West 22 Avenue
This residential street in Vancouver's Arbutus Ridge neighbourhood transforms each spring into one of the city's most celebrated cherry blossom corridors, with a dense tunnel of pink blooms arching over the road from both sides. The key composition is standing in the middle of the street and shooting down the tunnel with a moderate telephoto lens, around 85mm to 135mm, to compress the canopy and make the blossoms feel even more abundant. Overcast days work surprisingly well here, as soft diffused light brings out the pink tones without harsh shadows, though a bright morning with some sun filtering through the petals can add a magical glow. Arrive early on weekdays to avoid foot traffic and parked cars interrupting your shot. Fallen petals on the pavement add foreground texture, and including a cyclist or pedestrian can give the scene a sense of scale and life. (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)
