Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I am wondering if any of you have been to the old Don Valley Brickworks recently? I've read somewhere that there are plans to change the place up.

Has anyone been there lately? Is there an access?

Where have you been for the past 2 years.

http://ebw.evergreen.ca/whats-here/

Sorry just recently saw a TV show called "Behind the Camera" about these two guys going in and took pictures.

It's now a public park but from reading the website, it's more the area surrounding the building that's the park. Is there access to the inside of the structure?

(EDIT), okay so it looks like everything has changed now. It's like a commercial building for events and stuff. Too bad. Never been there....should have known years before I guess.

Yes, you can go inside to where the historic kilns are situated - according to SMLG the place has basically been cleaned up, and roof replaced - otherwise pretty much looks like the old brickworks from before. I am going on Sunday - first time in 2 years that I'll have returned.

Let us know what its like and post some shots if possible!! I'm interested in seeing what its like these days as well.

For sure ... I am hoping to shoot some medium format and 4x5 colour neg.

That's going to be awesome.

Photos from this past weekend are on my flickr now.

We filmed Behind the Camera in 2007. Ah, memories.

The brickworks has changed a little since then, but the essence of it is still there. They mostly just swept the floors and patched the roof when it came to the star attraction-the kilns. While I loved it before for what it was, it is still a great place to photograph. The nature area in the back has great little surprises and hints of its industrial past as well.

Thank you for your interest in Brick Works. It is still a great place for photography, combining the natural setting of the parklands and urban/industrial vibe of the heritage buildings.

For all engagement and wedding photo shoots we do require a photo permit. For a group of amateur photographers I would need some more information (ie equipment, number of people, time on site) to determine in a permit would be needed.

Our photo permits are for 2 hours at $200.00. This gives you access to shoot in the Holcim Gallery (where the kilns are) the Pavilions and the outdoor spaces. Holcim Gallery and the Pavilions are subject to availability.

Evergreen staff members always love to hear that people are returning to the site after it

We filmed this 4 years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6r-EAHU3M0

Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smlg/tags/dvbwold/

As an FYI:
I was there today - dropped by because I had one more frame in the Rolleiflex I wanted to fire off - it was around 4:10 pm.

I parked the car, as I did last Saturday and previous weeks, and walked in with my tripod and my camera.

I got into the Kiln area when the young receptionist (she seemed like she was about 12 years old but, obviously, she's older) asked if I had a permit.

When I told her I was by myself and I wasn't shooting a wedding or portrait she continued that everyone needed a permit IF the shots were being used for commercial purposes. She continued to ask if I was a professional photographer and, when I questioned why I had never been asked for a permit before, she stated that they (the staff) were supposed to ask EVERYONE if they had a permit. I continued to ask if this policy was in writing and if I could get a copy of said policy regarding permits etc. Of course, me asking her questions got her flustered - but I do understand why she was asking.

So... as an FYI - be aware that you may (or "should" in her words) be approached even if you're going there just to shoot for yourself. Like most other "it looks public but it's really private" sites in this city you're being watched and expected to pay $$$ for usage.

Cheers,
Dave

that darn tripod. always makes you look pro. i try to make the staff's job easier by answering "just recreational". "not commercial". a better way to handle this would be like i experienced at Casa Loma last year: I walked in with a prosumer dslr, fancy tripod and big bag. The cashier asked if I was 'commercial". I said "no, just recreational". We discussed what was really being asked and that was it. No further interruptions inside.

Brickworks could implement a similar ask-on-entrance by putting up a sign at the parking posts notifying photographers to check in "at the desk". p&s'ers would get a free pass of course.

I know every thing about that place , I used to work there in the 80s , I was the guy that cut the bricks , You should have seen this contraption real old school , I had to change broken wires while the machine was in motion , talk about dangerous . I received 9 stitches one day cause my left hand got caught in the barking machine , thank god someone was at the emergency shut down switch when I screamed . I worked there for a few years before I went back to college . I was lead hand cause I was the one controlling the whole line from my station . The guys at the end of the line would by hand remove and place on the carts every wet brick 3-4 times the weight of a regular baked brick . Those guys did one dirty job . (we had showers) . Man that place brings back memory's .