched it from the start and loved the stories of the Kim family and how the show represented life in Toronto.

While feeling sad, I had the unique thrill of seeing my image - one that I created four years earlier - appear more than once in the final episode of the show.

I laughed out loud when Jung (played by Simu Liu) said to his sister Janet (played by Andrea Bang), "I thought your photography was getting better?" as he handed a photo that I had taken back to her!

The photo is used in a more meaningful way later on in the episode as Jung pitches a business plan to his family that would add a variety of business opportunities to the store.

OK See You!

A film photo I captured in June 2020.

My thanks to the creator of Kim's Convenience, Ins Choi, and to all the actors, for bringing this show, that is so filled with joy, to life.

Thanks to my photo being on the show, I was able to connect with the great people behind KimBits - a group of fans who have done so much to support the community of people who love this show! Click here to follow them Twitter where they continue to spread the love for Kim's Convenience and for the show's actors as they rise in their careers.

For those who may be interested, I have a few items available at my ShopCultureSnap.ca store with the Kim's Convenience image on it, including a pillowcase, a wood block print and a tote bag.

2. Film Photography

I shot a lot of film again in 2021. Many thanks to the good people at Downtown Camera for their great work developing it for me.

Suitable for Framing

Ilford HP5+ 400

Love Is Good, Good People

Kodak Pro Image 100

I intend to share blog posts of my favourite colour and black and white images of 2021. Please stay tuned!

Update: Here are my Favourite Black and White Film Photos of 2021!

And here are my Favourite Colour Film Photos of 2021!

Unique Film Types

Every once in a while I like to try to shoot with film types that are a little different than the usual colour and black and white films that I use.

Lakeview Restaurant

Cinestill 800T

Kew Gardens Butterfly

Lomachrome Purple 100-400

I think these films may deserve a separate blog post. Stay tuned!

Update: Here are my blog posts about these film types:

- Purple Poses - Playing Purposefully With Lomagraphy's Purple XR Film

- Still of the Night - Toronto Street Scenes With Cinestill 800T Film

Expired Film

I found myself with quite a number of rolls of expired film in 2021.

Work To Be Done

Kirkland Colour 100

Crossing Queen at Spadina

Kodak Gold 400

These expired film images may also deserve their own blog post. I will try! Stay tuned!

3. Street Photography

My artistic discipline involves doing a photo walk at least once a week.

A Train to Catch

This is good for my heart, mind and soul and also good for ensuring I create interesting photo art.

Rare and Ancient Treasures

A street view alongside the wonderful Acadia Books, one of the oldest book stores in Toronto.

Street photography also helps me meet interesting people!

The friendly staff of Steve's Music

Follow me on Instagram to see my latest street images (film and digital).

4. Being Featured

- SNAP Auction

I learned in late 2020 that two of my images would be in the 2021 SNAP Toronto Auction to raise funds for the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT).

Screenshot Screenshot

The auction went ahead in March 2021 and I'm very happy to say that together my images helped to raise over $1200 for the AIDS Committee of Toronto's important work.

- Photo Ed Magazine

I was very happy to have four of my images in PhotoEd Magazine's issue about Black and White photography.

PhotoEd is the only photo magazine left in Canada. They are very supportive of photographers and photo artists and subscriptions are low cost.

By subscribing to PhotoEd Magazine you support Canadian publishing, Canadian artists and get to enjoy wonderfully creative content - so definitely consider doing so!

5. Montréal

I was scheduled to attend a conference in Montréal in late April 2020, but it had to be cancelled. So it was a gift to be able to travel once again in 2021 - and to be able to visit one of my favourite cities, Montréal.

My friend Sammy and I had a great time exploring many wonderful neighbourhoods and meeting up with a good friend there which made our time even more enjoyable.

I've shared one blog post from the trip - Bikes of Montreal - but hope to share more this coming year.

Mural of Willie O'Ree (seen on a wall in Montréal), the first black player in the NHL, by street artist Pints.

6. Humans of the Danforth

In the summer of 2021 I had the privilege of working on Humans of the Danforth - a project led by the wonderful people at East End Arts and the Greektown on the Danforth BIA and run in partnership with STEPS Public Art, the Toronto Library and the TTC.

Humans of the Danforth on display in Chester Station (left and right side windows).

The project was understandably delayed a few times so it was exciting to finally get started in the summer of 2021

Humans of the Danforth in Pape Library

It was challenging getting 26 businesses on board and then scheduling interviews and photo shoots all within a very short window, but I loved every minute of it!

George of Apollon Pharmacy

I heard many challenging stories from business owners as they shared about some of their hardest months of the pandemic, but I also heard many wonderful accounts of how their customers and fellow business owners showed their support.

Lina and Dustin of Greenwood Smokehouse

The exhibit lives on online thanks to STEPS Public Art. Click here to see the portraits and to listen to people's stories (scroll down to the "Walking Tour" and click on the grid of portraits to get to the tour). You can also hear them via YouTube here. Kudos to Anahita Dehbonehie as well for editing the audio from the interviews.

Click here also for a ArtSkool Educational Guide about the Humans of the Danforth project!

Me holding a photo of Stacia of IQ Living, outside of their store window

My sincere thanks to East End Arts for giving me such a great opportunity to use my skills to do what I love - celebrating people! Keep shopping local and keep supporting small businesses like these!

7. Kanesatake and Nunavut

In October I had the wonderful opportunity to meet indigenous leaders in two communities. I met Harvey Satewas Gabriel in Kanesatake, outside of Montréal and Jonas Allooloo in Iqaluit, Nunavut.

Harvey Satewas Gabriel holding a book of the four gospels in Mohawk, as translated by his great grandfather Chief Sose Onasakenrat (also known as Joseph Swan), in Kanesatake United Church

Jonas Allooloo in his office at St. Jude's Anglican Church in Iqaluit, Nunavut

I was hired to take photos of Harvey Satewas Gabriel and Jonas Allooloo as an assignment for a faith based publication which was doing a story about their work translating the Bible into Mohawk and Inuktitut, respectively.

A copy of the Kanesatake Mohawk Dictionary, created by Harvey Satewas Gabriel.

After many years their translation work is nearing completion. Finishing the translation is significant not only for local faith communities but for the preservation of language and culture as well.

Iqaluit Sunrise

A view of St. Jude's Anglican (centre) and Koojesse Inlet (right) in Iqaluit, Nunavut

There is so much I could write about this assignment that a blog post is definitely necessary.

8. Old World Shoes

After two previous exhibit dates were cancelled due to the pandemic, it was wonderful to finally have my Old World Shoes project go ahead in December 2021.

Opening Night of Old World Shoes at Daniels Spectrum, part of the 2021 Contact Photo Festival

L-R: Emmanuel Farré of Farré by Emmanuel, Peter Feeney of Peter Feeney Bespoke Footwear, George of Yiorgos the Cobbler, Henry VanderSpek and David and Richard Markowitz of DAVIDS.

Opening night was a real joy.

Peter Feeney of Peter Feeney Bespoke Footwear and myself on opening night

Emmanuel Farré of Farré by Emmanuel and I Emmanuel Farré was kind enough to loan me a pair of his beautiful hand-painted shoes for the opening night. I felt like a star!

See this page for more details about the exhibit (currently on until Feb 19th at Capri Shoes), including media coverage, as well as my thanks and acknowledgements of the many who helped to make it happen! A special thanks to Olga Schellenberg, along with other Artscape staff, who helped so much with making it happen!

My friend Sammy Younan interviewed me for his podcast about my photography and Old World Shoes. I got a bit choked speaking about my Dad, but I think it was a good discussion thanks to excellent interview questions by Sammy. Please have a listen!

9. Assisting With Two Documentaries

In early 2021 my friend, filmmaker Simon Madore, spoke with me about a project he was working on called "Excluded by Design" which is part of a program by Hot Docs called Citizen Minutes.  The theme of the film - about Notice of Development signs and how governments can improve their civic engagement, featureing Toronto activist Dave Meslin - aligned with a photo series that I have been working on. In the end I was able to contribute three of my images for use in the project. Here is one of them:

In late 2022 I had another opportunity to work with Cat Mills, a documentary filmmaker who has made a number of creative and meaningful films.

I had a great time working as an on-set photographer for Cat Mills on Big Men, Small Dogs and Mesdames of Mayhem, so when a new opportunity came up, I could not say no!

This new documentary, titled "The Billboard Squad", is about illegal billboards in Toronto and, funny enough, also features author and activist Dave Meslin's work to raise awareness and to provoke action on them.

Dave Meslin has been a leader on so many important issues regarding civic engagement, and is the founder of both the Toronto Public Space Committee and Cycle Toronto, so it was a privilege to capture images of him taking creative action on this issue.

10. Being Thankful

Like many artists, I have moments of discouragement and self-doubt. I wonder whether what I am doing is meaningful or making a difference, or where I am headed with my work. Looking back on the past year like this helps me to listen to logic over emotion, and to recognize that I have received many good opportunities, and have much to be thankful for. I feel that very much as I look back on 2021, and indeed give thanks.

I will close with this image...

Beauty

"It's true today as it ever was. He who seeks beauty will find it."

- Bill Cunningham (said in Bill Cunningham: New York)

Best wishes and stay well!

P.S. If you wish to see any of my Favourite Photo Moments of past years, click the links below:

- 2020

- 2019

- 2018

- 2017

- 2016

- 2015

Sammy and I had plans to be in Montreal in April 2020 but that was of course not possible.

Strange objects, scrawled messages, light and shadow, and intriguing juxtapositions all call out to me when I'm walking around - but nothing quite draws my eyes the way a bike in a distinct setting does.

And so, I present to you, Bikes of Montreal! I hope you enjoy the ride! 

I love Montreal. I have great memories of many family vacations there from when I was younger, and have gone back many times since.

Bikes - even when leaning against a wall - can at times feel like works of art to me...

When they are found outside of an art gallery there's another level of atmosphere about them.

A bike in front of La Guilde, founded in 1906 to "preserve, promote and increase awareness for Inuit art, First Nations art and Fine Crafts from Canada".

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (south side of Sherbrooke St W). "Twin 6' Hearts" sculpture by American artist Jim DIne.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (north side of Sherbrooke St W). The elaborate glasswork art is by Dale Chihuly.

Bikes add a stylish touch to almost any setting, whether a graffiti covered wall, or next to a beautiful mural (Montreal has plenty of those)...

A bike outside of Camellia Sinensis, a stylish tea shop in Montreal's Villeray neighbourhood.

No Justice No Peace, by artists Louis Letters and Tshoko, working together as @salesmomesmtl.

Live Free. Love Life. Art (in the above three window spaces) by Montreal artist Adida Fallen Angel.

Old Montreal offered many moments to celebrate bikes...

A bike in front of the very tempting ice cream shop Mlle Catherine in Old Montreal.

Le Petit Dep in Old Montreal.

We had fun exploring the thrift stores and funky shops in the Plateau and Mile End neighbourhoods (near Mont-Royal and St. Denis)...

Super cool vintage store Hadio 514.

Paul's Boutique has an incredible collection of music and movies.

A scene from the window of Le Fameux Deli.

Mont-Royal Hot Dog

A Montreal classic - Wilensky's.

Schwartz's Deli is well worth the trip - but so is Wilensky's.

Be sure to check them out when you visit Montreal! (Right near Fairmount Bagel, another classic worth visiting!

We had a nice time strolling the pedestrian and bike-friendly Wellington Street of Verdun...

Employees of Cloud 9?! (The fictional store featured in the popular comedy series "Superstore".)

A Peugot outside of a Loco grocery in Verdun.

Stairs are a big feature of many Montreal homes...

Just like in Toronto, bikes in Montreal also have a mysterious way of coming apart!

A few more bike images before I end...

La Belle Province Restaurant

I've only previously seen bike parking like this in Europe. Well done Montreal.

Cleverly named bike store Bikurious.

The marquee at Club Soda music venue advertises a show for comedian Rosalie Vaillancourt.

Paix Peace

I've done three other "Bikes of..." blog posts:

- Bikes of Mexico City

- Bikes of Havana

- Bikes of New York City

And here are some of my favourite images of bikes as well as my Instagram feed, where bikes often appear in my images.

Many of my images are available as prints, so if you are interested, just send me a message and I'll be happy to help.

I will end with one of my favourite images that I took in Montreal - of Leonard Cohen overlooking a lone cyclist on Crescent Street.

Click here to learn more about the mural, which was made by Gene Pendron and El Mac and is based on a photo taken by Leonard Cohen's daughter Lorca Cohen.

Stay tuned as I hope to feature more posts of images from Montreal.

UPDATE: I've added a blog post featuring Montreal on Film. Click here to have a look!

Thanks for looking and happy cycling wherever you may be!

YES

It is spring in the northern hemisphere as I write this, and many are choosing two wheels as a safe way to navigate their hometown, so it feels timely to share images of bikes in all their glory.

Bushwick Colours

In this blog I will share:

- street scenes with bikes in them, including some taken on film, from New York City in July 2019

- info about street photography workshops in NYC

- info about bike advocacy

- links to my other bike related posts and images

My apologies if this post makes you want to shop for a new bike. If you've tried to buy a new bike this past year, you'll know how hard it is to find one given the global shortage. I wish you success if you are looking!

Brooklyn Heights Deli

Crossing Atlantic (Avenue)

Except Bikes

Psychic Crystal Readings

No Trash

Soho Grand Hotel

Amici Ristorante

Crossing Mulberry

Pershing Square

Thumbs Up

Great Minds

Crossing 42nd Street

E-bikes were not very common in Toronto in 2019, but in New York we saw them were everywhere we went.

They are much more common in Toronto now.

Sunshine I

Big Lies

Diamond Bike I

Diamond Bike II

Panama Wheels

Street Photography Workshops

Some of the images shared here were taken during a photo workshop I took one afternoon with Leanne Staples who runs Shoot New York City.

Leanne offers photo tours in a range of New York neighbourhoods. The Midtown Manhattan workshop that I participated in was a great experience. Leanne is a licensed New York City tour guide and a talented street photographer. She got to know each of the tour participants and shared personalized tips and insights and took us to unique spots that we likely would not have noticed otherwise.

Leanne is again able to offer workshops, following proper safety protocols, so if you can make it to New York City I highly recommend taking a workshop with her through Shoot New York City.

If you are interested in learning street photography in Toronto, please contact me. I run training sessions for individuals or small groups and will be ready to do so again once health conditions allow. Click here for details about what I can offer and click here to send me a message.

Business As Usual

All Year Long

Sunshine II

Spring Loaded

Bike Blues

Wings & Wheels

Ready to Rock

This next one is dedicated to my friend James, who I've shared many travel adventures with...

JAMES, New York

Shu Han Ju

Setting The Standard

Apple Parking

Defend The North

Manufacturers Trust Company

Wheels Up In Soho

Here also are some film photos of street scenes with bikes that I took in July 2019:

Brooklyn Black and White

Konica Auto S3, Kodak Tri-X 400

Golden City

Canon Sure Shot Look, Kodak Ektar 100

6th Avenue

Canon Sure Shot Look, Kodak Ektar 100

Long Island Restaurant

Canon Sure Shot Look, Kodak Ektar 100

Red Cap and Ready

Canon Sure Shot Look, Kodak Ektar 100

Bike Advocacy

If you have a bike advocacy organization in your city or region, I highly recommend becoming a member. Organizations like Cycle Toronto do excellent work to advocate for safe cycling conditions and to educate and inspire people to get out there and ride safely.

I Do Love Bikes...

Bikes have been a big theme for me in my photography.

In 2014 I did an exhibit at the Runnymede Public Library called "The Foot That Moves the Pedal"...

I've done three other "Bikes of..." posts:

- Bikes of Mexico City (2017)

- Bikes of Havana  (2019)

- Bikes of Montreal (2021)

And here are some of my favourite images of bikes as well as my Instagram feed, where bikes often appear.

Most of my images are available as prints, so if you are interested, just send me a message and I'll be happy to help.

I will end with one last image from New York City, July 2019. A timeless rule to live by...

Love Your Neighbor

Canon Sure Shot Look, Kodak Ektar 100

by the light you brought to me

I listen through your ears,

And through your eyes I can see

- Stuck In A Moment, U2

This post is Part II of "My Year in Colour Film 2020". Click here to see Part I.

Unless mentioned, all images here were taken with my Canon AE-1 camera.

Film types, and alternate cameras used, are indicated below each image.

OK See You

Kodak Colour Film

Canon Sure Shot Look

I was very disappointed to hear the news that one of my favourite shows, Kim's Convenience, will be ending with the current season. This show brought so much joy and laughter and will be dearly missed by so many.

I can't help but mention that one of my images will be on a future episode of the fifth and final season. (Click here to see more about my image being on the final episode). I am so excited and thankful for the opportunity.

My best wishes to each of the Kim's Convenience creators and actors as they move to new projects.

Colours at Work

Kodak Ektar 100 120 film

Fujica GS645W (Click here to see more images shot with this camera)

Terry's Milk

Kodak Ektar 100 120 film

Fujica GS645W (Click here to see more images shot with this camera)

The faded yellow sign drew me in to take this photo. It has since been replaced with a newer one, proving that the best time to take a photo is now!

Crossing Spadina

Kodak Ektar 100

Carolyn

Kodak Ektar 100

I took this portrait of Carolyn, who has cut my hair for many years now, in June 2020. It was my first haircut in many months.

Carolyn is an artist and a very creative person who I am thankful to know. As with many who have been out of work due to pandemic related closures, it was also a tough go for her. One way that Carolyn made use of her time while away from her profession was by serving those without safe shelter living in a nearby park.

Heading East On Queen

Kodak Ektar 100

Steve's Music

Fuji Velvia 100

I love Steve's Music, one of the original stores of Queen Street West.

True Love Café

Kodak Ektar 100

The café is closed, but true love never dies. :)

Take What You Need

Kodak Gold 200

I love all the encouraging messages that I saw on the streets of Toronto over the past year.

I shared some of them in my Colours of Love blog post, seen here.

Won't Be Beat

Kodak Gold 200

Canon Sure Shot Look

Taken in Grand Bend, August 2020

Self Portrait

Kodak Portra 160

Taken at the lovely "A Room in Paris" store on Queen Street West.

You'll Love What You Find Here

Kodak Portra 160

Secure Checkout

Kodak Ektar 100

This cart full of security cameras left on Queen Street East was a real mystery.

Heaven is a place on earth

Kodak Ektar 100

Salonica Pant Shop

Kodak Ektar 100

Rode Klompen

Kodak Ektar 100

One of many colourful things in my mother's home.

Skyline Restaurant

Kodak Ektar 100

Be Kind. Thank you!

Kodak Color Plus 200

Olympus Stylus Zoom

Passing Portrait

Kodak Color Plus 200

Olympus Stylus Zoom

I have a photo of the auto shop in the background in Part One of this blog.

And It Was All Yellow

Kodak Ektar 100

A classic car in front of the classic Downtown Camera, where I get my film developed.

To know more about this vehicle, read the comments in my Instagram post of this image.

Toronto to the Core

Kodak Ektar 100

The Avenue Diner

Kodak Ektar 100

Blue Diamond Jewellers

Kodak Ektar 100

Find The Love

Kodak Ektar 100

A wonderful mural by Bareket Kezwer

Portrait of my good friend Sammy Younan, host of pop culture podcast My Summer Lair.

Rolling Through The Six

Kodak Ektar 100

Taking It In

Kodak Gold 200

What's In Fashion

Kodak Gold 200

Click here to see a black and white version of this scene that I shared on Instagram.

Latin Fever

Kodak Gold 200

Ahmed

Kodak Color Plus 200

B & B Fish & Chips

Kodak Color Plus 200

We Buy Your Books

Kodak Color Plus 200 Textures of Toronto

Kodak Ektar 100

What If We All Had Love?

Kodak Ektar 100

Wait Here

Kodak Ektar 100

Olympus Trip 35

Bench and Board

Kodak Ektar 100

Olympus Trip 35

Thanks for looking! Best wishes and stay well!

Most of my images are available as prints. To inquire, just click here and send me a message.

Related blog posts:

- A Year in Colour Film 2020 - Part I

- A Year in Black and White Film - 2020

- Favourite Photo Moments of 2020

- 120 Vision - Medium Format Film with a Fujica GS645W

- A Year in Colour Film 2019 - Part One

- A Year in Colour Film 2019 - Part Two

But the nights you filled with fireworks

They left you with nothing

- Stuck In A Moment, U2

Getting to know, first-hand, the unique qualities of a variety of colour film types over the past few years has been a lot of fun.

I shoot a lot more colour film than I do black and white, so will share my favourites of 2020 in two parts (as I did last year). So please stay tuned for a follow-up post.

The majority of images shared here were captured on my Canon AE-1, with a 28mm or 50mm lens. I will indicate the film type below each image, and alternate camera, when used.

Here we go...

Queen East Snowfall

Kodak Ektar 100

This auto shop has been converted into the Flying Squirrel Motorcycle Company. Read more here.

Capitalism Kills

Kodak Ektar 100

Alright

Kodak Ektar 100, Double Exposure

  Sideways Snow

Kodak Gold 200

Nikon Lite Touch compact camera

My Damn Self

Kodak Color Plus 200

Coming Soon

Kodak Color Plus 200

Ossington Love

Kodak Color Plus 200

Kaleidescope of the Senses

Winter Station by Charlie Sutherland of SUHUHA Architecture of Edinburgh, Scotland, seen on Woodbine Beach, Toronto

Kodak Ektar 100

Canon Sure Shot Look camera

This year's winter stations have been selected, but are delayed. Click here to see the very neat designs, hopefully coming soon.

Classy Corner

Kodak Ektar 100

El Mocambo

Kodak Ektar 100

If you follow me, you know I have a thing for this great music venue (link to their website).

Here's hoping live music will play there again in 2021.

Home TV Service

Kodak Ektar 100

Around the Corner

Kodak Gold 200

Morals on Church

Expired Black's 200 Film

Burt's Fish and Chips

Expired Black's 200 Film

ABC Books

Kodak Gold 200

Canon Sure Shot Look