Untold Stories
-Buju Banton-
-Every photo has a story. As a photographer seeing a composition or something that is captivating enough to take a picture of is often up to interpretation, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. The subject of the photo ignites a certain feeling that with the context of the other elements can create a story for the photographer as well as the viewer. Often a completely different story. The following is my documentation of these untold stories-
Financial Crash
This photo was taken on 07/22/21. It depicts a man sleeping (crashing) on a bench in the middle of the day in the financial district in Toronto on the front step of the TD Bank tower. It immediately gave me the feeling of how during the pandemic it broke a lot of people down mentally and financially, all while the banks made record profits off these same people.
Capturing Kindness
This photo was captured on 08/06/21. Walking to an appointment I noticed a man sitting against a wall. He was some distance away but what caught my eye was the light and shadows cast on the wall that I thought would really stand out in a photo. It was some distance away but I decided to turn back and get closer and see what I could get. As I was about 50 feet away a lady walked in front of me and was heading in the same direction. She veered towards the man and I thought under my breath “nooooo you’re going to block my shot”. So I slowed down a bit but realized she was going to talk with the man and the shot I visualized was gone.
Then… she pulled out of her bag a sandwich and offered it to the man (she had a bag full of sandwiches and was handing them out to whomever she saw in need. At this point I realized what I thought was a missed opportunity was about to be something wonderful. I took the shot and captured this wonderful moment of kindness.
Man With The Bag
This photo was taken on 08/04/21. It depicts a man walking with a bag under his arm. It was a candid shot, but what stood out is the look in his eyes as he looks into the lens. A gentle yet protective, suspicious look. I see a storied past in his eyes. A look of strength and determination. Then I see the bag and I wonder… what’s in that bag?
Man In The Mirror
This photo was taken 06/16/21. It was taken during pride week in Toronto of a man spinning around staring at himself in the mirror. He was dressed in fabrics that reminded me of a belly dancer “bedlah”. I asked if I could take a picture, and he murmured something at which point I knew he was high on life and wasn’t really taking me on. So I took a few shots and went on my way . He was the Man In The Mirror but it’s me who often reflects back on this interaction because I had just started really learning the art of photography and It was my first time taking a picture in the street and approaching someone for a photo.
Good Morning Sunshine!
This photo was taken on 08/06/21. This depicts a woman walking down the sidewalk with the sun glaring in her face. With her pajama pants and slippers on as she welcomes the day outside. It had me thinking how we were coming out of the pandemic back to “normal” life again and going back into the offices with no more zoom meetings. There was no real dress code working from home and we can all relate it may take us a little extra time to get back into the swing of things.
The Singing Man
This photo was taken on 08/25/21. The streets of Toronto have a host of “characters” that are known around the city for their particular personalities. This man is known for walking the streets of downtown, usually down the center of the busy streets along the yellow line singing out loud in a deep mumbling way. I randomly captured him at Union Station belting it out into his hands as he does, entertaining the taxi drivers waiting in their line up for their fares.
Joint Paint
This photo was taken on 08/12/21. This depicts a man sitting at the end of the work day. He’s covered in paint with a joint in hand and a look of frustration, and relief that his day is done. He rolled paint, rolled a joint, and rolled out.
Freedoms Fading
This photo was taken 07/22/21.This depicts a security guard approaching me to inform me that I am not allowed to take pictures facing this building, Scotia Plaza . Unfortunately it seems banks own more than this building in Canada. They own the people and our flag as well.
The Silhouette Of Man
This photo was taken on 08/06/21. This depicts a man stumbling with hands in pockets, no shoes, and a disoriented demeanour. As disheveled as he is his instincts are to go towards the light. “Through you darkest of times may there be a guiding light for you to find”.
Hungry Eyes
This photo was taken on 09/23/21. This depicts a man sitting on a bench eating his lunch while a pigeon looks up at him with hungry eyes. The man is seemingly aware looking out of the corner of his eye as if to say “Can I eat in peace”?.