Cloudy with Isolated Thunderstorms Photo

Photographer’s Note

Nope, this isn't my usual skyline background but 370km away in Toronto. I had not been to Toronto in a few years and decided it was about time to go back. I only had a day and it just happened to be the one overcast and drizzly day among the 10 days before or after. Friday had been beautiful. Thursday had been beautiful. All the way back to the week before it had been beautiful. Then Sunday was beautiful and so was Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday would have been but by that point the remnants of Hurricane Katrina had made its way up here. But Saturday had to be that one odd day with clouds. It did clear up near Kitchener, outside Toronto, but that lasted only a few minutes. And by the time we got back down past London heading back to Detroit the sky was so clear you could see nearly every star in it. I didn't mind, though. It never really rained while we were walking about and it wasn't hot.

So, yes, this is Toronto, capital of Ontario, core of a metro area of 6 million and business capital of Canada. This was from the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) held annually in August. It was founded in 1879 to help spur development and since has grown into the fourth largest fair in North America with annual attendance of 1.4 million. And in bringing in people it also brings in their money, more than $48 million to the city and $66 million to Ontario. It's an interesting mixture of all kinds of events, musical, exhibition space for vendors, various other traveling exhibitions, garden displays, shows, fireworks, an entertainment midway and many other things.

And here's a view across the backside of the midway. On the left are the rides and to the right, out of the image, are the service trailers such as restrooms, information booths and control trailers. And in the back is Toronto, with the half a kilometer tall CN Tower dominating. And, of course, the wonderfully overcast conditions that prevailed that day.

I'm not exactly sure what's going on on the left . I only noticed the person there with his hands as they are when I looked at the photo at home. It looks like he was trying to get someone's attention. The kids seem to be waiting eagerly for a response from whoever it is he's shouting out to.

jhm, papagolf21, alvaraalto, Tue, bertolucci, kajenn, elihesamian, jmaddocks, snoopyphoto has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jhm (83802) 2005-09-14 12:33

Hi Paul,
I can see the attractions in Canada, the same as in Europe also in Belgium its these the see. But the buildings and the special tower its a contrast against the white sky. The people in the row for a place on the attractions with summer attire and good colours. Indeed the man left search for other maybe children.
Thanks for visit Paul
Greetings,
John.

Amirsun (2114) 2005-09-14 17:18

Hi Paul!
Very nice shot and great composition, The colore and details are perfect and congratulation to this great light control, Specially in the sky. Tanks for sharing.
Regards
Amir

alvaraalto (5305) 2005-09-14 17:43

Hi Paul,
The famous skyline of Toronto is the perfect background for this colorful fair after the thunderstorm. It seems that the visitor enjoy their stay.
groet Rob

papagolf21 (57029) 2005-09-15 3:43

Bonsoir Paul,
Un jour pour revoir Toronto cela fait un peu juste, surtout si le temps n'est pas au beau !
Mon frère habite à proximité de Toronto, où j'ai eu l'occasion de le voir en 1970 lors de notre voyage de noces, ce n'est pas hier ! Je garde un excellent souvenir de Toronto et de son environnement. N'étant pas revenu depuis, je suppose que tout cela à dû bien changer.
L'image est amusante à regarder avec ces personnages au premier plan, l'homme appelle-t-il quelqu'un : un enfant, son épouse ou autre ! Mystère.
Le cadrage est très bien réalisé puisqu'il nous permet d'embrasser du regard une bonne partie de la fête et de cette tour qui semble interminable.
Merci beaucoup pour vos critiques Paul.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Tue (25608) 2005-09-15 18:23

Hej Paul,
Great shot with the nice skyline in the background and the colourful scenery from daily life here. I like also the haze contrasting to the colours, well done.
Hilsner,
Lars

bertolucci (12022) 2005-09-16 14:55

Hi Paul, for this kinda shot, this cloudy weather worked well, for it nicely singled out this bright scene with all these colourful people in view. The diagonal compo works well here, creating a line for us to follow, skipping from person to person and from attraction to attraction.
The people play an intruiging part here - it's fun to imagine what kind of stories are behind all this interaction - maybe in a way some sort of thunderstorm is involved ;-) Nice job.
Regards from Rotterdam, Bert.

kajenn (2325) 2005-09-18 21:06

I didn't recognize myself in Detroit, Paul, as I hadn't seen that tower before... :) So, Toronto it is and, of course, I recognize the CN Tower now. I think you've got the Toronto metropolitan area as a nice misty backdrop to all the colors and actions of the exhibition. Not only the family eagerly looking/waiting; behind them a girl evidently got wet or spilled something. Others queue in line or just wait. I find my eyes searching up and down the diagonal row of amusements trying to find new things to explore. Very well done!

I was a bit surprised to know you're able to go from Detroit to Toronto over a day like this. How far is it?
I know I'm able to use Google Earth, but... ;o)

elihesamian (26091) 2005-09-24 4:43

But I think the man is cleaning his sweat under his glass with finger,maybe?!
but all are noticed in that side,who?...not you and me will not find it,...maybe their mama!:)

And,you show a nice daily life scene of Torento,Wonderful hazy situation you had in depth for bacground,this made the background, particular, with that tall CN Tower and skylines,and the poeple are busy in CNE,and in a real pose all,a nice cut daily life of Toronto,
I notice the girl in back of the family here in corner,seems a happen is occured for her,with her head down and hands in a special style when a thing is lost and we try to find it on the ground:)
graet shot,Paul,
Best
M

jrzufferey (7249) 2005-09-25 8:45

Magnifique image de cette scène de la vie quotidienne, l'éclairage est excellent et les couleurs nombreuses, bien vu. Ciao/jr

Kenny10pin (19301) 2005-09-25 21:34

great daily life shot, I liek the towers at the back and the three people on the right, very good timing I like their expressions, well done

jmaddocks (563) 2005-10-06 8:57

Good Day Paul:

It's been many years since I have attended the Ex, but this picture brings back many memories of walking the midway.

This is a very good composition, and I see my fellow Canadians are making the best of a rainy day. I think the contrast of the midway and the city skyline is very interesting.
Well taken!