photojunkie» Portraits in the Park

T minus One Day

photojunkie — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:08:23 +0000

There is one day standing between me and the opening of Toronto Squared. My nerves are racing, luckily most of the hard work is done. Last night, we hung the show at the restuarant so technically if you are in the area you could take a sneak peek today. I guess this is it. I’m speechless.

PITP window

photojunkie — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 04:28:43 +0000

Finally got around to getting to the Toronto Free Gallery during the day to shoot the window. It was also an excuse to show Matt my work in action while he was here.

The installation runs for at least another week at the Toronto Free Gallery.

Bill Checks out PITP

photojunkie — Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:31:20 +0000

Fellow Toronto Photoblogger Bill Eadie checks out my Portraits in the Park window installation at the Toronto Free Gallery. If you haven’t checked it out, there is still plenty of time. The window installation will be up until Saturday April 8th.

At the Opening

photojunkie — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 15:55:09 +0000

Last week, my window installation of Portraits in the Park opened at the Toronto Free Gallery. It was a wet evening, but we had a decent turnout despite the weather.

This is a shot of Antony Hare and I in front of the window last Thursday night. Antony was the creative mind behind the map illustration.

You can view the installation, up close and personal, 24 hours a day at the Toronto Free Gallery until April 8th.

Mapped

photojunkie — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 05:46:34 +0000

So I currently have a 5 foot by 10 foot illustrated map of Toronto that spans from High Park down to Cherry Beach, in my posession. It looks simply amazing and will be installed in the window at the Toronto Free Gallery which will be showcasing some of my Portrait in the Park images.

I gotta thank Antony Hare for his skillful work on creating the map. I also must thank Patrick Robinson for printing up the map. You guys rock.

UPDATE: I will be installing the window on Tuesday evening. The official opening party will be from 8pm to 10pm on Thursday evening. Hope to see you there.

Mark your Calendars

photojunkie — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 16:44:57 +0000

The last month has been quite busy with planning and scheduling. It’s both exciting and stressful, but despite the craziness, it’s all good things. I’m please to announce two upcoming shows in the near future. Please mark these dates in your calendars and come out and see the shows in person.

Portraits in the Park
March 9th to April 8th 2006
Toronto Free Gallery
660 Queen Street East.
Opening Party on Thursday March 9th in conjunction with Cult of Speed Meets the Slow Movement exhibit. Time TBA.

All shot during the summer of 2005, Rannie Turingan explores many of Toronto’s green spaces and invites the city’s inhabitants to pose for him and his Yashica Mat124G. This window installation at the Toronto Free Gallery’s 24 Hour gallery space will showcase a number of portraits from his series called Portraits in the Park. The installation will also feature an illustration by Antony Hare.

Toronto Squared
April 29th to June 6th
In conjunction with the CONTACT photography festival
le petit dejeuner
191 King Street East.
Opening Party on Saturday April 29th, 2006 7:30pm to 10:30pm

Toronto is a city of a million stories, some told, many hidden. Over the years, Rannie Turingan has captured this by seeking out inspiration in the unlikeliest of places. Through his lens he uncovers a patchwork of scenes from the everyday, often dismissed by society. In Toronto Squared, he presents you with his view of the city, one square at a time.

Do forget, I currently have work showing at the In Transit exhibit at the Toronto Free Gallery until the end of February.

Product of the Issue

photojunkie — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 18:05:26 +0000

click on image for larger view. Michael (above) was one of the first shots of the series

I just found out that “Portraits in the Park” is featured in the new issue of Broken Pencil. They will be selling the issue at Canzine in Toronto on October 30th.

Thanks to Matt B who tipped me off and scanned the article for me.

As for if I will be doing it again next summer. The answer is I don’t know. There will be ONE last session which will occur very soon on a weekend.

Slow

photojunkie — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 16:01:00 +0000

Things are going to be a little bit slow around here over the next month. I will still be updating, but don’t be surprised if there are huge gaps followed by tons of content, followed by more huge gaps.

Anyone looking for Portraits in the Park info. I think I will be doing one or two sessions in October and then I will be closing the book on shooting that project. There will be no date set for this week. But hopeful one next week.

I don’t remember the exact date. But I have been blogging for 5 years now. I started in my mid 20′s and now I am in my early 30′s . Over the years I have met a lot of people both virtually and actually. My life is forever changed.

Something else needs to change in my life. And changed soon.

Portraits In the Park : Metro Hall

photojunkie — Wed, 14 Sep 2005 18:32:47 +0000

Just a reminder that I will be holding a Portraits in the Park session this evening in the green space between Metro Hall and Roy Thompson Hall. There is a good chance it may rain. If that is the case, I will pack up and head over to the Charlotte room for the Enemies of the Ordinary photo show.

Wednesday, September 14th, 2005
Metro Hall from 5:15 to 7:15 pm
Located south of King Street between Metro Hall and Roy Thompson Hall

Portraits in the Park : Update

photojunkie — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 15:36:22 +0000

I have added 10 more portraits to the Portrait in the park set on flickr. These were taken at the Toronto Cloud Gardens, right in the heart of Downtown Toronto. It was a visually interesting park which melded nature with urban structures.

Alison at the Cloud Gardens

Portraits in the Park : Does the Film Festival.

Since everyone is in Festival mode I am offering up two locations next week as a tribute to the film Festival. Anyone who brings a celebrity to the park session gets bonus points.

Tuesday September 13th 2005
Yorkville Park from 5:15pm to 7:15 pm
The park is located on Cumberland between Bay and Avenue Rd.
Right in the heart of Yorkville Village.

Wednesday, September 14th, 2005
Metro Hall from 5:15 to 7:15 pm
Located south of King Street between Metro Hall and Roy Thompson Hall

So if you are in the area or between movies drop by for a minute or two and have your mug shot.

Portraits in the Park : Taking a week off.

photojunkie — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 20:59:44 +0000

FYI: If you were curious. I’m actually taking a week off from the Portraits in the Park project this week. I was originally gonna do a session tomorrow, but I think it might be too short notice for most people. Besides I have things I need to do.

I will be shooting on the Danforth tomorrow after 5pm for another project. I’ll probably start at Broadview and make my way to Pape and back. I still have Ken’s 85mm lens so if anyone is keen of having a digital portrait taken maybe we can meet up. Drop me a line.

Queens Park is a GO

photojunkie — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 15:10:40 +0000

After fear of being rained out from the reminants of Katerina, it looks like the Queen’s Park Session of Portraits in the Park is a go. Looking out the window, there are still a number of clouds in the sky, but the sun is definitely breaking through. Here are the details. I will probably be close to the statue of the guy on the horse.

Queens Park
North of the Provincial Parliament Buildings.
Wednesday, August 31st.
5:30pm to 7:30pm.

PS: I have all the pictures up to the High Park session ready for distribution.

Double Parks this week

photojunkie — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 15:53:57 +0000

I will be doing two sessions this week. One on Wednesday and one of Thursday. If you have been sitting on the fence about attending one of these sessions, I suggest getting off your behind and making it out. I have yet to schedule anything beyond Septemnber 1st. But I don’t suspect I will be doing a hell of a lot of sessions in the next few weeks. Possibly 3 or 4 and that will probably be the end of it. Here’s the info for this week.

Queens Park
North of the Provincial Parliament Buildings.
Wednesday, August 31st.
5:30pm to 7:30pm.

St James Park
King St. between Church and Jarvis
Thursday, September 1st, 2005.
5:30pm to 7:30pm.

More Portraits

photojunkie — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 14:40:40 +0000

I dunno if you have taken notice, but I have been posting a lot of portrait type shots lately. I hope you guys are enjoying them. I’ve certainly love taking them. Last night I picked up a batch of 7 rolls of film and dropped a ton of cash. Lemme just say, YIKES. The scary thing if that I recently got a whole pile of slide film from a friend and I’m afraid to shoot with it. It can become an expensive venture if I don’t moderate my shooting. In any case I think I will be doing more portrait type stuff into the fall. Not including the Park sessions.

Photo of Joey taken in High Park.

Among the rolls picked up were 4 rolls from the Cherry Beach and High Park sessions of Portraits in the Park. You can view the new images on my flickr set.

Notes: a) I think a need a dedicated screen to work with images, The images are definitely brighter on my powerbook. b) I’m surprised the Cherry Beach pictures came out okay, It got dark fast, as the sky was overcast and I saw starting at a later time than normal. c) The High Park pictures were shot on Ilford XP2, I couldn’t get a hold of any HP5. So you may notice that is a bit more contrast in these images.

Looks like I will be going into the darkroom sometime in the next few months and try my hand at printing some of these photos.

Andrew through my Yashica Mat 124G

Also got back a roll I shot with Andrew. I’m very pleased. Here is an alternate. Which do you prefer?

Portraits In the Park Mosaic

photojunkie — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 13:11:14 +0000

I was playing with the Flickr Mosaic Maker and created this collage of portraits from the first few sessions. It’s another excellent product by the folks at Flagrant Disregard.

Last night’s session of Portraits in the Park went really well. I think we had so many people in the park, that it actually scared away the few of the street folks that usually hang out at the cloud gardens. Thanks to everyone who showed up to have their picture taken and thanks to those who came out to hang out.

Next week I will be shooting at Queens Park (North of the Parliament Buildings) on Wednesday, August 31st and St James Park (King St. between Church and Jarvis) on Thursday, September 1st, 2005. On both days, I will be there between 5:30 and 7:30. [please write this down, as many folks have mixed up days]. I haven’t scheduled anything yet for the following week, but chances are I will continue doing different parks at least till the end of September.

Cloud Gardens

photojunkie — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 16:50:46 +0000

Tomorrow I will be doing Portraits in the Park at the Cloud Gardens. It’s a small unique urban park just north of the financial district. I highly suggest checking the park out if you haven’t before. It’s easily missed if you don’t know it’s there, but really unique.

The Cloud Gardens
Richmond just west of Yonge Street.
Tuesday, August 23th.
5:30pm to 7:30 pm.

Try to come early if you can, as the last couple of locations, I have been kept busy shooting pretty much the entire two hour time slot.

Portraits in High Park

photojunkie — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 13:45:49 +0000

This week’s Portraits in the Park sessions bring us to High Park in the west end of the City. The Park is located at 1873 Bloor St W just west of Keele. If you are taking the TTC, you want to take the Bloor subway line to High Park Station exit the station and cross to the south side of Bloor.

Now be warned this place is huge, so I do suggest the you refer to this map before heading to the Park. I won’t be too far from the main enterance near section C, the sculpture symposium between 6pm and 8pm.

Drop a note here if you think you are making it out, I already got a couple of notices from a few different people.

Please NOTE: If you have had your picture taken at any of the first 3 locations (The Grange, The Sculpture Garden or Bellevue), your print is ready for pick up. You can pick them up at any of the sessions. I will be sending out the scans that I have probably this weekend.

Next week, I will be at The Cloud Gardens on Richmond just west of Yonge Street on Tuesday, August 23th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The scheduled session for Thursday, August 25th at Cawathra Park is going to be postponed. My evenings next week are booked solid and I think I would prefer to have a day off.

Studio in the Park

photojunkie — Fri, 12 Aug 2005 19:07:06 +0000

So yesterday evening I had another Portraits in the Park Session. I think I shot 9 people on a roll and a half. I probably would have pressed on to shoot more, but the overcast sky brought on the darkness early, as well I had a start time that was an hour later then previous sessions.

Photo of the lighting kit and models by Adam

In any case, it was also a flickr meetup and we had a ton of fun on the beach into the night. I left at 11pm and there will still people hanging out.

Thanks to those who did a portrait with me this week. The next session is next Wednesday August 17th at High Park.

Portraits in the Park : Cherry Beach

photojunkie — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 20:19:19 +0000

I’ll be shooting tomorrow at Cherry Beach after 6:30 pm. I will be set up just east of the lifegaurd house. You’ll find me by the guy with the loud speakers, aka the Toronto Flickr Group meetup. So come on down and join the party.

You can see some of the images from the first three sessions at Flickr

Portraits in the Park

photojunkie — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 13:50:38 +0000

This summer I started a new project called “Portraits in the Park”. Every week I will set up shop at one of our local parks armed with a tripod and my Yashica Mat 124G. The goal is to shoot as many portraits as possible. What I will end up doing with them, who knows. At the beginning of each week, I will announce a location and time where I will be shooting.

I will take photos of any and all willing participants. One possibly two shots per person. Come in costume, come dressed up, come as you are, just come to the park. I will do this as a free service to all who participate, but I will accept a suggested 5 dollar donations for each portrait [for film and processing]. Each participant will recieve a copy of their photo and a scan.

Previous Locations

Grange Park
Beverley Street, between Dundas and Queen.
Thursday July 21st.
5:30 to 7:30pm
(followed by a Toronto photoblogger get together)

The Sculpture Garden
King Street, just east of Church Street, south side
Wednesday July 27th.
5:30 to 7:30pm

Bellevue Park in Kensington Market.
~~Tuesday August 2nd. 5:30 to 7:30pm.~~
Thursday, August 4th.
5:30 to 7:30pm

Ashbridge’s Bay Park.
Sunday August 7th.
4pm to 6pm

Cherry Beach
east of the Lifegaurd house.
Thursday August 11th.
6:30pm to 9:00pm.
(followed by the Toronto Flickr Meetup)

High Park
Near the Sculpture Symposium
Between C and picnic area #10 on this map
Wednesday August 17th.
6pm to 8pm.

The Cloud Gardens
Richmond just west of Yonge Street.
Tuesday, August 23th.
5:30pm to 7:30 pm.

Cawathra Park
behind 519 Community Centre off Church Street.
~~Thursday, August 25th.~~ To be rescheduled
5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Queens Park
North of the Provincial Parliament Buildings.
Wednesday, August 31st.
5:30pm to 7:30pm.

St James Park
King St. between Church and Jarvis
Thursday, September 1st, 2005.
5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Yorkville Park
The park is located on Cumberland between Bay and Avenue Rd.
Right in the heart of Yorkville Village.
Tuesday September 13th 2005
5:15pm to 7:15 pm

Current Locations

Metro Hall
Located south of King Street between Metro Hall and Roy Thompson Hall
Wednesday, September 14th, 2005
5:15 to 7:15 pm

Future Locations

* Trinity Bellwoods Park just off Queen Street.
* Kew Gardens in the Beach.
* Allan Gardens.

I have also decided to include more remote parks, by reservation only. If you don’t see a location near you, please feel free to leave a comment and I can make arrangements to meet you at a park near you. I will announce these locations online when they are confirmed, but these will be shorter 30 minute slots.

* View the Portraits that have been taken so far on Flickr
* There is a flickr group where you can add and share your own photos from your portrait in the park experience.
* I also set up a category in the blog, for reminders and updates.

A list of participants thus far.