I have a couple of favorite streets that I can access quickly during my lunchtime shooting walks, one of those streets is Spadina Ave.
It’s one of the wider thoroughfares in the city that runs north and south in the west end of the downtown core. Spadina is one of the few streets in Toronto with a dedicated streetcar lane, making it a bit of a relief line for the greatly overcrowded subway system that can no longer properly service the city. Can you believe that we only have two subway lines? Anyway…
One of the major attractions on Spadina are several blocks that make up Chinatown. You can buy just about anything for a fraction of the price, dine like a King (or Queen) at several delicious hole-in-the-wall restaurants, or just enjoy the bustling atmosphere. However, if you have a fear of crowds I would recommend avoiding this area altogether.
The Chinese influence is everywhere, which is what make is particularly interesting to me. I love the store fronts, the signs, and the atmosphere of Spadina Ave. Here is a little tour…
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What great character! I’m a bit jealous that you can see this stuff on your lunch break shoot. What a concept! There’s something there I know it! Thanks!!
Hey Hannah, thanks so much for stopping by. I’m flattered by the comment 🙂
I definitely walk quickly, so I can cover a lot of the city in an hour.
Did I miss what city this is in? Fun street shots Shane!
Hey Laura,
It’s Toronto. We have a HUGE Asian population here.
Same in SF! I think SF is the largest outside of China. And I have heard that Toronto has a big one as well.
I think you’re right. I’ve been to Chinatown in SF… I can’t tell you how much I love SF 🙂
Thank you! I have a friend in Toronto but I’ve never been there. It looks like a marvelous place!
Oh nice, you should visit sometime. It’s very nice… in the summer… and pretty expensive. But, San Fran is more expensive.
We have very good friends in SF and we’re overdue for a visit for sure.
I can see why you like to walk here, there are so many interesting things happening!
Yes, and it’s only going to get more interesting and vibrant as the weather warms up.
How I remember that great street….it was always an adventure…fantastic photos! 🙂
Thanks so much!
Now I really, really want a dumpling! Don’t you just love that sign?
Ha, I sure do.
Oh I’m jealous.. I’d be snapping hundreds of shots here.. these are really good and I love how you processed them!
Thanks so much! It seems to be grey every day here, so my processing is relatively consistent, which is nice.
Spadina is the bomb…. great shots! Love the dark treatment you give everything.
Hey Katherine, I didn’t know you were a local 🙂 it sure is. Always so much going on there. And thanks re the treatment.
Got dumpling? 🙂 Hehe.
You captured the walking around atmosphere very well. I like to be with you. But again, sorry for being such a critic, the vignetting is distracting. What do you try to achieve with it? A retro look? But why?
Thanks for stopping by and for the comment.
No problem, you’re not criticizing at all. Personally, I like the vignette look on a lot of my images. Perhaps it doesn’t suit every image, but it’s a style that adds a touch of drama to my images, and I quite like the feel of them.
My favourite place for a full tummy is the 饺子楼 above.
Is it really? One of my friends said the same thing. I must try it sometime.
The 饺子 has always been good and they’ve updated the decor in the last few years too.
Cool! Thanks for the hot tip 🙂