Street Snaps: Unveiling Toronto's Vibrant and Captivating Photography Scene
Capturing the streets of Toronto
Toronto! Ah, there’s a reason why I long to be here and wander around, without the lingering fear of missing the 3-hour GO Bus back to Waterloo. And as fate would have it, I finally got the opportunity to work here in the Winter of 2023, from January to April. Even though my company was based in Oakville, I really pushed my manager to let me work from Downtown Toronto because let’s be honest, Toronto has its charm! There is absolutely no doubt when I say that it was one of the best work terms I had so far. I would always be searching for that one “excuse” to just go out and take a stroll. And, as a curious wanderer and an enthusiastic photographer, what better excuse than to take your camera out and go shoot?
With this article, I want to give a glimpse of Toronto as I perceive it through my lens. I want to be able to tell a story from the streets of Toronto and be able to give an insight not just into the city’s marvelous architecture, but also into its people, the local life, and how all of them blend together in making this city not only a unique one but also the friendliest city in the world.
Looking Around & About
Looking around Toronto there’s a plethora of things you can take photos of!
Ranging from a Vintage TTC bus to a Green 1960s Volkswagen Van and a Vintage Chevrolet, there are so many classic specialties in this city that withstood the ravages of time.
Or you may never know how you could end up at Casa Loma, a castle in the middle of the city (yes, Casa Loma is literally near Downtown Toronto), and find Princess Diana’s Rolls Royce parked there.
Kensington Market is arguably the best place to get some good photographs that could very well be placed under the umbrella of “Street Photography”. The whole place itself is just very convenient to walk around and find those moments that you could capture because it is one of those places that has a very street-style authenticity to it.
Perhaps you can also find a Morgan occasionally parked in Kensington, like it’s a normal Tuesday!
If you’re visiting Toronto, The Reference Library should 100% be on your list of places to visit. The architecture is bound to leave you awestruck! I mean the contrasting Red and White, with the spiraling staircase is truly a magnificent sight to behold!
Sneaking In On The City Folks
For me, photography isn’t just about taking pictures of walls or architecture, but also capturing those candid moments of people. There is something so raw, so authentic while observing people busy and focused on their work. It really makes you the “main character” for whom the present has just frozen and you can see how people are utterly devoted to their work!
Looking around T.O. you can find so many examples of a Diptych. Here is a diptych of traveling on the TTC in rush hour and getting lost in your own world.
A couple of snaps that mirror “love being in the air” in the city.
Photography really helped me get out of my comfort zone and helped me visit multiple new places. Every weekend I stepped out, took so many detours from my planned destination which helped me capture some amazing moments.
It really helped me be in the spotlight of my own life’s movie and take full charge of it, sometimes even be a kid again.
I also met so many new people in the city. It helped me overcome that barrier of ‘trying to make the small talk’ and made me comfortable with rejection while asking people to have their photos taken. Special shoutout to TAF (Toronto Analog Friends) for the photo walks, and of course, for introducing me to film photography!
The Unwrapped Gems of the City
A lot many times I have been asked, “What are the hidden gems in the city?” From a photographer’s perspective, your own unique look and the moment you decide to press the shutter is a hidden gem that you wanted to capture. Wherever I looked, I almost instantly recognized a frame that was special to me.
But if I were to really point out certain locations, I would really want people to check out the RC Harris Water Treatment Plant. You just take a streetcar from the Queen subway station, all the way down to Neville Park, the final stop.
And the Pefferlaw Creek Farms Maple Syrup Farm in Uxbridge, which is an hour’s drive from Downtown Toronto.
The Mesmerizing Blossoms
I have to confess, I took so many pictures of the cherry blossoms that I had to make a separate column just for them. Fortunately enough, the summer came around just in time for me to be able to take some of the most colorful snaps of these pink flowers in their full and natural bloom.
The Rest That Didn’t Make
I know that you have probably scrolled through so many of my photos and I know there are tons that didn’t make it here. But just one last time, before I say goodbye, here are a few that I really want as the concluding photos for my article, as a love letter to photography.
Conclusion
I think these 4 months were truly life-changing for me! I dived deeper into photography and turned it into a medium for expressing myself. And for that….
…..Toronto, I shall forever be grateful to you!
You can follow my photography on my Instagram.
All images used are copyrighted and the sole property of the author.
PS: Reach out to me if you need any of the full resolution pictures :)
Hey Ansh! Loved your work. Amazing pictures. Looking forward for more of your work 🤩😇
These photos are captured amazingly....amazing enough to bring out a very different and unique story everyway possible....the details are captured beautifully enough to mesmerize who comes across this bunch of amazing pictures ...each having its own beauty.....keep up the good work....keep going....👍