Environs & Denizens – A Collection of Photographs from Downtown St. John’s
Me and Billy Jordan having a chat on Water Street (2011)
Downtown St. John’s is a place that’s near and dear to my heart. The people. The color. The sights. The history. There really is nothing like it. As a professional photographer a favorite aspect of my life is street photography. Over the years, I’ve compiled thousands of photos from downtown St. John’s but my interest mostly centers around the oldest street in North America: Water Street.
Developed in the early 16th century, there’s a tremendous amount of history on this street. Throughout my on-again, off-again documentation I’ve always kept it in mind how people will look back on these photos in the future, so in an effort to capture the true nature of Water Street’s denizens there are times they’re completely unaware that they’re being photographed. Below are over 200 photos of people living their lives and going about their daily business. You’ll see the regular characters of downtown, the warm summer days to the rainy evenings of Water Street and the travelers who frequent our city sidewalks and the abstract slices of architecture.
Busk
verb
play music or otherwise perform for voluntary donations in the street or in subways
On certain days walking around downtown St. John’s is like having your iPod on shuffle. It’s rather funny at times, accordion music on one corner, banjo’s on another and a fiddler round the corner. There are a number of musicians who busk on a regular basis downtown — some I’m certain it’s their full time job — while others come and go, never to be seen again. Combine that music with others plying their artistic trade and a walk along Water Street is some of the best entertainment in town.
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- This is Rick. Of all the buskers downtown, he’s probably the most famous and the most photographed. If you’ve EVER been downtown, just once in your life perhaps, you’ve heard Rick singing and playing the guitar somewhere near the end of George Street. He appreciates tips, so check your pockets ;-) If he’s taking a break, why not say hi, he’s a very nice person.
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This is from 2005, probably the first photograph I’d ever shot of Rick.
The sign reads: “I am NOT a panhandler. I am a busker and my profession by trade is called ‘busking’. If you want to more about busking, ask me and I will tell you. Thank you.”
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- Tony Ingram (left) and Matt Power for East Rock Crew break dance group performs during the 2009 St. John’s Busker Festival.
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- This is Antony Sweet, a very talented musician from the West Coast of Canada. He was in St. John’s simply because he wanted to see the place. He busked a bit on the streets while he was here and plans to come back and do a proper show. Google him, his music is great.
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- This is Joey giving the one finger salut (in jest). He was great to talk to and I even bought him a coffee as it was kind of chilly that day.
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- This is Danielle, a busker.
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- All laughs!
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- This is Wes.
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- This is Patrick. He makes some pretty cool art from recycled electrical wire. Some of the pieces he shows off are rather intricate and I can only imagine how time consuming the process is.
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- This girl was singing and dancing her way to Japan, honestly. She was raising funds to attend dance school there. From what I hear, she actually did it!
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- This is Geoff. He plays downtown from time to time and I almost always stop and listen for longer then I have time for ;-)
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- This is Vincent the Mighty. He’s a pretty bad ass juggler, in fact I’d guess he’s the best in the city, nay, best in the universe. What’s cool about the photo above is that he struck that pose mid-juggle and still caught them all.
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- I didn’t get her name but she said she plays in a band called “Right Rotted”.
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- The guys were just busking on the corner one evening.
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- John Cossar is a musician from St. John’s who plays regularly in many clubs downtown (tip: he’s very good)
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- Unnamed fiddler. He was from the Maritimes and I think that answered your question about whether or not he could play.
Denizen
noun
an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place
Besides the very obvious buskers and music makers who make their presence well known there are other people too. The people who go about their daily lives completely unaware of their contribution to an overall idea. These are the faces and visuals which collectively and accidentally conspire to create the idea that is, “St. John’s”.
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- Along Gower Street
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- The longest set of stairs in all of St. John’s?
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- I see you.
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- Walking along Duckworth.
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- Checking out what’s on the menu at Velma’s Place
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- Cuttin Metal!
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- Reading the paper in Auntie Crae’s common room.
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- This is Tommy.
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- These two ladies were walking up Cochrane Street, throwing springtime snowballs at each other. With a big smile on her face the lady on the right threatened me with a snowball.
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- Left: McBrides and Water Street Winter Right the steps near the court house, this guy is sideways!
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- Rappin on water street.
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- Left: Bonnie. Right: Unknown.
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- This is Fast Eddie
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- Mariano – This is a great friend of mine. I bumped into him on the street one sunny spring day downtown. His great smile and fantastic hat was too good to pass up snapping a picture of.
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- This is Jack.
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- This lady was flicking through the Buy & Sell on Water.
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- Hanging out at The Rooms.
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- Taking in an exhibition at The Rooms
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- Monitoring ongoings atop the container stacks.
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- Are you havin’ a laugh? Yes, we are and we’re doing it outside of old Hava Java.
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- Near The Ship iso400 on Canon AF35M
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- Running in the fog on the waterfront.
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- The shoes!!!
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- This man was a mechanic working on one of the coastal boats being repaired in St. John’s Harbour, sadly I’ve lost the note with his name on it. We talked for several minutes about how “things” are changing in regard to the outport communities and traditions.
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- All alone on Water Street.
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- Skating on a hot summer’s day at the War Memorial
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- Playing chess outside hava java.
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- Ken. He works at the Casbah. He told me the food there was great. I think he’s biased. :-)
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- On Duckworth Street with the Horizon Panoramic
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- Sitting at Coffee and Co.
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- Bikers talk shop in front of Coffee & Co.
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- In the window at Rocket Bakery
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- This guy was giving me the “I’m looking around to see who’s looking at me and my fancy car” look.
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- Hanging out on George Street
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- This guy was chilling on a warm summer day. The negative space works. I like the peaceful idea of just relaxing downtown, seemingly all alone.
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- During the freedom for Iran protests of 2010.
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- On the corner at Woof Design in St. John’s.
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- Nice fish! Shopping at Taylor’s fish truck on the waterfront.
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- Readin’g the paper at Cofffee & Co.
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- On the left is Don Vito with his dog Dallas. He was a great sport. Excellent hair and cool smiling dog too. On right is friend and skateboard Roger.
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- I have no idea what is on this man’s shirt. Someone please tell me!
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- Stepping out for a smoke on a hot summer day.
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- Man in truck
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- Kids at the Regatta (2010)
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- Conducting the band at the 2010 St. John’s Regatta
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- The Regatta
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- The crowd at the Royal Regatta.
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- The food.
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- CBC shooting video in relation to the loud noise produced by motorcycles and one councillers desire to ban them.
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- Pipe break
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- On Water Street.
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- Near LSPU hall.
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- Feeding the meter
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- This is Darren and Dave. Selling wares with a little sidewalk flea market.
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- Waiting to cross Water Street.
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- Just hanging out on City Hall steps.
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- Tourists from a cruise ship cross Harbor Drive
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- Kelly minding the Ziggy’s fries.
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- This man was keeping watch waiting to see if Prince Charles and Camilla would grace his shop with their presence during their most recent Royal Visit in 2010.
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- Wayne, the owner of Sportscraft
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- On Water Street.
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- A skateboarder ollies while riding down Duckworth Street
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- Halliday’s Meat Market and on the right a man walks through the leaves, along the Anglican Cathedral’s Duckworth Street retaining wall on a warm fall afternoon.
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- Keepin’ watch out over the landscape
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- Officer Coombs — a member of the RNC’s Mounted Unit — rides his horse down George Street. 2010
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- Firefighters work to attach a hose during a fire at the ole Johnny Ruth location.
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- It’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it. Thanks to all our firefighters and first responders for you know, savin’ lives.
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- During the 2010 Remembrance Day Parade
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- During the 2010 Remembrance Day parade
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- Walking along Gower Street
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- One of St. John’s many alley ways.
Nocturnal
adjective
done, occurring, or active at night
St. John’s at night is a pretty sleepy town. That’s not to say we shut the shops at 5pm but by the time 11pm rolls around on a Friday, everywhere but downtown is gone to bed. Fortunately, Water Street and the surrounding area tends to stay awake well into the night. From ships preparing to set out to sea with parts for Hibernia to the buskers who seem to never take a break, a walk downtown after the banks close will always prove to be an interesting one.
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- A man making his recycling rounds one late evening on Water St. in front of the Franklin Hotel. So far as I can remember, this is not Robert R.
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- An abstract of downtown St. John’s, shot from near Signal Hill
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- Rick playing all hours of the day.
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- Lovers walk along the waterfront on a cold winter’s evening.
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- On the corner.
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- Man waiting at the bank.
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- In the window at the old Hava Java
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- Baird’s Cove
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- Taking out the trash behind Water Street on Bairds Cove.
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- A laundromat on Duckworth Street
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- Harborside Drive at night.
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- Water Street at night circa 2005
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- Duckworth Street again with the Panoramic Horizon 202.
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- Water Street
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- This artist was drawing pictures on George Street late one evening. He was quite talented.
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- Crewmen wait on the St. John’s harbour docks before boarding a research vessel bound for the Grand Banks.
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- On the left security does his rounds at Scotia Bank and on the right, a lady known as Denise handles the door at a bar which I forget the name of now.
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- The long night shift at Benjamin’s
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- Two people make their way through the rain in front of Scotia Bank building on Water Street.
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- Water Street
Shore Leave
noun
leisure time spent ashore by a sailor
From Portuguese fishing vessels, the Spanish Armada Navy, our very own Canadian Navy and the countless other visitors who call our port a home — even if it is just for a night on George — the city of St. John’s is home to many and memories for more.
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- Two men walk past the Portuguese fishing vessel “Brites” one cold evening in February 2011
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- These guys are on a Portuguese fishing vessel called “Brites”.
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- A crewman for the HMCS Corner Brook keeps watch topside with a machine gun on his belt.
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- The flag bearing the emblem for the Canadian Submariner’s.
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- HMCS Corner Brook pokes its fairwater just above the edge of the harbor dock.
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- The HMCS Corner Brook submarine.
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- Two members of the RNC Mounted Unit ride their horses near the HMCS Athabaskan. 2011
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- Family members embrace near a Canadian frigate.
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- A member of the Royal Australian Navy aboard the HMCS Ballarat. On the right, this lad was aboard the Danish naval boat “Absalon”.
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- Danish Navy Member aboard the “Absalon” in St. John’s and right a German navy member enjoys a short break aboard the “Niedersachsen”.
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- Phoning loved ones.
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- As the captain looks on, the Canadian Coast Guard vessel “Alfred Needler” sails out of St. John’s Harbour on a warm summer evening.
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- A crewman from the HMCS Ballarat stands on the docks to welcome visitors during tours.
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- The Canadian Navy Vessel the HMCS Ville de Quebec pictured docked in St. John’s during a break in North Atlantic training.
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- An unnamed sailor from the Australian HMCS Ballarat relaxes while having a cigarette on St. John’s docks.
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- Crewmembers walk aboard the Abasalon.
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- Flags of the world.
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- A night out for the HMCS Toronto.
Everyday
adjective
happening or used every day; daily
Not all of the people pictured below are homeless or in need, but they both make up the character of downtown St. John’s. What would Water Street be without the polite Billy Jordan pausing you on the sidewalk to ask for any spare change or the wonderful man who collects many a can, Robert Rideout?
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- A photograph of a downtown St. John’s rockstar, Donnie. Rest in Peace.
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- Donnie in the winter.
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- Donnie in the summer.
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- This is Robert R. He’s well known downtown for taking any and all recyclables he can lay his hands on. When I spoke to him, he wasn’t feeling all too great but be allowed me to take his photo anyway. In my eyes, he’s a legend of downtown St. John’s. Despite what he described as possibly the worst flu ever, he was still out there collecting recyclables.
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- Raymond in the winter snow/rain.
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- Raymond
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- I’m fairly certain this is Raymond in 2005
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- This is Martin, winter 2010
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- This is Martin in 2011 shot on the Horizon Panoramic at the bottom of George Street
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- Though I’ve spoken to this man, I’ve never gotten his name. You’ll go months without seeing him on the step but then one day he just appears.
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- This is Chrissy (right)
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- Leo on the left and Stormin’ Norman on the right
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- This is BIlly Jordan
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- More of Billy
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- This is Garfield
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- Left: Garfield. Right: Tommy ( 2011)
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- Tommy in 2005. He is quite well known for carrying that radio with him everywhere however, I don’t see him with it anymore.
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- This is Gerrard.
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- Left: Rex. Right: Jeff
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- This is Marilyn Young (err Cooper?) aka Trixie who recently past away. She was known to everyone who’d ever been downtown as a interesting dresser and a wonderful lady. She’ll certainly be missed.
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- This man has never given me a name, or at least the same name or anything consistent enough for me to feel confident that he’s correct. It’s a shame. It’s quite a nice man. He’s quiet, you’ll barely hear him asking for change. However, if you speak to him, his face lights up.
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- This is Ray.
I just want to mention that those people who I do snap a photo of that just happen to be down on their luck always receive something from me and you should consider the same when you pass someone asking for help on our streets. Don’t like giving out change? Why not ask if they need a coffee to keep warm or a bottle of water to stay cool. There are many ways to help.
Vegabond
noun
a person who wanders from place to place without a home or job
Often looked down upon as “beggars” or “moochers” the people who visit our city from places far away are people too. They’re someones kid trying to find their way in the world or a hopeful teen just wanting to have a meal that night. Again I’ll mention that those people who I do snap a photo of that just happen to be down on their luck always receive a donation from me and you should consider the same when you pass someone asking for help on our streets.
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- This guy was here from Goose Bay, not a fan of ole’ Stephen Harper you might be able to tell.
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- This is J. He was visiting from B.C. He said he came here for a girl. (Shot on a Nikon F)
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- Shot with the Horizon 202
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- This might be why they need your spare change. Or…
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- …It could be this! This is Red (or at least that’s the name he gave me) This guy has a sense of humor. I look for his sign every time I’m downtown.
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- This is Chris
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- Travelers begging on Water St. The sign reads “I’ll bet you $1 you’ll read this sign”… clever.
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- Contrasting approaches to life right there.
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- I didn’t speak to these guys for very long, I’ve not seen them since. I guess they’ve moved on.
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- This is Michaeleah
Environs
plural noun
the surrounding area or district.
The color. The style. That’s downtown St. John’s. If you’ve ever caught an episode of Jim Furlong’s “A Little Good News” you’ll no doubt notice that a lot has changed on Water Street since even as recent as the 80’s, yet so much has stayed the same. What will change between now and 2040?
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- The facade of Water Street buildings in the setting sunlight.
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- The snow blows off the tops of buildings on a cold winter day.
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- Inside the Memorial Stadium soon after renovation began to turn it into a grocery store.
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- The listing Lyubov Orlova
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- This wall on Duckworth St. surrouding a construction zone was turned into an impromptu message board. Beginning with “Stupid Newfies” with “Stupid” to be replaced by “Beautiful Newfies” which was then turned into “Read ‘Beautiful Losers’ It’s by Leonard Cohen”.
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- Old Newfoundland Phone Company building
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- Foreground: TD Building Background: Fortis
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- On the left we have McMurdo’s Lane on the right with Willicott’s Lane featured right.
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- Gower Street
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- Throwing sticks for the dogs in the grassy area at the Anglican Cathedral
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- Relaxing at the National War Monument
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- Cars merge together as 5 o’clock rush sets in on New Gower Street.
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- Hong Kong Restaurant Circa 2005
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- The old CBC building 2005
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- This is a photo I shot back in 2004~ using a super telephoto lens to zoom in from Shea Heights.
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- Relaxing at St. John’s’ National War Memorial
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- Taking a break in the harbor side park.
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- The front facade of Bowring building against the backdrop of Scotia Bank on Water Street
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- Downtown from around 2005
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- Downtown from 2005
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- The tops of downtown buildings
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- Looking through to the TD Building (2005)
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- All of this little area is gone now, making way for two new restaurants.
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- 2005
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- 2005
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- The windows of 100 New Gower Street on the corners of Barters Hill (left) and the glass windows of Scotia Bank building (right).
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- The removal of the Golden Pheasant painting
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- Looking at Church Hill to Henry Street
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- Looking over the east end of Downtown from the TD buildng (2005)
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- Looking back onto buildings on Water Street and Duckworth Street.
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- Signal Hill on the left with the Anglican Cathedral on the right
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- The colorful row housing of St. John’s. Jellybean Row anyone?
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- Down Victoria Street with the Horizon 202 Panoramic Camera
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- The Harbor
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- Panoramic of downtown
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- Looking up New Gower Street
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- Wide shot of Water Street
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- Wide angle shot of Bonaventure Avenue and St. Bon’s College
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- Overlooking Gower Street
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- Panoramic picture of Water Street shot with the Horizon 202
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- Under the walkway near the construction zone at 351 Water Street
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- Formerly where Fab 50’s and other businesses were now it’s a parking garage and office building at 351 Water Street
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- Ziggy’s! nom nom nom
Closing comments
The whole point of street photography is to document life, as such a lot of the photographs you see above are 100% candid. Usually though, I’ll stop to talk with the people interested in what I’m doing and often I will ask for permission first before photographing them if I feel the situation calls for it. I enjoy getting close to my subjects, shaking their hands and being completely open about what I’m doing. If someone asks me to delete a photo (and it isn’t film) I do if I feel there is no need to hang on to it. If you’re going to attempt photography such as what you see above, please do so respectfully and openly. Being polite with a genuine smile will go a long way. :-)
Thank you,
Colin Peddle
So many familiar faces. This is an amazing post man. Really well done. I hope to see a book published of this at some point.
Great Job on this well thought out and captured! The print on the guys shirt is A Painting that was done with 6912pills painted different shades to lay it out (Painting name Tylenol halftone) of Gentlemen Junkie a drug addict . By Bill Rose displayed at The Christina Parker Gallery hope this answered your question. I know cause I had to do a write up and report on the gallery at the time it was on display few years back.
so this is where you’ve been :D!!! looks amazing!
This is amazing! Fantastic idea. I wish you would have posted it in 40 different blogs. The print looks like the guy in the above picture in the booth on the right, lol
Great post! Love downtown St. John’s. Nice to put some names with the many faces I see every week. Well done!
The image on that guy’s shirt is of William S. Burroughs. Artist Bill Rose did a piece a few years ago that was the same portrait of Burroughs, but made entirely out of Tylenol tablets. Burroughs was an American writer and drug addict. Not sure if this t-shirt is Rose’s piece, or just a portrait of Burroughs.
wow Colin every time I look at your site it makes me want to get into photography more & Sarah wants to too(by the way its Chris Pats son.) and thanks again for great photos you took last summer for us.
I can just sit and look at your pictures over and over. You have an amazing way of looking at things that most of us miss. Please keep sharing!
Awesome Colin…
“the lady on the door” is Denise…she is gone now.
The guy with the print on his shirt is in fact Bill Rose…monster guitarist and artist and helluva nice guy….
J. Clarke
Wow, nice stuff. I’ve always been a bit weary shooting strangers unknowingly. Yeah, a few familiar faces, Denise :( and Bill with the Burroughs portrait. I’m wondering if you experienced more than a little negativity besides the guy sitting in the door? Did you talk to the kids’ parents first for the Regatta pics? Wonderful shots!
Very little negativity. I can’t even recall “the guy sitting in the door” Eugene. Most of the time when I take someones picture I’m talking to them. Sometimes it’s before the photo, sometimes it’s after. Depends on what the photo is. A photo of a subject without their knowledge differs greatly from one where they’re fully aware and every situation/subject requires something different.
Bottom line is this: If you’re respectful of your subject, 99% of the time people won’t get mad. If you’re mean, aggressive and getting in peoples faces but not speaking to them when asked “what are you doing” and generally acting creepy, then yes, people will get mad. But that’s now how I do things. If I shoot a picture of someone without their knowledge, usually by the time I’m done they know. I’ll smile to them and say “hey!” and they might say hi back, not caring about the photo or they might ask “what are you doing”. But I’m open to them, I give them the opportunity to speak to me by being friendly and approachable.
Love this
The name of the guy on the sidewalk reading in the ”
Contrasting approaches to life right there.” photo is Darryl.
Thanks for this. This is one of my personal favs just because of how different lives can be. Cheers!
I looked carefully at every picture here, and I say, well done, Colin!!! I think of you, as being a good person, I totally understand your respect for your subjects. People are amazing subjects, and you have captured split seconds of these persons moments, very nicely!!
Appreciate your comments! Cheers.
Wickedly awesome shots, man! Quirky place with lotsa quirky folks.
Great photos, Colin! Downtown St. John’s is a wonderfully colourful place, in more ways than one. Beautiful job at capturing the eclectic personalities who hang out there. Thank you for preserving them.