Illuminite Photo Walk

The instructions were easy: meet at one place at a specific time. There is a task or theme. We then move as a group through the places and take pictures of the theme. It is how most of the photo walks go. Back when Instagram was an independent company, there were things called Instameets. People would do the same thing. I missed them, so when there was a chance to do one again while visiting Toronto, I jumped at the chance.

This photo walk was by the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area. The host was a creative, or influencer, named Justin Wong, a Hong Konger. We met at Yonge and Dundas Square (now called Sankofa Square). There were blow-up clowns where people would yell, and the clowns, fueled by air, would blow up and pop out of the box. It was loud with people screaming into the mics. The installation is POP and by Gentilhoome. Behind the display were people with expensive-looking cameras. I started to introduce myself to them. They were friendly, and no one knew anyone else, which is why these photo walks are so good.

We had a task to take pictures along the walk with the colour card we got. I got green and felt challenged. Red seems the most dominant colour. After a while, I gave up on the task and tried to take pictures of what came my way.

We crossed over into the Eaton Centre and into Trinity Square Park, named after the church next to the mall. There was a set of lighted blocks. We can push them and set them up again like dominoes. It is The Domino Effect by Ingrid Ingrid. What struck me was the group and the diversity within it. There were university and high school students, along with people in their 60’s. Ethnically, it spanned everyone. I forget how diverse this city is, and one of the things I love about Toronto. Being able to talk to everyone since we were together helped to remind me of this.

We went to a few more installations. There was the Hearts at Play by Daria Domnikova at the Granby Parkette up near Yonge and Carleton. It was a large, purple, illuminated heart with purple lights around it. The snow was coming down. It was hard to find the colour green. Others were struggling as well. They were more professional than I. For me, the walk was about meeting strangers, learning more about a city where I once lived. It was a lot of fun because I knew what I was going for. We needed to cross Yonge Street, which was busy.

The final installations were behind College Park (777 Bay St): a string of lights called Horrizons by MattCreative. There were also some half-moon-shaped lights to swing on called Oval Swings by Prevail Activations.

We spent two hours together. I managed to talk to everyone there. They exchanged social media handles, while I didn’t. They asked us to post our pictures with the hashtag of ILLUMINITE 2026 and the association. We could win prizes, such as gift certificates. We broke off. Some were going for dinner. I was feeling tired and wanted to rest more. I went back to the hotel and was happy with the day.