Window Dressing – before & after
Part of the fun of photography for me is post processing. It allows me to get creative and reproduce what I saw in my mind’s eye when I took the picture.
I don’t usually do this but I thought I would include the before shot in this post as an example.
When I took this shot I loved the colours and the symmetry created by the windows and the curtains. The problem was all the ugly hydro wires. I literally looked past the wires and took the shot knowing I should be able to do something with it in post processing.
For the curious, my tools were Lightroom, Photoshop and ON1
This photo was taken in Toronto – November 2012
Window Dressing
Before
Water Fountain Rest
Water Fountain Rest
Whether alone or shared, sitting by a fountain can bring a sense of peace in a hectic environment. Like a waterfall the sound of moving water can be very calming.
This was taken last year in the Eatons Centre – Toronto, Ontario
Finding Direction
Finding Direction
Everyone has a different sense of direction. Where do you get yours or are you still looking?
Shot last year in the Eatons Centre Toronto, Ontario.
Wave Runner
Wave Runner
I took this shot in downtown Toronto earlier this summer. These kids were having fun running on this wavey bridge!
All processing was done in Lightroom.
Some Day
Some Day We’ll Understand
I came across this tomb stone in a cemetery in Toronto. The inscription struck a chord with me. I think it reflects what a lot of us may be thinking about our life and faith.
Royal York Road United Church
Royal York Road United Church
The Royal York Road United Church in Toronto has a beautiful Sanctuary with blend of wood, brick and stone. We attended a memorial service here for my wife’s Aunt. It was a beautiful service in a beautiful church.
This shot is a vertical pano made up of three, three exposure HDR shots processed in Photomatix and the panorama merged together in Photoshop
Reflective Abstract
Reflective Abstract
A little experimentation today. This abstract was created from a photo of a building in downtown Toronto, Ontario.
Hidden Entrance
Hidden Entrance
This building is what is left of the Chapel of the old Central Prison located in Liberty Village, Toronto Ontario. It makes you wonder what it looked like originally.
Skate Boarder
Skate Boarder
On a recent trip to Toronto we came across some skate boarders testing their skills on the steps of this courtyard. It was in the middle of some high end tall buildings downtown. Shortly afterwards security came along and chased them off and warned us not to encourage them by taking their picture. Really! I don’t think they needed any encouragement any more than we need to be encouraged to take pictures. We were just doing what we love to do!
Ontario Parliament Building
Ontario Parliament Building
Parliament Heads
This is the entrance to the Provincial Parliament Building in Toronto. I found it kind of ironic that these crazy faces are part of the facade (just above the pillars) of the building where our politicians meet!
GO
Go Station
Go Transit is Ontario’s inter-regional transit system, linking Toronto to the greater Toronto area and beyond, via train and bus services. This was taken one early morning at the Milton Go station.
The Grange – Behind the AGO
The Grange Behind the AGO in Toronto
The Grange Behind the AGO Toronto. Adjusted
The is the Grange built in 1817 and was the first home for the Art Museum of Toronto. It now sits behind the Art Gallery of Ontario providing a contrast of old and new. The first image has be adjusted in Photoshop and Topaz adjust and the second was further adjusted with Snapseed. I couldn’t decide which I liked best so I will leave it up to you to pick you favorite.
Community Reflection
Community Reflection
The surrounding community is reflected on the glass front of the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Many of these older building house smaller Art Galleries.
Architectural Wreath
Architectural Wreath
This giant wreath is at the entrance to Brookfield Place in Toronto. I will have to go back here sometime and explore this amazing architecture.
This HDR shot was created with a single raw image developed +2 ev and -2 ev in Lightroom and processed with Photomatix and Photoshop then back in Lightroom.
Ready for Christmas?
Christmas Decorations at the Eaton Centre, Toronto
Took a few shots of the Christmas decorations at the Eaton Centre in Toronto. They go all out and everything is super sized.
All adjustments made in Lightroom
Urban Tree
Urban Tree Downtown Toronto
This was shot in downtown Toronto. Love it when you find little gems like this.
Processed in Lightroom and topaz adjust
Shuffle Demons Bass Man
Shuffle Demons – George Koller On Bass
The Shuffle Demons were playing at Dundas Square on Saturday of the Grey Cup weekend. These guys are great musicians and put on a great show. I was able to catch George with a close up of his face on the big screen behind him.
Study
Study
Taken in Chinatown I decided to leave this street shot in colour. The busy red graffiti is such a contrast to the quite concentration on what he is reading.
Take Out
Take Out
Next in our Toronto Street photography adventure I caught this chef cooking up some noodles in Chinatown. The kitchen overlooked the street allowing one to see how it’s done.
Keeping Warm
Keeping Warm on the streets of Toronto
Another interesting gentleman making ends meet on the streets of Toronto. He was pleased to have his picture taken for some change. Again I missed the opportunity to make conversation and get to know something about him.
Berry Picking
Berry Picking in Kensington Market
Here is another in the Toronto Street Photography series. This was shot on the move as we walked along. I didn’t look through the viewfinder just pointed the camera in her direction and fired of a shot. Sometimes you get lucky. She did turn out a little under exposed in the original but shooting in RAW allows you to bring back those details in the shadows.
Street Aviator
Street Aviator
This street photography shot took me out of my comfort zone because I actually asked this gentleman if I could take his picture. For some change in his cup it was no problem. The aviator glasses, the eagle pin on his hat and a face full of character made him an ideal subject. Like I said I was out of my comfort zone actually asking a stranger if I could take their picture that I forgot the obvious. That was to take the time to have a conversation with him. Find out his story or even his name. Next time I’ll take the time.
Santa Incognito
Santa Incognito
A friend and I went to Toronto on Saturday to try out some street photography. We had a great day and covered a lot of ground. We went on foot from Union Station up to Yonge and Dundas, over to China Town and Kensington Market, then to Toronto City Hall. I found Santa incognito at the Eaton’s Centre. The proof is in the sweet shirt he is wearing. It say’s Believe!
Only one month to Christmas! Believe!
Numbered Wall
Numbers on the Wall
This was taken in Liberty Village, Toronto. Not sure what the missing numbers are but I like the abstract look of it.
Processed in Lightroom, Photoshop, Topaz, Noiseware
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