All I want for Christmas is a Lego ME!

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Sometimes people compliment me on my creativity, I'm flattered but the truth is I'm at the mercy of the creativity of the people that I photograph.

That was true last summer when we were visiting the cottage of a friend and their super creative seven-year old.

I was chilling when Fynn cut in on my summer reading by presenting me with a Lego me. 

The glasses, hair, smile, square-ish body with a round head! It was an incredible likeness of me!

I tried to get back to my book, but Fynn's imagination tore me from the pages of the book and into a world I was more familiar with. My career in Lego.

Lego me and real me look a lot alike, real me is less yellow.

Football, Football, Football and other pictures from November!

November featured a lot of football, but here is what happened off the gridiron first.

ANDREW FRANCIS WALLACE - Canadian geese follow a golfer as he walks the 18th fairway at Lakeview Golf Course in Mississauga, November 11, 2012.

Mats Sundin, 1346 NHL games - 564 goals - 785 assists - 1349 points + 1886 pictures.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Here is the Hall of Fame line on Mats Sundin, 

1346 NHL games, 564 goals, 785 assists, 1349 points and 1886 pictures in the Toronto Star photo archive.

Add to this 91 play-off games with 38 goals and 44 assists.

A search of the Toronto Star Archive for Mats + Sundin gives us 1886 hits, here is a selection of 47 of our favourites.

Inductee Mats Sundin shows off his Hall of Fame ring November 12, 2012. Tonight, he and three other NHL greats will be officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. -RICK MADONIK

Our favourites from October 2012

Just in time for Halloween!

CARLOS OSORIO - Zombies during the Toronto Zombie Walk which began at Nathan Phillip Square and paraded around the downtown on October 20, 2012.

Four inspirational athletes surprise me in October.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

In August I was in London at the Olympics surrounded by great athletes with great inspirational stories.

Paula Finlay with low iron levels gutting out a last place finish in the triathlon, Rosie MacLennan emerging as an Olympic Champion, Brent Hayden finally cracking the podium, Alexander Despatie competing after scalping himself months earlier in a training accident and the women's Soccer team winning bronze.

When August ended I thought that the athlete stories would too, or a least slow down.

October taught me different.

October presented to me another group of athletes with stories that were more inspiring than those the Olympics presented.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The race also featured a half-marathon and a 5K, it is in the 5K that two athletes emerged.

It took seven year-old Owen Derby two hours and 17 minutes to cover the 5K route to City Hall from the Exhibition grounds. He battled the weather and pulled his walker over then entire distance turning down offers from his mother and father to take a break and sit in a stroller with his younger brother.

Seven year-old Owen Derby, who has cerebal palsy, crosses the finish line.

Lincoln Alexander, from the Toronto Star photo archive.

Some of our favourite pictures of the late Lincoln Alexander in the Toronto Star archives.

TONY BOCK - Former Lt.-Gov. Lincoln Alexander, photographed at a celebration gala for his 85th birthday and the 40th anniversary of the Ontario Heritage Trust at The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre in Toronto.

 

Best of August

Budi, a 6-year-old Orangutan at Toronto Zoo. Budi is one of two sumatran orangutans at the Toronto Zoo who are being trained to use an iPad. Currently, they love to watch videos of other orangutans but the hope is to use the devices for training and learning. (Rick Madonik)

 

Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer

 

As usual, August fell somewhere between the feast or famine when it came to photography at the Toronto Star. Steve Russell continued his endless effort of supplying great pics from LONDON 2012. The Olympics dominated the sports story for the month of August, whereas the discovery of various body parts in Mississauga and Scarborough, dominated the news angle.

Russell recently posted a blog of his favorite images from the summer Olympics, and they can be found by following this link: http://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/2012/08/the-end-is-here-steve-russells-favourite-pictures-from-the-games.html

The monthly roundup of pictures can be found below. As usual, it runs the gambit from funny/cute animal pics, to strong portraiture and everything in between.

Canadian distance runner Cameron Levins, fifth from left, runs the 5,000 at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium  in London.   (STEVE RUSSELL)

The end is here, Steve Russell's favourite pictures from the games.

Steve Russell - Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

First off, I'd like to thank all the volunteers. The volunteers were wonderful, I never had a major issue with any of them. I'm sure when they volunteered that they thought they might be doing something other than looking for a number 4 and the word all on a badge at a lonely elevator, but they took it in stride and would greet you with a smile. Thanks! Olympics wouldn't be possible without these great people.

Smoke stacks representing the industrial revolution rise in  the Stadium during the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in London. More from the Opening.

Canada's Christine Sinclair strips the ball from Japan's Mizuho Sakaguchi as Canada loses 2-1 to Japan in their Olympic Soccer opener. More on getting to this soccer game.

Kaylyn Kyle gets head and hair on the ball in front of France's Camille Abily as Canada wins the bronze medal beating France 1-0.

Team Canada celebrates the Bronze medal winning goal.

Jennifer Abel exits the pool during practice as swimmers and divers train at the Aquatic Centre.

Jennifer Abel readies herself for her fourth dive. She finished sixth in the three metre springboard final.

Émilie Heymans and Jennifer Abel win bronze for Canada in the three metre synchronized springboard final. Hetmans won a medal in each of the last four summer Olympiads. 

The Canadian women's synchro team spins out of the water. They would finish fourth in the final.

Japan's opening move wasn't enough to get them to the podium in pairs synchronized swimming, or even overtake Canada in fourth.

Ryan Cochrane wins the silver medal in the 1500 metre freestyle.

Brent Hayden finally gets that elusive Olympic podium winning the bronze medal in the 100 metre freestyle swimming. More on Hayden and "Jubo"

Kim Smith, the human jubo machine, celebrates three of her 20 points as Team Canada nearly upsets heavily favoured Russia in their opening game.

Tamara Tatham has patriotic nails.

Tamara Tatham loses the handle on the ball as Canada plays Great Britain .

Shona Thorburn gets an arm to the face from Austraila's Kristi Harrower.

Canada's Milos Raonic and his big serve defeat Tatsuma Ito 6-3 6-4 in first round action in the Olympic Tennis tournament at Wimbledon. More on the "courts"

Serena Williams yells "Come on" encouragement to herself after missing a point.

A fan watches Roder Federer through a little usher's window on Centre Court.

Daniel Nestor serves, he and doubles partner Vasek Pospisil won their first riound match defeating a Romanian team 6-3 7-6 in the Olympic Tennis.

Victoria Moors .competes on the uneven bars  as Canada earns a fifth place finish, their best all time, in the Artistic Gymnastics team competition. More on our Gymnasts.

Coxswain Brian Price celebrates as the Canadian men's Eight win a silver medal in rowing.

Michele Li lays on the court after missing a return. She and partner Alex Bruce lose to a doubles pair from Japan  in the semi final 2 sets to 1. The Canadians will play Russia for the Bronze medal. The pair were in the group where  four teams were disqualified opening up a shot at a medal. More on shooting badminton.

Jessica Zelinka fails on her second chance at 1.68. Zelinka would fail on all three attempts at 1.68 metres scoring a disappointing 830 points in the high jump.

Canadian Heptathlete Jessica Zelinka reacts to failing on her three attempts at 1.68 metres scoring a disappointing 830 points in the high jump.

Ducks in the in the Serpentine River in Hyde Park share the water with fifty-six women during the women's triathlon.

Paula Findlay already well back of the lead group battles on the bike during the women's triathlon. More on the triathlon.

Simon Whitfield's wife consoles their two daughters after he crashed and would withdraw from the race during the men's triathlon.

Adam Van Koeverden heads to the starts line to begin his Olympic run with the 1000 metre kayak event.

Rosannagh MacLennan qualifies for the final, where she would win Canada's first and only gold of the games with her performance in Trampoline.

Mary Spencer leaves the ring after dropping her quarter final match 17-14 to Jenzi Li in the 75 kg weight class in boxing. More on boxing.

Germany's Helena Fromm beat Vietnam's Hoang Dieu Linh Chu in Taekwondo.

Carol Huynh takes down Isabelle Sambou from Senegal to win the bronze medal.

Haislan Veranes Garcia beats Zalimkhan Yusupov from Tajikistan in 66kg freestyle wrestling.

American Jordan Burroughs goes into the stands to hug his mother stops to pose with fans after winning the gold medal match against Iranian Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi in wrestling's 74 kg weight class.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner and Jared Connaughton celebrate thinking they had won bronze.

Canadian sprinter Oluseyi Smith buries his face in the flag as Justyn Warner and Gavin Smellie sit on the track  after Canada was disqualified for the bronze medal.

Canadian sprinter Justyn Warner is consoled by his fiance Nikkita Holder after Canada was disqualified for the bronze medal. More on the heartbreak

Canadian distance runner Cameron Levins, fifth from left, runs the 5,000 at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium.

The final numbers,

Alexandre Despatie in the men's three metre springboard.

And one more.....

Thanks to everyone that took time during the games to visit this blog!

 

 

 

 

The best days and worst days of Olympic lives

Steve Russell Staff Photographer - @RussellPhotos

Whenever I speak to a visiting high school class and talk about my job, I always joke: "if I ever show up to photograph them, it's probably the best day of your life or the worst."

Today that little quip about my job was true for a pair of Canadian athletes on the biggest stage in the world.

One won the coveted gold, the other was the last athlete to cross the finish line.

One was coming off an injury and was just able to suffer through the race.

The other trains along side one of the biggest names in her sport and already has medals in three straight Olympics on her resume.

Triathlete Paula Findlay had won three races last year before injuring her hip. In 2010 she won in London and even though she was coming off an injury she was still considered a hopeful to medal.

Rosannagh MacLennan had won the Olympic warm-up event in the past year too, but was still in the shadow of the highly decorated Karen Cockburn.

Findlay, a world champion gave someone else the chance to win when she stumbled in the race. MacLennan's chance move from fourth to Gold was secured when the final jumper stumbled. 

Paula Findlay's race started going downhill almost from the beginning. She fell behind on the swim and battled on the bike, never making up ground on a lead group that was almost four minutes ahead of her. She really suffered on the run. On her first of four running laps she entered the stadium distressed, stopped to talk to her coaching staff and then continued to grind out the remaining three laps.

The leaders lapped her and as she entered the stadium for her last lap she passed the jubilant medalists celebrating.

MacLennan who finished the qualifying in forth, increased the degree of victory in her final routine. The three jumpers who placed ahead of her had their shots at beating her score.

The first one couldn't, MacLennan was guaranteed a bronze, ditto for the second. MacLennan and Cockburn watched the final Chinese competitor, commenting to each other all the way through, MacLennan bracing herself for a silver until ... final jump ... she misses the landing. MacLennan was all but guaranteed Gold! 

Here is where their stories merge.

MacLennan celebrated in front of a loud crowd made up of Canadians who were hungry for Canada's first Olympic Gold, Findlay entered the final stretch of the stadium to a loud crowd celebrating her courage and fortitude.

Ducks, who usually have the Serpentine River to themselves, share the water with fifty-six triathletes.

Paula Findlay, almost four minutes behind, works with a small group of riders to try to make up time.

Paula Findlay already well back of the lead group battles on the bike.

Paula Findlay approaches the stadium on her first lap of a four lap course.

Paula Findlay, suffering, runs into the stadium to complete her first lap.

Paula Findlay, suffering, talks to coaches before deciding to carry on.

The lead runners cross the line in a photo finish as Paula Findlay continues her run. Swiss triathlete Nicola Spirig edges out Sweden's Lisa Norden.

They spelt her name wrong, she had a tumble on the bike, Agnieszka Jerzyk of Poland still had a better day than Findlay.

Paula Findlay suffering, finishes well after other competitors during the women's triathlon.

Paula Findlay suffering, finishes well after other competitors.

Paula Findlay's family and friends had to watch helplessly as she struggled in the triathlon. They cheered her when she came into the stadium and empathizing with her when she wa outside.

Rosannagh MacLennan's family celebrate her gold medal, Canada's first gold of the games with her performance in Trampoline.

Tongue out, Rosannagh MacLennan performs in qualifying.

Rosannagh MacLennan keeps her eyes on the trampoline.

Rosannagh MacLennan performs.

Rosannagh MacLennan ends her final routine, she would win Canada's first gold of the Games.

 

Coach Dave Ross, Rosannagh MacLennan and Karen Cockburn react to a fall by the final jumper, securing a gold medal for Rosannagh MacLennan.

Coach Dave Ross and Karen Cockburn congratulate Rosannagh MacLennan, right,  who wins Canada's first gold of the Games.

Rosannagh MacLennan takes in another look at the score board as she is congratulated by Karen Cockburn.

Gold Medalist in trampoline Rosannagh MacLennan.

The Canadian flag flanked by two Chinese flags. Had Wenna He missed one jump element earlier Karen Cockburn could have been on the podium as well, she finished 0.090 behind the bronze medal position.

Canadians enjoy "Oh Canada"

Ryan Cochrane's Silver,

Ryan Cochrane teammates shout him to him a silver medal in the 1500 freestyle.

Yang Sun asks for time after he false started, it didn't seem to affect him, he won the race in world record time.

Ryan Cochrane dives in.

Ryan Cochrane breaks the surface coming out of a turn on his way to a silver medal in the 1500 metre freestyle.

The Australian silver medal winning 4 x 100 medlay relay team painted  their intials on their nails.

From the track,

British long jumper   celebrates his surprise win by kissing the flag.

Canadian Cameron Levins keeps pace and finishes in 11th in a deep Olympic field in the men's 10,000 metres.

In the final straight Mohamed Farah of Great Britian looks over his shoulder to see that nobody will catch him in the men's 10,000 metres. 

Mohamed Farah bolts from the photo crew after seeing his daughter on the track.

Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser Price wins the women's 100 m final.

Ducks fight on the Serpentine River in Hyde Park.

 

 

 

Best of July

 

        Richard Lautens              

 When it came to finding this month's collection of work, I couldn't resist offering up Richard Lauten's portrait taken on the last day of the month - today! At first, I thought it was an illustration (a picture designed, or conceived, or art directed, and a paid model) and pleasantly surprised to find a portrait (a picture which depicts something about the person). I'll let Lauten's caption speak for itself" Trish is one of more than 186,000 women in the US and Canada have logged on to find their own version of Christian Grey, the character from the book Fifty Shades of Grey. By mid-July 4,931 women from Toronto had altered their profiles on the site seakingarrangements.com indicating they were looking for a Mr. Grey, in other words, a dominant/submissive relationship with BDSM.

What follows is a more day-to-day representation of the types of assignments the staff find themselves up against. Steve Russell is only 4 days in the London 2012 Games, but already working around the clock getting to numerous events, so this is just a tease to the Best of August, when he will be featured prominently.