Digital, 2021.
The Humber River at the end of August. If you want magnificent views of the city’s skyline, this is one of the places to go. Sitting on the beach was so lovely with the calm waters and the CN Tower in the distance. I’m looking forward to what it will look like here during autumn when all the leaves turn red.
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Digital, 2021.
The sunset on this night was definitely a conversation starter but what follows a beautiful sunset sometimes is a beautiful twilight. The purple sky combined with the mist rising from the horizon was such a sight to see. I couldn’t help but feel it was the perfect end to the day.
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Digital, 2021.
Photographing an intense sunset at Rouge River has always been on my photography bucket list. I’m so glad I was lucky enough to be able to photograph one. After a hazy day, I had an inkling that we would be getting an intense sunset. That seemed to be the norm on other hazy days so I was super excited for what was hopefully to come. I sat down on the beach with my camera and my phone, ready to take some photos and videos.
When the sky started to turn orange, I knew we were in for a treat. When the sun started to descend, I couldn’t believe my eyes in how defined it was in the sky. When it sank past the bridge, I was in awe at the obvious gradient of colour that covered it. I felt like I was looking at a spread from a photography magazine. I had to make sure I wasn’t staring at the sun for prolonged periods of time for obvious reasons.
I only wish I were able to take a photo of just the sun in the sky or the sun over the landscape. But I didn’t want to move from my spot on the beach and risk not making it to another area quick enough. I would rather have some photos than no photos at all. I wanted to return to take alternate photos but was unable to. At this point in the year, it’s too late for conditions that prompt a hazy sky. And just like that, there’s a new addition to my photography bucket list!
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Digital, 2021.
A blue waterscape at Rouge River during summer. I couldn’t help myself in taking a photo of the waves rolling in. This scene looks desolate but I can assure you that if photos could talk, one would be able to hear the background chatter and children laughing and splashing around in the background.
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Digital, 2021.
Rouge River has quickly become one of my favourite places for photography. This was my first visit during summer and I was interested to see what I would be able to photograph. All my previous visits have been during the fall to capture the leaves changing colour so I was glad to be getting a different perspective to the area.
Right from the get-go, what captivated me were all the lily pads! It was so surreal seeing that many all at once. When I first saw them at a distance, I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking at. I thought maybe they were overgrown plants that had somehow managed to grow above the water. Judging by the reactions of other people there, I wasn’t alone in my captivation and wonder.
These were also taken when the skies were particularly hazy. In my opinion, this contributed to the landscape looking even more ethereal. The lighting was so soft and there was light layer of fog by the horizon in the distance. Even with a cloudy sky, the sunlight still shone through and bathed everything in a beautiful golden light at times.
I’m very pleased I got to experience a scene like this with my own two eyes and I’m thankful I was able to take photos of it as well. I hope to eventually visit during winter, too.
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Digital, 2020.
My third visit to Rouge River, a week after the last one. This time it was super sunny which allowed me to get some bright shots of the autumn leaves.
Digital, 2020.
This was my second time visiting Rouge River. It’s hard to believe that the first was back in 2014 for my university thesis. To me, this is one of those places that I feel like I have visited multiple times. I had always wanted to come back but never found the time. For many of us, all we have right now is time so we made an afternoon of it.
Rouge River in autumn is stunning. If you’re lucky to be here during golden hour, you’re in for a treat! For the majority of our stay, the sky was cloudy and it even started to rain at one point. This didn’t bother me as I love shooting under overcast lighting and the rain made for some lovely gloomy shots of the lake. Cue everyone running for shelter and me with the biggest smile, camera aimed at the lake.
Not too long after, the sun came out and bathed everything in a warm, orange glow. You can see which photos were taken during this short lived golden hour and which were not. The foliage glows yellow and orange and the whole scene transforms into something more ethereal.
When we visited again a week later, the leaves didn’t look much different. I’d like to visit one more time to get the leaves at their peak but as I write this, it is late October, and it just might be a tad too late. I would love to go back during winter or right after a snow storm to capture winter shots for the first time. Fingers crossed!
Digital, 2015.
Shadows and reflections at Toronto’s Don River.
Gina Staios Photography 