Paul MacPherson
@paul.macpherson.photography
Urban photographer with a 28 mm field of view.
Honesty over perfection.
https://paul.macpherson.photography
Honesty over perfection.
https://paul.macpherson.photography
What do you do when you want to take some pictures and it's -20 outside?
You buy a Lego set, of course and have a “little” photo shoot 🤣
#legocity #legolife #legotaxi #miniatureworld #legopix #citylife #toyphotography
You buy a Lego set, of course and have a “little” photo shoot 🤣
#legocity #legolife #legotaxi #miniatureworld #legopix #citylife #toyphotography
January 1, 2026 at 2:33 AM
What do you do when you want to take some pictures and it's -20 outside?
You buy a Lego set, of course and have a “little” photo shoot 🤣
#legocity #legolife #legotaxi #miniatureworld #legopix #citylife #toyphotography
You buy a Lego set, of course and have a “little” photo shoot 🤣
#legocity #legolife #legotaxi #miniatureworld #legopix #citylife #toyphotography
One from the archives, reprocessed this one from colour to black and white.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
December 31, 2025 at 8:43 PM
One from the archives, reprocessed this one from colour to black and white.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
December 31, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Twenty-six seconds. Fifteen frames. One photograph.
The decisive moment isn’t reflex or luck. It’s recognition—seeing something form, then staying with it long enough to understand why it matters.
#Photography #DecisiveMoment #Seeing #streetphotography
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
The decisive moment isn’t reflex or luck. It’s recognition—seeing something form, then staying with it long enough to understand why it matters.
#Photography #DecisiveMoment #Seeing #streetphotography
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
The Decisive Moment in Photography: Recognition Over Reflex
A reflection on the decisive moment in photography—why it’s about recognition, not reflex, and how a fleeting 26 seconds became one finished image.
paul.macpherson.photography
December 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Twenty-six seconds. Fifteen frames. One photograph.
The decisive moment isn’t reflex or luck. It’s recognition—seeing something form, then staying with it long enough to understand why it matters.
#Photography #DecisiveMoment #Seeing #streetphotography
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
The decisive moment isn’t reflex or luck. It’s recognition—seeing something form, then staying with it long enough to understand why it matters.
#Photography #DecisiveMoment #Seeing #streetphotography
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
I really like this image I caught of my buddy out on a photo walk today during snowmegedon this afternoon.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
December 30, 2025 at 2:33 AM
I really like this image I caught of my buddy out on a photo walk today during snowmegedon this afternoon.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
A dog in a sweater.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
December 29, 2025 at 3:05 AM
When the light goes flat, realism isn’t the only option.
A reflection on using in-camera motion to lean into abstraction and stay engaged with street photography when conditions stop cooperating.
#photographypractice #streetphotography #in-cameramotion
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
A reflection on using in-camera motion to lean into abstraction and stay engaged with street photography when conditions stop cooperating.
#photographypractice #streetphotography #in-cameramotion
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
ICM in Street Photography: Turning Flat Light into Abstract Expression
A reflective look at using in-camera motion in street photography—choosing abstraction as a response when light, contrast, and form fall flat.
paul.macpherson.photography
December 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
When the light goes flat, realism isn’t the only option.
A reflection on using in-camera motion to lean into abstraction and stay engaged with street photography when conditions stop cooperating.
#photographypractice #streetphotography #in-cameramotion
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
A reflection on using in-camera motion to lean into abstraction and stay engaged with street photography when conditions stop cooperating.
#photographypractice #streetphotography #in-cameramotion
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
I went out for a photowalk today to experiment with intentional camera movement.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
December 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I went out for a photowalk today to experiment with intentional camera movement.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
One from yesterday’s walk.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
December 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
What happens when you deliberately step back?
A day photographing with a 200mm prime, and how distance reshapes perception, decision-making, and presence.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
A day photographing with a 200mm prime, and how distance reshapes perception, decision-making, and presence.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
Stepping Back: A Day with a 200mm Prime
Lately, my photographic world has been defined—almost rigidly—by the 28 mm field of view. It’s the lens through which I’ve learned to walk the city, to stay close, to remain present, and to commit …
paul.macpherson.photography
December 27, 2025 at 9:20 PM
What happens when you deliberately step back?
A day photographing with a 200mm prime, and how distance reshapes perception, decision-making, and presence.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
A day photographing with a 200mm prime, and how distance reshapes perception, decision-making, and presence.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
I was out today with my 200mm prime, experimenting with long-range street photography and making photo sets.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
December 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I was out today with my 200mm prime, experimenting with long-range street photography and making photo sets.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
Good photography isn’t just about what’s in the frame.
It’s about awareness of everything happening around it.
A few thoughts on situational awareness and the photographer’s eye.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #situationalawareness #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
It’s about awareness of everything happening around it.
A few thoughts on situational awareness and the photographer’s eye.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #situationalawareness #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
Situational Awareness and the Photographer’s Eye: Seeing Beyond the Frame
Explore how situational awareness deepens a photographer’s perception — refining the ability to see, anticipate, and respond to moments beyond technical settings.
paul.macpherson.photography
December 26, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Good photography isn’t just about what’s in the frame.
It’s about awareness of everything happening around it.
A few thoughts on situational awareness and the photographer’s eye.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #situationalawareness #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
It’s about awareness of everything happening around it.
A few thoughts on situational awareness and the photographer’s eye.
#photographypractice #visualthinking #situationalawareness #presence
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
December 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Henri Cartier-Bresson wasn’t a sniper.
A reflection on why the “decisive moment” is so often misunderstood—and why it has more to do with attention and patience than speed.
#photojournalism #decisivemoment #visualthinking #photographypractice
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
A reflection on why the “decisive moment” is so often misunderstood—and why it has more to do with attention and patience than speed.
#photojournalism #decisivemoment #visualthinking #photographypractice
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
Henri Cartier-Bresson Wasn’t a Sniper — Why the Decisive Moment Is Often Misunderstood
There’s a myth that refuses to die in photography. It goes something like this: the great photographers saw everything coming, raised the camera once, pressed the shutter once, and walked away with…
paul.macpherson.photography
December 26, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Henri Cartier-Bresson wasn’t a sniper.
A reflection on why the “decisive moment” is so often misunderstood—and why it has more to do with attention and patience than speed.
#photojournalism #decisivemoment #visualthinking #photographypractice
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
A reflection on why the “decisive moment” is so often misunderstood—and why it has more to do with attention and patience than speed.
#photojournalism #decisivemoment #visualthinking #photographypractice
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
Every so often, photography clicks—not because the images are perfect, but because presence and instinct briefly align.
A reflection on one of those rare hours of flow.
#creativeprocess #flowstate #presence
Euphoria: My Best Hour (or So) of Photography paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
A reflection on one of those rare hours of flow.
#creativeprocess #flowstate #presence
Euphoria: My Best Hour (or So) of Photography paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
Euphoria: Finding a Flow State in an Hour of Urban Photography
A reflective essay on experiencing flow in photography—presence, instinct, and the rare moments when everything aligns during an hour of shooting.
paul.macpherson.photography
December 25, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Every so often, photography clicks—not because the images are perfect, but because presence and instinct briefly align.
A reflection on one of those rare hours of flow.
#creativeprocess #flowstate #presence
Euphoria: My Best Hour (or So) of Photography paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
A reflection on one of those rare hours of flow.
#creativeprocess #flowstate #presence
Euphoria: My Best Hour (or So) of Photography paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
Today, I was out walking, I picked a theme of long and/or harsh shadows and just had fun with it.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
December 25, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Today, I was out walking, I picked a theme of long and/or harsh shadows and just had fun with it.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
Long Shadows of Winter
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin #toronto
December 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Before the lights come up, the work begins.
Planning, intention, and the small decisions that shape a Friday night shooting live music—before sound, sweat, and uncertainty take over.
#photographypractice #livemusicphotography #creativeprocess
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
Planning, intention, and the small decisions that shape a Friday night shooting live music—before sound, sweat, and uncertainty take over.
#photographypractice #livemusicphotography #creativeprocess
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
Friday Night Lights: Planning a Live Music Photography Shoot in Toronto
A reflective look at planning a live music photography shoot—intent, constraints, and creative decisions before stepping into the noise and light of the venue.
paul.macpherson.photography
December 24, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Before the lights come up, the work begins.
Planning, intention, and the small decisions that shape a Friday night shooting live music—before sound, sweat, and uncertainty take over.
#photographypractice #livemusicphotography #creativeprocess
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
Planning, intention, and the small decisions that shape a Friday night shooting live music—before sound, sweat, and uncertainty take over.
#photographypractice #livemusicphotography #creativeprocess
paul.macpherson.photography/photography-...
This image is from October, I call it “Lazy Saturday in Kensington.”
October 18, 2025 - Kensington Market, Toronto, Canada
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
October 18, 2025 - Kensington Market, Toronto, Canada
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
December 24, 2025 at 3:17 AM
This image is from October, I call it “Lazy Saturday in Kensington.”
October 18, 2025 - Kensington Market, Toronto, Canada
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
October 18, 2025 - Kensington Market, Toronto, Canada
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
One bird posing.
I was about 3 feet away from this bird when I took the snap; he didn't flinch.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
I was about 3 feet away from this bird when I took the snap; he didn't flinch.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
December 23, 2025 at 10:48 PM
One bird posing.
I was about 3 feet away from this bird when I took the snap; he didn't flinch.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
I was about 3 feet away from this bird when I took the snap; he didn't flinch.
#streetphotography #street_photography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #streetphotos #streetphotographers #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
Photography and writing have always gone hand in hand for me. With winter here and a new treatment cycle starting, I’m spending more time writing than photographing for a bit.
paul.macpherson.photography/social-media...
#photography #photographywriting #creativeprocess #visibility
paul.macpherson.photography/social-media...
#photography #photographywriting #creativeprocess #visibility
Nine Days of Plumbing: Getting Serious About SEO on paul macpherson photography
There’s a moment in every long-term project where intention has to turn into infrastructure. Getting the email from Google Search Console telling me my site earned five clicks in the last 28 days w…
paul.macpherson.photography
December 22, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Photography and writing have always gone hand in hand for me. With winter here and a new treatment cycle starting, I’m spending more time writing than photographing for a bit.
paul.macpherson.photography/social-media...
#photography #photographywriting #creativeprocess #visibility
paul.macpherson.photography/social-media...
#photography #photographywriting #creativeprocess #visibility
Playing with a three-light portrait setup.
paul.macpherson.photography/personal-sty...
#selfportraitsunday #selfportrait
paul.macpherson.photography/personal-sty...
#selfportraitsunday #selfportrait
December 22, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Playing with a three-light portrait setup.
paul.macpherson.photography/personal-sty...
#selfportraitsunday #selfportrait
paul.macpherson.photography/personal-sty...
#selfportraitsunday #selfportrait
The decisive moment isn’t luck.
It’s what happens when head, eye, and heart align — and you’re present enough to recognize it.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling #streetphotography #decisivemoment #documentaryphotograph
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
It’s what happens when head, eye, and heart align — and you’re present enough to recognize it.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling #streetphotography #decisivemoment #documentaryphotograph
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
Henri Cartier-Bresson and the Decisive Moment: When Head, Eye, and Heart Align
There are photographs that describe what happened, and then there are photographs that mean something.For Henri Cartier-Bresson, the difference between the two was everything. He called it the deci…
paul.macpherson.photography
December 21, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The decisive moment isn’t luck.
It’s what happens when head, eye, and heart align — and you’re present enough to recognize it.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling #streetphotography #decisivemoment #documentaryphotograph
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
It’s what happens when head, eye, and heart align — and you’re present enough to recognize it.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling #streetphotography #decisivemoment #documentaryphotograph
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
I’ve always been fascinated by photojournalism.
Here are my notes, lessons, and hard truths from a talk by Michael Brochstein.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling
#documentaryphotography #photographypractice #storytelling
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
Here are my notes, lessons, and hard truths from a talk by Michael Brochstein.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling
#documentaryphotography #photographypractice #storytelling
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
Getting Started in Photojournalism
Notes, lessons, and hard truths from a talk by Michael Brochstein Website = = = = = = I’ve always been fascinated by photojournalism. Before I ever thought seriously about style, personal projects,…
paul.macpherson.photography
December 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
I’ve always been fascinated by photojournalism.
Here are my notes, lessons, and hard truths from a talk by Michael Brochstein.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling
#documentaryphotography #photographypractice #storytelling
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
Here are my notes, lessons, and hard truths from a talk by Michael Brochstein.
#photojournalism #visualstorytelling
#documentaryphotography #photographypractice #storytelling
paul.macpherson.photography/photojournal...
Biff Naked in the early 2000s at a bar called The Roadhouse in Calgary, Alberta
#LiveMusic #ConcertPhotography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
#LiveMusic #ConcertPhotography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
December 20, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Biff Naked in the early 2000s at a bar called The Roadhouse in Calgary, Alberta
#LiveMusic #ConcertPhotography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin
#LiveMusic #ConcertPhotography #photography #candid_moments #candidphotos #PhotographersOfBlueSky #eastcoastkin