Asking for photography tips for a trip to Toronto

mnj11 · 03-06-2015, 07:17 PM

Hello all,
I am going to Toronto at the end of March for 5 days and I was wondering if anyone has any tips for photography at this time of the year. I am assuming that the weather will be cold. I am looking to do some street photography and may be some architecture. Also looking to head out at night and try to take some shots of the skyline. For street shots, I am thinking of spending most of my time in downtown Toronto, does anyone know of any other area where I could make some nice pictures ? As for the skyline, I am not sure where the best spots are. Some hidden gems, non-mainstream spots would be great to try to make some shots in peact ! Any kind of pointers would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

**UncleVanya** · 03-06-2015, 07:49 PM

Old town. Plus most of the things on this route... City Sightseeing Toronto - Toronto Double-Decker City Tour Map

Pepe Le Pew · 03-06-2015, 07:54 PM

My house?

normhead · 03-06-2015, 08:30 PM

Well, Toronto city hall for sure. It's been a while since I'v lived there, but Queen Street from University to Spadina was always good for street photography, especially on a weekend. Harbourfront is good for a stroll and if you can find your way out to the Leslie Street spit, the skyline and sometimes wildlife can be good. For a parkish kind of place High Park is good, lots of people traffic, and of course the Legislature at Queen's Park, for some interesting historic buildings. Case Loma is definitely touristy but possibly worth a visit. The points of interest include the Science Centre, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and The Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto zoo,

Looking at non mainstream stuff, even things like hanging around the Bus Station on bay street can be interesting. And a stroll up and down Yonge Street from Union Station to the Eaton's Centre can be interesting.

The problem with the end of March is if the weather isn't good, you won't find a lot of people out. And looking for out of the way, I'm scratching my head, but I'm coming up with not much. Maybe the old brickyard off Pottery Road,
Don Valley Brick Works - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

or the Old Don jail.

Toronto.com – The Old Don Jail

The Don Jail saw 34 hangings. Case Loma may or may not have antique furniture on display I restored way back in my cabinet making days.
Casa Loma

And if you can get tickets of anything at Massey Hall, I'd go, just to be inside the place.
Massey Hall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Event Listings

There's just too much to do there. And I'm not even getting into my old haunts.... my biggest problem thinking of going back to Toronto would be coming up with a schedule that didn't totally run me into the ground. Two weeks probably wouldn't be long enough.

BrianR · 03-07-2015, 07:48 AM

The University of Toronto has some nice old architecture, Kensington Market is nearby and a standard for people photos. OCAD is also freaky for its newish building on stilts and freakish looking art students.

Originally posted by normhead

Maybe the old brickyard off Pottery Road,
Don Valley Brick Works - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Brick Works are awesome. End of March is a great time for birds passing by. From the Brick Works, it's a nice walk down the Don River to Riverdale Farms. Maybe not the greatest for people/architecture, but this walking route was my 'escape' from city living.

normhead · 03-07-2015, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by BrianR

The University of Toronto has some nice old architecture, Kensington Market is nearby and a standard for people photos. OCAD is also freaky for its newish building on stilts and freakish looking art students.

The Brick Works are awesome. End of March is a great time for birds passing by. From the Brick Works, it's a nice walk down the Don River to Riverdale Farms. Maybe not the greatest for people/architecture, but this walking route was my 'escape' from city living.

I used to live off Douglas Crescent, when I was young the brick works was still operational, so that area we used to call "the honey woods" and it was our playground. ( Before the brick works closed, they'd destroyed almost all of the woods strip mining it for it's clay. ) Our bit of wilderness in the middle of the city. We built shacks we called "clubs" for partying along the railway line and raced go carts down old Pottery Road.

mnj11 · 03-07-2015, 10:47 AM

Thank you all for the very helpful information

**c.a.m** · 03-07-2015, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by mnj11

Also looking to head out at night and try to take some shots of the skyline.

A good view of the Toronto skyline may be seen from the Toronto Islands (Centre Island or Ward's Island). A ferry runs from downtown Toronto. For sample images, you can search Flickr for "Toronto skyline". (I think that the ferry service is suspended at the moment owing to heavy ice in the inner harbour. End of March should be okay).

The Royal Ontario Museum has interesting architecture.

- Craig

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-08-2015, 05:15 AM

I woould agree with all the above, but for street photography, you might try walking on queen street west of Spadina.

Once you side the city core, things spread out pretty flat. As most of toronto is single family residential housing. Sure, there are pockets of higher density but not much, although there are large sections of Victorian housing, as much thof the first expansion of the city took place during the Victorian era.

You should visit also the waterfront, although not much is happening this time of year. If you are a sucker for punishment, you can always try to get into a MapleLeafs hockey game, but prices are very high for the quality of what you will see

**gaweidert** · 03-08-2015, 12:26 PM

First you need to study up on Canada, Michael Moore's most accurate documentary was a film called Canadian Bacon and it is very informative of Canadian culture, I heartily recommend it.

I assume that the CN Tower will be open. You shoud get a great view of the land for miles around including a pretty good portion of Lake Ontario. The Ontario Science Center is worth a visit too. The Toronto Zoo but it closes at 4:30 so I don't know if you will have time.

I live in western NY and we are just experienced out coldest month since record keeping started in 1830 so dress accordingly. A side trip to the Niagara Falls area would be pretty cool and they illuminate the falls at night. The Canadian side of the falls is much more scenic. A passport makes getting back into the states a lot easier.

Drink Canadian beer carefully. It is much better that major brand US made beer and goes it down a lot easier. It is usually a little more potent.

**c.a.m** · 03-08-2015, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by gaweidert

Drink Canadian beer carefully.

We Canadians recommend sampling many different Canadian beers in volume - especially those from the micro-breweries - to ensure a thorough statistical analysis and to allow the drinker to determine a true favourite.

(but we agree with the advice - drink carefully and responsibly).

- Craig

**jacamar** · 03-09-2015, 09:58 AM

The Distillery District (feature #20 on the tour map linked above) is a gentrified historic Victorian industrial district and very photogenic. In late March there should be fewer tourists to interfere with your shots.

The Leslie Street Spit that extends out into Lake Ontario from the foot of that street has great views of the City and has a naturalized, wide open landscape, manufactured from years of rubble from construction and subway excavation. Not as manicured as the Islands but an interesting visit and a vigorous walk (also an essential part of my longer City bike rides).

The Mount Pleasant Cemetery is huge, located near the Davisville and St Clair subway stations has a lot of old and interesting memorials - including the grave of pianist Glenn Gould and the mausoleum of Captain Fluke:

mnj11 · 03-09-2015, 05:09 PM

Great information..much appreciated !! My list of things to do is getting only longer, now that beer is added to it, I wonder how many of the others I can manage to do

Thanks again

**jacamar** · 03-09-2015, 05:23 PM

Originally posted by mnj11

Great information..much appreciated !! My list of things to do is getting only longer, now that beer is added to it, I wonder how many of the others I can manage to do

Thanks again

Oh yes. the beer - All the big "Canadian" breweries are foreign owned. Go for the local brews - e.g Cameron's, Black Oak, Amsterdam, Mill Street (at the Distillery) - lots of others to choose from.

Pepe Le Pew · 03-12-2015, 08:30 PM

Just stop by at my place/house.....

I'll show you Toronto

---------- Post added 03-12-15 at 11:32 PM ----------

Originally posted by c.a.m

We Canadians recommend sampling many different Canadian beers in volume - especially those from the micro-breweries - to ensure a thorough statistical analysis and to allow the drinker to determine a true favourite.

(but we agree with the advice - drink carefully and responsibly).

- Craig

I do like Sam Adams....

03-06-2015, 07:17 PM	#1
mnj11 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 298	Asking for photography tips for a trip to Toronto Hello all, I am going to Toronto at the end of March for 5 days and I was wondering if anyone has any tips for photography at this time of the year. I am assuming that the weather will be cold. I am looking to do some street photography and may be some architecture. Also looking to head out at night and try to take some shots of the skyline. For street shots, I am thinking of spending most of my time in downtown Toronto, does anyone know of any other area where I could make some nice pictures ? As for the skyline, I am not sure where the best spots are. Some hidden gems, non-mainstream spots would be great to try to make some shots in peact ! Any kind of pointers would be much appreciated. Thank you.

03-07-2015, 05:42 PM	#8
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,189	Originally posted by mnj11 Also looking to head out at night and try to take some shots of the skyline. A good view of the Toronto skyline may be seen from the Toronto Islands (Centre Island or Ward's Island). A ferry runs from downtown Toronto. For sample images, you can search Flickr for "Toronto skyline". (I think that the ferry service is suspended at the moment owing to heavy ice in the inner harbour. End of March should be okay). The Royal Ontario Museum has interesting architecture. - Craig Last edited by c.a.m; 03-07-2015 at 05:51 PM.

03-09-2015, 09:58 AM	#12
jacamar Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 3,443	The Distillery District (feature #20 on the tour map linked above) is a gentrified historic Victorian industrial district and very photogenic. In late March there should be fewer tourists to interfere with your shots. The Leslie Street Spit that extends out into Lake Ontario from the foot of that street has great views of the City and has a naturalized, wide open landscape, manufactured from years of rubble from construction and subway excavation. Not as manicured as the Islands but an interesting visit and a vigorous walk (also an essential part of my longer City bike rides). The Mount Pleasant Cemetery is huge, located near the Davisville and St Clair subway stations has a lot of old and interesting memorials - including the grave of pianist Glenn Gould and the mausoleum of Captain Fluke: Last edited by jacamar; 03-09-2015 at 03:25 PM.

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03-06-2015, 07:49 PM	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	Old town. Plus most of the things on this route... City Sightseeing Toronto - Toronto Double-Decker City Tour Map

03-06-2015, 07:54 PM	#3
Pepe Le Pew Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 591	My house?

03-06-2015, 08:30 PM	#4
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Well, Toronto city hall for sure. It's been a while since I'v lived there, but Queen Street from University to Spadina was always good for street photography, especially on a weekend. Harbourfront is good for a stroll and if you can find your way out to the Leslie Street spit, the skyline and sometimes wildlife can be good. For a parkish kind of place High Park is good, lots of people traffic, and of course the Legislature at Queen's Park, for some interesting historic buildings. Case Loma is definitely touristy but possibly worth a visit. The points of interest include the Science Centre, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and The Royal Ontario Museum and Toronto zoo, Looking at non mainstream stuff, even things like hanging around the Bus Station on bay street can be interesting. And a stroll up and down Yonge Street from Union Station to the Eaton's Centre can be interesting. The problem with the end of March is if the weather isn't good, you won't find a lot of people out. And looking for out of the way, I'm scratching my head, but I'm coming up with not much. Maybe the old brickyard off Pottery Road, Don Valley Brick Works - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia or the Old Don jail. Toronto.com – The Old Don Jail The Don Jail saw 34 hangings. Case Loma may or may not have antique furniture on display I restored way back in my cabinet making days. Casa Loma And if you can get tickets of anything at Massey Hall, I'd go, just to be inside the place. Massey Hall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Event Listings There's just too much to do there. And I'm not even getting into my old haunts.... my biggest problem thinking of going back to Toronto would be coming up with a schedule that didn't totally run me into the ground. Two weeks probably wouldn't be long enough.

03-07-2015, 07:48 AM	#5
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	The University of Toronto has some nice old architecture, Kensington Market is nearby and a standard for people photos. OCAD is also freaky for its newish building on stilts and freakish looking art students. Originally posted by normhead Maybe the old brickyard off Pottery Road, Don Valley Brick Works - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Brick Works are awesome. End of March is a great time for birds passing by. From the Brick Works, it's a nice walk down the Don River to Riverdale Farms. Maybe not the greatest for people/architecture, but this walking route was my 'escape' from city living.

03-07-2015, 07:54 AM	#6
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by BrianR The University of Toronto has some nice old architecture, Kensington Market is nearby and a standard for people photos. OCAD is also freaky for its newish building on stilts and freakish looking art students. The Brick Works are awesome. End of March is a great time for birds passing by. From the Brick Works, it's a nice walk down the Don River to Riverdale Farms. Maybe not the greatest for people/architecture, but this walking route was my 'escape' from city living. I used to live off Douglas Crescent, when I was young the brick works was still operational, so that area we used to call "the honey woods" and it was our playground. ( Before the brick works closed, they'd destroyed almost all of the woods strip mining it for it's clay. ) Our bit of wilderness in the middle of the city. We built shacks we called "clubs" for partying along the railway line and raced go carts down old Pottery Road.

03-07-2015, 10:47 AM	#7
mnj11 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 298 Original Poster	Thank you all for the very helpful information

03-08-2015, 05:15 AM	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	I woould agree with all the above, but for street photography, you might try walking on queen street west of Spadina. Once you side the city core, things spread out pretty flat. As most of toronto is single family residential housing. Sure, there are pockets of higher density but not much, although there are large sections of Victorian housing, as much thof the first expansion of the city took place during the Victorian era. You should visit also the waterfront, although not much is happening this time of year. If you are a sucker for punishment, you can always try to get into a MapleLeafs hockey game, but prices are very high for the quality of what you will see

03-08-2015, 12:26 PM	#10
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	First you need to study up on Canada, Michael Moore's most accurate documentary was a film called Canadian Bacon and it is very informative of Canadian culture, I heartily recommend it. I assume that the CN Tower will be open. You shoud get a great view of the land for miles around including a pretty good portion of Lake Ontario. The Ontario Science Center is worth a visit too. The Toronto Zoo but it closes at 4:30 so I don't know if you will have time. I live in western NY and we are just experienced out coldest month since record keeping started in 1830 so dress accordingly. A side trip to the Niagara Falls area would be pretty cool and they illuminate the falls at night. The Canadian side of the falls is much more scenic. A passport makes getting back into the states a lot easier. Drink Canadian beer carefully. It is much better that major brand US made beer and goes it down a lot easier. It is usually a little more potent.

03-08-2015, 01:05 PM	#11
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,189	Originally posted by gaweidert Drink Canadian beer carefully. We Canadians recommend sampling many different Canadian beers in volume - especially those from the micro-breweries - to ensure a thorough statistical analysis and to allow the drinker to determine a true favourite. (but we agree with the advice - drink carefully and responsibly). - Craig

03-09-2015, 05:09 PM	#13
mnj11 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 298 Original Poster	Great information..much appreciated !! My list of things to do is getting only longer, now that beer is added to it, I wonder how many of the others I can manage to do Thanks again

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03-09-2015, 05:23 PM	#14
jacamar Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 3,443	Originally posted by mnj11 Great information..much appreciated !! My list of things to do is getting only longer, now that beer is added to it, I wonder how many of the others I can manage to do Thanks again Oh yes. the beer - All the big "Canadian" breweries are foreign owned. Go for the local brews - e.g Cameron's, Black Oak, Amsterdam, Mill Street (at the Distillery) - lots of others to choose from.

03-12-2015, 08:30 PM	#15
Pepe Le Pew Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 591	Just stop by at my place/house..... I'll show you Toronto ---------- Post added 03-12-15 at 11:32 PM ---------- Originally posted by c.a.m We Canadians recommend sampling many different Canadian beers in volume - especially those from the micro-breweries - to ensure a thorough statistical analysis and to allow the drinker to determine a true favourite. (but we agree with the advice - drink carefully and responsibly). - Craig I do like Sam Adams....