Image Analysis 4: Personal Photograph

I took this photograph in the summer at Trinity Bellwoods Park in the Queen St. West area of Toronto. The park is a sprawling green space in the heart of downtown, full of trees, fields, bike paths, benches, and all sorts of interesting people. It's safe to say that this park is one of my all time favourite places in the city. For the past two summers I have worked at an arts camp called “Art in the Park” situated in Trinity Bellwoods. The park has such an incredible and unique bohemian character. There are always different groups of people enjoying the park. I've seen older women practicing Tai Chi in the early mornings, artists painting, drum circles, groups of moms jogging with their strollers, families enjoying picnics, dog walkers congregating at the dog pit, and once I even saw a pack of people dressed as mimes meeting there! The park is also known for being home to the elusive white squirrel – literally there are two squirrels as white as snow that live in the park! They are quite the sight to see for the first time, and it’s a fairly rare occasion to spot them, so perhaps they’re good luck. A coffee shop across the street, “The White Squirrel” was aptly named in their honor, and serves up a pretty great cup of coffee.

In consideration of the rhetorical situation I am the writer. I took this photograph one sunny afternoon, after I had left camp for the day. Some friends and I sat in the park relaxing and I borrowed my friend’s digital camera to snap a few pictures. I wanted to capture the essence of the park and character of Queen West. I especially liked the look of the clouds that day. The text relies on an entirely visual argument. This picture features the path that leads to the front gates of the park, as well as a red TTC streetcar driving by. One’s eye is led from the path towards the centre of the photograph and then up to the blue sky. The trees work to frame the main scene of the street. This image connotes the idea of urban life in Toronto. The tone is pleasant and relaxed. The audience could be anyone interested in urban photography and those familiar with the park or symbol of the TTC would have an even deeper connection, recognizing the location. It’s an intimate view of Queen St. West through the eyes of the park. The photograph was taken at eye level, which places the audience as holder of the gaze. There is repetition of shape and colour as the leaves on the right side mimic the clouds, and the yellow flowers pick up the yellow streetlights. The photograph offers the dualistic theme of nature and city, and how these forces meet and interact on a sunny afternoon.