Leaving the movie theatre after 11:00 pm last night, I walked out into a fresh snowfall. Heading home to grab my camera before the snowplows could make it out was my first instinct.
Street photography in my home city is one of my favourite activities. Although not as expansive as New York, London, or beyond, Vancouver’s density, unique neighborhoods, eclectic architecture, and natural beauty make it a perfect canvas for street landscape photographers.
Traveling for street photography has always been how I’ve captured my favourite shots over the years (and make up the majority of the shots in my print store). That said, dynamic changes like last night’s snowfall make Vancouver an ever-changing playground for street photographers.
My goal was to capture some of my favourite angles of the downtown lights in a new context with the rushing snow, using my tripod to capture crisp long exposures of the passing snow illuminated by neon and light.
Hopping in my car with all-wheel drive – albeit still fishtailing on every corner, I made it to the Granville strip near midnight to capture the downtown lights illuminating the cloud of flurrying snowflakes blowing past.
Looking down the Granville Stripe at Robson Street, capturing the lights from the Orpheum Theatre, the Vogue Theatre, and the famous vertical lights casting silhouettes of others out enjoying the snow.
A thin layer of snow covered the ground, not yet browned by the tires of passing cars. The only traffic passing through were busses and taxis already equipped with winter tires.
Looking back the other direction on Granville Street facing Robson, as a bus flies past on the right-hand side. The Vancouver clocktower’s red glow casting over the neon store lights.
Busses continue to pass as others pose for photos further down on Granville.
Clear of cars, the framed neon lights illuminate the long exposure of snowflakes passing by.
Moving along down Granville, I came to the Cinema Public House – its simplistic, white neon lights are one of my favourites on the strip. Cinema is also one of my go-to spots for drinks to reconnect with friends.
The Cinema Public House on the Gresham’s Hotel Building, with the red glow of the Vogue theatre complimenting the background and streak of a passing car highlighting the foreground.
My Canon DSLR was covered in snow as I headed out the door without a plastic cover. In the snow, I took off my hoodie to wipe it down while braving the cold. With my camera and tripod in hand, my partner and I headed back to my car.
My partner walking along Howe Street underneath the red Sport Chek neon lights, with long exposures of passing cars on the left.
Our next destination was to make our way down to Chinatown – one of my favourite environments to shoot in Vancouver for street photos and lifestyle alike. The streets were silent and peaceful, with the odd car spinning around intersections with the slippery first layer of snow sticking.
The New Town Bakery and Restaurant in Chinatown with a passing taxi on the snow covered street. Snow nestled on top of the giant steamed bun display atop their awning.
My favourite photo from my snowstorm shoot. I travelled to Jack Chow Insurance Building to see my favourite neon signs illuminated, only to find many off during the storm. Nonetheless, the contrast of the dark and light from their location across the street created a mood I had never seen the building cast in before.
Finishing off, we made our way to Gastown near 1:00 am in the morning – beginning to feel sleepy but managed to capture one last shot with the illuminated street and tree lights along with a patron leaving a cab.
View down Powell Street in Gastown, with the snow almost untouched. A patron watches their cab drive off into the distance as they admire the same lights I was capturing. You’ll notice the Harbour Centre’s red Christmas light display making its way through the snowfall’s low visibility.
Heading back home, I was content with my first winter street shoot this year, seeing a side of Vancouver rarely seen. In the morning, the perfectly white roads were turned a mudded brown from the commuting traffic. Nonetheless, I felt lucky to capture this side of Vancouver while many were sleeping – and I can sleep sound warm in my bed as the snow continues to fall as I write this.
I invite you to view the collection below on Instagram, and be sure to follow if you’re a street photographer or like street photography.