Sunday, July 31, 2011
Chris
Via Flickr:
I took the family to Heart Lake Conservation area for the afternoon. After a tiring longer-than-planned nature walk, I let the kids cool off in the splash pad area. As I sat down to relax and read my book in the shade I noticed this man playing guitar and singing. I read for a little and as he was packing up I told him I liked his music and he told me he'd only been playing for a few weeks.
I'm not certain exactly what prompted him to offer up more about himself, but when he told me he was a professional sports coach, I was all ears and quickly introduced myself and opened up the idea of a photo and the 100 Stranger project.
Chris was full of stories, most of which revolve around boxing and his side job as a movie stunt double. Chris is originally from Guyana and moved to Canada when he was 12, he lives in nearby Brampton. He excitedly showed me lots of pictures of his current boxer along with celebrity shots with the likes of Gretzky, Jamie Fox, Mr T. (who he doubled for, mohawk and all), and most impressive, Muhammad Ali. He'd even met Princess Diana during a charity event.
But boxing is Chris' passion. His uncle, brother and cousin were all Olympians, with his cousin Troy Ross/ being his training focus today. Troy is Canada's top professional boxer, current Commonwealth Champion and 3rd ranked in the world today in the cruiserweight class. Chris has crossed paths with many famous boxers and grew up with and worked with Lennox Lewis.
He was at the park with his daughter and we talked a little about meeting people and the relationships and connections that can be made. My wife came over and Chris didn't tire of telling telling us stories and sharing his excitement for life. We touched on photography briefly and Chris said he still enjoys his Nikon D50. I took a few shots, but asked him to take his sunglasses off for a shot - and I'm really pleased with this boxer's stare down shot ! I just finished reading his Ringside Report interview online and found out that he is also a mechanic for CN. Wow, he really does have a lot going on in his life, but as he says in closing, "Whatever I’m doing I give it 100%".
Almost of an afterthought, Chris says to my wife, "look up Valerie Amos". Valerie Amos is another famous cousin of Chris', she is Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator for The United Nations. How many more connections and stories does he have ?
I'm so pleased I made the simple gesture of complimenting him on his music which opened up into meeting such an interesting man. I hope I'll have the chance to meet him again one day, maybe take a few shots of Troy and definitely hear more of his stories.
Chris is #98 in my 100 strangers project.
I took the family to Heart Lake Conservation area for the afternoon. After a tiring longer-than-planned nature walk, I let the kids cool off in the splash pad area. As I sat down to relax and read my book in the shade I noticed this man playing guitar and singing. I read for a little and as he was packing up I told him I liked his music and he told me he'd only been playing for a few weeks.
I'm not certain exactly what prompted him to offer up more about himself, but when he told me he was a professional sports coach, I was all ears and quickly introduced myself and opened up the idea of a photo and the 100 Stranger project.
Chris was full of stories, most of which revolve around boxing and his side job as a movie stunt double. Chris is originally from Guyana and moved to Canada when he was 12, he lives in nearby Brampton. He excitedly showed me lots of pictures of his current boxer along with celebrity shots with the likes of Gretzky, Jamie Fox, Mr T. (who he doubled for, mohawk and all), and most impressive, Muhammad Ali. He'd even met Princess Diana during a charity event.
But boxing is Chris' passion. His uncle, brother and cousin were all Olympians, with his cousin Troy Ross/ being his training focus today. Troy is Canada's top professional boxer, current Commonwealth Champion and 3rd ranked in the world today in the cruiserweight class. Chris has crossed paths with many famous boxers and grew up with and worked with Lennox Lewis.
He was at the park with his daughter and we talked a little about meeting people and the relationships and connections that can be made. My wife came over and Chris didn't tire of telling telling us stories and sharing his excitement for life. We touched on photography briefly and Chris said he still enjoys his Nikon D50. I took a few shots, but asked him to take his sunglasses off for a shot - and I'm really pleased with this boxer's stare down shot ! I just finished reading his Ringside Report interview online and found out that he is also a mechanic for CN. Wow, he really does have a lot going on in his life, but as he says in closing, "Whatever I’m doing I give it 100%".
Almost of an afterthought, Chris says to my wife, "look up Valerie Amos". Valerie Amos is another famous cousin of Chris', she is Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator for The United Nations. How many more connections and stories does he have ?
I'm so pleased I made the simple gesture of complimenting him on his music which opened up into meeting such an interesting man. I hope I'll have the chance to meet him again one day, maybe take a few shots of Troy and definitely hear more of his stories.
Chris is #98 in my 100 strangers project.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Zac
Via Flickr:
I noticed that Orchard View Blvd in the Yonge Eglinton area has been closed off for the last few weeks with chairs loosely arranged for locals to have a chat or enjoy their lunch. On my walk home today, it was the spot for a farmer's market and I looked around for a daily shot. I spotted the beautiful fresh fruits and veg at the Highmark Farms stall and Zac asked me to sit down for a chat. He works the 100 acre farm in Cookstown with five other members of his family and enjoys coming into the Toronto 3 times a week for local farmer's markets. Zac wasn't that keen on a portrait, but he let me take a few shots as we were talking and this last shot was my favourite as he had a little fun with the camera. You can find Zac and the farm on twitter at twitter.com/#!/highmarkfarms.
Zac is #97 in my 100 strangers project.
I noticed that Orchard View Blvd in the Yonge Eglinton area has been closed off for the last few weeks with chairs loosely arranged for locals to have a chat or enjoy their lunch. On my walk home today, it was the spot for a farmer's market and I looked around for a daily shot. I spotted the beautiful fresh fruits and veg at the Highmark Farms stall and Zac asked me to sit down for a chat. He works the 100 acre farm in Cookstown with five other members of his family and enjoys coming into the Toronto 3 times a week for local farmer's markets. Zac wasn't that keen on a portrait, but he let me take a few shots as we were talking and this last shot was my favourite as he had a little fun with the camera. You can find Zac and the farm on twitter at twitter.com/#!/highmarkfarms.
Zac is #97 in my 100 strangers project.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Layout D bid
Via Flickr:
The GOAT player in blue kept hold of the disc. For more shots of this big game click here.
The GOAT player in blue kept hold of the disc. For more shots of this big game click here.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Olympian kids
Via Flickr:
My kids just got back from camp today, there were pretty tired, but my son summoned just enough energy to put a smile on my face for this one.
My kids just got back from camp today, there were pretty tired, but my son summoned just enough energy to put a smile on my face for this one.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Hardev
Via Flickr:
It was a very hot day in Toronto and I was looking for a shot of someone playing in the water fountains at Yonge Dundas Square. I usually avoid photographing children for obvious reasons, but in this case I thought I'd take a chance at a more direct approach. The boy's Mom was the enjoying the water as well and they both looked so happy and relaxed, so I simply asked the mom if I could take a photo of her son. She quickly said "sure" and asked if I was with a newspaper. I told her photography was a hobby and after a few shots I gave her my card so I could share the photos with her.
Hardev and his mom are from Burlington, Ontario and were visiting Toronto for the day.
Hardev is #96 in my 100 strangers project.
It was a very hot day in Toronto and I was looking for a shot of someone playing in the water fountains at Yonge Dundas Square. I usually avoid photographing children for obvious reasons, but in this case I thought I'd take a chance at a more direct approach. The boy's Mom was the enjoying the water as well and they both looked so happy and relaxed, so I simply asked the mom if I could take a photo of her son. She quickly said "sure" and asked if I was with a newspaper. I told her photography was a hobby and after a few shots I gave her my card so I could share the photos with her.
Hardev and his mom are from Burlington, Ontario and were visiting Toronto for the day.
Hardev is #96 in my 100 strangers project.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Art by Rothko; composition inspired by Carolyn
Via Flickr:
Part of The Abstract Expressionist New York exhibit at The Art Gallery of Ontario.
My brother used to be a professor of art, this work and Mark Rothko are perhaps his favourites. My sister-in-law took a shot like this with my his silhouette a few weeks before I got a chance to see the exhibit. Unfortunately I visited the exhibit alone so only had a strangers to use for this version of the shot, thanks a ton for the idea Carolyn.
Part of The Abstract Expressionist New York exhibit at The Art Gallery of Ontario.
My brother used to be a professor of art, this work and Mark Rothko are perhaps his favourites. My sister-in-law took a shot like this with my his silhouette a few weeks before I got a chance to see the exhibit. Unfortunately I visited the exhibit alone so only had a strangers to use for this version of the shot, thanks a ton for the idea Carolyn.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Why write stuff down
Via Flickr:
...when you've got a decent camera on your smartphone to record big or small events; nice back nine 9 buddy
...when you've got a decent camera on your smartphone to record big or small events; nice back nine 9 buddy
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Friday, July 08, 2011
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Monday, July 04, 2011
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Friday, July 01, 2011
Late night silly bugger time
Via Flickr:
This is the first time in 596 days, that I've had to cheat a little with the time for my daily shot. I had family and friends visiting all week and time just flew by and on this occasion we had a late dinner and before I knew it it was past midnight and I hadn't taken a single picture all day. I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped this one about 12:40am (although the exif info shows a wrong time thanks to PS Elements bug, but that's another story). I think I may have taken advantage of a late night / early morning shot the other way around (classifying it as a shot for the next day), so I hope you'll understand and agree with my family that it's ok to give yourself a break on occasion !
This is the first time in 596 days, that I've had to cheat a little with the time for my daily shot. I had family and friends visiting all week and time just flew by and on this occasion we had a late dinner and before I knew it it was past midnight and I hadn't taken a single picture all day. I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped this one about 12:40am (although the exif info shows a wrong time thanks to PS Elements bug, but that's another story). I think I may have taken advantage of a late night / early morning shot the other way around (classifying it as a shot for the next day), so I hope you'll understand and agree with my family that it's ok to give yourself a break on occasion !
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