If there’s one good thing that comes from this isolation, maybe it’s that everyone now has some time to improve themselves and do some self-reflection? Before, those two things were an option for me whenever I had time but lately it seems like it’s almost coming naturally because all I have now is time. When you’re forced to stay home and do nothing, I think it’s natural to go and seek out some other form of therapy/activity that falls within the realm of acceptable practices.

For me, now that the weather is nice and I can finally drive my car – it’s given me a ton of time in the evenings to go out when the kids are asleep to just shoot. The added benefit (not sure if this is the right word) of this isolation is that literally anywhere I decide to go, it’s completely dead and empty. It’s given me tons of new opportunities to go to places that I normally couldn’t go and just shoot in peace. I love not being under pressure to shoot fast before someone comes and tells us to get out or having to move because a car is trying to come through.

I also find that by shooting in these areas in peace and quiet, it gives me time to be a little more objective with my shots and it gives me time to think about how I want to compose the shot. I know, it sounds super lame especially if you don’t really shoot – but having that freedom means a lot for me to be creative and thoughtful. At the same time, I’m thinking about how to edit the shot and how I want it to look. Everyone has their own way of  relaxing and enjoying the moment and this is mine.

Yesterday, I went out and decided to try some spots that I’ve been wanting to shoot at but never had the chance. I wanted to try a bunch of different tones again and as you scroll through the pics, you’ll see where they change drastically – I edited them based on which tone I felt suited the setting best. Some, I edited a lot more than I usually do – and others just tried out different hues, curves and tones… Either way, they’re just more content for you and more relaxing practice for me 🙂

This spot was right near my work and just on the edge of the hill, it overlooks Deerfoot Trail, so you get a nice view of the sun as it sets with no other buildings in the way.

Also – depending on what monitor you’re looking at these first few pics on, it may look a bit off with the light flare and the red ribbon wrapped around the steel tubes. On my calibrated monitor, it looked fine but on my cheaper work monitors, it almost looks too fake. The light flare is not fake btw – just the way the aqua/orange are portrayed I guess.

One thing I’m starting to enjoy more of is shooting right at sunset. I never really did that in the past, but it provides way better colours to set the mood.

I always loved trying different perspectives as well. Using foreground to my advantage to bring a different view to it all. Having the car as the main focus is always great, but giving the eye some slight distractions sometimes provides a different feel too.

As I was leaving, I decided to try driving by the airport to see what it was like. Whenever I drove through arrivals, I always passed the newly constructed section with a bunch of glass and wanted to take some photos, but there was no way I’d ever have enough time to park, get out and get a nice shot without being harassed to move if I wasn’t picking anyone up.

Last night was my chance… As I drove up, it was like a ghost town. It’s actually kind of creepy how quiet it actually was… The airport as I knew it was always bustling – cars in and out, cabs lined up waiting to be called forward, people crossing… Last night, it was like the entire population had been wiped out and I was the only one there. As I drove in further, there were a few cabbies standing outside waiting for what seemed like nothing and as I got to the newer section and parked, it was so quiet that you could hear a coin drop.

As I parked, I naturally hurried and got my camera ready and hopped out trying to get as many pics as I could. But very quickly I realized that maybe nobody was coming? Maybe there was no one around to tell me to leave and if there was, I’d just ask if I could take some quick pics since no one was here anyway. I had my alibi ready but I didn’t have to use it once LOL!

That’s when I started taking my time… I kept looking through the windows and down the road but nothing. Nada. No one walking inside the airport, no security speed walking my way… It was nice. Eerily peaceful.

As you can see – not much in terms of any living souls. Only big windows, nice light, me, myself and my camera.

With these pics, I loved the look the cool blue tones gave off. The same feeling as I had when I was there… Quiet, cool, kind of creepy…

On the other side, where you’d usually see rushes of people walking across with their luggage – not a single one last night…

The sun started to set quickly as I got there and when it did, I decided to switch up the tones a bit. A little warmer, a little darker… Look how damn empty it is!!! You had to be there to appreciate it.

On the stretch home, the sunset looked good. I stopped off on the side of the road and took one last shot. I’m itching to go out again and shoot some more!