The rail deck at Union Station

Bob's Saturday on the Rail Deck at Union Station

Weekends bring a different rhythm to Union Station in Toronto. Without the usual weekday rush, the rail deck transforms into a calmer, almost contemplative space. On this particular Saturday, Bob arrived with his camera, eager to explore and capture the station’s quieter side.

The rail deck, with its rows of platforms and steel beams, was still a hive of activity, though the pace was noticeably slower. Passengers waited for their trains with a relaxed demeanor, their conversations less hurried. For Bob, this shift in energy provided a fresh perspective. The absence of large crowds allowed him to focus on the interplay of architecture, light, and the stories of individual travelers.

Bob’s first subject was a lone commuter standing on Platform 7. Clad in a white winter coat, the person gazed across the tracks, seemingly lost in thought. The yellow tactile edges of the platform framed the scene perfectly, drawing attention to the stillness of the figure against the muted green and white of the waiting GO train. Using his Sony a6000, Bob adjusted the aperture to create a shallow depth of field, isolating the subject while keeping the background softly blurred.

As he moved to Platform 8, Bob noticed a group of passengers clustered near a signpost, their warm coats and scarves adding splashes of color to the otherwise industrial palette of the station. A man with a coffee cup in hand leaned casually against a steel column, embodying the unhurried pace of a Saturday morning. Bob captured the moment, the steam rising from the coffee adding a touch of warmth to the cold winter scene.

The light on the rail deck was soft and even, ideal for photography. The overcast sky acted as a giant diffused light, eliminating harsh shadows and bringing out the textures of the station’s metal and concrete elements. Bob took advantage of this by experimenting with angles, capturing the symmetry of the platforms and the reflections in the station’s glass panels. One shot, taken from a low vantage point, emphasized the converging lines of the tracks, leading the viewer’s eye deep into the frame.

Beyond the passengers, Bob found beauty in the station’s architectural details. The steel beams crisscrossing overhead, the geometric patterns of the platform numbers, and the interplay of natural and artificial light created a dynamic backdrop for his compositions. Each photograph was a study in contrast—motion versus stillness, warmth versus cold, human versus industrial.

Bob took a moment to reflect on his experience. Saturdays at Union Station offered a unique charm, distinct from the weekday hustle. The rail deck, often perceived as a mere transit space, revealed itself as a place of quiet stories and unexpected beauty. For Bob, it was a reminder of why he loved street photography: the ability to find meaning and connection in the everyday.

With his memory card filled with images and his spirits lifted, Bob left the rail deck, already thinking about his next photographic adventure. Perhaps he’d return on a Sunday to see how the atmosphere changed, or maybe he’d explore the nearby waterfront. Whatever the destination, Bob knew his camera would always guide him to new stories waiting to be told.