Toronto APUG Spring Meetup - April 28th, Niagara-On-The-Lake

[Axle]

I know I know, this is pretty far ahead, but sometimes people need lots of warning so here it is. I'm planning on organizing a spring film photography meetup again this year, since last year's was a big success. So doing the same date as last year, but changing the location to Niagara-On-The-Lake. Pleanty of places to photograph, from Forts (George (pay), and Mississauga (free), and Butler's Barracks), pleanty of people, and picturesque main street and a couple pubs to choose from. And best part, pleanty of parking throughout the town.

Date: Sat. April 28th
Where: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario
Meet Point: Simcoe Park, Intersection of Queen and King.
Time: Noon.

 

[Mike Wilde]

Thanks for organizing, alex. I have three activities on my calendar already on that day, so i will not be able to attend.

I hope the day is a nice one for your crew, because I will be outside also, supervisong a bunch of Scouts planting trees as the first up activity.

 

[naeroscatu]

I like the idea and I'm always open to meeting my fellow photographers. Count me in for now.

 

[Uncle Bill]

Damn, I wish I could but I'm booked that day, good luck with the gathering.

 

[Axle]

Alright, we're going to need a new date for this one, sadly it'll need to be pushed into June at this point. As April 28th I have a meeting with a couple regarding their wedding I'm photography (yes, I will be using film at it as well). May is just always crazy busy.

Suggested date for June is the 9th at this point fo r me. What says the group?

 

[BrianL]

Sorry but I am home bound at least into late July or August due to chemo and another surgery soon after. 2nd year I've had to bow out; hopefully next year.

 

[naeroscatu]

Sorry, June 9th I will be in New York taking pictures at my daughter's graduation

 

[Axle]

BrianL - that seriously sucks, well my best wishes are with you (as are, I'm sure those of the membership).
Naero - Best wishes and congrats to your daughter!

 

[Rick A]

Sorry but I am home bound at least into late July or August due to chemo and another surgery soon after. 2nd year I've had to bow out; hopefully next year.

We'll be seriously in prayer over your recovery. You will be at the next one.
As for me, I'll be in southeastern Pa. at my daughters graduation.

 

[CGW]

"Cruise Night" car shows are all over the GTA by early June and run till the fall. Several of the better ones are Sat. nights. Most start around 5pm and there's good light till 8pm or so. Whole car shots are problematic but the best shots are details--chrome, metal texture, paint work, design features, grills, interiors. Might work for people who aren't up for a whole day's worth of shooting.

 

[Plate Voltage]

I was down in Niagara On The Lake for a wedding back in February so I thought I'd toss out a warning just in case anybody's thinking of staying at the Queen's Landing hotel. They hold a $150/night deposit for incidentals when you check in that they don't mention when you book your room, and it doesn't get refunded (I made sure not to use the wi-fi, ate elsewhere etc. and so had no incidental charges) until you check out...so you need to budget for that if you're planning on staying overnight and at that hotel specifically.

I think I'll take a pass on it since I had enough Niagara On The Lake over that weekend back in February to last me for a while; that town's to rich and pretentious for my blood.

 

[canuhead]

wtf ? seriously ? So if you order room service or use wifi, does it come off the $150 then ? You don't get refunded the balance ? Very lame if so.

 

[Plate Voltage]

wtf ? seriously ? So if you order room service or use wifi, does it come off the $150 then ? You don't get refunded the balance ? Very lame if so.

That's pretty much what I was thinking when I checked in and was given a total that was $300 more than I was told when I booked the room. That's when the guy behind the desk explained the $150/night for incidentals to me. If you order room service, use their wi-fi, watch movies in your room, or eat in the hotel's restaurant it's comes out of the $150/night incidental fee. Whatever you don't use is refunded at the end of your stay so I did eventually get my $300 back.

By the way, the hotel's restaurant stops serving breakfast at 11 AM even on weekends, so don't sleep in too late and take a long shower like I did or you'll miss it. I ended up getting a very reasonably priced breakfast at the Red Rooster restaurant away from the main part of Niagara On The Lake instead of eating into that incidental feet at the hotel's restaurant.

 

[Uncle Bill]

I'm good for June. Is Niagara on the Lake still on the table as a location? The Oakville Camera Club did an outing down there last year and was not a resounding success. You're getting into tourist season and it gets silly busy on the weekends.

 

[canuhead]

So either they've been stiffed enough times or they don't trust tourists not to skip out at the crack of dawn. A cc pre-auth should take care this without the deposit. Still doesn't engender feelings of the warm and fuzzies in my eyes.

 

[Plate Voltage]

So either they've been stiffed enough times or they don't trust tourists not to skip out at the crack of dawn. A cc pre-auth should take care this without the deposit. Still doesn't engender feelings of the warm and fuzzies in my eyes.

It makes you wonder, doesn't it? The incidental fee was never mentioned in booking the room over the phone and I set the budget for attending the wedding based on what I had been told so I was not happy to discover the extra $300 by surprise when I arrived. If I'd known about it, I'd have budgeted for it since the costs associated with going to the wedding had me nearly maxed out but I was able to fit the $300 in for the couple of days they needed to hold on to it. What really annoyed me was that the place turned around and nickel and dimed at every opportunity.

I guess the place is intended for people wealthy enough that an extra surprise $150/night's no problem and can bill every extra charge they throw at you back to their room without a second thought. As I said in my first post, I've had enough Niagara On The Lake to last me a while because it's too rich for me. I drive a used Honda, wear average clothes, eat at Swiss Chalet, and shoot a Bronica. Since I don't have a luxury car, designer clothes, taste for fine dining, and no Hasselblad, I'd probably be arrested under an anti-vagrancy bylaw or something...

 

[CGW]

Now that you've gotten NOTL sorted, what's Plan B for June?

 

[CGW]

Any chance we can jump-start this dead thread and sort out a plan for a shoot next month/June/whenever? <<crickets chirping>>

 

[naeroscatu]

Despite what was said above I find NOL interesting for street photography, it is always full of people during the spring and summer seasons. I don't intend to stay overnight so I don't care about hotel accomodations or such. We can find a place to have a beer together. I'm open for the second part of June or July if more folks want to join.

 

[CGW]

Despite what was said above I find NOL interesting for street photography, it is always full of people during the spring and summer seasons. I don't intend to stay overnight so I don't care about hotel accomodations or such. We can find a place to have a beer together. I'm open for the second part of June or July if more folks want to join.

No offence intended but NOTL is about the last place I'd like to shoot. For me, it's just a cutesy tourist trap--not a real tourist trap like downtown Niagara Falls which has its charms. If we're up for "street" stuff, I'd rather do Queen/King St., College, Spadina/Kensington, Roncy, the Junction, etc.

 

[naeroscatu]

I hear you, ultimately it is a matter of personal preference. I understand that. I have a problem shooting in the spots you mentioned downtown Toronto; isn't that funny

 

[CGW]

I hear you, ultimately it is a matter of personal preference. I understand that. I have a problem shooting in the spots you mentioned downtown Toronto; isn't that funny

Of the places I mentioned, the Junction is probably the mellowest with less attitude, fewer scary people, and some decent places to eat and drink. If not, then there's always the Distillery. What suits you in the GTA?

 

[Axle]

I'm good for June...the two days I have free are the 9th and the 30th (there might be guests in town, but I'm sure I can duck out to hang with you fine folk during the late morning early afternoon).

As for location, I'm game for anything. I was just in NOTL last weekend, and was rather well received, sure I was dressed as a private solider in the 60th Regiment of foot, and they do like their re-enactors there.

 

[Uncle Bill]

How about the Beaches? I have done some great work on Queen St. East over the years and you have Lion on the Beach with their patios.

 

[CGW]

Like to try a 'hood you haven't shot before?