For a long time, photography has inspired me to travel great distances, survive sour weather and mangle my body into weird positions all in the expectation of capturing that perfect shot. Today, I hope you enjoy this edition of Freedom Friday because today, I’d like to give you a tour of my favorite subjects.
As I’d mentioned, I enjoy taking photos of, well, almost everything. If it’s something I’ve wondered about and wanted to capture, I’m the first one there.
One of my favorite subjects is by far Canada’s Wonderland. Nestled in Vaughan, Ontario, just north of Toronto, this 330-acre (130 ha) theme park features some of the most awesome roller coasters in the world. What makes this site special for amateur photographers (that’s me), is the simple areas that reflect a moodiness sought after elsewhere in the world but achieved here with simple landscaping and music. Its fountains, mountain, and fireworks makes for a wonderful experience for travelers wanting excellence in a vacation. My family purchases a yearly pass to take advantage of the park’s beauty and relaxed atmosphere (yeah, and the rides are pretty cool, too). The hand-in-hand strolls I take there with my wife at night are worth every penny spent.
Next up, Toronto. How can I ignore the place I call my second home? From its CN Tower to its beautiful lake shore, Toronto provides me with many opportunities to take shots centered around color and culture. More specific, the downtown core where I frequent the most, hosts a myriad of activities for the family. It’s difficult to say what impresses me the most. Is it the buildings or events? I think the multicultural aspect of the city gives me pause. Whenever I walk the streets, I have to admire all those who roam from faraway places and call Toronto their home. It is something of beauty.
Another favorite place I enjoy taking pictures is the Ontario Science Centre. Located in the heart of Toronto, the complex houses hundreds of interactive and passive exhibits. My family and I will head over during spring break when the rates are lower and the place is bustling with crowds. We have fun with the various activities and I’m always on the lookout for something interesting to shoot.
What else? Food, of course! As you may have gathered from my sushi and eleven-spice chicken recipes, I love food! And being Italian doesn’t help. There’s always something in the culinary arts to keep my interest as an obsessed shutterbug. My mom makes these phenomenal meals like Rigatoni with cheese and meatballs, veal cutlets with potatoes and green beans, broiled lamb with peppers and pickled vegetables—she’s a crazy momma. Whenever I visit my parents, I loosen my belt two notches. Yet, sometimes a simple plate of fries captures my attention. Call me squirrel-minded!
Autumn is my favorite season. What would a post about favorite things to shoot be without a fall photo? During this time, the colors here in Canada burst. Maple trees line the roads in orange coats. Forests erupt in a kaleidoscope of gold and reds. And me? I’m out in the woods taking shot after shot of the amber carpeting. Fall is my season. If I had it my way, I’d sleep out there every night, listening to the leaves drift to the ground.
These are a few of my favorite things.
Do you have a favorite photography subject? What is it that makes the subject interesting to shoot?
Looking to God 
Hello,
I’ve nominated your blog for the ‘Shine On Award’
http://deadeven.co.uk/shine-on-award/
🙂 have a nice day!
Great photo’s!! Interesting you don’t like taking piuctures of people…I am the same. Although some candid shots are great.
Thanks for your comments, I really appreciate them!
Wow great pictures, interesting that you don’t like taking pictures of people..
Your photos are simply amazing. You make me want to pack up and take a trip up North. So you’re Italian? I like you even more. Ha! I love food as well. I especially enjoy going to different cities and sampling dishes native to the area. Its the best part of traveling. I agree with Fall being the best time of the year. Its not too cold or hot. Its just right. My favorite holiday is Halloween. Thanks again for sharing your passion with us.
These are some really gorgeous pictures. I especially like the close ups of the food. The french fries are my favorite; I like how you captured that dark, shaded spot near the middle.
Beautiful pictures. 🙂 I have never been to Canada (well, not yet!) but the images I’ve seen are breathtaking. And being relatively new to “autumn colors” at all (grew up in SoCal and lived in Phoenix, AZ and SW Florida) here in Maryland, I have learned a new love for that time of year. I imagine that in Canada it’s even more splendid.
And your word pictures aren’t bad, either. 🙂
Thanks, Sandi! I’ve been to both SoCal and Florida–lovely places. I’m planning on visiting Phoenix in the near future and can’t wait to grab some shots of the area.
Canada is definitely beautiful any time of the year!
For me it’s the sky, always changing, always beautiful
Fantasic photos! And the food ones are making me hungry!! 🙂
Awesome photos! Wonderland and Toronto rules! My favorite photography subjects are flowers and butterflies. The colors and the details and the beauty of it all. Another one of my faves is waterfalls and huge water spaces..lakes, rivers, rapids, oceans, you name it 🙂
Have you ever been to Niagara Falls? It is one of my most favorite places in the world. All that water, the serenity surrounding it…such a blessing!
I’ve been lots of times! Went two times in the last 5 years..haha! Its a perfect place for vacation. The Butterfly Conservatory there is also extremely beautiful and its just so fun 🙂 And they have Kelsey’s which is not in Quebec anymore..haha! The falls are awesome as well of course…perfect subject for pictures..it really has everything…and oh yeah..the Bird Kingdom is amazing also!
Now I want to come visit! Beautiful photos!
I used to live in New England, and I LOVED going to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA to take pictures. It was so quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. I’m probably an oddball, but I’ve always loved to photograph cemeteries, especially ones from the 1800’s. Something about the peacefulness and the sentimental atmosphere of graveyards really appeals to me.
I’m the same way. When I was a kid, I used to hang out at the cemetery reading the tombstones. I would imagine what kind of life those who’d died had lived. When I came across a tombstone with a person who’d died at my age, it really hit home.
I still go to cemeteries but more for the walks and for the photography. This photo http://jackflacco.com/2013/02/18/zombies-great-falls-montana/graves/ is one I’d taken in town when I needed some time away. It came out perfect, I think.
BTW, you’re right. It is the best place for a peace!
Aside from low tech, close up photography, I like to go for walks in the country and snap whatever plant life lies in front of me.
Your photos are beautiful! Combined with your words they make me want to take a trip to Canada. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Jess! I hope you do visit Canada, it’s such a beautiful place any time of year, really. I hope you know how to ski! 😉
You’ve captured the spirit of Toronto beautifully.
I love all these photos… but when people take photos of food, I want to eat them!
For some reasons I just cannot take enough pictures of mountains. Granted we don’t have any where I live when when I go somewhere that have them, I take tons of pictures of them. I am hopefully coming to Toronto in July for a conference, then I can see downtown for myself!
Beautiful photography. Really crisp details and truly vivd colours. The Ontario Science Centre Engine Display and French Fries are my favourites 🙂
Toronto is my second home too, man! You have done a great job on capturing the spirit of Toronto! Cheers!
nice pictures!