What a difference a month makes! Just compare the weather evidence in the photos from my Toronto photowalk in September to the conditions depicted below.
Location: We met at 2 p.m. at the west gate of Riverdale Farm (near the bike lock posts). From there, we explored the farm and photographed the resident animals. Afterwards, we headed across the street to explore the Toronto Necropolis for its creepy vibes. Unfortunately, it was largely overcast, and the light was dull except for a short minute. Our next stop was Bridgepoint Hospital and its grounds, a mix of new and old architecture. It’s across the Don Valley, so we crossed the pedestrian bridge over the Don River and the DVP. After the hospital, we walked north Broadview Ave towards the top of the hill overlooking the park. The dull weather sapped all the cheer, and the typically bustling hillside was largely devoid of people. The sun was behind dense clouds, and we quickly gave up waiting to take sunset photos. We returned via the DVP bridge. Octobers’s photowalk didn’t have a theme.
Below are some pictures I captured during this photowalk. Most photos were taken with my Fujifilm XF 50–140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR and XF 16–55mm F2.8 R LM WR lenses.
A calf with a spiked plastic nose ring. I suspect it’s spikey to discourage suckling from the adult cow with which it shares the enclosure. Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 50–140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens. 1/400 sec at ƒ/2.8 and ISO 320.Same calf, different angle. Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 50–140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens. 1/400 sec at ƒ/2.8 and ISO 320.Riverdale Farm has two enclosures for sheep. This is the southeast portion. I shot it using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 50–140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens. The settings were 1/210 sec at ƒ/4.0 and ISO 640.This perky sheep is in the northern enclosure. I shot it using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 50–140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens. The settings were 1/2500 sec at ƒ/2.8 and ISO 640.Chickens in the hen house. I wasn’t going to take a photo because the light was flat, but I changed my tune quite quickly as the sun peaked through the clouds and illuminated this hen through the barn door. Focusing on this image was a pain in the ass. Even with bird eye detection autofocus turned on, the camera kept targeting the chickenwire. Eventually, I gave up trying to fight the camera and switched to manual focusing mode. Luckily, the light stayed bright. Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 50–140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens. 1/2000 sec at ƒ/4.0 and ISO 640.The sun was in and out during our stroll through the Toronto Necropolis. The scenery lacked lustre, but I spotted this dark headstone against a bright yellow tree. Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 50–140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Lens. 1/400 sec at ƒ/4.0 and ISO 160.I was initially drawn to the burst of colour from the two trees on the upper right. However, I couldn’t think of a feasible composition until I found the tiny fence curving up towards it from a narrow path. Still, the scene was challenging, and this photo is heavily edited to keep the intended subject the main point of focus. There’s extensive burning in the upper left and bottom right corners and the hedgeline. Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 16–55mm F2.8 R LM WR Lens. 1/50 sec at ƒ/8.0 and ISO 160.At the bottom of the hill upon which Riverdale Farm sits, just before exiting out to Riverdale Park West and its fields, there’s a nasty old pond with a tangle of fallen trees and green scum. Voila! Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 16–55mm F2.8 R LM WR Lens. 1/60 sec at ƒ/5.6 and ISO 160.Just north of the front entrance to the Bridgepoint Hospital is a large concrete sitting area with several round rain and sun shelters that resemble flattened mushroom caps. This is them. Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 16–55mm F2.8 R LM WR Lens. 1/60 sec at ƒ/8.0 and ISO 160.Just north of the front entrance to the Bridgepoint Hospital is a large concrete sitting area with several round rain and sun shelters that resemble flattened mushroom caps. This is more. Shot using my Fujifilm X‑H2s camera and Fujinon XF 16–55mm F2.8 R LM WR Lens. 1/60 sec at ƒ/8.0 and ISO 160.
