Old Building Infested by Moss-Like Posters

Have you noticed the moment a building is abandoned or ready for demolition, advertising posters immediately appear? In nature, moss, fungus, mold signifies of an abandoned or neglected building or structure.  In the city however, advertisers appear to move quicker and is a better indicator of a building not in use (you can see the moss slowly trying to catch up by working its way along the bottom and along the trim...) These old buildings are used as frames for  these glitzy new posters, breathing new life and function to these soon-to-be discarded structures. It is this juxtaposition that captures my attention...

289 Abbott Street or Alley in Vancouver?

As I walked through Gastown in Vancouver, I blinked and almost missed 289 Abbott Street. I assumed the difference between a street and an alley is that on a street, you could get two cars to pass, but you can't with an alley (I know there's more to it than that, but you know what I'm saying...).  On this street, you can barely get two people to pass without walking sideways, and on top of that, they line it with plants in huge buckets. Is that to reduce unwanted traffic?!  If I was the business at the end of this street, I would use huge 6' vertical letters running all the way up the wall so customers could find me. If this is the street, I'm afraid to go around back and look at its alley!!

PS. Cool clock, top left...but too bad it's not working!!

Charlie Noble Delivery at Whole Foods?

While grocery shopping, this employee walked past me wearing his black Whole Foods apron and matching Charlie Noble Global Delivery hoodie on. I asked him when did Whole Foods start a bike delivery service and who's this Charlie Noble dude?  

Try Looking Up and Shoot Buildings!!

Walking downtown, I love shooting up at buildings. I love manipulating my view point by pointing my camera straight up while walking from one corner of the intersection to the next, trying to create the best angle. Shooting upwards is great because you rarely have any obstructions: people, cars, trees, wires, etc. You also get to play with perspective, easily changing the entire image by just tilting your camera this way or that...shooting horizontally, it's alot harder to do this!!

Hong Kong Bike Riders Ride Head-On!!

These previously posted pictures from Hong Kong highlight the fact that many ride against traffic instead of with the traffic. I was told it's because they believe it's safer for them, since they can see the cars coming at them, so they can avoid an accident. If they went with the traffic, they feel that they can't see cars creeping up from behind... hmmm, what do you think? Safer or more dangerous?

Birks at Granville and Hastings in Vancouver

As I get off my bus and connect to my train, I always walk past this beautiful old building at the corner of Hastings and Granville in Vancouver.  I like this building specifically because it's on a corner, and I love the size...it's a baby building! So cute! With its majestic pillars and tall windows, you would think this building would encompass the entire block!

Kitsilano Public Notice Board Gone Wild!!

 
In theory, the design of this public notice board is very functional: it's 4 sided, and each side is double-sided. However, since it's outdoor and public, I assume nobody monitors or needs permission to post. You can see the results. Madness!! You can't really read or find anything in this chaos. In some spots, it looks like the bottom posting has 6 others postings overlapping and/or on top of it!! Standing in front of it, I was overwhelmed...nothing stood out... it's amusing to look at, and makes for a great photograph, but if I had something to post, I wouldn't post it here!!

Imaginary BMW Ad for Older 5 Series

As I was walking downtown last week, I saw a lonely BMW sitting in an empty parking lot between two buildings. It looked like a magazine or a billboard ad to me. I ran across the street and accidentally took a low rez shot at high iso (I was shooting some low light images previously and forgot to change the settings back).  I hate when I do that.

A Busker, the Blues, Boots and Pantera!

My wife had some shopping to do on Granville Island, so I decided to come along for the ride. We took a quick break at a small coffee shop and sat in front of this blues playing busker. Stomping on his guitar case with his big, black boots helped with the visual and audio effects of his guitar playing. What didn't match quite as much was his Pantera t-shirt!! I thought he made it work for himself though. I asked him after why he had a Pantera t-shirt on, and he said "because they're the greatest!" There you go. Never judge a musician on their musical taste. To each their own... Rock on Blues Man!!

Josh T and Mode on the Street

My buddy Josh and I thought we'd start a blog together a year ago. After much planning and discussion and debate, we launched a blog called Mode on the Street. As soon as we started the blog, I realized that we both had very strong visions for the blog and that a collaboration wouldn't work as smoothly as our good friendship.