What makes a great photo of Toronto?
Maybe it’s the way a morning fog swallows the CN Tower, the reflection of a burning sunset on Lake Ontario or even the pop of a woman’s red scarf on a dreary winter day.
In a quest to find the best angle, the greatest lighting and the ultimate subject matter, Toronto-based photographers are documenting details of the city most of us overlook. They are turning to Instagram, the instant photo-sharing social media tool, to show off their perspectives to the rest of the world.
To escape the spiral of monotonous city shots, (you know the ones: looking up at some skyscrapers or someone waiting for a subway train), these Torontonians scale rooftops, explore abandoned buildings, traverse forbidden territory or simply see a killer shot where others walk blithely by to get that never-before-seen photograph.
“You’re constantly trying to please this weird group of strangers you’ve never met [and] if you’re just taking the same five photos, you’re not learning and growing as a photographer,” said Instagrammer Jon Rix (better known as @normster to his followers).
With a combined follower count of roughly 300,000, it’s clear to see these Instagrammers are influencing the way the world sees Toronto.
The Globe and Mail spoke with a handful of them about their photography and how the city has inspired them.
Zack Vitiello
@latelight, 3,000 followers, shoots on iPhone
Location
Taken on Dupont Street, just east of Dufferin Street. “I’ve been a lot of places and I’m really infatuated with that old, decrepit, dilapidated look and feel.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“There’s a lot of hidden gems in these odd parts of the city that people don’t really explore.”
Pro tip
“I’m a huge fan of simplicity. I like to shoot things straight on if the angle is available.”
Taha Muharuma
@tahaphoto, 34,000 followers, shoots on iPhone and DSLR
Location
A TTC subway car going east into Victoria Park station. “It means a lot to me because it reminds me of my childhood and taking that exact train from downtown to the east.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“When I used to ride the subway as a child and even until now as an adult … you’d see tons of different people all trying to make their way through life and the subway doesn’t judge that – it accepts everybody.”
Pro tip
“If you turn the camera away from yourself for a second and document the world around you, you’ll realize just how beautiful everyday life is.”
Adeyemi Adegbesan
@soteeoh, 57,500 followers, shoots on mobile phone and DSLR
Location
Taken from the top of a parking garage in Kensington Market. “I live in Kensington Market, so it’s kind of a special place to me. I feel like it’s the unofficial heart of Toronto.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“You have a lot of different interests and ideas all competing for a very limited amount of space but somehow it’s all still working together.”
Pro tip
“Shoot every day. To me, it’s not about any sort of technical mastery … anybody can be a good photographer, but you just have to embrace it and do it passionately and do it every day.”
Michelle Angelovski
@shellche, 21,000 followers, shoots on iPhone
Location
Taken on her way to work during a rainy day. “I was standing outside waiting for the perfect umbrella … and I saw a woman walking through the park with a yellow one.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“There is beauty that can be found even in the simplicity of a great umbrella.”
Pro tip
“Be patient. Wait for the shot you want.”
Jon Rix
@normster, 40,000 followers, shoots on iPhone
Location
Taken on Queen Street West. “People probably walk by [the art] all the time and don’t even realize it’s upside down, or ask why it’s there or what the artist meant when they put it on the wall.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“People are out there doing [photography] and they’re doing it well and taking it seriously. It’s not all just pictures of your outfit of the day in front of the mirror.”
Pro tip
“Take as many photos as you can and look at other people’s photos.”
Robbie “Stilez”
@stilez, 8,000 followers, shoots on DSLR
Location
The Gardiner Expressway. “When the Gardiner was closed, we snuck on real quick and it was spur-of-the-moment. It says a lot about me – I’m all about music and I’m all about Toronto.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“It’s got a great skyline and a lot of great talent, music-wise.”
Pro tip
“If [Instagram] is something you want to do seriously, draft up an action plan: Decide what your direction is going to be, decide on your look and your theme and what you want your online voice on Instagram to be.”
Jamal Burger
@jayscale, 75,000 followers, shoots on DSLR
Location
Taken from a rooftop. “It looks like I’m flying right over the intersection.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“Toronto is a busy city, there’s a lot going on and it’s constantly moving.”
Pro tip
“If you like photography, regardless of what anyone says, then just continue to take photos.”
Ian Griffin
@griffian, 61,000 followers, shoots on mobile phone and Fuji X-T1
Location
Around King and Bay streets. “I was just going to try and get a shot down Bay but I was slipping – I was wearing dress shoes – and when I looked up, there’s this woman who is putting my complaints to shame as she is trying to cross the road in what looked like six-inch heels.”
Toronto in a nutshell
“The people will still brave anything to look stylish.”
Pro tip
“If you are pushed to actually go out with the sole purpose of taking shots, then you will get better.”