Saturday, April 30, 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Margarita

I was looking for a B&W street shot after work and wasn't having a lot of luck. I took a Metro Play paper from Margarita and shot a few shots of her as she was handing out the after-work paper to people passing by. I usually take the paper and enjoy the Sudoko and Kakuro puzzles for the ride home, but I was surprised to see there weren't a lot of people taking the paper or many even being polite enough to say "no thank you". It would be a tough job for many people, but it didn't seem to bother Margarita and even in the rain, she kept her smile. We talked a little about photography and she told me she has done some Photoshop editing work in the past - we've already connected as contacts here on Flickr. It was very easy to ask her for a shot and found she was very photogenic.

Margarita is #89 in my 100 strangers project.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

Gorilla thoughts


Gorilla thoughts, originally uploaded by PJMixer.
We visited the Toronto Zoo for the first time this year. The gorilla exhibit is always rather bittersweet for me as I love seeing these beautiful animals up close, but I'm often saddened by their captivity. Last summer, the older female Samanda died and reports said that the family definitely showed their sadness and perhaps that was what was on this gorilla's mind on Friday. I think this may be Charles, the older male, but I'm not certain.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Blue Jays celebrating 6-5 win over the Yankees

We took our guest exchange student to his first professional sports event and got lucky with a thriller come back and a win for the Jays in the 10th inning.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

We Are Augustines at The Horseshoe

First time seeing this tight New Yorker group - heartfelt lyrics and energized rock 'n roll. They opened for The Boxer Rebellion to a full and excited crowd house at The Horseshoe.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Go-kart distortion


Go-kart distortion - #106/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.
Via Flickr:
Using Photoshop camera distortion filter for artist effect.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Friday, April 8, 2011

Tracy, warm up #1.


Tracy, warm up #1., originally uploaded by PJMixer.
Via Flickr:
As I was doing a few test lighting shots for my shoot with Tracy, I caught this shot. I really like the relaxed, thoughtful pose. Having her face slightly out-of-focus somehow works and I feel creates a nice dreamy look.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Elizabeth Wyn Wood, Louis Temporale bas-relief


Elizabeth WynWood, Louis Temporale bas-relief - #96/365, originally uploaded by PJMixer.



Designed by Elizabeth Wyn Wood, carved by Louis Temporale, circa 1958.


In the book Creating Memory: A Guide to Outdoor Public Sculpture in Toronto By John Warkentin
, it describes the piece - "a male nude with scrolls floats languorously...Above the man stars and vertical lines are sketched, in the way the aurora borealis used to be illustrated in nineteenth century Arctic explorers' narratives.  This is one of a few communication themed bas-reliefs on the the old Maclean-Hunter Publishing office building at University and Dundas".


I've been at this corner many times and never noticed this beautiful piece of art before.  Having my camera with me and taking shots every day does open my eyes to the finer elements of urban life.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Vintage bikes in violation

There were quite a few bikes along Dundas Street outside Ryerson University that I noticed were tagged by the city in violation of some by-law about abandoned bikes and right of way management. The tags were dated about a week ago. I found it Interesting that these two vintage bikes looked in operating condition, except for the rust.

Saturday, April 2, 2011