Bits and Bobs
GRiiiX, Printing & Appreciating the Work of Others
Summer is finally here in Toronto, and oh is it glorious, as I look upon it from a desk, in a basement, which is 10 degrees cooler than outside. Sigh.
But here is not the place to bemoan shouty clients, hour upon hour of virtual calls and everyone pointing the finger at someone else. More sighing.
This is, I suppose, therefore becomes a kind of ‘life lately / May dump’ thing, just in my own way, with gratitude, and less Pinterest tone coordination.
Toronto Comes Alive in the Summer
Saddle up. We have all 5 seconds of Spring and then boom! Greenery everywhere, population on the streets doubled (only vampires now dwell in the path) and we get to indulge in Patio SZN. It’s an entirely different city. By the way, how cool is ‘SZN’? Watch out, next I’ll have podcast talking about abbreviations…it might, however, be short-lived, lol.
Beyond talking shops there always something to do in the Big T. With Bay St a closed shop at weekends it’s east end for brunch, south to the Islands for a cycle before the crowds amass and west-ending for beer and food.
Spontaneous Evening Photo Walks
At t’other end of the day the delayed setting sun gives so many more opportunities to grab the camera and head out for a wander. A chance to be that weird dude taking pictures of what appears to be ‘nothing’. Yes, that is it, general noticing whilst trying to be covert, with pictures of not much. Have I sighed yet?
To walk in Toronto is to be called ‘crazy’ by your Realtor, and the only way to know every light sequence of the local grid system. Through snow or humidity, I probably walk circa 40KM a week, most of it as a mode of transport and light exercise, so there’s always an opportunity to pause briefly for a snap.
I cross this bridge on my way to/ from Pape subway station to move across town. It never disappoints; mass construction, floating scent of weed & views of the CN. Congratulations, you are now in Toronto.
Playing with the Ricoh GRiiiX
Small but mighty is probably the most apt description for this camera. Admittedly my hands on usage has not been as frequent as anyone would like, but the pocketable size and puppy dog eyes (OK, it doesn’t do the latter), is working.
Getting to grip with the GRiiiX - figuratively and literally - continues. More images and my ‘travel light workflow’ to come soon.
Tactile for the W
I have been ‘umming and ‘arring over a printer for a while now. I have researched and reviewed many and several sizes, types, brands, printing formats; you name it, I’ve read about it. I had yet been able to spend the dollar, until now.
To date my only real photographic printing had been through third-party professional printers, for prints deemed worthy of personal use, or from a Polaroid.
What was I after? Well I’m not totally sure so classing this all really as experimental and artful ‘play’; always good justification to buy something I suppose. So here’s what I’ve been doing:
Printing postcards with a little message and haphazardly leaving them dotted around places I visit locally. No real rationale for this, I was curious about quality of print, paper type etc etc really. This is just a means to leave a kind message for a stranger in the process.
2. Using my newly purchased Kodak P210R mini printer to get instant tangible photos. At the moment I’ve just using it to document my work in a small sketch book I can take with me on days out or longer trips. From a first cartridge, I’m pleased with the results, and finding the tactile nature of working through a sketchbook a welcome shift.
Finding Joy in the Work of Others
Slowing down to appreciate the work of others has been on my mind lately. Spending a small amount of time on a Sunday to enjoy and share the amazing work of other photographers and artists is a habit I am building. I’m usually doing this on Instagram and find it also has the positive benefits of manipulating the algorithm for the better.
Same applies to the written word be it newsletters, Substack articles or personal website blogs. Shout out to Jeremy Bassetti who has a monthly(?) newsletter. It covers photography, life, writing, art, and it is brilliantly written.
On that note, time to go enjoy some Substack writing on the porch. Thanks for stopping by!