Doors Open – Hamilton 2019

Out of all the Doors Open Events run across Ontario my favourite and longest attended is Doors Open Hamilton. The city knows how to do the event right with lots of buildings both public and private buying into the event and specifically allowing and even welcoming photography. My first taste of doors open had been back in 2007 and I pretty much have attended almost all of the Hamilton events missing only a few in the past decade and a bit. Plus being on the weekend closest to my birthday it has also become somewhat of a Birthday Tradition. This year I had an awesome list with several buildings that I haven’t visited since those early events plus a new one that I’ve had my eye on. Sadly the list of six quickly dwindled to only four with the Westinghouse and Mohawk Trails School House being closed, even the armoury had been reduced to the main drill hall (for good reason, many soldiers are out assisting with the flooding). But still, four locations aren’t bad. With my father-in-law behind the wheel, we hit up the Steam & Technology Museum (new to me), John Foote Armoury, Whitehern, and Auchmar.

I ended up working with my Nikon F5 and 14-24mm lens again this year but running a pushed roll of Kodak Tri-X. I haven’t pushed Tri-X up to 1600 in a while but went with TMax Developer instead of HC-110. I’m pretty happy with my results, most being generally dark and moody which matched the dull weather of the day. You can check out all the day’s photos in their own Flickr album and if you’re interested in a doors open event, head over to the official website for Doors Open Ontario and check out the event near you, or head out further into the Province and discover something new! Doors Open Ontario is events coordinated through Ontario Heritage Trust a dedicated non-profit group that I have no affiliation with but have great pleasure in promoting their museums and events.