Urban Textures Revisited....

Last weekend while I was sorting and editing some of the floral abstracts I have been posting I had one of those a-ha! moments. It had suddenly dawned on me to go back and take a look at one of my earlier subjects and then re-interpret them with some of the new skills/techniques I have learned since then.

So out came the camera and the umbrella and I headed over to one of the more colourful spots in Toronto, Queen Street West. The first time around I had focused on Urban Textures as I was actually viewing them, and only used composition as my way of expressing how I was seeing them. This time, it was still about the colours and patterns, but less about fine details. I decided to experiment using the same techniques I have been using with the floral images, and my Kaleidoscape series.

The result is an explosion of colours, and some wonderful, (in my opinion) abstract shots. I can't wait for my next day off, and hope to build up the portfolio with a few more...

Here are a couple for you to take a look at..

window sill..

Nice to see that even a building owner who is so creative with paint, and allows the building to become a canvas, still finds it necessary to add a touch of nature's artistry. Spotted this fun and colourful little spot on Queen West.

author unknown...

So I finally found a day to blow the dust of the camera and get out there and find some new material. I headed once again to Queen Street West as I was trying to find a frame shop that I knew was there, but because it was closed I decided to spend more time taking photos. I headed into the back alley's which are full of colour, new and old. I found this little 'clip' on the side of an old garage, and thought it was striking, and of course makes one stop and think about the author....but no matter what thoughts I create, or images of the author my brain creates, the fact is the author will remain.......unknown.

The Beach

Took advantage of the bright sun, fairly mild temperatures, calm winds and headed via streetcar to the Beaches on Queen Street East. The area was full of dog walkers, elderly people out for a stroll on the boardwalk, children collecting pebbles, and people sitting on benches reading. If I was more established at taking people shots, I would have. But the point of the day was to practice on Hugh. (And believe me, he does not mind having his photo taken) This was one of my favorites.....

p.s. My fish, after lying on the bottom of the bowl for 5 days, is now swimming around again. What a trooper!

Colour Block

This shot is from last weeks walk on Queen West. I decided to venture down a back alley behind all the stores, and discovered the hub for urban textures. What attracted me to this little piece, was that despite all the different patterns, textures, and variations in colour, there was still an element of structure, or separation of parts.

It puts me in mind of a Rubics cube, and for some reason the 80's.

Alarm

Went for a walk on Queen Street West yesterday, and came across this rusted alarm. Despite the fact it is a rusty brown, I liked how it worked with the colours that had been painted on the wall. It kind of popped, without being typical 'pop' colours. Earthy, without being natural. Picturesque, I guess you could say.