Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Details:

What: Halloween on Church St.
When: Sat. Oct 31, 2009
Time: 8PM
Where: Starbucks at Yonge and Wellesley
Bring: Camera, flash, costume if you wish and warm clothes
http://www.halloweek.ca/2009EventOverview.html

I went last year for the first time and had a blast. Soo many photo opps! Just hope the weather is good (for October). I still have some pictures from that night posted on my flickr account. I've seen other photographer's photos and there were very few similar photos/costumes. It goes to show you that there is plenty to photograph, the turn out is great and it keeps changing through out the night. I can't say enough about how much fun and how great the crowd was. I highly recommend it.

I agree - it was a lot of fun and crazy warm - let's hope it will be the same this year! A few of my shots from last year can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesychee ... 028027416/

Won't have a chance to view the flickr til I get home, do the participants in costume ham it up for the cameras or are they camera shy?

Hey Vee, glad to see you are coming. They totally want to get their shots taken - it is the biggest Halloween party I have ever seen - loads of fun.

Yeah, I concur - the people there really want their pictures taken, and don't mind putting up a show. Many people (not in costume) also ask for their pictures to be taken with the costumed folk, as if the latter were some amusement park mascot, and they never seemed to mind.

And yes, it was a lot of fun!

Here's my set from last year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike-tan/s ... 570302847/

Then I definately want to do this. My 24-70mm all I need?

depends. Are you using a crop or FF? 24mm could be a bit long on a crop, most times we were arm's length to the subjects. It was very crowded.

I found that at

That's all I got at the moment (24-70 f/2.8L). Won't be picking up a 10-20mm until December.

heh. If that's all you got, that's all you need!

I'm thinking of OCF to get under-the-chin kind of lighting to make them look spookier... (inspired by someone I saw last year).

On my 40D last year I put on my 50mm for about three shots - way too tight for me. I used my 17-55/2.8 the rest of the time and it proved most flexible.

Might have to borrow the EF-S 17-85mm I sold to my friend.

Nice friend to lend it back to you It is lighter but not as fast as your 24-70 - your choice.

Where is the specific meeting place? On the corner?

The last 3 years it has been at the Starbucks at Young and Wellesley...

What about a Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5? I was thinking about pick up one with my bonus so I'm going to rent it from Vistek and see if I like it on the 20D and later on a 7D.

I am open to changing the meeting spot to SB - the corner was just a place holder. I can have a half-half, decaf, java-mocha mint, ground to #5 done to 165 degrees...

Just suggested, as it is next to the subway station, and people will not get lost in the crowds on Church.

Regardless, I will show up wherever... my fav annual TPMG event.

Apologies, I was not clear in my last post - I have already changed it to Starbucks at Yonge and Wellesley. Thanks for the suggestion!

Hey Vee, I have a buddy with the 10-22 and he is happy with it but there is also a Tokina that is a bit faster I believe - you should open a thread in the gear section to discuss this.

i am likely going to be partying through there with some friends. keep an eye out for an old man pimp with 4-5 ladies dressed up as blow up dolls :p no camera with me though as i will be drunk outta my mind wooooo

Oddly enough, you will fit right in!

For those of you who may want to come down once the 'trick or treaters' have been by the house, feel free to come on by Church St. later on. The party goes well into the night...

Now that's a costume I would love to see!

Does anyone care to take the helm as the organizer of this event - I will be going to Church St. that evening but not until later, as something has come up. There is not really much to do but be at the Starbucks at 7:00 PM that is in the main topic body of this thread.

2aspiration has graciously offered to be the organizer for this event. There is not much to it asides from meeting up at the Starbuck's at Yonge/Wellesley at 7:00 PM. From there just wander around Church St. and snap some pics of the party-goers.

7pm is much too early for the fun.

...I suggest a new time then...may be 8 or 8:30?

I am happy to change the time if that is what everyone wants. As I mentioned, I will be down much later so 2aspiration is taking the lead on the organization part of this. Let me know and I will edit the time of the event.

Earlier is good as there are less people and thus more room to shoot photos. Later is good as there are more people in costumes to photograph, though you have to fight the crowd more.

How long does this last? I've got to hand out candy to the kiddies all night, then if the weather holds up I might come down (10ish).