Cool series. It’s almost as though the CN Tower is photobombing your compositions. I’m not sure if you intended this, but some of your shots have a humorous aspect, a cheeky little tower!
Thanks Darin! I like the thought of the “ cheeky little tower” photobombing the images. There was no original intention of having a humorous aspect but now you come to mention it I definitely see it in some of the photos.
I lived in your city once upon a time. It certainly has its icons... here's hoping they get it right on the waterfront. Ontario Place needs help, but not sure what I have read and seen so far in proposals is particularly appealing. Ford will probably sell it to a developer ;0) Keep the photographs coming. I enjoyed these.
It’s still a good place to live, despite the politicians, the ever growing population and the gridlock.
Unfortunately, it does appear that Ford is intent on buggering up Ontario Place. God knows why he thinks we need a huge spa down there but, hopefully, there’ll be some public land left for us plebs to enjoy. The eastern end of the harbour is under major development which will include lots of public parkland and swimming areas as well as some housing, retail and restaurants. That project has been widely embraced and will be a huge improvement over the wasteland that was there before.
Glad you enjoy my photos…there’ll definitely be more to come.
Nice set. I left Toronto for Warkworth in 1986. I don't miss it, except for the photo ops it presents. The images are both unique and familiar to me. I think that's why the series works so well. BTW, this isn't the first time I've seen a CN Tour series like this. I built a website for Clive Russell, an architect and artist who was also inspired by the Mt Fuji series. He had 100 but only shows a few on his site. I probably have the full set. Clive passed away a few years back. https://cliverussell.com/cn-tower/
Thanks for commenting, John! I’m pleased to hear that you enjoyed my post. It’s been a fun project for me. Also, thank you for sharing the link to Clive’s website. There’s some very good artwork there. I think my favourite is the Ward’s Island ferry, I’ve taken that trip many times. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
It’s an old TV news truck that’s made to look like it’s bursting through the outer wall of the TV station. It’s a very dramatic and iconic piece of Toronto public art
I love how in some frames you have to hunt to find the CN tower. Its almost peeking over other buildings. I've always treated the CN tower as a cliche, but this really got me thinking about it and seeing it in a different way.
Thanks, Arsalan! Yes, i agree the tower does seem a bit cliche which made it perfect for this series. It’s always there but at the same time not really there. That’s what I wanted to capture and I’m happy to hear that my photos are making you look at it in a different way.
No, I haven’t seen the book but I have seen some of the photos. They are very good. He also did a series about the Atlantic Centre in Atlanta. I’ve only seen a couple of those.
Def a very cool project to have ever running in the background. I like how in some cases we really have to hunt for the tower in this offering. And the most evocative, for me, was the image that had a pile of skulls (?) with the ball of the tower sort of menacingly peering over the buildings (here’s me putting my own projections on the image). Great series, can’t wait to see another installment in the future.
This is just awesome! I LOVE how this book, and Joel Meyerowitz’s take on the street life around the Empire State Building brought on your own personal challenge! Your images are outstanding. I can't pick - but I do dig (so 60's 😅) the last one especially. I love them all. Street, street art, is my favorite, where my adrenaline feels pumped. I miss going to NYC. We went a lot when our youngest lived there. I've photographed Montreal, specifically Le Plateau, and downtown Vancouver. Haven't been to Toronto. Thank you for this! It's inspiring ✨
I think this made my day too! Sometimes I get restless, after working for so long, with what am I going to do to just create for myself? Like a project. I used to shoot all the time in L.A., with clients, but don't feel as safe walking around with even just one good camera. I loved how you randomly picked up the book and began from there. Your work is really good. I think we do our best work when we are ourselves. That's an obvious saying but a lot of "photographers" have no idea what they're doing technically and/or they don't know themselves or what turns them on. I used to do several portfolio reviews and I could see right away what was a natural inclination. I never shoot food. I suck at it. ha ha. I don't work with babies, but I love babies. I'm not good at it. I can tell you really love the street work and I love your eye. Thank you for the inspiration again! ox
Street/urban and nature photography are my strong points and, yes, it’s what I love doing. I really suck when it comes to shooting portraits though. Thanks again.
Well it's how your eye and brain operate ☺️ Portraits aren't easy. My dad didn't like portraits either. Street and nature. I am fascinated with people so it's part of me, although I love the fly on the wall feeling.
Thanks Mark! Definitely trying to stay away from the touristy type photos as well as the typical ones you find on Instagram etc. That adds a nice challenge to it. I think it also gives viewers a view of the city that they might not normally see.
Alexander and Alexander have a book of architectural principles (_A Pattern Language_) in which they point to the “Zen View”. That is the glimpsed, almost subliminal access/exposure to an object or a view. The viewer glimpses it, and retains without having it centre of mind.
I especially like the photographs in which the Tower is present without calling to itself as the subject.
Thank you Marcello. I know I’ve talked about this with you for a while now so it’s nice to be able to finally showcase some of it. So pleased that you like it.
Thank you so much, Xavi. Black and white is usually my default for photos unless I feel that colour is an absolute requirement, for example with nature or landscape. As for the buffalo skulls, they were part of a temporary outdoor First Nations exhibit and represented the destruction of the great herds by the early settlers.
Cool series. It’s almost as though the CN Tower is photobombing your compositions. I’m not sure if you intended this, but some of your shots have a humorous aspect, a cheeky little tower!
Thanks Darin! I like the thought of the “ cheeky little tower” photobombing the images. There was no original intention of having a humorous aspect but now you come to mention it I definitely see it in some of the photos.
I lived in your city once upon a time. It certainly has its icons... here's hoping they get it right on the waterfront. Ontario Place needs help, but not sure what I have read and seen so far in proposals is particularly appealing. Ford will probably sell it to a developer ;0) Keep the photographs coming. I enjoyed these.
It’s still a good place to live, despite the politicians, the ever growing population and the gridlock.
Unfortunately, it does appear that Ford is intent on buggering up Ontario Place. God knows why he thinks we need a huge spa down there but, hopefully, there’ll be some public land left for us plebs to enjoy. The eastern end of the harbour is under major development which will include lots of public parkland and swimming areas as well as some housing, retail and restaurants. That project has been widely embraced and will be a huge improvement over the wasteland that was there before.
Glad you enjoy my photos…there’ll definitely be more to come.
Nice set. I left Toronto for Warkworth in 1986. I don't miss it, except for the photo ops it presents. The images are both unique and familiar to me. I think that's why the series works so well. BTW, this isn't the first time I've seen a CN Tour series like this. I built a website for Clive Russell, an architect and artist who was also inspired by the Mt Fuji series. He had 100 but only shows a few on his site. I probably have the full set. Clive passed away a few years back. https://cliverussell.com/cn-tower/
Thanks for commenting, John! I’m pleased to hear that you enjoyed my post. It’s been a fun project for me. Also, thank you for sharing the link to Clive’s website. There’s some very good artwork there. I think my favourite is the Ward’s Island ferry, I’ve taken that trip many times. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Maybe it was only 36. Memory is a funny thing.
Really well put together!!
Thank you so much, Álvaro. I appreciate the feedback.
Very cool project, and you've gotten really creative shots. I especially like the reflection shot.
My apologies, I’ve only just seen your comment. Thank you so much for the feedback, it’s really appreciated.
Hi Mark what’s the last photograph? Its intriguing!
It’s an old TV news truck that’s made to look like it’s bursting through the outer wall of the TV station. It’s a very dramatic and iconic piece of Toronto public art
Oh I see nice! Incidentally I work for a TV channel as head of the digital wing :)
That sounds very interesting
I love how in some frames you have to hunt to find the CN tower. Its almost peeking over other buildings. I've always treated the CN tower as a cliche, but this really got me thinking about it and seeing it in a different way.
Thanks, Arsalan! Yes, i agree the tower does seem a bit cliche which made it perfect for this series. It’s always there but at the same time not really there. That’s what I wanted to capture and I’m happy to hear that my photos are making you look at it in a different way.
Have you seen Joel’s St. Louis and the Arch book? Probably my favorite project of his and the Arch makes it every shot.
No, I haven’t seen the book but I have seen some of the photos. They are very good. He also did a series about the Atlantic Centre in Atlanta. I’ve only seen a couple of those.
I had forgotten about those Atlanta pictures! Good luck with your project!
Thanks, Rob!
Def a very cool project to have ever running in the background. I like how in some cases we really have to hunt for the tower in this offering. And the most evocative, for me, was the image that had a pile of skulls (?) with the ball of the tower sort of menacingly peering over the buildings (here’s me putting my own projections on the image). Great series, can’t wait to see another installment in the future.
Thank you so much, KB! So happy to hear that you liked the series. Definitely stay tuned for an update at some point.
Love these shots. Really great.
Thanks Tracy! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a lovely comment and for being a new subscriber 🙏
Mark!
This is just awesome! I LOVE how this book, and Joel Meyerowitz’s take on the street life around the Empire State Building brought on your own personal challenge! Your images are outstanding. I can't pick - but I do dig (so 60's 😅) the last one especially. I love them all. Street, street art, is my favorite, where my adrenaline feels pumped. I miss going to NYC. We went a lot when our youngest lived there. I've photographed Montreal, specifically Le Plateau, and downtown Vancouver. Haven't been to Toronto. Thank you for this! It's inspiring ✨
Thank you so much for your kind and generous words, Deborah. So pleased to hear that you found my post inspiring. That’s made my day 😊🙏
Hey Mark,
I think this made my day too! Sometimes I get restless, after working for so long, with what am I going to do to just create for myself? Like a project. I used to shoot all the time in L.A., with clients, but don't feel as safe walking around with even just one good camera. I loved how you randomly picked up the book and began from there. Your work is really good. I think we do our best work when we are ourselves. That's an obvious saying but a lot of "photographers" have no idea what they're doing technically and/or they don't know themselves or what turns them on. I used to do several portfolio reviews and I could see right away what was a natural inclination. I never shoot food. I suck at it. ha ha. I don't work with babies, but I love babies. I'm not good at it. I can tell you really love the street work and I love your eye. Thank you for the inspiration again! ox
Street/urban and nature photography are my strong points and, yes, it’s what I love doing. I really suck when it comes to shooting portraits though. Thanks again.
Well it's how your eye and brain operate ☺️ Portraits aren't easy. My dad didn't like portraits either. Street and nature. I am fascinated with people so it's part of me, although I love the fly on the wall feeling.
This is great. Love the framed towers. Getting non-tourist pov's is essential. Reallynice work.
Thanks Mark! Definitely trying to stay away from the touristy type photos as well as the typical ones you find on Instagram etc. That adds a nice challenge to it. I think it also gives viewers a view of the city that they might not normally see.
So damn good!
Alexander and Alexander have a book of architectural principles (_A Pattern Language_) in which they point to the “Zen View”. That is the glimpsed, almost subliminal access/exposure to an object or a view. The viewer glimpses it, and retains without having it centre of mind.
I especially like the photographs in which the Tower is present without calling to itself as the subject.
And the series is true to the city we live in.
🌟
Thank you Marcello. I know I’ve talked about this with you for a while now so it’s nice to be able to finally showcase some of it. So pleased that you like it.
These are fantastic Mark, I'm glad you gave us the background story and inspiration for this series. I think you've resolved it very well.
Can I just ask why did you choose to go for black and white and what is that pile of bison skulls?
Thank you so much, Xavi. Black and white is usually my default for photos unless I feel that colour is an absolute requirement, for example with nature or landscape. As for the buffalo skulls, they were part of a temporary outdoor First Nations exhibit and represented the destruction of the great herds by the early settlers.
Great work, Mark. Quintessential Toronto!
Thanks Thomas and welcome to Substack. Glad you liked the photos. Feeling homesick?
Thank you so much, Patrick!