Kian Charles Gray Photography

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Street Photography of Vancouver

I live in the historic and troubled Vancouver district of Gastown.

Vancouver, British Columbia, is a stunning city that offers a unique mix of urban and natural environments. From the bustling streets of Gastown to the beautiful English Bay and the vast Stanley Park, Vancouver has something to offer everyone.

Gastown, Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood, is a popular tourist destination that boasts cobbled streets, vintage lampposts, and Victorian architecture. Gastown is also home to some of Vancouver's best restaurants, bars, and shops. In addition, visitors can stroll down Water Street and explore the many boutiques, galleries, and souvenir shops that line the way.

English Bay is a stunning beach on Vancouver's west end with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. Visitors can dip in the ocean, sunbathe on the beach, or enjoy a picnic in the grassy area nearby.
Stanley Park is a 1,000-acre park located on the edge of downtown Vancouver. The park features lush forests, beautiful gardens, and stunning views of the city skyline and the North Shore Mountains. Visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and rollerblading on the park's many trails.

However, the beauty of Vancouver has its challenges. The city faces a housing crisis that has left many residents struggling to find affordable housing. Vancouver has the highest rents in Canada, and housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years, making it difficult for many residents to afford to live here.

The housing crisis has significantly impacted vulnerable populations, including low-income families, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness. For example, in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES), a neighbourhood known for its high rates of poverty and drug use, the crisis has led to an increase in tent cities and single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings.

The DTES is at the center of Vancouver's drug epidemic, which has claimed the lives of many residents in recent years. The neighbourhood is home to many SROs, which provide affordable housing for low-income residents but often lack basic amenities and are in disrepair. The lack of affordable housing options in Vancouver has left many individuals with no choice but to live in these conditions, exacerbating the health and safety risks associated with drug use.

Despite these challenges, Vancouver remains a beautiful and vibrant city that offers a unique blend of urban and natural environments. Visitors can explore the city's historic neighbourhoods, soak up the sun on its beaches, and take in the natural beauty of its parks and mountains. First, however, it is essential to acknowledge the city's challenges and work towards solutions that ensure all residents have access to safe, affordable housing and the support they need to thrive.
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  • Gastown reflections

    Gastown reflections

    At the end of walk where I didnt manage to get much of anything I spotted this matalic curved bar in the window of the high end furnature store across the street. The reflection on the surface of that curved bar and a piece of red fabric is what I am focused on, and the rest is a reflection on the metallic surface. This is giving the elongated and compressed look to the car, people, and buildings. Everything seems out of focus but it is actually in sharply focused as you can see in the fine lines.

  • Night walk Vancouver Convention Centre

    Night walk Vancouver Convention Centre

    This marks the first time I used my Sony 200-600 G lens for street photography. How have I not done this before?!? Using this lens, I am getting shots like this walk around the Vancouver Convention Centre. A lady is walking her dog. I love the look of this photograph. The mirrored ceiling, the abundance of concrete and the wide path all come together to make the look of this photo.

  • Night time conversation

    Night time conversation

    My husband and I stopped to enjoy a joint, and I noticed this couple and their lovely yellow lab. They were deep in conversation, and the dog was content to relax. The Vancouver 2010 Olympic cauldron is a great backdrop to this intimate moment.

  • Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

  • What's normal

    What's normal

    So what's normal? We have a guy that I doubt is from the street-level neighbourhood but not looking shocked and some people that are obviously daily drug users.

  • Stone Lion at the VAG

    Stone Lion at the VAG

    In a small village nestled deep in the mountains stood a magnificent temple where the sacred fire burned day and night. The temple was guarded by a stone lion, a majestic creature carved from granite with piercing eyes and a fierce expression. The villagers believed that the stone lion protected the temple and the sacred fire and that its presence brought good fortune to the village. For generations, the stone lion stood guard outside the temple, watching over the sacred fire and warding off any who would seek to do harm. The villagers often left offerings at the lion's feet, grateful for its protection and blessings. One day, a group of bandits came to the village, seeking to steal the sacred fire and sell it for a fortune. They crept up to the temple in the dead of night, hoping to catch the guards off guard and make their escape before anyone knew what had happened. But as the bandits approached the temple, they were stopped dead in their tracks by the stone lion. Its eyes glowed in the darkness, and its roar echoed through the mountains, striking fear into the hearts of the bandits. They tried to run, but the lion was too quick for them, chasing them down the mountain, roaring all the way. Ultimately, the bandits were caught and brought to justice, and the sacred fire remained safely in the temple. The villagers were overjoyed and celebrated by throwing a great feast in honour of the stone lion. They praised its bravery and strength and knew they could always count on its protection. From that day on, the stone lion became even more revered in the village, and people would come from far and wide to see it and leave offerings at its feet. The lion stood guard outside the temple, watching over the sacred fire and ensuring the village remained safe and prosperous for generations.

  • Night walk Vancouver Convention Centre

    Night walk Vancouver Convention Centre

    This marks the first time I used my Sony 200-600 G lens for street photography. How have I not done this before?!? Using this lens, I am getting shots like this walk around the Vancouver Convention Centre. A lady is walking her dog. I love the look of this photograph. The mirrored ceiling, the abundance of concrete and the wide path all come together to make the look of this photo.

  • Elevator feather

    Elevator feather

    This image results from finding something unexpected on the floor of our building elevator. Seeing the curiously out-of-place feather on the floor, I thought you don’t belong here. It doesn't look like a feather from any bird I have seen around Vancouver. Finding it interesting, I snapped a quick pic on the way up to our floor. I then edited the image in my regular fashion and then further refined it into this highly edited image you now see.

  • the Domioion Building from the ally

    the Domioion Building from the ally

    The Dominion Building is a historic landmark located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Built in 1910-1911, it was one of the first steel-framed high-rise buildings in Canada, and it was the tallest commercial building in the British Empire at the time of its completion. The building was designed by the architectural firm of John S. Helyer and Son and is situated on the corner of Hastings and Cambie Streets in the city's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood. The Dominion Building is a prime example of the Chicago School of architecture, which emphasized using steel frames and concrete to create tall, strong buildings. The building features a symmetrical facade with large windows, decorative terra cotta details, and a distinctive clock tower that rises 82 meters above the street. The building was originally home to the Dominion Trust Company, a major financial institution in British Columbia at the time. The building also housed offices, retail shops, and professional services. Over the years, the building changed ownership and uses, and it was eventually abandoned in the 1980s. In the 1990s, a developer purchased the building and began a massive restoration project to return it to its former glory. The restoration took several years and included installing modern infrastructure and repairing and replacing many of the building's original features. Today, the Dominion Building is a thriving mixed-use development with commercial and residential spaces, retail shops, and restaurants. In addition to its architectural significance, the Dominion Building is also an important part of Vancouver's cultural history. It was one of the first buildings in the city to have an elevator, a revolutionary innovation at the time. The building was also a gathering place for workers, artists, and activists in the 20th century, and it played a significant role in shaping the city's identity. Today, the Dominion Building is a testament to the enduring power of great architecture and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. It is a beloved landmark in Vancouver and continues to inspire and delight visitors worldwide.

  • let’s heal the divide

    let’s heal the divide

    This image I managed to get free hand so I am happy that the words come out nice and clean. The people dancing in front give the impression of discussion or vigorous debate and the words give the optimism.

  • This image is, firstly, a double exposure of two different aspects of the Gastown Port of Vancouver area. The Vancouver Rail Yard that I happen to live above and the Port of Vancouver that is across the way from the rail yard. The rail yard is captured with a bit of the Vancouver Convention Centre & Cruise Ship dock and is shot with an infrared filter. The Port of Vancouver is captured on extended exposure but with no filter.  The IR filter requires the train yard shot to be an extended exposure at a very high ISO 6000 with a small aperture because I wanted the ship's depth and the train in motion with an extended shutter. The Port of Vancouver is similar but different. They both used an extended shutter. But for the port, the aperture was half as the shutter needed to be very long to get the full motion of the crane. So the ISO was very low at just 50. Both images need a tripod and a way of triggering the shutter that will not cause a shake. I use my phone, but there are several ways of doing this.  I like the images, and they were photographed as separate projects. But today, I just decided I wanted to experiment with combining different techniques into a double exposure. The double exposure became a rabbit hole of needing to find a way to connect these images in a way that I was happy. The crane needed to be flipped.

    This image is, firstly, a double exposure of two different aspects of the Gastown Port of Vancouver area. The Vancouver Rail Yard that I happen to live above and the Port of Vancouver that is across the way from the rail yard. The rail yard is captured with a bit of the Vancouver Convention Centre & Cruise Ship dock and is shot with an infrared filter. The Port of Vancouver is captured on extended exposure but with no filter. The IR filter requires the train yard shot to be an extended exposure at a very high ISO 6000 with a small aperture because I wanted the ship's depth and the train in motion with an extended shutter. The Port of Vancouver is similar but different. They both used an extended shutter. But for the port, the aperture was half as the shutter needed to be very long to get the full motion of the crane. So the ISO was very low at just 50. Both images need a tripod and a way of triggering the shutter that will not cause a shake. I use my phone, but there are several ways of doing this. I like the images, and they were photographed as separate projects. But today, I just decided I wanted to experiment with combining different techniques into a double exposure. The double exposure became a rabbit hole of needing to find a way to connect these images in a way that I was happy. The crane needed to be flipped.

  • Slit the switch, Vancouver Rail yard derailment

    Slit the switch, Vancouver Rail yard derailment

    I woke up one morning to a Loud banging and dragging noise. We live above the Vancovuer Rail Yard, which is loud and busy 24/7/365, but this was a very unusual and alarming sound of metal ripping across metal. I got my camera out as quickly as possible and captured this video. The clean-up and site repair took two days. I tweeted it out, getting almost 19 thousand views and nearly 80 thousand impressions.

  • Fuck Inflation

    Fuck Inflation

    Welcome to the neighbourhood. Out for a walk with Bowie Buddy this morning, and this is what we found and a common sight. Firstly…. Has this person not heard of inflation? It's over 8%! Seems a little wasteful with an expensive product. Secondly and more seriously….. Bowie!!! My dog doesn't need to be exposed to this and the harm that would come to him if he swallowed it. This kind of thing happens all the time in Gastown. It has gotten worse in recent years. On every walk around our neighbourhood, we see some drug paraphernalia. So I decided I'd start taking photos because it does make for excellent subject matter. In all these photos, I might at times sound critical or whatever, but I'll never not admit that I have done drugs. Not this kind of stuff, but I have done acid and cocaine rarely in the distant past, and I have used shrooms at times. I vape weed far more often than I should. I drink hard liquor regularly and wine on occasion. I say all this to say that I am not judging anyone with this series of photos.

  • You suck on it, and it explodes in your mouth

    You suck on it, and it explodes in your mouth

    I wonder what fun was sucked through this bad boy. On every walk around our neighbourhood, we see some drug paraphernalia. So I decided I'd start taking photos because it does make for excellent subject matter. In all these photos, I might at times sound critical or whatever, but I'll never not admit that I have done drugs. Not this kind of stuff, but I have done acid and cocaine rarely in the distant past, and I have used shrooms at times. I vape weed far more often than I should. I drink hard liquor regularly and wine on occasion. I say all this to say that I am not judging anyone with this series of photos.

  • Vancouver Convention Centre WEST

    Vancouver Convention Centre WEST

    Filled with pigeon poop and grungy, this is the road that runs past the Vancouver Convention Centre West. I love walking this way, and most of the time, when I run, this is my path to Stanley Park. You can get on the seawall from a track at the end on the left.

  • Old Building front and side

    Old Building front and side

    A fantastic old building in Vancouver's Chinatown. The old brick with the flacking paint reveals a history of different lives at different times. The old woodwork is decaying but still showing its beauty.

  • Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

  • Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

  • Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

  • Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    Port of Vancouver Crane and Cargo

    The Port of Vancouver is a busy place 24/7 and almost 365. They are so busy they are expanding. This is one of the new cranes built over the last year. In this series of photos, I have used my 200-600 Sony G telephoto and a ridiculously long shutter to get these streaks on the crane that is lifting cargo to and from a cargo ship.

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    Night walk Vancouver Convention Centre
    Elevator feather
    the Domioion Building from the ally