There are two kinds of street photographers.
The ones who plan every coffee stop in advance…
And the ones like Bob — who discover life (and cider) along the way.
The other day I was out on one of my Toronto wanders — camera over my shoulder, probably one of the “vintage” Sonys like the a6000 or even the old a3000 if I’m feeling film-shooter dramatic — when I passed one of those little wine rack shops.
You know the ones.
Tucked between a barber shop and a dry cleaner.
Half window display, half neighbourhood secret.
And I smiled.
Not because I needed wine.
Because I knew I could pop in and grab a cold cider.
The Street Photographer Advantage
When you walk as much as I do — Kensington Market, Yonge & Dundas, the PATH, Eglinton construction zones, snowstorms at the front door — you learn something:
A good walk needs rhythm.
-
Walk
-
Observe
-
Shoot
-
Pause
-
Reflect
-
Repeat
That quick cider stop? That’s the “pause.”
It’s not about drinking.
It’s about resetting.
You step inside.
You warm up in winter.
Cool down in summer.
Chat with the person behind the counter.
Maybe notice a great face, a texture, a story.
Then you’re back out.
Why Cider?
Because cider feels like street photography.
It’s not fancy.
It’s not complicated.
It’s honest.
Apples. Fermented. Done.
Kind of like how I like my photos.
Not over-edited.
Not filtered into oblivion.
Just a moment captured as it happened.
And let’s be honest — a cold Ontario cider on a long photowalk hits different than a latte.
The Tactical Move
Here’s what I like about wine racks on a walk:
-
No long line like the Eaton Centre Oreo situation.
-
No full sit-down commitment.
-
In and out in 3 minutes.
-
Back on the street before the light changes.
It’s efficiency.
The same efficiency I use when I spot a scene unfolding at a crosswalk — you don’t overthink it. You move.
It’s Also About Community
Street photography isn’t just about strangers on sidewalks.
It’s about neighbourhood rhythm.
Those little shops are part of the ecosystem.
The same way I’ll photograph:
-
A closed PATH food court
-
A protest at Yonge-Dundas
-
A snowplow at midnight
-
Or a random fridge full of cheese on a corner
The wine rack is part of the story too.
Bob’s Rule
If you’re on a photowalk and you pass a wine rack:
-
Check the light.
-
Check your battery.
-
Check your thirst.
If two of those are low — step inside.
Street photography is about movement.
Cider is about pause.
And sometimes the best photos happen right after a reset.
Now if you’ll excuse me…
There’s a golden hour forming over Toronto —
and I might just need a quick apple-powered boost before I chase it.
No comments:
Post a Comment