My first post for 2026 as a result of going out for a walk today. I’ve been running this blog for 17 years, and I guess I’m not dead yet.
Happy New Year everyone.
—Peter.
I was trying to achieve a vintage look with this photo, and I believe I was at least partially successful as a result of 3 things:
(1) The way the image was processed (muted colours, less contrast),
(2) The moment caught, in which there are no pedestrians or passing vehicles (pretty rare in a metropolis like Toronto), and
(3) The fact that this stretch of Eglinton hasn’t – yet – been overtaken by towering buildings (the storefronts have more human-friendly proportions that don’t overshadow life on the street and that speak to a by-gone era.
—Peter.
I met Bernice at Sankofa Square today. She sensed I really wanted to take her portrait, so after initially walking by she just turned around and asked me point blank what kind of photography I do, and I did not hesitate to show her my IG account.
Thank goodness she struck up a conversation with me because lately I’ve been very shy about approaching strangers. Not sure why exactly, but I think it’s because I’m seeing a lot more photographers out there and I feel like I’m just another annoying guy with a big camera interfering with people in Toronto trying to get on with their day.
Anyway, Bernice, thank you for taking the chance that I couldn’t.
—Peter (@iseeportraits).