Toronto Shooters Club

Necropolis Photo Walk – Peaceful and Pleasant

Apr 212010

The third spring photo walk of the Toronto Shooters Club was an extremely pleasant outing. Unseasonably warm weather continues to make our photo walks comfortable adventures in Toronto. This time out, Roman, Neil, Patricia and I enjoyed exploring Riverdale Farm from the outside (sad that it closes at 5pm every day) and the Toronto Necropolis from the inside. Stone monuments, spring blossoms and the slanting afternoon sun dominated our photography subjects.

The Necropolis is a fascinating place, full of history, emotion, and a rich visual combination of natural and hand-made elements. Buildings dominate the entrance, and include such diverse textures as stained glass, iron work, rough and smooth stone work, and carved and painted wooden forms. These artifacts of human activity are contrasted by organic features and the photo walk was well timed with beautiful magnolia blossoms and the earliest delicate foliage making their spring appearances.

Further into the city of the dead, neat pathways thread their way through various sections of burial grounds. A large variety of monuments, many of them very large and impressive, offered a number of photographic opportunities. Still other organic subjects were interspersed; from large scale magnolia trees in full bloom to tiny squill, mushrooms and other tiny blossoms. In springtime, there is a sense of renewal and new life, a strong counterpoint to the weight of history and death that the grave markers convey. It would be interesting to go back and explore on a stormy fall day; I have not doubt there would be a moody, gothic atmosphere under those conditions at that time of year – a great inspiration for some richly textured photos.

Next Photo Walk – Toronto Necropolis

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Apr 182010

Monday, April 19th, the group will be heading out for the third photo walk this spring to explore the Toronto Necropolis. The Necropolis is located between Bayview Ave to the east and Cabbagetown to the west and between Rosedale Valley Road to the north and Carlton Street to the south. Winchester Street separates the Necropolis to the north from Riverdale Farm to the south. We’ll meet at 5:45pm at the entrance to the Necropolis on Winchester Street.

Here is a map:

Here are some directions:

Exit DVP at Bayview Avenue South. Procced to River Street. Turn right (west) on Gerrard Street East to Sumach Street. Turn right again (north) on Sumach Street to Winchester Street. The Necropolis is on the left.

Exit Gardiner Expressway at Jarvis Street. Go north on Jarvis Street. Turn right (east) on Gerrard Street. Turn left (north) on Sumach Street (sign-posted) and right (east) on Winchester Street.

From Danforth Avenue, go west on Prince Edward Viaduct towards Bloor Street East, keep left and turn left onto Parliament Street (first lights after Castle Frank Road/Subway Station). Proceed south on Parliament to Winchester, turn left onto Winchester and proceed to the end of the street. The Necropolis is on the left.

Exit Bayview Avenue Extension at River Street. Turn right (west) on Gerrard Street East to Sumach Street. Turn right again (north) on Sumach Street to Winchester Street. The Necropolis is on the left.

By Public Transit TTC
From Castle Frank Subway Station, get on Parliament bus and get off at Winchester. Walk east to the end of the street. The Necropolis is on the left.

From College or Queens Park Subway Station, hop onto the eastbound streetcar and get off at Sumach Street, east of Parliament. Walk north to Winchester Street then turn right and walk east along Winchester to the end of the street. The Necropolis is on the left.