It’s been awhile since I’ve gone out to take pictures just for the fun of it. I think it can be a common problem with working photographers, and when you do something for a living it’s often the last thing you want to do on your day off. The problem can be compounded if you’re going through a difficult period in your life and you’re generally lacking in joy, enthusiasm and curiosity about the world around you. I’ve been in one of these ruts for awhile now, but things are starting to look up and I’m trying to get out there again and take pictures just for fun.

I was walking by this small park off Bloor Street last week and was immediately drawn to the shadows and the colours. I was using a 45mm tilt-shift lens and used the tilt to throw the top and bottom out of focus. It would have been an okay image by itself, but then a woman came to the park with her dog and started running and playing, too caught up in the fun to take any notice of me and my camera. I think their presence and playfulness makes the image much more interesting. I had fun taking the picture as well, but unfortunately it was dampened a bit when I returned to my car and found a $30 parking ticket under the wiper. Oh well… it was still nice to be distracted by the joy of photography for a little while.