Brian Condron captures a man with sunglasses on a busy Toronto sidewalk, embodying brian condron toronto photographs.

Brian Condron Chronicles a Transforming 1970s Toronto Through His Leica Lens

2026-10-22

A black and white photo by Brian Condron showing urban life scenes in Toronto. — Photos by Brian Condron.

Over fifty years later, Brian Condron’s striking black-and-white photographs breathe life into Toronto’s evolution in his new book, Toronto in the Seventies: Photographs by Brian Condron. These images, many previously unseen, capture a city at the brink of becoming a global metropolis, moving away from its industrial past. The collection of images presents an evocative depiction of this vibrant transformation.

The Legacy of Brian Condron’s Work

Condron began his photographic journey through Toronto in the late 1960s, using a Leica camera to seize everyday moments often ignored by others. His work is characterized by a blend of curiosity and empathy, portraying a mix of office workers, children, subway riders, and fleeting interactions that encapsulate the spirit of the city. The essence of Toronto photography is deeply embedded in Condron’s images.

Condron’s work offers a glimpse into Toronto’s unique urban evolution. Playable Basketball Tree Sculpture by Alexandre Arrechea showcases modern art that transforms urban spaces, echoing the city’s artistic legacy.

Subway passengers ride while a woman in a striped coat looks at the camera. — A group of people stand inside a subway car, with a woman in a striped coat looking toward the camera near the open doors.

His extensive collection weathered years of neglect through moves, renovations, and even a transatlantic journey to Australia. Revisiting these images, Condron reveals a city in transition, embracing social changes, rising immigration, and new gender dynamics.

View from a streetcar's back seat showing city street, cars, and buildings. — A view from the back seat of a streetcar looking out through two windows at a city street with cars and buildings.

The book, featuring a foreword by Toronto writer and musician Dave Bidini, acts as a visual time capsule, showcasing the diverse experiences of Torontonians during a period of significant urban transformation. His photographs offer a unique insight into this transformative era, highlighting the 1970s urban transformation.

An elderly man in a dark coat and fedora sits on a subway train holding a shopping bag, positioned in front of a poster of a man’s profile.

Born in Toronto in 1949, Condron developed his passion for photography at eighteen after a National Film Board exhibition, Call Them Canadians. With studies at Sheridan College and York University, he pursued social landscape photography, eventually working with The Financial Post and later in Australia with The Australian newspaper.

Person with afro gestures with middle fingers on sidewalk as another smiles. — A person with a large afro and a leather jacket stands on a sidewalk, shouting and gesturing with both middle fingers, while another person stands nearby smiling.

Condron now resides near Brisbane, continuing his photographic endeavors alongside his wife, Desley. His recent return to exhibiting reaffirms his lasting dedication to capturing authentic moments. Toronto in the Seventies: Photographs by Brian Condron (Figure 1 Publishing) is available for $35 / $40 CAD, celebrating the striking legacy of his images.

Woman in 'Pleasure Land' shirt and man with cigarette walk on busy sidewalk. — A woman in a “Pleasure Land” shirt and a man with a cigarette walk along a busy city sidewalk past parked cars and storefronts.

Man in studded vest walks puppy on leash, passing suited men on city sidewalk. — A man in a studded vest and sunglasses walks a small black puppy on a leash down a city sidewalk past several men in suits.

Man in suit with briefcase and pipe passes woman on a city street. — A man in a suit carrying a briefcase and smoking a pipe walks past a woman on a city street.

Person in car passenger seat smokes, flame decal visible on door. — A person with dark hair sits in the passenger seat of a car, smoking a cigarette, with a flame decal visible on the door.

Rear view of streetcar 4426 with passengers, city storefronts in background. — The rear view of a Toronto Transit Commission streetcar, numbered 4426, shows four passengers sitting inside, with city storefronts and street signs visible in the background.

Source: petapixel.com

Frequently asked questions

What is showcased in Brian Condron’s new book?

Brian Condron’s new book, Toronto in the Seventies: Photographs by Brian Condron, features striking black-and-white photographs that capture Toronto’s evolution and transformation through the 1970s.

What themes are depicted in Brian Condron’s photographs?

Brian Condron’s photographs capture everyday moments in Toronto, portraying office workers, children, subway riders, and fleeting interactions that encapsulate the spirit of the city during its evolution in the 1970s.

Where did Brian Condron develop his photographic passion?

Brian Condron developed his passion for photography at eighteen after attending a National Film Board exhibition, Call Them Canadians, which influenced his future photographic endeavors.

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