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AFTERNOONS

25 images Created 23 Jun 2014

Like many urban beaches this one, located in Toronto, Canada, is filled with people and activity on the weekends only to be relatively quiet the rest of the time. These images are dedicated to those moments when those two modes overlap. When solitude merges with community and the mystery of Lake Ontario unfolds minute by minute.

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  • Sometimes the elements of a scene are given to us - a gift really - that's how this scene felt to me - I feel called to these 'spaces' - drawn to interpret their unique power - their emptiness.
    On the beach.jpg
  • There's an innocent kind of awkwardness in this boy's posture as he runs - yet the joyous sense of freedom comes through - running in the sand along the water's edge.
    Running at water's edge.jpg
  • This group is being put through their paces by two coaches driving an intense, and hot, workout. In Toronto the beach area of Lake Ontario is a favourite spot for recreation, sports, leisure and meditation. The easy precision of this group was fascinating to watch.
    Lining up for a workout on the shore...jpg
  • Sometimes we make photos unconsciously - that was the case here. This image was made  in 2015 - but it wasn't until 4 years later that I 'saw' it in my catalogue waiting to share it's subtle message. What tugged at my heart was the dynamic between these two sisters. The little one feels secure knowing her big sister is close at hand to protect her - she feels safe. It's the combined vulnerability and strength of the older one that moved me - the archetype of the older sister....the boss.
    Sisters.jpg
  • Walking along the sands of this beach, these two teenagers become children again. Water seems to return us to our source - on many different levels.
    Two guys on the shoreline.jpg
  • It's a special experience for a child when a parent introduces them to a large body of water like the enormous Lake Ontario - it's like a reminder of something infinitely bigger than us - that we are part of.
    Father and son.jpg
  • Walking along the shoreline helps clear away the cobwebs, opens us to new ideas and polishes the mirror of the soul.
    So much space.jpg
  • Although Toronto is not a beach town like Vancouver - she does have a few big ones. The Beach area in the east of Toronto is one of those - there's something here for everyone - like a good mother, Lake Ontario provides for all.
    Summer at the lake.jpg
  • Ripples.jpg
  • Coming back.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water.jpg
  • Going to the beach, setting up and then packing it all up to go home requires some effort. This woman's posture embodied that labor (of love) for me as she was leaving the beach on the boardwalk.
    Working the beach.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water06.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water07.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water16.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water21.jpg
  • The Edge.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water11.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water .jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water09.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water10.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water15.jpg
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water18
  • Lakeshores, shorelines, water22.jpg
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Michael O'Brien

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