The Image Journey Posts

Published October 4, 2022 by

Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto – 2022_10_04

Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto
Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, 1996 – © Avard Woolaver

Roncesvalles Avenue is one of my favourite areas of Toronto. I lived just west of there on Parkside Drive in the mid-1990s. The street is named after the Battle of Roncesvalles, which took place in the Roncesvalles Pass in Spain in 1813. (In Spanish the name ‘Roncesvalles’ means ‘valley of thorns’.)

Culturally, the area is known as the centre of the Polish community in Toronto with prominent Polish institutions, businesses and St Casimir’s Catholic Church. When I lived there in the 1990s there were lots of Polish restaurants and bakeries, as well as two second-run movie theatres–The Revue, and The Brighton. It was a really vibrant place, and probably still is.

This photo was taken diptych-style, a technique I still use to highlight juxtaposition. It appears in the photo book: Toronto Hi-Fi.

Photography

1990s film photography Roncesvalles Avenue street photography Toronto

Published October 3, 2022 by

Hip To Be Square – 2022_10_03

Square format
Carlton Street, Toronto, 1980 – © Avard Woolaver

In my first few months in Toronto in 1980, I used a square format, twin lens reflex (TLR) camera–the Yashica-Mat 124G. The camera is held at waist level and you look down into the viewfinder, it is a unique perspective as usually cameras such as the SLR are held up at eye level. Famed outsider photographer Vivian Maier used a TLR camera for much of her work. The low angle gives her street portraits a more noble, stately look. Sometimes it’s hip to be square!

I recently purchased a new scanner–an Epson V600, and at last can scan the medium format negatives that I shot in Toronto many years ago. I find that I’m remembering my 22 year old self.

Photography Toronto

1980s 6x6 Epson V600 scanner film photography square format Toronto Yashica-Mat 124G

Published September 29, 2022 by

Inside Ralph’s Barbershop – 2022_09_29

Barbershop, Toronto, 1980s
Ralph’s Barbershop, Keele Street, Toronto, 1983 – © Avard Woolaver

There were several barbershops in West Toronto Junction when I lived there in the 1980s. I liked Ralph’s Barbershop because of the nice light and ambiance. It was the classic community gathering place where men sat and talked as they waited their turn. I asked Ralph if I could take some photos, and went there a few times with my camera.

Photography

1980s barbershop documentary photography film photography The Junction Toronto West Toronto Junction

Published September 23, 2022 by

More of my favourite light – 2022_09_23

my favourite light
Windsor, Nova Scotia, 2022 – © Avard Woolaver

Winter sun shining directly overhead, illuminating wet pavement. This is my favourite light, and I try to capture it whenever I can. The silver road beckons.

Photography

my favourite light new topographics Nova Scotia photography silver road winter light

Published September 22, 2022 by

Abandoned Cars, Toronto, 1980 – 2022_09_22

abandoned cars
St. James Town, Toronto, 1980 – © Avard Woolaver

Abandoned cars used to be a common sight in Toronto in the 1980s. It’s something we no longer see. The graffiti, however, is still prevalent.

Photography

1980s abandoned cars film photography graffiti Toronto