Stressed About Your Deadline? These Overlooked Locations Are Your Photography Lifeline
Monarch butterfly sitting atop yellow flowers
Even if your assignment is due in an hour, you'll be able to create stunning photos that look like they were weeks in the making.
Your model is picture-perfect, but your backdrop feels less than inspired. On the busy Durham College Oshawa Campus, it's easy to miss the hidden pockets of potential. We'll reveal the secret, low-key spots that deliver high-impact results, making your last-minute shoot look anything but rushed. Most of what you’ll need is your camera but depending on your assignment, it’s easy to bring any extras with you (such as a flash or tripod). All of these low-key spots are right here on campus so it’s quick to get to from class or from residence.
The best timing for your shoot depends entirely on your deadline and how much time you have to travel. The closer your due date, the more you should prioritize nearby locations. Fortunately, every spot on this list offers a variety of shots, so you can produce a high-quality assignment without extensive planning, making it seem like you planned the assignment far in advance.
The interconnected Durham College and Ontario Tech campuses are hiding photographic treasures. Let's uncover the unlikely spots that will make your photos look meticulously planned.
You acknowledge that you are using the following listed photo location spots at you and your models own risk. This is a shared space, please respect those who wish not to be photographed.
The Softball Court
Address: 2000 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5
Website: https://durhamlords.com/facilities/babcock-softball-field/45
Tucked away from the campus hustle is the Babcock Softball Field. We’ve found a single, often-overlooked spot here that offers exceptional photo opportunities. With a bit of creativity, this unassuming location—circled in the photo below—can deliver stunning, professional-looking photos that appear anything but last-minute.
Focus on the areas we’ve highlighted around the Babcock Softball Field. They're often deserted, creating a more comfortable setting for both you and your model. Conveniently located near campus residences and just a two-minute walk from the main buildings, this quiet, inconspicuous spot ensures your creative work remains unique.
Lenses we recommend: 10-20mm // 35mm // 85mm
Babcock Field at Durham College Oshawa Campus
A fenced in area near the Babcock Softball Field
Forest green portable storage container sitting in parking lot outside of Babcock Softball Field
The fenced and gated entry way into the Babcock Softball Field
The Parking Lot
Address: Commencement Drive / Founders Drive - Oshawa Campus
Website: https://durhamcollege.ca/student-life/campus-services/parking-information
Forget what you think you know about the parking lot between Commencement and Founders Drive. What appears to be a drab, uninspired space is actually a goldmine for creative shots. The portable storage containers, for instance, are perfect for dynamic wide-angle and close-up compositions. Or, for a more industrial and grungy look, use the wheel stops—their cracked surfaces with grass and flowers offer a unique, unexpected photo op.
The centrally located storage container offers unique lighting options, rain or shine. In bright, cloudless midday sun, you can capture dramatic hard light photos. On overcast days, the clouds act as a massive softbox, providing flattering light for your model no matter where they pose near the container.
Lenses we recommend: 10-18mm wide // 85mm
The Stairs by the Pond
Right next to the campus residence buildings, the pond offers a scenic and easily accessible option. The natural stone steps and surrounding greenery create a beautiful backdrop that is rarely crowded. This provides a calm, private setting for you and your model to create professional-looking photos that are sure to impress.
Utilize the natural elevation of the stairs to create dynamic, high-impact photos. The varying levels add depth, and the structure itself opens up countless posing and shooting possibilities. Experiment with different angles—like shooting from above or using the surrounding greenery to frame your shot—to create a unique and visually compelling photo that will stand out.
Lenses we recommend: 35mm // 50mm
The Path
The pond is bordered by two pathways, both offering effortlessly beautiful backdrops. We love the convenience of having this diverse scenery so close to the stairs and the parking lot, giving you multiple options in a single location. The path is not heavily used, especially in colder weather. This means you and your model can shoot beautiful photos without worrying about people in the background, creating a more comfortable and private experience.
The scattered fallen leaves on the path create a visually interesting photo, adding both depth and vibrant splashes of color.
Lenses we recommend: 50mm // 85mm
Left side of path
Right side of path (near residence)
The Dry Creek
Located just beyond the pond, between the two paths, is a dry creek bed that culminates in a small bridge. The stone steps, with their imperfect, non-uniform shapes, provide intriguing texture, complemented by overgrown grass and varied tree heights. Its photographic versatility means you'll find endless creative options, making it a great place to linger and capture diverse shots.
This area's versatility is its greatest asset. Combining pathways, stoney steps, and a variety of greenery, it offers a wealth of photographic opportunities in a single location. You'll have so much to work with that it's an ideal spot for a quick but comprehensive assignment, ensuring you get great results without a huge time commitment.
Recommend lenses: 35mm // 50mm
The Mobile Mini
Most people overlook the portable storage container located across from the residence cafeteria. But its real charm lies in the combination of the container's industrial texture and the softness of the overgrown grass that surrounds it. This provides a unique and visually appealing backdrop for your model. On a bright afternoon, the overgrown grass becomes a natural filter, casting delicate shadows across your model's face, which adds an artistic touch of texture and intrigue to the shot.
Lenses we recommend: 10-20mm // 35mm
The Exit
Tucked away from the main path and easily missed, this small staircase is a hidden gem for photographers seeking diverse backdrops. Found directly across from the mobile mini, it's the perfect complement to your shots. However, a word of caution: the nearby exit door means you may encounter staff. Respect their presence and be ready to adapt.
Discover a compelling backdrop in this wall's imperfections. Its unique discoloration adds visual interest and tells a story, making the photo feel more historic and grounded. Unlike a bland, clean wall, this textured surface will anchor your image and create a strong sense of balance. For a dynamic, wide-angle shot, position your model on the edge of the landing with their feet on the steps below pointing in the same direction. From below, you can then capture an upward-facing shot.
Lenses we recommend: 10-20mm // 35mm
Silver Stairs
This location is a dream for those who appreciate industrial aesthetics. The yellow bollards and vibrant blue pallets offer welcome bursts of color that perfectly complement your photo's theme. Best of all, the layout provides a variety of angles, ensuring every shot can be distinct.
Lenses we recommend: 10-20mm // 35mm
Tall Grass
This grassy backdrop provides a soft and airy contrast to the industrial look, and your model will look stunning against it. Encourage your model to pose in a relaxed sitting or lying position, letting the blades of grass add a gentle, tactile element to the photograph.
Lenses we recommend: 50mm // 85mm
The Rocks
Located under the bridge between Durham College and Ontario Tech is a dry creek bed filled with rocks of varying sizes. This area also features a small bridge you can use as a backdrop. Because it is not frequently used, you can enjoy a relatively private photoshoot.
Lenses we recommend: 35mm // 50mm
We hope that the locations shared in this post gave you inspiration and motivation to get started on your quickly-approaching-due-date-of-an-assignment. It happens and we’ve all been there. I’m positive you’ll get some amazing looking photos from these overlooked spots and many have the benefit of being fairly quiet areas.
Good luck on your assignment - you will do great!
