Bob’s Month on the Streets of Toronto

Every so often, Bob takes a look at his Flickr stats. I don’t mean I sit there refreshing the page — but you know how it goes. You upload a few photos, and then the stats chart pops up like, “Hey Bob, check out this roller coaster of yours.”

One day the graph hits 1,000+ views, the next day it’s down around 200. Up, down, zig-zag, like a GO train trying to switch tracks.

But here’s the part that really matters:

Bob doesn’t take photos for views.

And Bob definitely doesn’t take photos for camera clubs.

The Stats Can’t Tell My Story

That little blue line doesn’t know anything about what my camera actually saw.

It doesn’t know the chaos and beauty of the Line 5 trains twisting through a jungle of wires at Mount Dennis.

It doesn’t know the laughter from the Blue Jays fans who handed me a warm smile with their warm coffees.

It doesn’t know the quiet moment of a cadet standing guard on Remembrance Day, steady and respectful.

It doesn’t know about adding another lane way to my long-running lane way project — cracked concrete and character everywhere.

It doesn’t know that I joined a 60-person photo walk through Union Station, shutter clicks echoing like a marching band.

And it doesn’t know about the time I stopped by the hot dog supplier before a big baseball weekend.

Al, the guy who runs it, had a whole cart full of sausages and buns ready to go. He told me he’d be selling over 10,000 hot dogs on game day. You don’t see that kind of story in a camera club competition — but Bob loves that stuff. Real people, real work, real Toronto.

The graph doesn’t know any of that.

But the photos do.

Some of My Best Photos Don’t Get Views

Some of the shots I’m most proud of barely get 40 views.

The woman behind the curtain of soft fabric at Profusion.

The quiet lane way no one pays attention to.

The train yard only transit fans appreciate.

A cart full of hot dogs that says more about Toronto than any postcard.

Those photos tell the truth.

And truth doesn’t always trend.

Bob Doesn’t Shoot for Camera Clubs

Camera clubs love the perfectly edited photo.

Sharpened.

Softened.

Colour-corrected to death.

“No shadows allowed.”

“No grain allowed.”

“No real life allowed.”

But Bob?

I like the real stuff.

If a photo is crooked but the moment is honest — I’ll take it.

If the colours are a little wild because the city lights were wild — I’ll take it.

If the shot doesn’t fit into some judge’s idea of “first place,” well…

Good. Bob wasn’t aiming for that anyway.

Why Bob Keeps Posting

Views come and go.

Algorithms change.

Flickr graphs go up and down like the Gardiner at rush hour.

But the stories stay.

I remember every place I stood.

Every conversation I had.

Every strange and wonderful corner of Toronto I wandered into.

That’s why I keep posting photos.

Not for the views.

Not for the awards.

Not for the fancy club judges.

I post because this is my Toronto — and these are Bob’s stories.

If lots of people see them, great.

If a few people see them, also great.

Bob’s here for the adventure, the people, the walk, and the moment.

Everything else is just numbers.

 

 

Why It Took 100 Years to Get a New Mount Dennis Station

 

Sometimes Toronto moves fast—subways, condos, bike lanes popping up overnight. And sometimes… Toronto moves at the speed of a streetcar climbing a hill in 1925. Mount Dennis is one of those stories.

This week I was standing at the brand-new Mount Dennis Station, the Line 5 hub that finally opened its doors in 2025. Clean glass, bright red accents, Presto gates humming away—everything modern and polished. And then I saw an old post showing photos from 100 years ago, when Toronto opened the first Mount Dennis streetcar terminal back in 1925. Horses, wooden streetcars, crowds dressed in their Sunday best.

And it hit me:

It took a full century to get another new station here.

Only Toronto could pull that off.

1. The Neighbourhood That Waited… and Waited

Mount Dennis has always been a working-class, industrial, overlooked part of the city. It wasn’t Yorkville or Queen’s Quay. It didn’t get fancy subway proposals or political love. For decades the area relied on buses and whatever leftover transit plans survived budget cuts.

The 1925 streetcar line was big news back then—it connected a community that was growing fast. But then the world moved on. TTC routes changed. Cars took over. Streetcars vanished. By the 1970s and 80s, Mount Dennis was still waiting for real rapid transit.

2. Politics, Plans, and the Usual Toronto Delays

Torontonians joke about transit plans the way other cities joke about the weather.

Announce it… cancel it… re-announce it… rename it… delay it.

Line 5 was no different. For years it lived on PowerPoints. Maps. Pie-charts. Election promises. It took almost 15 years just to build the Crosstown itself—and that’s after decades of talking about it.

Mount Dennis, being the western terminus, got dragged through every delay in the book.

3. Because Toronto Never Builds the Same Way Twice

You know what we do? Dig, redesign, dig again, and argue.

The 1925 station was built in a world of simple tracks and simple plans.

The 2025 version?

A bus terminal

A GO station

An UP Express connection

A maintenance yard

A light-rail tunnel

Elevators, escalators, climate control, art walls

Accessibility standards

And, of course, politicians wanting to “cut the ribbon”

Add in a decade-long construction project and it’s no surprise this took 100 years.

4. The Community Finally Got Its Moment

So here we are—2025. Mount Dennis finally has the station it deserved.

A century apart, the photos tell the story:

1925: Streetcars, horses, muddy roads, and a sense of pride.

2025: Glass, steel, Presto gates, modern transit, and a whole new west-end hub.

Walking through those new automatic sliding doors today, I felt connected to the people in those black-and-white photos. They were excited for the future. And now, 100 years later, so are we.

Bob’s Take

Toronto may be slow, but it eventually gets there.

A hundred years between stations is a long wait—but Mount Dennis now has something worthy of the next century.

And as a street photographer, I’m lucky: I get to document both the old stories and the new beginnings.

Bob’s Big Day: A Thousand Eyes on Mount Dennis

Bob woke up this morning, poured his coffee, and did what every photographer secretly does first thing—checked his Flickr stats. And there it was, shining brighter than a freshly polished lens: over 1,000 views on his photos from his visit to the brand-new Mount Dennis Station.

For a guy who still proudly shoots with classic gear like the Sony NEX-3, the Sony a5000, and his trusty old a6000, this was a real feel-good moment.

His visit to Mount Dennis had already been an adventure—wandering the new bus terminal, looking at the UP Express platform, watching GO trains roll in, and catching glimpses of the Line 5 trains being tested. But seeing more than a thousand people click on those photos? That turned the whole outing into something special.

There’s something rewarding about knowing that people all over the world took a moment to look at what Bob saw that day. Maybe they were curious about Toronto’s newest transit hub. Maybe they just liked the way Bob captures a simple moment with older cameras. Or maybe they just enjoy seeing the city through the eyes of someone who looks a little like a tourist but tells the story like a local.

Whatever the reason—Bob appreciates it.

As he likes to say:

“You don’t need the latest gear to tell a good story. You just need to be out there with your camera and your curiosity.”

Here’s to the next thousand views…

and the next Toronto adventure.

Bob Visits the New Mount Dennis Bus Terminal

 

There’s something about a brand-new transit terminal that hits me the same way a fresh roll of film used to back in the day—clean, full of promise, and waiting for stories to unfold. So today, I wandered up to the brand-new Mount Dennis station to check out the new bus terminal that’s part of the Line 5 Crosstown project.

It’s a sleek space—modern, glassy, bright, and still carrying that “new station smell.” On a damp Toronto afternoon, the huge overhangs and wide platforms stood out right away. Someone clearly thought about where people actually wait when it rains, and it shows.

Out front, a TTC bus on the 168 Symington route pulled in, headlights glowing against the wet pavement. I watched it glide along the bright yellow curb—one of those perfect moments where transit, weather, and architecture line up just right.

The whole terminal loop wraps around the building in one smooth arc, and with hardly anyone around today, it felt like I had the entire place to myself. Just me, a couple of buses, and the soft hum of a transit project almost ready for prime time.

Walking along the glass-lined platform, I loved how the reflections played with the skyline behind me. These new transit hubs are a dream for symmetry lovers—clean edges, sharp corners, long sightlines. Even the seating and signage feel intentionally laid out, minimal but polished.

Inside, I followed the signs toward the future Line 5 platform area. To get there, you pass through a set of shiny new Presto gates, all lined up and glowing green. It’s one of those moments where the station suddenly feels “real,” like the flip of a switch when a transit system goes from construction zone to operational space. I stood there for a minute, thinking about how many thousands of taps these gates will see once the line finally opens.

Downstairs, the concourse is bright, open, and well organized, with a clear way of pointing you toward buses, trains, and exits. The escalators leading back up to the terminal are surrounded by smooth, bright walls that make the whole space feel almost futuristic.

Back upstairs, a couple of workers in bright safety jackets were chatting near the doors, their orange gear popping against the quieter tones of the terminal. It felt like the calm before the storm—this place is built to handle crowds, even if today it was just me exploring it.

As I walked the length of the terminal, I couldn’t help imagining what it’ll look like once Line 5 finally opens—buses flowing in, commuters moving through quickly, trains connecting to routes Toronto has needed for years.

But today, it was just Bob, wandering through a brand-new corner of the city before most people even see it.

And honestly? That’s my favourite way to explore Toronto—quiet, early, and right before the action starts.

Another day, another story waiting to happen.

Bob Visits Kodak Building No. 9 at Mount Dennis Station

There’s something special about walking into a place where Toronto’s past and future overlap so cleanly that you can almost feel the city humming under your feet. That’s exactly how I felt the minute I walked up to Kodak Building No. 9 at the new Mount Dennis transit hub.

This white, boxy, industrial beauty—once part of the legendary Kodak campus—has been reborn as the gateway for GO Transit, UP Express, and soon, Line 5 Eglinton. Old factory bones, new city purpose. That’s the kind of story I love.

A Building With a Toronto Heartbeat

From the outside, Kodak 9 looks like a film camera all cleaned up for its portrait: flat lines, big windows, and that giant black-and-white “T” logo marking it as part of Toronto’s transit future. I stood back with my Sony, letting the rainy sky reflect off the glass. Even in the overcast light, the building has presence—simple, strong, ready to start a new chapter.

Walking around the curved roadway at the front felt like stepping onto a movie set—empty pavement, yellow lines, and the old Kodak building anchoring the scene like a star actor patiently waiting to be called.

Inside: Clean, Quiet, and Waiting for the Crowds

Stepping inside, everything feels bright and brand new. The turnstiles gleam like they’ve never been touched. Behind them, the big glowing signs point toward the Eglinton Line platforms—though the trains aren’t running yet. It’s almost eerie in the best way, like I’ve shown up before the rest of Toronto remembers this place exists.

Downstairs, the escalators run into a long, wide corridor. White walls, straight lines, soft ceiling lights—simple but modern. This is the kind of space you could film a sci-fi movie in. Or, in my case, a good story for the blog.

Upstairs, sunlight pours through giant windows overlooking the new transit yard. The waiting area feels more like an airport lounge than a Toronto station—wooden seats, real space to breathe, Presto machines lined up like they’re in a showroom.

I stopped for a minute beside the big seating area. It’s funny: Kodak used to be all about capturing moments on film. Now their old building is helping people travel to make new ones.

A Staircase With Character

One of my favourite spots was a staircase tucked away in the centre of the station. You walk up and suddenly the ceiling opens, light streams in, and the whole space feels like an art gallery designed accidentally by the TTC. Clean glass rails, lines leading your eye right to the end of the hallway.

This is what Toronto does best—quiet little surprises hidden inside everyday infrastructure.

A Perfect Mix of Old and New

I love places like this. When Toronto repurposed something old instead of tearing it down, the city keeps a bit more soul. Kodak Building No. 9 once printed memories. Now it helps people get to the places where they’ll make them. That’s a pretty good second life.

I’ll be back once Line 5 officially opens. I want to see the crowds move through this space, filling up the hallways that today were mine alone. Maybe I’ll even bring a few film cameras next time, just to honor the history.

For now, it was just Bob, a quiet station, and a piece of Toronto past still doing good work.

 

Bob Visits the New Mount Dennis GO & UP Express Station

 

I headed out to Mount Dennis to check out something Toronto transit fans have been waiting on for a long time—the brand-new Mount Dennis Station, serving both GO Transit and the UP Express. And you know me… if there’s a new station, a staircase with dramatic lighting, or a train with character, Bob is showing up with his Sony camera to tell the story.

The first thing I spotted was that long, glowing staircase leading up from the lower level. It felt like walking into the future… or at least into a place where the escalator still hasn’t been turned on yet. But that’s fine—Bob needs the steps.

Once I got up top, the platforms stretched out longer than I expected. Everything looked clean, new, and modern—lots of glass, lots of shelter, and those bright yellow safety strips just begging to be photographed. There’s something about a fresh transit station that makes you feel like you’re seeing Toronto level up right in front of your eyes.

And then came the trains.

The UP Express units rolled in looking as sharp as ever, those champagne-coloured bodies shining even on an overcast afternoon. People were hopping on with suitcases, ready for the airport, while I was just there enjoying the sight lines and reflections on the wet platforms. Street photography doesn’t always have to be on the street—sometimes it’s on Track 3.

I caught the trains arriving, departing, slowing down, and pulling in tight shots of the headlights and destination signs. You could feel the energy of a station that’s finally alive. The Mount Dennis stop will be a big deal in this part of the city once everything is tied together—GO, UP, and Line 5 all meeting in one spot.

For me, it was one more Toronto story to capture. One more day out in the city documenting the things most people walk past without noticing. And honestly? These new transit hubs make great places for photos—the lines, the symmetry, the motion, the people, and of course… the trains.

Bob had a good day out there. I’ll be back once Line 5 officially opens—because you know Bob loves a new ride.

Bob Visits the New Mount Dennis Station — Watching the Future Arrive on Rails

Today Bob decided to wander up to the brand–new Mount Dennis station on Line 5. The Crosstown isn’t open yet, but the place already feels alive — humming quietly with the promise of something big about to start. And for a guy who’s spent the last 15 years walking Toronto with a camera, this was like stepping into the city’s future before everyone else gets to see it.

What really pulled Bob in were the trains. Sleek, silver, quiet… and moving. Not carrying passengers yet, but gliding in and out of the maintenance yard like they were practicing their lines before opening night.

Bob loves this kind of behind-the-scenes city story.

The big stuff the news doesn’t always bother with. The small moments where a city quietly prepares for tomorrow.

Walking Up the Hill — A Surprise View

Bob started on the hill overlooking the Mount Dennis yard. From up there he could see rows and rows of the new light rail vehicles parked like a fleet waiting for deployment. The overhead wires, poles, switches, maintenance shacks — all the pieces of a system just days or weeks away from being switched on.

It felt like watching Toronto breathe in before the big exhale.

At Track Level — The Trains Come Alive

Down at street level, the testing looked even better. One of the new trains slowly crept along the curve, lights glowing, wipers flicking away the drizzle. Bob stood behind the fence, lens poking between the wires, happily clicking away.

There’s something special about watching a brand-new train take its first real steps. It’s like seeing a newborn deer try out its legs — except made of steel and electricity.

Inside the Station — Bright, Clean, and Very Toronto

Bob then walked into the actual Mount Dennis station — and wow. Tall windows, huge white beams, natural light flooding the tracks. It’s the kind of modern design Toronto does once in a while, reminding everyone what’s possible when we build for the long term.

From the upper walkway, he could look straight down at the train testing on the platform. No crowds yet. No rush. Just a new station waiting for its first morning commute.

Bob’s Thoughts Before Heading Home

Toronto takes a lot of flak for how long it takes to build things. And yeah, Line 5 has had its delays. But standing there today, watching those new trains slide through a silent, spotless station, Bob felt something he doesn’t always feel when he’s out photographing the city:

Optimism.

A reminder that Toronto is still growing, still trying, still building for the next generation.

And of course, Bob will be there on opening day with his camera — because that’s what Bob does. He shows up, takes the photos, and tells the stories the city sometimes forgets to tell.

Bob Updates His Media Pass With a New Cartoon Look

 I finally gave my Media Pass the upgrade it deserved.

No more stiff, washed-out ID photo that looked like I’d just rolled out of bed.

Now I’ve got Cartoon Bob front and centre—in the bucket hat, glasses, and that calm “I’m ready for anything” expression.

It might sound funny, but this cartoon actually feels more like me than the real photo ever did. It captures the Bob people see out on the streets: the guy wandering with a Sony camera, soaking in the city, always on the lookout for a story.

And of course, even with the new badge, people will still mistake me for a tourist.

That’s become part of my charm—and honestly one of my greatest advantages. When folks think you’re a visitor, they relax, they chat, and they let their guard down. That’s when the real Toronto shows itself, and those are the stories I love to tell.

So now the badge matches the brand: friendly, curious, a little cartoonist, and always ready to photograph the next moment.

New pass, same Bob.

Time to hit the streets and let the stories find me.

Bob’s Three Cartoon Looks — The Many Faces of a Toronto Street Photographer

This week, something unexpected happened—something that might define the “Bob brand” for years to come.

This week, Bob got three cartoon versions of himself.

And each one captures a different side of my street-photography life in Toronto.

Let’s break them down.

Cartoon Bob #1 — The Documentary Photographer on the Streets

(Downtown cartoon holding the camera)

This one shows me right in the middle of downtown Toronto—surrounded by buildings, traffic, and people moving in every direction. The camera is up, the Blue Jays hat is down, and the expression says:

“Something interesting is about to happen… and I’m ready.”

This is the serious Bob.

The documentary Bob.

The guy who walks the city not just to take pictures, but to tell stories.

And here’s the funny thing: even in cartoon form, I look just enough like a tourist that people still approach me:

“Are you visiting Toronto?”

“Do you need help getting around?”

It makes me laugh every time—but it also helps me immensely.

Because looking like a tourist makes Bob approachable.

People relax around me.

They smile.

They talk.

And that’s exactly how I capture real, human Toronto moments.

Cartoon Bob #2 — The Relaxed Bench-Sitting Explorer

(Cartoon face on Bob’s real body sitting on a bench)

This version shows the calmer Bob—the observer.

Camera resting in my hands, sitting comfortably on a bench, waiting for life to drift right into the frame.

This is the Bob who finds a good corner, sits for twenty minutes, and watches the world unfold like a stage show.

And once again, this is when people are most convinced I’m a tourist.

“How long are you visiting?”

“Is this your first time in Toronto?”

I always smile and say, “I live just down the street.”

But the truth is?

This “tourist energy” actually helps me gather the stories I put into my blogs.

People feel safe approaching someone who looks like they’re just admiring the city.

And that’s when the best conversations — and the best photos — happen.

Cartoon Bob #3 — The Bucket-Hat Field Photographer

(Close-up bucket hat cartoon portrait)

This third cartoon might be the most “Bob” of all.

The bucket hat tied under my chin.

The practical jacket.

The focused but friendly expression.

This is the field photographer version of me—the Bob who blends into parks, trails, waterfronts, and festivals without being noticed. The guy who walks for hours in all kinds of weather just to find one moment worth capturing.

And yes… this version also screams “tourist.”

But again—it works in my favour.

People walk past me without a second thought.

They act natural.

They do what they normally do.

And that’s when the real Toronto shows itself.

But the biggest surprise?

All three versions look just enough like a tourist that people feel comfortable around me.

And that’s one of my storytelling tools.

Tourists are allowed to stop.

They’re allowed to look up.

They’re allowed to take photos of anything and everything.

And that freedom—combined with my love of photography—lets me tell the Bob stories people enjoy reading.

If you see one of them out there on a sticker, badge, poster, blog header, or who knows where else…

just know the real Bob is nearby—camera ready, tourist look activated, waiting for the next great moment in this amazing city.

Toronto isn’t going to photograph itself.

Time to get back out there.

A Family Day to Remember at the 2017 Toronto Santa Claus Parade

Back in 2017, I had one of those perfect Toronto days that stays with you long after the cold fingers and crowded sidewalks are forgotten. That was the year I took my daughter and my granddaughter to the Toronto Santa Claus Parade—a simple family outing that turned into one of my favourite memories.

We bundled up early, the kind of cold November morning where you can see your breath before you’ve even sipped your coffee. My granddaughter, barely tall enough to peek over the curb, showed up in the most festive winter hat I’ve ever seen—green, knit, covered in bright little pom-poms, and shaped like a Christmas tree. You couldn’t miss her in the crowd even if you tried.

As we settled into our spot along the parade route, she watched everything with wide, curious eyes. Every drumbeat, every float, every costumed character made her whole face light up. At one point she reached up to her mom—my daughter—and they played a little mitten game to keep warm. Moments like that make you realize how fast time moves, and how important it is to capture these little seconds of joy.

My daughter had that classic parade-day stance: one part keeping-warm, one part keeping-track-of-a-toddler, and one part enjoying the whole thing herself. I snapped a photo of her in her winter hat and sunglasses, wind blowing her hair around. She looked like a cool Toronto mom who could handle anything the parade crowd threw at her.

And then came the star of the show—Santa Claus himself, waving from his big red sleigh, surrounded by gifts and glitter. My granddaughter froze for a second, stunned, and then gave the biggest wave of the day, like Santa had come down the street just for her. Watching her excitement made the whole crowd feel warmer, even if the temperature didn’t change a degree.

I had my camera with me, of course, snapping moments from the sidelines—not just the floats, but these real family moments. The kind of photos that remind you that even in a busy city, even in the middle of noise and crowds and cold air, you can still find the heart of the holiday season right in front of you.

When the parade wrapped up and the crowds started drifting away, the three of us walked together down the street—still cold, still bundled up, but smiling. That 2017 parade wasn’t just about Santa or floats or music.

It was about family.

It was about seeing the city through a child’s eyes again.

And it was one of the best family days we’ve had.

Sometimes the best memories aren’t big events—they’re simply being together, on a chilly Toronto morning, waiting for Santa to arrive.

 

 

Why I’m Finally Carrying a Mono pod on My Photo Walks

After all these years of wandering through Toronto with nothing but a camera slung over my shoulder, I think it’s finally time for Bob to admit something: I’m getting a mono pod.

Not because I’m getting old.

Not because I’m slowing down.

But because I’m realizing that sometimes, when I’m out doing these long photo walks, I want just a little more steadiness in my shots — especially when I’m using my older Sony cameras or that little NEX-3 with a manual lens. Street photography is still all about capturing the moment… but there’s nothing wrong with giving that moment a steadier foundation.

And now I’ve got two mono pods to think about.

The First Mono pod — The 11-inch Pocket Rocket

The first one is honestly my favourite already.

It folds down to about 11 inches — basically the size of a water bottle.

I can throw it in my sling bag, my jacket pocket, or even the small pouch on my camera bag. Super compact, lightweight, and surprisingly sturdy.

This thing extends out multiple sections, and you can attach:

A flash

A phone

A small camera

Even a mini set of tripod legs if you want more stability

It’s the kind of little accessory Bob should have been carrying YEARS ago. Perfect for low-light alley shots, TTC station photography, or when I want to raise the camera and get a high-angle shot over a crowd (something I do a LOT around the Rogers Centre during big events).

This mono pod is basically the “Toronto street ninja” of mono pods.

The Second Mono pod — The Basic Workhorse

The second one is more traditional — a simple, basic mono pod.

Nothing fancy.

No blue accents.

No built-in mini tripod legs.

Just a solid stick that does exactly what it’s supposed to do.

Honestly, this is the kind that photographers have been using for decades. It’s strong, straightforward, and if it gets scuffed up on the sidewalk, who cares? It’s a tool, not a trophy.

I’ll probably keep this one in the car or use it on longer hikes — places where I know I might need support for slower shutter speeds or heavier lenses. Perfect for when Bob wanders the Humber River, visits the gardens, or shoots inside dim museums.

Why Bob Is Carrying a Mono pod Now

Toronto is full of stories — lane ways, markets, festivals, construction workers, ferries, blue plaques, all the people rushing downtown. And I want to keep telling those stories with the cameras I love.

But I also want sharper photos, steadier framing, and cleaner shots during those tricky moments:

Inside St. Lawrence Market

Under the Gardiner

At night around Nathan Phillips Square

In busy crowds

Long focal lengths on my older cameras

Low-light street corners where I don’t want to bump ISO to 6400

A monopod is the perfect compromise.

It’s not as heavy or slow as a tripod.

It’s quicker to use.

And it keeps Bob moving — which is exactly how Bob likes to photograph Toronto.

Bob’s New Rule for Photo Walks

Camera, battery, lens, mono pod.

That’s the new standard setup.

I’m not turning into one of those over-equipped photographers who look like they’re going on a two-week expedition. No, this is still Bob — light, fast, simple gear, and lots of stories.

But from now on, when I’m out walking the city, exploring lane-ways or heading downtown for a festival, I’ll have a mono pod tucked in my bag. Because even after 15 years of photo walks, there’s always something new to learn, something new to try, and a better way to tell the story.

And if a tiny 11-inch mono pod helps me get that perfect frame?

Bob’s carrying it.