Bill Smith's Photography

I have shot so often within the boundaries of University, Front, Yonge and Queen Streets in Toronto but never get tired because I'm always discovering something new to photograph or even something I've already documented but the circumstances have changed. Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko 50 f1.8 lens. Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B.

I love my Olympus OM-2n, I have a couple of them, one with a seized shutter, one headed down to the US for an overhaul with renowned Olympus repair tech John Hermanson and a perfectly functioning body which I used here.  Single digit Olympus OM bodies are great for travel, hiking and are compact enough to go into my briefcase when going downtown for meetings. I might use both my good OM-2n's next fall up in Algonquin to save weight. Camera: Olympus OM-2n, Zuiko 50 f1.8 and Zuiko 28 f2.8 lenses. Film: Ilford HP5, HC110 B.

I recently picked up a Nikon FM2n over a month ago, it's one of those workhorses that has a wide fan base in the analogue photography world and surprisingly held it's value in the used market. A trip up to Elora was a test run with this camera and as you can see it performed flawlessly. As for fall colours. Elora being on the shores of the Grand River has predominately cedars along it's banks, especially along the gorge. It was a fun hike inside the conservation area and surprisingly quiet on a Saturday morning when I was up there with a friend. Sadly Elora the village is still struggling without the Elora Mill Inn open and is drawing only day visitors on weekends off season. Camera: Nikon FM2n, Nikkor Ais 28 f2.8 lens. Nikko Ais 50 f1.8 lens. Film: Ilford HP5 400, HC110 B.

All good long weekends up near Algonquin Park have to come to an end at some point. I miss the Muskoka region and I have to get back up there more often. Until next year.... Camera: Nikon FM, Nikkor Ais 50 f1.8 lens. Film: Kentmere 100, D76 1+1 Camera: Series E Rolleiflex 3.5 planar TLR. Film: Fuji Reala 100

As I have mentioned earlier, we were early for fall colours this year, maybe only 20% of the trees changed, if that. The Bat Lake Trail was a great hike in the morning and we drove afterwards along Highway 60 to Whitney for lunch at the Mad Musher. On the way back we got stupid lucky, a moose cow and her calf were eating by the side of the road, this makes up for the lousy fall colours. We weren't the only ones there, my guess there was about 60 to 80 people on the side of the road as well trying to get a shot of the moose. I like to think I'm a decent photographer but I've never shot wildlife either in a controlled environment (zoo) or out in the wild in this case before. My two concerns were one, get something decent because chances me getting anything like this will be slim to none and more importantly have an exit strategy. While the momma moose seemed comfortable around humans we're still talking a 1000 lb animal that can do some serious damage if it felt threat...

Last year, we hit the Bat Lake Trail around 3:30 or 4 p.m., a little later than we should have. Ok by the time we got to the view looking North East, it was about 5:30 seeing the fall colours looked spectacular, downside it was still a long hike back to the car. To make things even more interesting, we discovered fresh bear poop on the side of the trail and near the end we were still hiking after sunset in the dark and it was fast descending into a  re-enactment of the Blair Witch Project. For those who never been to Algonquin Park, it's one of those places if you walk a certain direction, you are neither seen or heard from again. This year we hiked the Bat Lake Trail in the morning and it was a totally different experience with the bright sunshine. Sadly though the leaves barely changed colours so you make do with what you have. I enjoyed the hike and next year, it's time to head elsewhere in the park. Thankfully no bear encounters but we did come across some wildlife aft...

This place is really hard to get to, there's little to no Wi Fi (you're not here for that anyway), cell service is spotty at best and I'm discouraging as many of you who crave the creature comforts of the city from ever coming up here. Those of us who can appreciate the rustic charms of Billie Bear Resort like it the way it is. For me this is paradise, most people crave Bora Bora or a small island in the Bahamas, me,  I'll take a lake in the Muskokas or Haliburtons every time. I did say this is hard to get too....... Cameras: Nikon FM, F2a, Nikkor Ais 50 f1.8 and Ais 28 f2.8 lenses. Film: Kodak Portra 400 and Cinestill 50 respectively.

I love this village. Camera: Series E 3.5 planar Rolleiflex Twin Lens Reflex Camera Film: Ilford HP5, HC110 B.