Bill Smith's Photography

The lower level of the R.C. Harris Water Filtration Plant was the fun part of the shoot with all the equipment, even with the interior, there were art deco design features that add an almost retro futureistic look things. We were warned at the beginning of the tour to limit our time in the pump room to 30 minutes or deal with permanent hearing damage. I got what wanted within 15 minutes and got back outside and under a temporary shelter (it was still raining hard). If you get a chance to check out Doors Open in Toronto, put this venue on your list of places to see. Camera: Nikon FE2, Nikkor Ais 28 f2.8 lens, Ai 50 f1.4 lens. Film: Ilford HP4 400, pushed to 1600, HC110 B.

Everyone has seen my exterior photos of the RC Harris Water Filtration plant over the years, I love photographing this art deco gem from the outside. This storied building has been used as a literary backdrop for Michael Ondaatje's Skin of a Lion (one of my favourite novels) and a movie and TV set for just about every super max prison, mental hospital and supervillian lair you can think of. I got a chance to check out the inside with this year's Door's Open Toronto event, the weather Saturday could be best described as Iceland in September (cold and wet), and I had fun. The one thing I regret was not packing my Nikkor Ais 24 f2.8 lens, I could have used just a bit more in the frame. What I've done is split this up into two posts, today you're getting the upper level and the next post will be the lower level of R.C. Harris where the pumping systems are. Camera: Nikon FE2, Nikkor Ai 50 f1.4 lens, Ais 28 f2.8 lens. Film: Ilford HP5 400 pushed to 1600, HC110...