Prized pics from local residents on hydro poles

Dennis Hanagan

Tharanga Ramanayake of CityPlace isn’t a pro photographer. But his work is considered good enough to go on display on hydro poles in Toronto’s waterfront to a potential 17 million visitors annually through to September 2017.draft8

“I feel very lucky to have my photo up there. A lot of people go to the waterfront and will see it. I’m not a published photographer so it’s amazing to get that kind of recognition,” says Ramanayake who works as a video cameraman making movie trailers.

His photo is an after-dark time exposure looking from inside the canoe at Canoe Landing Park and over to the Gardiner Expressway. The taillights of cars on the expressway show up as red streaks.

It’s one of 100 photos taken by amateur photographers that the Waterfront BIA has selected for a two-year photo exhibit on hydro poles between Yonge and Bathurst.

The exhibit, with photos printed on five-foot by two-foot vinyl banners, begins Sept. 4.

They’re considered the best of the best photos that the BIA has been showcasing since 2011 in its annual My Waterfront Photo Contest. Over the past four years 2,500 images have been submitted for the contest.

“Toronto’s Waterfront is a place where people come to relax and enjoy the photographic beauty,” said BIA executive director Carol Jolly.

“We wanted to introduce a new dimension to the revitalized Queens Quay with the Waterfront Outdoor Photo Exhibit.”

Ramanayake has always been interested in photography. “I like it because it’s a passion and a hobby.”

Posted On: September 01, 2015