Digital, 2022.
Some stunning cherry blossoms from this year. Year after year, I look forward to seeing these pretty pink flowers bloom.
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Digital, 2019.
Chicago!! I don’t know how to explain it but I’m somehow homesick for a city I’ve only been to once. Was it because the whole family was together and enjoying themselves? Was it the change in scenery and great photographs? I don’t know what it is but I already miss it. I really hope I’ll be able to visit again in the future!
Winter 2015 Thesis
As one of the most notable cities in Canada, Toronto is known for its urban development, congested space, and its skyline. The downtown core is especially known for its overpopulated region. This in turn, leads to a great amount of light pollution in the city. This series aims to show the city light that is contained in Toronto and how this light pollution can be seen from varying distances. This method of mapping out the city reveals the way public space is used and how everyday scenes can reveal a lot more about the area. As a result of the photographs being taken at night, one is also able to see how light is a big aspect of city life.
Light pollution can be experienced by very bright streetlamps, electronic signs, and other bright light sources. This excess light ends up creating a haze or a diffused glow over the city. Also called skyglow, which refers to the illumination of the night sky, this light accumulates into a vast glow that can be seen from afar. However, not all electric lights are deemed detrimental, as they benefit society and extend the length of a productive day. When these lights become inefficient, annoying, and unnecessary, this is when they begin to be referred to as light pollution.
Digital, 2015.
Digital, 2015.
Digital, 2012.
A photo manipulated double exposure shot of a fast food restaurant.
Digital, 2013.
Shots of the Toronto skyline at night. The last image is a manipulation.
Inspired by my fear of being stalked by unknown entities.
Being followed while walking alone on an empty street is a common fear of mine and I do not doubt that it is a fear of many others as well. Not limited to just darker hours, I often glance behind my back and I like to be aware of my surroundings. This could be just me liking to know my surroundings but I also believe that it stems from the fact that I am naturally a very paranoid person. There are times where you are convinced that there is someone behind you, only for you to turn around and realize that there isn’t. This feeling adds to the uneasiness. Not only does this feeling occur when I am walking alone, but also doing mundane things throughout the day such as reading or browsing the internet, for example. I was very inspired by the darker themes of Duane Michal’s “The Boogeyman” from his series Sequences. It shows a coat rack coming to life and taking away a sleeping girl. To convey this paranoia and fear in my series, I also used a shadowy figure. When the subject feels like she is being watched, she turns around and notices that no one is there. She will never know what was following her or if she was behind followed in the first place. Was she only imagining it? This could also lead to the idea that we can be frightened by things that we cannot see such as things that may be behind us or things that may lurk in the dark, unseen.
Digital, 2014.
Gina Staios Photography 