2011 with Rene Johnston

Rene Johnston - Staff Photographer

This was a sad year for this photographer. 

Jack Layton's passing was especially bad because he had been one of the constant stories at The Star since I started. 

He was a city councillor riding his bike and I was a young hack learning how to run cameras. 

Then he ran federally for the NDP lead I was there with Linda Diebel. 

When he tried to take down the government with Dion and Duceppe I went to Ottawa. 

But. most of all,  when he walked out on the day he admitted to big time cancer at a downtown hotel just months ago I knew a friend was leaving us.

Rest in Peace Jack,

                                Rene Johnston

 Jack Layton announces that he has cancer elsewhere in his body and will be stepping down from his post as the NDP leader. July 25, 2011.

Randy Risling's 2011

Randy Risling - Staff Photographer                                                                                                                @RandyRisling

Chalk-written tributes cover the ground at a makeshift memorial for Jack Layton in front of City Hall at Nathan Phillips Square. August 24, 2011. RANDY RISLING/TORONTO STAR 

NBA basketball is Back!

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer

The NBA is back and I am glad.

The players were rusty and so was I. Maybe a little more rusty than the players because the game was still quick.

The other challenge is that there are so many new faces, players and coaches!

Of the major sports basketball is my favourite to cover.

As photographers we are close to the action and the players don't wear any helmets or masks.

Player shoot baskets as they warm-up before taking to the court for the first pre-season game of a strike shortened season.

Vince Talotta's Year

Vince Talotta - Staff Photographer

Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista off the field as part of a series of Jay profiles on May 30 2011. 

 

2011 by Andrew Francis Wallace

Andrew Francis Wallace - Staff Photographer

September 9, 2011 - Sailboats race on Lake Ontario as part of the 2011 Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championship. 

McConnell's 2011

Colin McConnell - Staff Photographer

Florian Schuck is comforted at a memorial at the corner of  Sterling and Dundas for his wife Jenna Morrison, who was killed when a truck ran over her. 

Tara Walton's best of 2011

Tara Walton - Staff Photographer

Danae Chambers, 71, lays in her bed at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a Toronto long-term care home during a visit with long time friend and now her power of attorney Anna Schrofer.  Chambers a former artist has advanced Alzheimer's disabling her from speaking and moving on her own.  In April Chambers was sexually assaulted by a male practical nurse who is now facing charges.  Tuesday November 8, 2011.

Battling the light at Casa Loma

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer

The say that Casa Loma might be haunted, but last month the only demon I battled in the Castle on Spadina was the one that every photographer fears, the absence of light.

The challenges faced while doing a history piece on Casa Loma's organ during the screening of a silent film were daunting!

During the 100 minutes of the show, I had to shoot video, stills and recorded audio just in case.

I didn't use a tripod, because I only had a limited amount of time and did not want to waste time setting up and tearing down. 

The next performances on the organ will be a concert by Simon Gledhill on March 6, 2012 and a silent movie screening of the 1928 French silent classic "The Italian Straw Hat" on April 2, 2012.

John Struve tunes the 1,400 pipes that make up the Wurlitzer Organ at Casa Loma by gently tapping little plunger wires. The Toronto Theatre Organ Society performs on the pipe organ accompanying the silent film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Casa Loma.

Rick Madonik looks back at 2011

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer

The pictures which follow are a small sample of the last years' work. In no way is the selection scientific, or unbiased. Many are favourites of the past year, or have some sentimental value. But all, I hope, elicit some form of emotion. From humorous to serious, from sad to elation, one of the things a good news photographer tries to do is capture a moment which helps tell the story, or at the very least, attracts the readers attention long enough to read the story.

Have a happy and safe holiday.

Ghadafi Halas! (Ghadafi finished!)

03/04/11 - RAS LANUF, LIBYA - A man motions with a knife to his own neck, and yells "Ghadafi Halas!" to show what he wants done to Libyan leader Muammar Ghadhafi as rebel fighters are greeted at the gates of Ras Lanuf after its liberation from Ghadafi forces. A rebel attack forced Gadhafi forces back towards Sirt. This is the first time the rebellion from the east has advanced into the western part of the country.

 

Raptors picture day

Richard Lautens/Staff Photographer

Monday was the Toronto Raptors Media Day.  Media day is an opportunity to talk to all the players and coaches, shoot their picture and generally give some free ads to the franchise.

It was a bad start as all the media were hanging around the Air Canada Centre atrium but no players!  Waiting and gumbling ensued until an hour later the first few trickled in.  The other problem was that most of the new uniforms weren't in yet.  So unfortunately the official photos they were to take had many of them wearing sweatsuits instead of their jerseys.  Even in the big leagues there are always screw ups.

Newcomer Aaron Gray gets photographed for a video game