I finally got around to editing these photos from the summer. These are from Guild Park in Scarborough, a hidden gem in the outskirts of Toronto. The park houses the selvedges of old bank buildings, some dating as far back to the 1800s. It amazed me to see that Toronto once had buildings of this ancient style!
#travel #park #garden #Toronto #tourism #architecture #classica
There’s something about visiting traditional food markets that connect us back to humanity. The live interaction with shop keepers, the simplicity of handwritten signs, the beauty in the way the food is displayed. It takes us back to a time before highly packaged foods and the complication of an over-abundance of choice on the supermarket shelves.
#food #foodie #gourmet #markets #marche #Toronto #shopping #geocery
Last week when I was at the conservatory taking photos of the chrysanthemums, I also saw these beautiful goldfish in the pond. I was quite amazed at how big they were. They swam quite quickly, so it wasn’t easy to get good shots of them. This reminds me of the saying about being a “big fish in a small pond”.
The phrase is often used to describe people who are content to have power over a small area of influence. I think it’s a very interesting concept to consider. Would you rather be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? In my experience, I’ve encountered such people that I would consider big fish in a small pond. Their power and influence is unquestionably strong amongst their “tribe” of followers, that they have cult-like status. Their followers will listen to whatever they have to say, and follow them without question. My advice is to be weary of such people, because often times, these people may be deluded about their abilities and power to do what they say they can. Question their motives, and what they say. How sincere or genuine are they? Trust your intuition about the people you meet. You will be surprised how keen your instincts are about these people as you get to know them better. You might ignore your doubts about people because you think your first impression of someone might be judgemental and you are giving them the benefit of the doubt. But your instincts were actually picking up on something about them
I’ve found that there are people who are essentially “nobodies” in the big picture of things who will make big claims about what they can do for you. They paint themselves to be bigger than they are. But in reality, they are like blowfish, blowing themselves up to be much bigger than who they really are. The truth is, they do this because they are really not that secure in themselves, so any sort of exercise in power makes them feel better about themselves. This can be taken to an extreme level of bullying and manipulation.
When they describe people as small fish in a big pond, they are talking about people with big ambitions to swim amongst the bigger fish. Although they more ambitious and less influential, I think being a small fish in a big pond is humbling. You never get illusions of grandeur about yourself because there is always someone else out there who is bigger, better, smarter, richer, and more beautiful than you. And that’s ok, because the beauty of it is that your self-image is not based on the power and influence you have over others.
P/S Total irony here, I just noticed that this post will be published on the 8th. The number 8 symbolizes power and influence. The universe has a sense of humour…
#fish #goldfish #cactus #pond #tropical #bigfishinasmallpond #power #influence #observations #advice #kingofthehill #queenbee
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I like shooting through windows. There’s something magical about seeing a reflection of the world, layered on top of what can be seen through the window. It’s as though there exists a parallel universe dancing on the glass, and you will only know it’s there if you are observant enough to see it.
This set of photos were taken through the windows of a corner cafe in the busy streets of Toronto. It’s around 4 o’clock and people are rushing around from Work in the busy financial district. Contrast that with the interiors of the European-style cafe. It is quiet inside. There are people taking their afternoon coffee, but they don’t speak. The tables are lovingly adorned with flowers. The sounds of the city streets pour in every time the door opens.
#cityscapes #cafe #Toronto #peoplewatching #coffee #rushhou
They say that when one door closes, another one opens. But it doesn’t happen, I would say, try a window. I don’t believe in waiting around for things to happen. I believe in making them happen for yourself. And sometimes, when a door doesn’t seem to budge at all, it’s time to move on and find another way. Knocking on the same door that won’t open will only drive you mad, and it’s time wasted. Get over it and move on. Don’t ever become attached to the outcomes of your art, otherwise it will stop you from creating when things get tough. You have to be free from attachement to create. Don’t hold on to onto expectations. Let yourself be surprised.
#doors #architecture #Toronto #KingStreet #classic #tradition #buildings
If there is anything to be learned from a landmark like Casa Loma, it’s that nothing can last forever. The story of Casa Loma begins with a brilliant business man who builds his dream home, filling it with art and fine European furnishings. But as the war broke out, his fortunes crumbled due to bad speculations in his attempts to save his fortune and the overwhelming costs of expansion.
I’ve come to understand that life is always changing, like a river that can flow softly and swiftly, or raging with rapid waters. The truth is, you just don’t know what is around the corner. It’s best to adapt a neutral way of looking at things, not letting your emotions get the better of you. It’s not to say that you should become emotionless, but rather to be a master over your emotions. To not be overcome with them and react to them. Be present in the moment and appreciate it for what it’s worth. Don’t get ahead of yourself, because plans and projections don’t always work out. Be prepared to move on instead of trying to hold on. It is better to have cherished the joyful moments that you had than to have spent it waiting for more to come. This philosophy creates balance in one’s life, which allows for greater happiness and fulfillment.
#CasaLoma #tourism #Toronto #architecture #nothinglastsforever #castle #garden #flowers #fountain #autumn
Have you ever noticed that it’s only when you’re waiting for something to happen that time seems to pass by ever so slowly? Every moment drags on with anticipation. And when you’re busy, being entertained, or simply not paying any attention to the time, it swishes by faster than you expect. I think time is subjective to the observer. No one experiences time in the same way. We may all have the same amount of time in a day, but how we perceive it can be an entirely different story.
Timing is crucial in photography. A moment too late and you miss the moment. Not having enough patience and you won’t capture anything worth holding onto. I find that time in photography and film is all just an illusion. I can make you feel like you spent an hour with me in a film, when in fact it was really exactly only two mintures. I can make a photo feel like time stood still, or as though time is running out. Perhaps time is all just an illusion as well?
#time #illusion #waiting #unionstation #Toronto #clock #traveling #perception
The thing about Toronto is that I wish it had more well-kept old buildings. It is for this reason that I love cities like London and Paris. I love the classical style of old buildings. They remind us of a time when life wasn’t so fast-paced, when craftsmanship was valued, and maybe when life was a little simpler. But if you asked me if I would give up digital technology to live in these times, I would say never. We are living in interesting times. Technology has opened up a world of photography to me, where I never thought it was possible that I could produce high quality work. I learned photography on a manual camera and it was a challenge for me to manually focus the lens while looking through a tiny little view finder.
I really like how these pictures came out. The one with the reflection in the cafe window reveals aspects of modern life in contrast to the traditional style of the building. It captures the best of both worlds.
#Toronto #Mache #Movenpick #offBayStreet #oldandnew #architecture #classic #modern #cafe #placestoeat
Here are some additional photographs I made in Yorkville last week. Walking along the Southside of Bloor Street, I noticed this beautifully painted white bicycle. It was stunning and it really stood out from the streets against the cold, grey pavement. There was a sign above, a notice that a young man, a cyclist, was killed at this location.
This reminds me that even in the most tragic of circumstance, there can still be beauty to be found.
I think although it is best to stay on the positive side of life and have an optimistic attitude about it. It is important to acknowledge that life is not always about the pursuit of happiness. There are always going to be sad, unfortunate instances. Accepting this, one can have a more neutral, balance state of being where one is not swayed by circumstances. Rather, choosing to be happy no matter what life brings.
On a personal note, I have learned to adapt a very detached state of being. I do not feel attached to what life brings to me, nor do I try to control it. I have gone from one career to another, always thinking at the time, that I have finally found something I will do for a long time, as though I had just landed ashore and I am going to make this island my home. But staying in one “place” has never been my thing, and I have come to accept that. I choose to go where the wind takes me instead of holding on to the ground. It has certainly made life more interesting and this is how I have gotten involved in doing photography and video, an unintended destination. One that I am happy to explore and share with you.
#bicycle #DAS5 #RIP #death #sadness #tragedy #letting go #happiness #wheat #transition #autumn #Toronto #cityscapes #positivethinking #balance
