📸 Lens on Toronto
Toronto is a mesmerizing blend of modern architecture, natural beauty, and cultural diversity. Having lived here for almost 4 years now, I still find myself in awe of the city’s iconic skyline and vibrant neighborhoods. Every time I spot the CN Tower in the distance, perhaps from a new perspective, I still pull out my phone to take a picture, feeling like a tourist every time.
Now, with a new professional camera and a starter lens to play around with, I took a stroll and some drives around the city, mainly in the downtown core, over the past few weeks to capture just some of the iconic landscapes of Toronto while also exploring some new ones. Then, taking these RAW photos, I experimented with some creative edits, including masking and color grading in Adobe Lightroom, to give them a unique touch.
Here I’m sharing some of my favorite shots from these outings. I’ve included the time of capture and tried my best to include the location from memory and any notable landmarks in each photo.
Skyline #1
📍 Chester Hill Lookout • 🕒 7:40 PM
Notable landmarks: CN Tower, glimpse of the Don Valley Parkway
Skyline #2
📍 Trinity Bellwoods Park • 🕒 7:09 PM
Notable landmarks: CN Tower, The Moon
Scarborough Bluffs
📍 Scarborough Bluffs Park • 🕒 7:52 PM
Notable landmarks: Lake Ontario, The Bluffs
St. James Cathedral
📍 St. James Park • 🕒 7:49 PM
St. Lawrence Market
📍 Jarvis St. & Front St. E • 🕒 7:56 PM
Notable landmarks: St. Lawrence Market, CIBC Square
Dominion Public Building
📍 Front St. W • 🕒 8:07 PM
Notable landmarks: Dominion Public Building, CN Tower, TD Terrace
Harbourfront
📍 Harbour Square Park • 🕒 8:22 PM
Notable landmarks: Lake Ontario, Toronto Islands
The Empress of Canada
📍 Harbour Square • 🕒 8:30 PM
Notable landmarks: The Empress of Canada, Quay Condos
Skyline #3
📍 Lower Simcoe St. • 🕒 8:41 PM
Notable landmarks: TD Terrace, RBC Centre, Delta Hotels
Scotiabank Arena
📍 Raptors Way • 🕒 8:47 PM
Notable landmarks: Jurassic Park, Maple Leaf Square
Skyline #4
📍 Union Station Gate 5 • 🕒 8:48 PM
Notable landmarks: Fairmont Royal York, BMO Place
Skyline #5
📍 Raptors Way • 🕒 8:51 PM
Notable landmarks: York Centre, CN Tower, Rogers Centre
Union Station
📍 Union Station/ScotiaBank Arena • 🕒 8:52 PM
Notable landmarks: Union Station, TD Tower
Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square)
📍 Victoria St. & Dundas St. E • 🕒 6:47 PM
Notable landmarks: Sankofa Square, Toronto Eaton Centre
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
📍 Queen's Park • 🕒 7:09 PM
University of Toronto
📍 King's College Circle • 🕒 7:14 PM
Notable landmarks: University College, Front Campus
Skyline #6
📍 King's College Circle • 🕒 7:18 PM
Notable landmarks: CN Tower
Skyline #7
📍 Simcoe St. & King St. W • 🕒 7:39 PM
Notable landmarks: Roy Thomson Hall, CN Tower, RBC Centre, TD Terrace
Skyline #8
📍 Sir Isaac Brock Bridge • 🕒 8:00 PM
Notable landmarks: CN Tower, VIA Rail
Skyline #9
📍 Polson Pier • 🕒 8:40 PM
Cherry St. South Bridge
📍 Cherry St. • 🕒 8:59 PM
Distillery District
📍 Distillery District • 🕒 9:14 PM
Union Station
📍 Union Station TTC Entrance • 🕒 9:47 PM
Notable landmarks: Union Station, CN Tower, TD Terrace
Graffiti Alley
📍 Graffiti Alley • 🕒 6:54 PM
Queen Street West
📍 Bathurst St. & Queen St. W • 🕒 7:24 PM
Notable landmarks: TTC Streetcar
City Hall
📍 Nathan Phillips Square • 🕒 8:29 PM
Notable landmarks: Toronto City Hall, Toronto Sign
Old City Hall
📍 Nathan Phillips Square • 🕒 8:30 PM
Notable landmarks: Old City Hall, Toronto Sign
Finally, since it didn’t really fit in with the rest of the photos, here’s a bonus shot of a squirrel I took, while walking down King’s College Road, I still wanted to share. Thanks for reading 😊
