We are back at 33 Bay, the final phase at Pinnacle International's original Toronto condominium complex, the Pinnacle Centre. After the daytime views blew us away, we were invited to return to shoot again as light dropped at dusk and the full majesty of the illuminated city at night was gradually revealed. We invited drum118, UrbanToronto's most prolific contributor of photos to come along.

We are back on the 50th floor, starting about 8 PM. Drum118 will be the first to tell you that he is not the most experienced with night photography… and I'll be the second person to tell you the same. Drum has a sharper lens than I do and a superior camera, but a techincal problem currently that became evident once light dropped more. You will see Drum's shots first, therefore, and then mine take over. You will also see that the sky started out mostly cloudy, and in fact the sunset was blocked by a bank of clouds in the west. As light diminished, the temperature quickly dropped and the winds picked up too. Still, the somewhat chilly evening produced lovely views. We will start with the soft early dusk light over the city.

Toronto at dusk from 33 Bay, image by drum118

Below, lights at the Union Station atrium construction site glow from within the new frame.

Union Station's new atrium at dusk from 33 Bay, image by drum118

Shangri-La's crimp is always eye-catching.

Living Shangri-La at dusk from 33 Bay, image by drum118

Shangri-La, unfinished or not, is always ready for a close-up.

Living Shangri-La at dusk from 33 Bay, image by drum118

Telus House is beautifully proportioned, and wonderfully reflective, even in declining light.

Telus House at dusk from 33 Bay, image by drum118

A couple kilometres to the north, Burano's mechanical penthouse awaits finishing touches.

Burano at dusk from 33 Bay, image by drum118

Flights in and out of the island airport are a lot of fun to follow. Lights of Oakville and Mississauga trace the shore of Lake Ontario in the distance.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

Two flights line up to land. Toronto's Port Lands glow below.

Toronto Harbour looking east at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

Cranes line up facing south at the Pier 27 construction site.

Waterlink at Pier 27 construction site at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

With the Pinnacle Centre's Success Tower glowing pink from aircraft warning lights, the L Tower construction site is a dark patch at centre, while financial core towers are lit up to the left.

L Tower and Success Tower and at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

More of the core.

Toronto's core at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

Somewhat blurry below, but with a lot to look at nevertheless, the image still interests me.

Air Canada Centre and beyond at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

Ah, that's crisper. The Air Canada Centre's searchlights look great.

Air Canada Centre searchlights take centre-stage from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

There was a sunset – through those clouds…

Toronto sky at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

The Gardiner mesmerizes, while the CN Tower's light show is complemented by a growing rainbow of glowing CityPlace and stadium rooftops.

CN Tower and the Gardiner at dusk from 33 Bay, image by Craig White

So, that's that for the night shots: hopefully we'll get an invite back in a few months… and if we do, we will expand the invitation to some photographers who are more experienced with the special demands of night photography. Meanwhile, this article would also have made a fitting finish to this short series, but we have one more for you tomorrow: we were surprised by something else when we went up 33 Bay, and we will bring that surprise to you too as our finale. Do come back…

For now, if you want to know more about 33 Bay, please click on the dataBase entry below. Of course, you can also read and participate in our forum threads about the project by clicking on the associated links below too.