Toronto Photography Meetup Group

What: Toronto Islands Winter Photowalk
When: Saturday February 4, 2012
Time: 1:15 pm
Where: Toronto Island Ferry Docks
Bring: Camera, fast lens, warm clothing, tri-pod

It's that time of year again, and since no one else has yet to post an event I thought I would as these have become on of my favorite events in the winter.
Hopefully there is some snow!
The Plan: We'll be taking the 1:30 Ferry to Wards island so let's meet for 1:15pm and get Everyone on the boat. I'd like to wander through the "Village" and along the top side of the island over to the pier, hopefully catch some good shots out there and then head towards Olympic for Sundown. Bring your fire materials, as it usually is quite cool in the last stretch between setting up and waiting for the long exposures. Also bring some marshmallows if you are so inclined, this usually provides a touch of fun.
Sunset is going to be almost perpendicular to the city so I am hoping that we can get some good shots out of it. Time for the sunset is 5:32 pm.


I will update the weather outlook as it is made available to keep everyone in the loop.
Time for some wintery fun!

If the time is right when we trickle back to mainland, I'll be heading out for food somewhere nearby, that will be determined shortly. So come on out for a warm up/drink if you are so inclined!


Directions
The Toronto Ferry Docks is located at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay, just West of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

Directions by TTC: From union station take the 509 Harbourfront or the 510 Spadina streetcar south to the Bay and Queen's Quay Stop. Alternately, take the Bay Bus #6 southbound from the corner of Front and Bay to the Bay and Queen's Quay stop. The entrance to the ferry docks is on the south side of the street, just east of the Westin Harbour Castle hotel.

Walk / Drive: Main entrance at foot of Bay St on Queens Quay. Enter through park and enter via walkway between Harbour Castle Westin Hotel and Harbour Castle condominiums. Parking is available 1 block north at Lakeshore and Bay, 1 block west on Queens Quay between Bay and York Sts, 1 block east opposite Toronto Star building adjacent to Captain Johns restaurant.
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/ferry-schedule.htm

If weather causes me to cancel or reschedule the Cannington dog sled races, I might come to this.

...I forgot about that event too.
I suck at this overlap of events thing.
You are always welcome Janet, if all else fails please do join us!

Where is this Washington Dog sled races?

Alex. U forget to update the date in the post

Apparently my phone auto-corrected Cannington to Washington.

Fixed. Thank you for catching that!

Considering its a long day outside...and in winter, and possibly really ---king cold, are there any restaurants open nearby where one can get warm if needs be ?

There is one restaurant on Ward's Island that stays open in the winter - The Rectory Cafe (11:00am - 5:00pm).

http://therectorycafe.com/

967-11-11
They deliver dont they?

As Janet Mentioned the Recotry Cafe, is in fact the only thing open during the winter. It is on the planned route for - depending on the speed of walk - about 2 hours into the day. Some times more, sometimes less.
What you will want to know is that it is generally a 20-25 minute walk from where we set up shop for cityscape photos and such. Thus you will find that it is not the most useful, but by that point we are also usually past it's closing time.
In that vein you need to be creative on both exposure to elements as well as prevention of cold from them. There have been lots of solutions over the visits I have spent with others there and know that it is possible to make it out alive, warm, with a good photo or two, and no lasting damage. Hell you can even have a roasted marshmallow or 6 with the same results.

The key for me, with overly vulnerable fingers and toes: lots of cover. Two pairs of socks and proper boots as well as a pair of cycling/contractor gloves (these give you the dexterity needed to operate the camera, and can be easily layered over) and a pair of warm ones on top. That way when you remove a layer for a shot, you are still protected and stand to keep warm that much longer.

That is the best advice that I can offer from experience. I know other have used hand/feet warmers with varying levels of enjoyment and success.

After my first winter with TPMG, I made the investment in thermal layers. Those and heat packs for sure.

The skyline is usually shot from Olympic island (where we can have FIRE!), but Janet and I shot from Algonquin island last year -- the hike back to the docks is more reasonable from there.

We may have a to lead a rogue group out to Algonquin. It gets old shooting from the same spot every time!

Sorry guys, I've had some family things come up for this day and will be pushing this a week back into February for the 4th.
I hope this is not an issue for anyone!

I'm cool with the new date... Maybe even consider going to Washington the week before...

Thanks for the heads up. Makes no difference to me what day it is.

Janet is hosting a winter dog sled races on the 28th of January too.
Some might be interested in that!

I know this may seem a little absurd. But based on the crap weather we've had, and my lack of interest in a snow-less islands visit, I would like to advise that if the weather is shoddy for the 4th, a re-schedule date of the 11th will fall into play for me.
If it gets pushed back further I won't be free to run this until the 25th.
So here's hoping that we get some damn snow and that it sticks around for a while!

Unfortunately if this event does get pushed back to the 11th (I hope not) I can no longer make it - so regardless of what happens I will be venturing off to the island come the 4th!

Ya Im with you Joradan, Feb. 4, good, bad or indifferent.

I might be in...too early to tell.

If the date gets changed, I will have to check my schedule - I might go on the 4th anyway, or I might wait the extra week.

how do i take my self off the list again... lol

i forgot that i have a ski trip that weekend

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Hi All,

Many have expressed interest that regardless of the weather on this fine February afternoon that they would still like to head out to the islands.
Though I worry of the weather incoming for my own interests in shooting, I have had some scheduling things come up that take precedence over my desire to photograph.

In saying that, I will NOT be around for this wonderful event. But based on current feedback I will find someone to take the reigns and will leave this thread open for this event as originally planned.
I will let you know when I've found someone to take over for me in my absence.

Have fun!

Janet will be the point of contact for this (hopefully snow filled) day on the islands!
I hope everyone has a blast, and thank you kindly Janet for taking the reigns!

Yessss! Finaly! this is the Saturday after my exam week and I will be a free soul and I will finally get out and shoot

Take your light painting materials!
If there is snow you'll get some AWESOME reflections and such with it.

Then again take it if it isn't raining, could be some more fun!

Looks like above freezing temps all week. Way above tomorrow. Maybe they'll even open up Centreville?

I'm currently out of all the steel wool, for obvious reasons. But I'll definitely get some as soon as I have a chance! Probably bringing marshmallows, too!

I'll bring lots of steel wool, too. And the whisk so we can do multiple pinwheels! Plus a couple of other tricks I've been thinking of for such an occasion.