Capturing Motion and the Pulse of the City (Toronto Long Exposure Photographer)

Lynn, the Toronto Photographer Behind @simplepicsbylynn, Chases the Electric Pulse of the City

Toronto photographer Lynn, known to her Instagram followers as @simplepicsbylynn, describes herself as a “moment chaser,” and few moments are more captivating than the city in motion after dark. While Lynn’s portfolio is impressively broad—ranging from the architectural landscapes of Toronto to the natural beauty of Algonquin Provincial Park and stunning astrophotography, including Milky Way shots—her urban night series represents a profound stylistic statement. As an active member of the Toronto photography community, even featuring in a Tdot Shots interview, Lynn’s work showcases her ability to find unique perspectives in her surroundings. Lynn writes in the Instagrma bio: ” My photo journey is more than a photo chase. I am a moment chaser 📸favs: LE, night, explore & discover. Nikon z5 & Samsung Ultra22.”

A Masterclass in Urban Motion and Long Exposure

The visual power of this series is rooted in the strategic use of long exposure photography, a technique that transforms the city’s functional elements—highways, subways, and streetcars—into streaks of pure, dynamic light. By keeping the camera’s shutter open for an extended period, Lynn blurs the movement of transit into energetic ribbons of color, contrasting them against the sharp, static silhouettes of Toronto’s skyscrapers and infrastructure.

This creates a compelling tension: the sense of permanent structures being enveloped by the volatile, fast-paced energy of urban life. The compositional choices, often employing leading lines from the light trails of cars and trains, pull the viewer’s eye into the depth of the frame, capturing the explosive momentum of the metropolis.

PHOTO CASE STUDY: STREAKING SUBWAY

Lynn shared some comments for the photo on the technique and artistic approach for the photo. The visual effects are achieved in editing, since the train was still.

“After learning to take street night light trails, I wanted to try something new and found inspiration in long exposure shots of trains. I transit-hopped to several subway stops starting from Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station.”

At the stops, I noticed the length of the train platforms and tracks which could form a long leading line with a train. To create the longest line, the best spot was at the end of the platform facing the incoming train because it triangulated many leading lines to a central point. Taking a long exposure of the train was the original plan. Not having a stable hand, the blurred train motions did not create the effect I wanted. I did not use my tripod as I did not want to trigger any security concerns. Instead, I changed approach to freeze frame any people and the train (increase shutter speed). For this post, I used the blur edits (radial blur) in Photoshop to pixel stretch the platform recreating a sense of motion and speed of the incoming train. Pixel stretching a stationary element of a photo is an edit approach that gives a creative touch of motion to a photo. It’s different and fun to do. But for me, taking long exposures is more challenging and satisfying as a photographer.”

The Signature Teal-and-Red Aesthetic

The series is defined not just by technique but by its highly stylized and consistent color palette. Lynn employs a dramatic and visually arresting teal/cyan and red/pink color grading that heightens the nighttime atmosphere. The cool blues and deep cyans dominate the ambient city lights and the twilight sky, while the bright reds, pinks, and warm oranges burst forth from headlights, taillights, and street lighting. This post-processing choice imbues the photos with a distinctive “Urban Fine Art” feel, elevating the scenes beyond simple documentation into a slick, contemporary visual experience. The result is a dramatic, hyper-real mood that makes the city feel like a dynamic, high-tech art canvas.

Cohesion and the Heart of Toronto

What makes this collection a cohesive body of work is the recurring focus on Toronto’s transit systems and a unified aesthetic achieved through technique and color. From sweeping views of the highways 401 and Gardiner Expressway, to the iconic TTC streetcars and subway trains, the images explore the city’s circulatory system. The consistent color grading and reliance on the light-trail motif connect the images seamlessly. Ultimately, Lynn’s work is a powerful artistic interpretation of urban energy, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty found in the everyday hustle and flow of Canada’s largest city.

GALLERY

CREDITS

All photos by Lynn.

Follow the artist: @simplepicsbylynn