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Rooftopping Toronto: Rising Above The Core

Posted by Jonathan Castellino / July 29, 2009

rooftopping toronto casaToronto's beautiful raised views are unique not only in what they give, but in what they take away. The more distant one gets from the street below, the more layers of noise and density fold away - but, at the same time, the more clarity and perspective one gains as his focus widens.

Although farther north than usual, we had been quietly observing our target urban lookout for quite some time. Trumped in height only by the potentiality of One Bloor in the direct vicinity, our journey seemed rather daunting. After surprisingly little hesitation, however, we headed up.

Watching the city slowly drop away as if into a fog, each individual floor seemed so marginal, yet in sum, this particular experience eventually gave way to a spectacular view of Toronto.

rooftopping toronto
Although slightly muggy, the low-lying buildings in the distance seemed covered with a thick mist - Casa Loma seemed particularly buried...
rooftopping toronto
Looking into the distance, certain buildings became unrecognizable as their ghostly silhouettes peeked through their surroundings.
rooftopping toronto
rooftopping toronto
Using an ultra-zoom lens as a scope, I was able to see as far as the lake. While I like to consider myself endowed with a fairly decent sense of direction, I completely lost my bearings several times at this focal distance.
rooftopping toronto
UofT's Hart House and University College looked particularly stunning from this height...
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The central business district, however, seemed more ominous.
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I used infrared techniques to take some one-minute exposures while on the highest roof - a very tricky task, when exposed to the lofty winds...
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A series of massive clouds was sweeping over the city, their speed slightly exaggerated due to the infrared.
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Usually, I find myself staring from one rooftop out onto many adjacent others, but the absence of anything even approaching our height on this particular trip allowed me to soak in the city as a progression, building itself from uptown right down to the lake, past the financial district.

It was an extremely strenuous climb, but at the same time, rooftopping is always about pushing ones senses - sight always a challenge to 'see beyond'. As the city stretched into the horizon on all fronts, I was able to see its concrete and glass forest, as well as its trees.

(If you would like to see the rest of the snaps from the journey, as well as high-res. versions of those above, you can take a look at my flickr slide-show below.)

Discussion

14 Comments

Dave M / July 29, 2009 at 11:01 am
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really, really awesome.
A|Layton / July 29, 2009 at 12:20 pm
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I love the washed out-sepia look you apply to some of your shots. How do you do it? Is it PS or done in camera?
Jonathan / July 29, 2009 at 12:27 pm
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Dave: Thanks!

A.Layton: the second snap, for instance, is a panorama of about 15 shots, and since the lighting was different, I used Lightroom to tone colours down. I find that too many shots 'like' these are too bright, or that people over-do vibrance, so I try and make them a bit more 'moody' by toning some colours down. Some of this toning down can be achieved in camera, though, by messing with white balance...

jonathan@blogTO
Bonk / July 29, 2009 at 01:17 pm
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The shots to the north remind me of something i once read that's unique about Toronto in North America. Hi-rise buildings exist much farther from the core when compared to other cities.
Rayanne Langdon / July 29, 2009 at 02:07 pm
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SO pretty! Especially the hide-and-go-seek Casa Loma.
~wicked~ / July 29, 2009 at 02:18 pm
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LOVE these shots...makes me take in TO in a whole new aura.
Gerald Chipeur / July 29, 2009 at 03:16 pm
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I can't get enough of these photographs my friend. So beautiful. The photos and article gave me the pleasant sense of pride that I've seemed to have lost over the past couple years of living in Toronto amongst the political downfalls, less than cordial attitudes and sense killing atmosphere.
So thank you for that and keep up the great work.

also if you don't mind maybe you could post the list of gear you used on this shoot it would be interesting to a lot of us I think.

Jerry Chipeur.
Jonathan / July 29, 2009 at 03:37 pm
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Gerald: Thanks! I actually do a Rooftopping piece every couple of weeks - you can search by author if you want to see more...

Gear wise, this trip: Canon 50D with a 50mm, a Lensbaby and a 10-22mm, as well as a 77mm infrared filter, a Panasonic/Leica Lumix FZ50 (ultra-zoom), tripod all in/snapped to a big bag (Lowepro) - portability is important, as the climb is a tiring one. Some of the shots were ultra wide (10mm), some of the super-wide were stitches using 'autopanopro' - I switch up gear depending on the location...

jonathan@blogTO
Loozrboy / July 29, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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Amazing shots, well worth the climb... although you know they've got these things called "elevators" now. ;-)
Jonathan / July 29, 2009 at 04:47 pm
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Looz: not that place, yet ; P

By the by, just an edit to my last comment - I used a Canon 135mm lens as well...

jonathan@blogTO
fed-up / July 29, 2009 at 05:33 pm
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Potentiality? Really? You are aware that is not a word. I wonder how some people graduate elementary school, nevermind high school.
annie replying to a comment from fed-up / July 29, 2009 at 05:51 pm
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Potentiality IS a word:

http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potentiality

I guess your comment stands, but in reference to yourself.
Jonathan / July 29, 2009 at 05:51 pm
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Fed-up: Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentiality_and_actuality

Clearly you've never taken a basic philosophy class...haha.
Actually, many haven't, but then again, most people Google their qualm before posting a snarky remark-

Jonathan@blogTO
Caroline / July 31, 2009 at 06:59 pm
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It's funny that you can see The Listener billboard from such a distance! I swear that ad has taken over this city.
I love these photos and especially adore the wording of the first few lines--well-said.

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