Carl Weaver Photography

Every day is a good day to discover a photographic opportunity. One of the key ingredients, though, is carrying a camera with you. Recently while in Toronto, I was delighted to find an accordion player in a small crepe shop. The place was so small you could hardly move without bumping into people at the next table, but instead of being a constraining place, it was more homey.

Here is what I wrote for Metroblogging Toronto:

Ronen at Crepes a GoGo
by Carl Weaver

My lovely wife and I recently decided to get a bite to eat before entering the Toronto Reference Library for some intense work and sunshine deprivation. We happened upon Crepes a GoGo at 18 Yorkville Avenue and could not have been more pleased. The food really hit the spot – delicious crepes steaming with fresh ingredients. On top of it, the restaurant had a musical guest in the form of an accordion player, who played such pieces as Stairway to Heaven and The Hokey Pokey. All this was in the background, though, as we chatted and enjoyed the expert sounds of such a wonderful musician.

This wasn’t any sort of polka accordion player, mind you, but someone who could tickle the ivories in the traditional French style I learned to recognize from a childhood filled with the sounds of Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel. Despite the nontraditional performance choices, the sound was very reminiscent of that time gone by, punctuated with the music of my father’s years as a soldier in France. If you go on Saturdays or holidays you can hear some very nice music. Alas, the lad has his plate full with other vocations during other times.

Happy Crepe Eater
by Carl Weaver

Veronique, the owner/manager, came to our table to make sure we enjoyed our meal and were completely satisfied. I immediately felt at home in her presence, as if I had known her before and was visiting from afar and getting to know her again. Watching her work was a real treat as well, as her joy showed in what she did and the interactions with the customers and staff.

Crepes a GoGo does more than sell delicious, fresh food. They have an entire mood and feel to the restaurant experience that is worth every penny for the crepes you are sure to enjoy. Go see Veronique; she will take care of you. Tell her Carl the photographer sent you.

Technorati Tags: camera, Toronto, accordion, Crepes a GoGo, food

If you are in the Washington, DC area before the middle of May, be sure to check out the Frog exhibit going on at the National Geographic Museum. It’s easy to get to, right in the heart of DC in what the city has branded the Golden Triangle, which to me has always meant Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. In DC, it refers to an area in the core of downtown. You can get to the museum by going to 17th and M.

I have always had a special love of frogs, ever since I was a lad in short pants, running around my grandmother’s yard in Florida, trying to catch any little critter I could get my mitts on. These frogs at the Nat Geo Museum were incredible to behold, with all their colors and varying sizes. I think in the span of an hour I saw what must be both the largest and smallest frogs in the world. What could be more thrilling than that? I have an answer – photographing them. Don’t forget to bring a camera and a steady hand. Photography is almost a requirement, as it is right easy to get a shot of these little guys when they are already captured. When will you have that chance again?

Check out some more of the pictures:

Technorati Tags: Washington, DC, Frog, National Geographic, Nat Geo, Museum, camera, Photography