Last shots from Wonderland

My contract at Wonderland has run out…. it was probably one of the best jobs I’ve ever had, and I’m sad to leave. My crew and my assistants were great, and I learned a lot.

Wonderland ended it’s season with Fearfest, a rather interesting Halloween promotion where parts of the park are converted into a “Haunted Theme Park”. My area (Medieval Faire) was (mercifully) sliced in two, with only half of it being converted into Fearfest.

I brought my camera and tripod with me on my last shift, and got a few shots. These didn’t turn out exactly as I had hoped (night and long exposure photography being a somewhat new science to me) – but they looked alright.

They converted the Courtyard into two haunted mazes, sponsored by MTV.
“Rockin’ Scare III” was what it was called. My area was filled with blasting metal music, mainly Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and Papa Roach. Ooo… frightening.

 

One of the Character Actors acting all Zombie.

 

Cliffhanger – mercifully they didn’t turn the water on during Fearfest.

 

Nothing says “Boooo! Scary!!” like lasers!!

 

A closed-off section of Med Faire, in total darkness. This is a 30 second exposure.

 

Self-Portrait – 15 second exposure w/ handheld flash

 

Captured on film! One of the Wonderland ghosts, sweeping
Med Faire for all eternity…..

 

Herman has help sweeping the park….

 

Bat Plaza, lit by Shockwave. 

 

Shockwave – 5 second exposure 

Some assorted photos….

Some assorted photos….

My Desk at Work

My Girlfriend

My cat, sleeping

Cat’s eye

Getting a little pissed off….

Getting a little more pissed off….

Alright, the photo shoot is over…

Macro lens

The lens I got with my new Nikon D70s has an excellent macro function, which allows me to focus on items very close to the lens. Macro photography is something I really enjoy, as it offers an interesting perspective and a very tight depth of field. The macro on my new lens is so tight that I have to be careful not to bump the front glass of my lens into what I’m taking the photo of! I need a UV filter, but I’m sure as hell not spending $70 at Henry’s for one.

While in Georgetown taking photos of trains a few days ago, I noticed that crews had torn out the switch connecting the main line to the station’s passenger unloading track (I guess they intend to take the siding out altogether). The big pile of assorted rusty railroad iron was just CALLING out for me to frolic among it.

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Hah! This is neither Macro or pile of metal – just a rotted tie on the main line in Georgetown.

 

Closeup of a rusty track plate. Rust on iron seems to sprout like mould.

The Passenger siding now goes nowhere.

A bolt with a cotter pin!!

 

A bolt!!

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Welcome to the site!!

Well, I’ve decided to create another site. Instead of a blog like I had before, I decided to make a photoblog.

What is a photoblog? It’s like a regular blog, but with photos instead of inane commentary on my boring life. “Today I bought some apples.. I was so conflicted”.

So – I hope to update this site on a somewhat regular basis with new photos and stuff. So – please visit!! Leave comments if you like.

Some Wonderland Photos

Here are  some shots that I took during my summer job at Paramount Canada’s Wonderland.

After I got back from Taiwan, I needed a job (and quick!) while I looked for something in my field. I applied for a job as a Supervisor in the Maintenance department at the park while I was in Taiwan, and actually got a reply. My interview was a few days after I arrived home from Taiwan, and despite the jet lag and getting used to life in North America again, it seemed to go well enough to get me the job.

My job consisted of maintaining my area of the park (Medieval Faire, for those who have been to Wonderland). I supervised a crew of 30 people, and ensured the area was safe, clean and presentable. We were also in charge of pest control (mainly wasps, skunks, groundhogs and the occasional deer), landscaping and trash removal.

The job was good – I enjoyed it quite a bit. It also got me more than a few interesting photograph opportunities – the most interesting of which were from (or of) areas that the general public doesn’t generally get access to.

The Mountain Itself - old and rusting (and falling apart from the inside)

Top of Wonder Montain, looking at Extreme Skyflyer

 
International Street, from the diver’s point of view.

Drop Zone, from the top of the mountain

Inside the mountain. Constant cycles of Vortex and Thunder Run, as well
as the HVAC equipment are literally shaking the mountain to pieces.