A few weeks ago Michael Muraz and I led a weekend workshop in Toronto. We started with a pre-workshop online presentation to prepare participants for a weekend of shooting. We shared our on-location approach to subjects, compositional tools and tips on working in series.
A few days later we met up for our weekend of shooting together. At each location Michael and I shared a bit of background info on the architecture and gave participants a mini-assignment for some direction on how to approach each location. We began Friday night with dinner and then headed to Puente De Luz and Bathurst Bridge for some cityscapes.
Just a little playing around with lens zooming while hand-holding the camera.
Saturday we began with a design by one of my favorite architects, Santiago Calatrava, at the Allen Lambert Galleria.
Just outside the door we photographed the Royal Bank Plaza and Toronto-Dominion Centre.
Doors Open Toronto (similar to Open House Chicago) was happening the same weekend so we were able to shoot the interior of Commerce Court North. Such beautiful ceiling detail.
Then the city’s iconic City Hall.
Then onto the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre. Love that blue!
Next was the Art Gallery of Ontario designed by Frank Gehry. Definitely one of his more subtle designs.
Then the very colorful Sharp Centre for Design, dubbed “The Cow”.
Our final stop before a little break before dinner and a sunset cityscape was Roy Thomson Hall.
Most of Saturday was overcast and going into dinner we didn’t have high hopes of a great sunset. However, when we came out of the restaurant we were greeted with a beautiful sky full of amazing color and clouds. We rushed over to Polson Pier for our final stop of the day.
Sunday began bright (or not-so-bright since we started in complete darkness) and early for sunrise at Riverdale Park, the final cityscape location of the workshop.
Not far from here we photographed Bridgepoint Hospital.
We had crazy weather this morning; the fog took-over and covered the city for about an hour. Nice timing since we were headed to breakfast. Afterward, we photographed the Canary District, Gooderham and Distillery District.
Next we stopped by the Parliament Data Center.
Then the nearby Globe and Mail.
Now onto one of the most fun buildings of the day, the Royal Ontario Museum and Exhibit Residences across the street.
We then stopped by a number of buildings on the University of Toronto campus – Jackman Law Building, Robarts Library, Graduate House, Helix of Life sculpture. Here are a couple favorites.
We had a really great weekend and such a fun group join us. Following our time together we all met up again online to share images, always fun to see the different perspectives of the same locations! And if you want to see many, many more pics from the weekend head over here.
If this looks fun, check my workshop page and sign-up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date on future workshops. For those of you heading to the Out of Chicago Photo Conference I’ll see you there very soon. There are a few spots left so if you want to join the fun head over here and if you use code: ANGIE100 you receive $100 off the $349 registration fee.

0 Responses
All I can say is WOW. I have taken shots of many of the same buildings as you did. But these clearly show why you are teacher! I clearly have so much to learn. Beautiful work Angie and I hope Toronto treated you well 🙂
Thank you so much, David! Next time hopefully I'll see you 🙂