2012 Home Opener: A New Look at the New Look Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Star photographer Lucas Oleniuk (@LucasOleniuk) was assigned to produce a series of animated picture files at the Toronto Blue Jays home opener Monday night.  

These animated GIF files were made by selectively capturing elements of a series of pictures displayed in succession and reverse.

The 2012 Toronto Blue Jay team takes to the field in Toronto for the opening pitch.                           Lucas Oleniuk-Toronto Star

 

A smile came to this boys face after he received a baseball from the team during batting practice. 

 

Patrons in the 500 section were limited to one beer per person while the drinks flowed in the 100's.

 

The team was introduced to the sold out stadium.

 

The Blue Jay pitchers warmed up in front of three of the first fans inside the ballpark.

 

"Free towel night" ended in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox following a three-run ninth inning rally.

Best of March

Once again, The Star photo department (as edited by Steve Russell) offers up the Best Pictures of the Month. From city politics to news to features to sports, Star photogs cover a variety of assignments bringing their unique eye to the photograph.

TARA WALTON - A Toronto Police Officer stands watch over a taped off area on the edge of Toronto's Don Valley Golf Course Thursday March 1, 2012 near the 401 and Yonge Street .  Human remains were found in the area on Tuesday and are rumoured to be those of missing girl Mariam Makhniashvili, who disappeared Monday September 14, 2009 before school.  

Toronto Star Photo department, good news and great pictures in the shortest month.

February, the shortest month did not leave the Toronto Star photo department short of good news or great pictures.

The Photo Department is now under the direction of a new Visuals Editor, Taras Slawnych. We are pretty excited about that.

We have also won four Society for News Design awards of excellence for photography. So before we get into the February highlights, here are the four winners:

LUCAS OLENIUK - A protestor, unconscious and not breathing, was rushed away from Bahraini security forces after being shot in the head moments earlier.  A group of Shiite anti-regime demonstrators drew fire from Bahrain security forces near Manama when they tried to march downtown to the Pearl Square from the town of Budaiya Friday evening.  A state sanctioned pro-regime rally was underway in downtown Manama when the clash occurred. Read about the story behind this image here!

Jim Wilkes -30-

After more than 36 years at The Star as a reporter/photographer, Jim Wilkes is taking early retirement at age 60. He leaves today.

In that time, he's won more than 75 awards for writing and photography and has helped mentor many of the profession's young stars.

He has covered stories around the world and around the corner, bringing a personal perspective to events of the day.

The following is a selection of some of his photos from over the years.

1975 – Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau at a campaign stop in Port Hope.

Rick Eglinton 2011

Rick Eglinton - Staff Photographer

 Argos Quaterback Cleo Lemon still holds the ball but loses his helmet after being knocked down by Bombers Joe Lobendahn during first quarter action. July 23, 2011.

Carlos Osorio Favourites from 2011

Carlos Osorio - Staff Photographer                                                                                                             @carlososorio

 

A model wears a creation from the Mélissa Nepton show during Toronto Fashion Week on October 20, 2011. 

Richard Lautens 2011

Richard Lautens - Staff Photohrapher

Rachel Heap-Lalonde looks on as Alice Heap sleeps and Dan Heap gets ready to get into bed. The sad housing situation of former Spadina MP Dan Heap and his wife, Alice who have no secure residence and are sick. They rely on family to camp out in their room at night to help them. October 12, 2011.

David Cooper and his favourites of 2011

David Cooper - Chief Photographer                                                                                                                               @whatzname07

 

Aircraft taking part in The Canadian International Air Show were on display at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Friday morning. September 3, 2011.

 

Steve Russell's 2011 favourites

 Steve Russell -Staff Photographer                                                                                                            @RussellPhotos 

A laneway off of Yonge is transformed into a movie quality rain scape in Curtis Grahauer's "I just Know Something Good is going to happen, 2011" during the 2011 edition of Nuit Blanche where the city core is transformed by the work of hundreds of artists in the sixth installment of the sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art in Toronto.  October 1, 2011.

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.