Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer
A look back at the month of August. Generally, a slower month as summer winds down, but this year weather related events and Jack Layton's death - and State Funeral - dominated the news. Here's a look back and both published, and unpublished, photos from The Toronto Star photo department.
JACK LAYTON - 1950-2011
08/25/11 - Olivia Chow, with her hands on her husband's casket, after it is placed in the rotunda of Toronto City Hall. (RICK MADONIK)
Richard Lautens/Staff Photographer
I love Simcoe Day in Toronto. It's an odd thing to say I know as I suspect most people in Toronto don't even know that the civic holiday on August 1 is named after our first Lieutenent-Governor, John Graves Simcoe. I did study history at the University of Toronto for 5 years so I declare my bias off the top.
I love that on Simcoe Day there is no obligation to do anything-no gifts, no dinners, no ceremonies-really just a chance to enjoy summer. That being said, I do like the fact that Toronto hasn't abandoned all of it's history in it's rush to be 'World Class'. We have an interesting and varried history and unfortunately too few people know anything about it.
I took this past Simcoe Day as an opportunity to revisit Fort York for a little history lesson and some pomp and circumstance. Our current L-G David Onley was there to speak and his theme was how Toronto, then called York, was the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to outlaw slavery. This is no small claim to fame and was done by Simcoe himself. There was the usual talk of battles and life in the 17 and 1800's and being around that environment, you could almost smell the gunpowder-actually you could smell the gunpowder as there were lots of firepower displays.
It sure was hot that day and most people cowered in the shade. There were lots of things to photograph of course. I was dry roasted after 4 or 5 hours in the 30+ cloudless day but was rewared with some cool pix.
Gunner Robert Gordon covers his ears as he helps demonstrate the firing of a 6 pound gun.
A couple days into August, but lets have a quick look back at some of our favourites from July.
RICHARD LAUTENS - Firefighter Angelo Gambrelis gets a cool down after exiting the house, still in his bunker suit, from an open valve on the side of a truck.A fire was thought to have started on an outdoor deck of a townhouse at 45 Sudbury st. in the King and Ossington area. The fire was fairly quickly under control but the firefighters had to contend with record high temperatures and were quick to try to cool down when they stripped out of their bunker suits. July 21, 2011
Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer
Camilo Martinez, 4, looks back over his shoulder as the family heads to the Immigration office. The Martinez family is deported from Canada for Colombia after a failed attempt to seek asylum in Canada.
They came in a sizeable gaggle – the friends of Sebastian Martinez. Either classmates, or schoolmates, they gathered clutching blackberries and iPhones. The girls cried openly, the boys did their best to hold back their true feelings. It was such an emotional scene I found myself wiping tears from my own eyes as I photographed the outpouring of emotion as the Martinez family prepared to enter the secured door behind the Immigration offices at Pearson Airport.
Sebastian’s mom, Claudia Londono, a psychologist in her native Colombia where she worked for the government, fled the country with her husband and young son (Sebastian) after her life was threatened by members of Colombia’s guerrilla uprising – FARC. In her job, Londono was trying to help reintegrate the fighters into society. For her work, FARC threatened her life. It started back in the late 90s and has continued. Just a few months ago, Londono’s life was again threatened in letters via her mother (who lives in Colombia).
The family first fled to the U.S. on tourist visas. They stayed there for several years before coming to Canada to seek asylum. (Apparently, asylum in the U.S. wasn’t viable, so they headed to Canada for safety.) Despite the years here, and their current situation, Canada has denied the family a safe haven. With that, last Friday the family of four boarded an aircraft and returned to Colombia.
The good news is they have family there who will not only meet them at the airport, but also offer some support until they can reestablish themselves, or find another other alternatives.
But this lesson in life - as one parent of a friend of Sebastians told me - is where his teenage daughter is learning “life isn’t fair.” Her friend and younger sibling, are caught up in the geopolitical mess of their homeland (Camilo was born in the U.S., the rest of the family all Colombian citizens).
The denial of asylum to Claudia Londono meant the return of the entire Martinez family. For the friends of Sebastian, it meant an awareness to issues outside of daily life which can, and does, interrupt life. The kids, many weeping openly and being consoled by others, had great difficulty accepting the reality before them. Even once through the secured doors of Immigration, some believed the removal could still be halted. They continued to tweet, and post to Facebook, hoping Immigration Minister Jason Keeney would hear their pleas.
Some of the adults, also, found the decision to deny asylum unfounded. One father, there to support his daughter who is friends with Sebastian, told Claudia, “this isn’t my Canada” as he shook his head in dismay and said his goodbyes.
The Martinez family arrives at the airport for their deportation to Colombia. Juan Martinez (pointing) and wife Claudia Londono (right) are followed by youngest child Camilo, 4. (Sebestian is not seen).
Claudia Londono holds back her tears after arriving at Pearson Airport for her families deportation.
Sebestian Martinez, 13, thanks one of his friends for the hat and promised to give it back when he returns.
Sebestian Martinez hugs friend Becky Theodorou, 12, as another friends snaps a picture before the family slipped into the Immigration office.
Nicole Bejarano, 3, whispers to her friend Camilo Martinez, 4, who left for Colombia with his family.
Sebestian Martinez talks to the media while his friends, and parents of friends, weep at his departure.
The looks on the faces of Camilo, 4, (left) and Sebestian, 13, tells the story as the family enters the Immigration office with parents Claudia Londono and Juan Martinez (entering the door).
Alexandra Theodorou, 14, rubs her friend's back, Jessica Petzourov, 14, after their friend Sebestian Martinez went into the Immigration offices.
Jake Roden, 13, looks dejected after his friend Sebestian Martinez went behind the doors at Immigration.
Sebestian's friends offer a prayer outside the doors to the Immigration offices.
Friends gather around to listen to a letter written to them by Sebastian.
Daniel Drozd, 14, holds the letter penned by Sebastian Martinez after he was told he could not come out of the Immigration office to say goodbye.
The social media campaign for friend Sebastian Martinez continues.
Friends console each other in front of the sign which points to the Immigration offices.
Some were inconsolable after Sebastian and family went behind the secured doors of the Immigration office.
Nicole Bejarano, 3, gives Callan Nickelson, 14, a hug. Nicole is friends with Camilo Martinez, 4, and Callan with Sebastian, 14. The Martinez family is deported from Canada for Colombia after a failed attempt to seek asylum in Canada.
Some the staff's favourites from the month of June.
LUCAS OLENIUK - Thirty-year-old cresseur Jacques Preston rests inside the opening of a post-and-beam supported mine shaft at the infamous Bisie cassiterite deposit in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Cresseur's mine tunnels, some deep as 100m, in 24-hour shifts. Miners are paid 1,300 Congolese francs, $1.40, for 1Kg of cassiterite.
Rick Madonik, Staff Photographer
Fort York staffer, Ewan Wardle, fires off a Light Infantry Pattern musket during a demonstartion at historic Fort York.
As a native Torontonian (OK, technically, North Yorker) I find there are few places in the city I haven't been before. That's not to say I've been everywhere, but having grown up here and having worked here for the vast majority of my career, its not a stretch to say I've seen most corners of the city. This past week, I ended up twice at Fort York, a historic Canadian settlement which houses Toronto's oldest building and was the scene of battle in the War of 1812.
Ironically, this week's visits equal the number of times I've visited Fort York in my entire life. I do remember going as a kid (as most Grade VIII students from Toronto School Board do visit) and I vaguely remember shooting an assignment there about 10 years ago. Other than that, in spite of it's location and picture possibilities, I haven't found myself there. Until this past week.
With an open page for pictures from Victoria Day events for the Tuesday paper, the photo department has been visiting a number of places over the weekend for a "wrap up" presentation. Fort York, because it is a holiday, has some special features on - the one I was interested in was musket firing.
Honestly, I thought there would be at least a small group of muskets, but in fact there was only one - handled by Fort York staffer Ewan Wardle. Once an hour, on the half hour, Wardle attracted those visiting the Fort with a single volley. As people congregated he explained his costume (7th Battalion, 60th Regiment) and the 12-15 second process to arm, load and fire the musket.
Although I only needed one picture to fit into the theme for the page, there were a bunch of pictures which I liked but were destined to not find a home in the paper. So, they find their home right here!
Ewan Wardle, speaks to the assembled crowd as he explains the firing of his Light Infantry Pattern musket.
Ewan Wardle, shows the crowd how to prepare his Light Infantry Pattern musket for firing during a demonstartion at historic Fort York.
Fort York staffer, Ewan Wardle, following a demonstration of firing his Light Infantry Pattern musket leads a group of kids in a "charge" of enemy positions.
Four-year-old Felipe Ramirez, 4, of Toronto, hams it up while learning how to "charge" during a demonstartion at historic Fort York.
A group of kids learn how to "charge" enemy positions at historic Fort York.
Staff from Fort York, dressed in period costume, enter historic Fort York. Fort York had a number of events on today, including a dance recital and musket firing, for the holiday. Today is Victoria Day.
A woman, dressed in period costume, walks between buildings at historic Fort York.
Steve Russell - Staff Photographer
UPDATED: Two weeks after the operation Yeabsra and her mother allow us a quick visit.
Newspaper photography sometimes is a series of quick hits through out the day.
But sometimes we are rewarded with a story that is just fascinating to cover.
Leslie Scrivener's story on Yeabsra is one of those stories that we love to cover.
Yeabsra, from Ethiopia is at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for a surgery that will transform her face.
Everyone involved in this story are amazing!
Yeabsra's bravery; her mother's love; people who volunteer their homes, time and shoulders; the good being done by a small charity Transforming Faces Worldwide; the ingenuity of Dr. Christopher Forrest and the calm reassuring confidence that his team brings to a five-year-old who will spend ten hours in an operating room at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Here are some of may favourite moments from a couple of visits with Yeabsra and her team.
Yeabsra chases bubbles while her mother meets Craniofacial Surgeon Dr. Christopher Forrest at The Hospital for Sick Children. Yeabsra has been brought to Canada and Sick Kids from Ethiopia.
Continue reading "UPDATED!!! Yeabsra's transformation begins" »
Every year Toronto Star photographs and multimedia pieces are entered several contests. Here are the Star's results in a few of the bigger ones.
Warning there is some graphic content.
National Newspaper Awards (NNAs)
Founded by the Toronto Press Club 60 years ago, these awards are Canada's Pulitzers. Awards are given out every year in 22 writing, photography and multimedia categories. There are four photography categories, Spot News, News Feature, Sports and Feature as well as one multimedia category. The Toronto Star has won 28 National Newspaper awards in photography. The Toronto Star has five nominations in photography categories and one in multimedia. The winners will be announced in Ottawa on May 9th, 2011.
This year's photography nominees are,
LUCAS OLENIUK - SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY - A man is robbed of his loot bag in downtown Port-au-Prince Monday morning while looters file into a destroyed building in the background. This Picture also won a Society for News Design Silver Medal in Spot News. Lucas has won two previous NNAs. In 2004 he won the Spot News award for a picture of the Hurricaine aftermath in Haiti and in 2008 he won the News Feature award for a picture of a young Somali refugee in a camp in Kenya.
LUCAS OLENIUK - NEWS FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY - A female looter lies dead moments after being shot in the head at random by a Haitian Police officer while scaling a collapsed roof with three ornamental mirrors Tuesday afternoon in Port-au-Prince. Chaos gripped the Haitian capital since the earthquake. This Picture also won a Society for News Design Award of Excellence in General News.
LUCAS OLENIUK - NEWS FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY - Destructive protests filled the streets of Port-au-Prince after the release of Haiti's election results. The protests were led be Michel Martelly supporters who watched their candidate finish a close third to Jude Celestin effectively eliminating him from a run-off vote. This Picture also won a Society for News Design Award of Excellence in Spot News.
RICK MADONIK - SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY - Canada's Haley Irwin (left) and Meghan Agosta lay on the ice with some beverages after the Gold medal ceremony after beating the United States. This is Rick Madonik's first NNA nomination. This Picture also won a Society for News Design Silver Medal in Sports Photography.
DAVID COOPER - SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY - Japanese goalie Mitsuru Nagase raises his arms in victory and is joined by Captain #10 Takayuki Endo, Noritaka Ito #59, and Satoru Sudo #24 after beating Canada in the semi-final game and eliminating them from the Gold Medal game. David Cooper won the 2007 Sports Photography NNA with a picture of a leaping Glenn Howard.
BERNARD WEIL - MULTIMEDIA - Bernard Weil follows a series of paitents awaiting a transplant, including 13-year-old Thomas Quinet, who was born with cystic fibrosis, he needs a second double lung transplant. See the whole series! Weil won the 1996 Sports NNA for a picture of Donovan Bailey winning the 100 metre dash at the Atlanta Olympic Games. This story is also nominated for Pictures of the Year Canada in the Multimedia category.
TEAM TORONTO STAR -BREAKING NEWS - A woman covers her head with a magazine during a heavy downpour at Queen and Cameron. People had come out to support those being held in a kettle at Queen and Spadina which is one block east. CARLOS OSORIO. The Toronto Star team of Photographers, reporters, editors and designers were nominated for it's coverage of the G20 in Toronto. Photos from protests Saturday and Sunday were captured by Lucas Oleniuk, Carlos Osorio, Bernard Weil, Jim Rankin, Richard Lautens and Steve Russell
Society for News Design (SND)
Already awarded the Society for News Design's mission is to enhance communication around the world through excellence in visual journalism. It represents about 1,500 member newspapers across the world.
LUCAS OLENIUK - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY - An angry mob beat a suspected looter to the verge of death and then burned him alive in the streets of Port-au-Prince after the earthquake.
RICHARD LAUTENS - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY - Eight-months pregnant, Ashley Crain, tees off on the fifth hole on he first day of the Toronto Star Amateur Women's Golf tournament held at the Weston Golf and Country Club.
RICHARD LAUTENS - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY - The police, many with name tags and badge numbers removed, move in on seated protesters who refused to move from the designated protest area at Queen's Park.
RICK MADONIK - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - GENERAL NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY -Jackie McGregor-Einboden is seen sitting in a pickup truck following the funeral service for her husband Ken and daughter Brittany, 12. Ken Einboden rushed back into the house to try to get Brittany out after saving their baby Kendra. This picture is also nominated for a Pictures of the Year Canada award in the General News category.
TANNIS TOOHEY - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - GENERAL NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY - Then mayoral candidate George Smitherman laps up a drink from the water fountain at the newly opened Sugar Beach before speaking to the media about his commitment to the city and its waterfront revitalization.
RICK MADONIK - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY - Lyba Spring, sexual health promoter with Toronto Public Health, in her downtown office, with two puberty felt aids which have interchangeable parts to demonstrate to kids the changes that will occur in their bodies.
STEVE RUSSELL - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY - After having given away his jersey, shin guards and shorts AC Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic poses for a picture as AC Fiorentina defeated Italian League rival Juventis in a friendly at the Rogers Centre.
BERNARD WEIL - AWARD of EXCELLENCE - SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY - A peaceful protest descended into chaos after plain clothes officers pulled up in a van in front of the protestors and raced into the crowd to grab several suspects, in front of the temporary detention centre at Eastern Ave. and Pape Ave. Other in the crowd were also taken away moments later. Following that, police used smoke grenades to disperse the crowd.
The News Photographer Association (NPAC)
The News Photographers Association of Canada, celebrates and champions quality and ethical photography in journalism. The organization holds a Pictures of the Year Canada competition that recognizes photography in 14 different photography and mulltimedia categories. The winners will be announced May 28th, 2011 in Winnipeg.
RICK MADONIK - OLYMPIC ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY - Canada wins the Olympic Gold Medal with a 3-2 Overtime victory over the USA in Men's Hockey at Canada Hockey Place. This picture also earned Rick Madonik the 2010 Sports Media Canada George Gross Award for Outstanding Photography.
JIM RANKIN - SPORTS FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY - Miguel Vadillo had swam through the night, and come daylight, felt renewed. Vadillo, 40, arrived at Marilyn Bell Park just after 3 pm Tuesday, Aug 11, crossing the Lake Ontario in 18 hours, and three minutes. It was the eleventh fastest time on record. The Toronto Star designer swam for Jumpstart, a charity that provide swimming and water safety lessons for kids.
STEVE RUSSELL - SPOT NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY - Protester Kirk Warrington is overcome my the smoke after attempting to put out a fire in a police car on Queen Street West near Spadina during the G20 Summit protests in Toronto.
RANDY RISLING - SINGLE MULTIMEDIA - It's tough being gay in Iran. So tough, that people have been persecuted - even executed - for being themselves. For many, like Farzan Shahmoradi, there's only one solution: To leave.
BERNARD WEIL - SINGLE MULTIMEDIA - Celebrating the sights, sounds and tastes of spring, the Kortright Centre for Conservation, in Vaughan north of Toronto, is harvesting maple sap from the trees in much the same way as the early settlers did.
Congratulations to Lucas Oleniuk, Rick Madonik, David Cooper and Bernard Weil on their National Newspaper Award Nominations.
Lucas Oleniuk's work in Haiti after the earthquake and election earned him three nominations, two in News Feature photography and one in Spot News Photography. Lucas has won two previous NNAs. In 2004 he won the Spot News award for a picture of the Hurricaine aftermath in Haiti and in 2008 he won the News Feature award for a picture of a young Somali refugee in a camp in Kenya.
David Cooper is nominated in Sports Photography for a picture of a jubilant Japanese goaltender after upsetting Canada in a Paralympics sledge hockey semi-final game. Cooper won the 2007 Sports Photography Award with a picture of a jumping Glenn Howard.
Rick Madonik has received his first nomination with a picture of two Canadian women hockey players lying on the ice and celebrating their gold medal victory over beer and champagne. Madonik is also Nominated for Pictures of the Year Canada in Olympic Action photography for a picture of Sidney Crosby and team Canada celebrating their Gold Medal. Madonik also won the 2010 Sports Media Canada George Gross Award for Outstanding Photography
Bernard Weil is nominated in the Multimedia Category for a series on people waiting for organ transplants. Weil won the 1996 Sports Award for a picture of Donovan Bailey winning the 100 metre dash at the Atlanta Olympic Games. Weil is also Nominated for Pictures of the Year Canada in the Multimedia category with the transplant story and a story on Maple Syrup.
The Toronto Star Photo Department has won National Newspaper awards in Photography 28 times. The winners can be found here.
The shortest month was not short of great pictures!
KEITH BEATY - Jack Gidlow and Eleanor Palmer are 92 and 88, but that doesn't stop them from going dancing at the legion hall every Friday night.
