While in Toronto this week, I managed a some time away from the track and took a little side trip to an area called Yorkville. Yorkville is comprised of two parallel one-way streets, Yorkville Avenue and Cumberland, located at Bloor W. off Avenue Road, in the city proper.

In the 60's, Yorkville was Toronto's equivalent to San Francisco's Haight Ashbury and Detroit's Plum Street. However, where Haight Ashbury cycled through generational changes and Detroit's Plum street ushered out the summer of love by becoming overrun with drugs, bikers and the 12th Street riots, Yorkville entered the mid 70's with a renaissance of upscale shops, restaurants and ultimately, high-end condominiums. It was an incredibly vibrant area and saw a huge real estate and economic boom.

I spent a lot of time there in the 70's and 80's… so I thought I'd go and see how the turn of the century had treated the area.

​

Ok… not sure what the title means. I just thought perhaps if I came up with a rather deep or prolific sounding title, the ideas or thoughts would simply fall in line. Hey… it's a process… or not.

So, I am back in full swing with the racing season and that means I'm facing that old age creative challenge of staying fresh and relevant. It ain't easy.

I think one of the things photographers have to come to terms with is personal growth and how YOU perceive your own improvement. If you've been at it for a few years, improvements and growth can come in pretty small increments and likely not be that perceptible to others. Don't let that stop or discourage you from pushing. Keep tweaking what you do… and keep pushing the envelope trying new things.

​

I'll be shooting at the Bonita Blues Festival in Bonita Springs, Florida this weekend March 8th and 9th. It's an annual event that raises money for Bonita Springs Assistance Office, The Music for Minors Program, The Music Therapy Program at the Children's Hospital and The Wounded Warriors Project. And just as important as the Festival's mission, nothing is lost on the music or the acts in attendance. It's awesome.

For me, it's a chance to step out of my usual role as a motorsports photographer and shoot strictly for the pleasure of shooting. What makes that extra special are the subjects I'm shooting. These are artists… and they wear their passion on their sleeve. That's what draws me in.

It's interesting to draw on the similarities of music and photography. Obviously they are both an art form and creative endeavor. But photographers don't get to perform "live." Our work is always enjoyed later in a recorded/playback format. Sure, musicians make recordings too. But they also sit on stage living in the moment and putting it all on the line.