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Our TOP SIX recommendations for sources of CANADIAN photo-related content to keep your idea machine active - from the couch. 1. We love this crazy collection of arty Canadian film + video Online + FREE / under $10. VUCAVU helps the world see the work of Canadian filmmakers and video artists. Browse through a vast catalogue of video content from animation, to comedy, to documentaries, to horror, to Indigenous stories, and so much more. Video lengths and rates vary (starting from FREE!), and content is available in English and French. Get cozy, set up an account, and start browsing. This could be your new Netflix. vucavu.com 2. If you're into cool Canadian DOCUMENTARY content... A few of our faves from the Knowledge Network Online + FREE The mountains are calling! This Mountain Life is a riveting portrait of human passion set high in the peaks of British Columbia. Shut Up and Say Something follows acclaimed international spoken word artist Shane Koyczan as he mines the scars of his past for truth, acceptance, and the most important poem of his life. Filmed over a full year at the HOpe Centre in North Vancouver, Living in HOpe follows patients and health care providers as they work together on a bold, radically human approach to mental health. www.knowledge.ca 3. If you're into great CANADIAN content NATIONAL FILM BOARD OF CANADA Online, FREE + paid The NFB is an award-winning online resource featuring thousands of bilingual videos – from documentaries to animated films, from new releases to back catalogue favourites. We love their curated collections, and their Educational Playlists feature for teachers, and that content can be streamed or played offline. The NFB app can be downloaded from the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, or from Google Play. nfb.ca 4. Where do you have to be right now? Nowhere? Yay! Deep dive + support PUBLISHERS from across CANADA We are especially LOVING these quality-coffee-table-worthy publications right now... SEITES A Calgary-based non-profit community, that works to share and promote analog imagemaking processes'. Beautiful publications that truly honor analog artists. Check them out HERE . LEAH HENNEL's NEW BOOK! GET 'ALONG THE WESTERN FRONT', and check out other lovely offerings by Rocky Mountain Books (RMB) HERE . FOTO:RE View From wonderful Waterloo Ontario... FOTO:RE View is a large-format quarterly journal that celebrates photographers and their work, in conjunction with complementary essays. Check out the latest HERE. DANA CLAXTON's book by FIGURE 1 Publishing Figure 1 promises, " Contemporary. Innovative. Beautiful. Books." We can attest - they DELIVER. We're especially big fans of the first monograph to examine the full breadth and scope of artist Dana Claxton’s practice. Check out what they have HERE. 5. Listen up! if you're into PODCASTS... We LOVE THE CLICK . Online + FREE We LOVE this #MadeinVancouver podcast series featuring inspiring conversations on photography, hosted by Truth and Beauty Gallery Director - Peppa Martin (one of our fave contributors!) CLICK HERE to check out THE CLICK! 6. Take a break from the screen.... LOVE MAGAZINES AGAIN $40./ year Of course we recommend ourselves! We share Canadian photography stories in a BRAND NEW LIGHT. New ways to think about photography GUARANTEED. Subscribers get 3 beautifully printed issues DELIVERED per year. (Spring/Summer + Fall + Winter) We also have a sweet catalog of BACK ISSUES - if there's a theme you're into but missed out on previously. + WE DELIVER TO YOUR CANADIAN DOORSTEP! photoed.ca/shop + Feel the bonus karma points flow your way when you SHARE all these goodies through your social media channels! Behind all of these suggestions are REAL CANADIAN HUMANS working super hard to bring you the best - a 'Like' or a 'follow' on social media is a sweet little boost of the ego in hard times.

Chris Shepherd explores the underground world of the subway station and discovers structures and places of beauty. In his series Waiting he finds moments of emptiness in-between receiving trains full of commuters, and sanctuaries of institutional architecture. In Waiting , Shepherd displays images of both Toronto’s and New York City’s transit systems, drawing parallels between the two through architectural similarities that sometimes leave viewers confused about the subject matters’ locations. Originally interested in pursing a career in painting, Shepherd thinks of his photographs as “found paintings.” The spaces displayed in Waiting show a sense of shape, form, and colour that Shepherd inherited from such abstract painters as Mark Rothko and such photographers as William Eggleston. Shepherd’s simple, clean compositions and attention to line reference such stringent documentarians as Berndt and Hilla Becher or Candida Hofer, all of who focus on municipal architecture, such as water towers or libraries. Unlike architectural photographers who use large or medium format cameras to capture their spaces, Shepherd shoots with a DSLR and a 24–105 mm lens that allows him the flexibility necessary for capturing tight or close underground spaces. He always uses available light and prefers to crop in-camera. He keeps post-production to a minimum, removing lens distortion and adjusting exposure. While his access to New York’s subway system is in part facilitated by a project he is working on for the Art for Transit program, to photograph in stations run by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), Shepherd had to get $2 million in liability insurance and pay $250 for a permit that allowed him to shoot on platform level. The challenges in securing this access were not easy to overcome — it took him four years to set up the permission to create the TTC images in Waiting, having originally nervously shot illegally. Shepherd insists on getting the right permissions, stating that if he can’t get it, he won’t shoot it, and that this approach has improved both his confidence and the legitimacy of his work. In an attempt to modernize its stations, the TTC put into motion a plan for station makeovers, and have redesigned Museum station to reflect the street-level cultural attraction that gives it its name. Shepherd feels ambivalent about these changes, which he thinks are “less likely to age as well” as older, more iconic stations. But at the same time, he says, his images are not inspired by a drive to preserve these spaces, but by a desire to document the transitional, fleeting nature of overworked infrastructure that is constantly in flux. Although he feels this work may elicit a gloomy or melancholy response, Shepherd finds his compositions “exciting;” he often revisits and reshoots a place until he can capture what originally drew him there. He speaks about the possibility of a space’s future, a kind of latent “energy” that he sees in the five minutes between trains, when the space is not necessarily empty or abandoned, but simply waiting. “Waiting is something I think we, as a society, don’t do very well. We somehow think it’s a waste of time,” Shepherd says. He sees a peace in these environments that most would never think of as tranquil. We featured Chris Shepherd and this article in our Fall 2010 issue: Architecture Photography – Issue 29. If you’re looking for architecture photography inspiration, you can find it HERE. Check out what Chris Shepherd has been up to lately at: www.chrisshepherd.net #ChrisShepherd #TorontoPhotography #canadianphotography #architecturephotography #OntarioPhotographer

Our recommendations for regret-free / invest in your own self stuff that will make 2022 better than 2020 or 2021! (We hope! Like, we REALLY hope!) AKA: A list of stuff you'll love AND can write off as a photography business expense! #MeTime DragonneDesign From formal and classy, to fun and floral, we LOVE these handmade camera straps from DragonneDesign in Quebec. Take your pick from a wide selection of fabrics, or customise and get your name/ or company name on your strap. Nice. All lovingly hand crafted + #MadeInCanada ! We think the gold skulls are the best. Check them out - HERE . Canadian Photo HISTORY wants YOU! The Photo Historic Society of Canada is a Nonprofit Organization run by volunteers, whose mandate is “ To advance the knowledge of and interest in the histories of photography” . Since 1974, the society has held monthly meetings, published a journal, (Photographic Canadiana), sponsored awards and publishing projects, hosted the Photographica Fair, a print show, and various in-person events for photography lovers. These people know their stuff, and LOVE to share what they know with anyone interested! With the global pandemic in play, monthly meetings and presentations have gone virtual which is awesome, as their events are FREE and accessible wherever you are. Gotta love the "Zoom and tell" a weird and wonderful stuff "show and tell"! We have added them to this "Me List" as we think $35. / year for a membership is a pretty sweet deal, and OR - as a registered Canadian Charity - you can donate to this awesome group AND get a TAX RECEIPT! Find them on CANADA HELPS - HERE . Check them out at: phsc.ca * NOTE: These guys have a super fun Instagram account + an email newsletter that rocks. To get their enews, send your email address to info@phsc.ca using the subject “news” and they will add you their list. Easy. + ALWAYS interesting. Up your editing game and don't pay monthly! Recently rated Apple's "App of the year" - Affinity Photo , is a professional image editing software that rivals Photoshop. It offers Raw Editing, HDR Merge, Panorama Stitching, Batch Processing, PSD Editing, 360 Image Editing, and Unlimited Layers. And the best part? YOU OWN it. It's NOT a subscription. For CA$74.99 on Windows or Mac or CA$29.99 on iPad. Instead of paying a monthly or yearly fee, it's a one-time purchase that comes with extensive editing tools + you can try before you buy - with the FREE trial. Check it out HERE. Go pro - with your luggage. We are loving the Think Tank Photo - Retrospective 30 V2.0 shoulder bag. A classic look with some sweet innovative new features.... Ya know when you're trying to shoot with discretion in a quiet, sensitive situation.... You need something from your bag, but can't get it because that velcro closure is just too noisy and distracting to rip open?! ....UGH. Well, this bag could save your cookies next time. The folks at Think Tank thought about that! Hook-and-loop "Sound Silencers" keep your stuff secure! FEATURES: Fits a 15" laptop Seam-sealed rain cover included HEAPS of pockets and dividers For extra security, they added a zippered opening under the main flap that tucks away when not in use. + more techy specs and 5-Star reviews.... to check out HERE. Comes in black and pinestone (greeny/ gray) + slate blue (retail $240.) GREAT COFFEE - Delivered. Kick start every shoot with GREAT COFFEE. Every order from Sparkplug Coffee is Custom Built to your specs with premium Arabica coffee beans that are directly sourced and fairly traded. From bold dark roasts to a delish decaf, there's something for every coffee lover here! The AUTOPILOT (sorta a subscription) coffee plan is easy-peasy, it's pay-as-you-go , nothing locked in, or membershipy. Just GREAT coffee - delivered on the regular. All on your terms! Clients LOVE great coffee on set! Our pals at SPARKPLUG COFFEE want to keep you fuelled with a Special BOGO deal for friends of PhotoED Magazine! Buy a bag of coffee and get one for 40%off with the gift code: PHOTOEDFRIEND Does Starbucks need more of your cash? Not really! #ShopLocalCanada BECOME a Patron PATRONAGE HAS PERKS! Not only do you get the magazine delivered to your door (3x/ year), your NAME will feature IN PRINT as one of our V.I.Ps - AND theres a whole other list of stuff/ options to support us - so we can continue to inspire - YOU! ... starting at only $3./ month! Check out the details: HERE!

Our recommendations for the perfect gift All under $100. + ALL #ShopLocal bookS we LOVE... The Haddon Hall - Naomi Harris In 1999, photographer NAOMI HARRIS moved into a South Miami Beach Art Deco hotel to document a unique community. Armed with a 35mm camera and slide film, she became a surrogate granddaughter to the residents. After years of work, surviving the depression, war, and concentration camps, many Jewish senior citizens made the pilgrimage south. A depressed economy and cheap rent (at that time) made it an ideal choice for a retiree on a fixed income. "I photographed my surrogate bubbehs and zaidehs lounging by the pool, doing exercises and kibitzing on the veranda. I joined them for bingo, took them grocery shopping and to the beauty parlors; these people were my friends.” — NAOMI HARRIS The Washington Post says: "Harris’s evocative images bring us into this circle of people who’ve found and sought solace in each other in a unique place and time." "'Haddon Hall' is like a family album, wrought with vim, vigor and a healthy dose of empathy. It’s a beautifully engaging testimony to a bygone era." Published by Void Limited Edition of 1250 Hardcover, silkscreened with open spine 104 pages, 200 x 270 mm $65 Order your copy from our friends at ROONEYS - HERE. Light Wounds - Eva H.D. & Kendall Townend This meditative collection of "photo-haiku hybrids", with poems by Eva H.D. and photographs by Kendall Townend, is a unique gift idea for the fellow artist in your life. As Don Snyder describes in Photomonitor : "This is a multilayered and rewarding book, and highly recommended—especially for those who share a curiosity about the endless differences between what an image shows, and it might express." 80+ pages $35. Get it from the Light Wounds website, HERE. Stay Solid Or Move West - Chris Donovan As featured in our DOCUMENTARY ISSUE , we love a Chris Donovan story! In Stay Solid Or Move West, Chris explores identity, love, memory, and the Maritime tradition of "going west." The book features photographs taken mostly on disposable cameras over the course of four years, alongside archival images sourced from family albums. Donovan's first book is a diaristic account of his displaced coming-of-age, and the intergenerational trauma and feeling of inevitability of westward migration experienced by so many Maritimers. For many, “west” refers to the perceived economic prosperity of Alberta’s oil fields. For Donovan, it was the promise of endless opportunity that drew him from the Atlantic to Toronto. 6.5″ x 8.5″ (vertical), 144 pages Binding: Swiss Brochure, open spine with cover attached on back. Edition Size: 500 $40. Get it online from ROONEYS - and SHOP LOCAL Hamilton! About Time - Jin-me Yoon About Time presents Vancouver artist Jin-me Yoon’s significant artworks of the last decade. Frequently combining photography, video and installation, Yoon’s work is distinguished by a poetic, cinematic aesthetic—one that is deeply contemplative and undergirded by an examination of our position in the world as it is reflected in and shaped by ideas of history and memory, land and ocean. Published by Hirmer Publishers and Vancouver Art Gallery | 2022 Hardback, 208 pages 7'' x 9.75'', 100 colour illustrations $65.00 + shipping Get it from the Vancouver Art Gallery store - HERE. More MAGAZINES! Affordable and current, these gorgeous publications will remind the receiver that you are awesome whenever they open their snail mail and find a fresh copy. Here are a few of our independently published faves... BlackFlash Saskatoon situated, BlackFlash Magazine presents critical opinions, and innovative ideas about divergent artistic practices from across Canada, and beyond. Each issue includes profiles, interviews, reviews, feature articles, and artist projects from a diverse selection of artists, writers, and curators. BlackFlash produces three printed editions/ year. ($22.) Subscribe HERE. STRATUS Journal STRATUS is a indie journal featuring film photography, based in Treaty 6 territory, in Edmonton. Their most recent mini-issue, "Life in Green" turns its lens toward the environment, and is all about appreciating green. $30. Check out STRATUS Journal's website, HERE. A Custom Curated Boxset surprise! The Toronto-based Issues Magazine Shop carries hard-to-find, independently-published magazines from around the world. Let them curate a surprise boxset of magazines, choosing your price-point, from $25 (1 magazine) to $300 (6-10 magazines). First, choose your budget, and then tell them about your gift recipient: Who are you buying for? What topics do they love? Are there specific titles you'd like to include? Do you want to send a gift message? If so, what should it say? Subject to available inventory; shipping is included. Check it out HERE. Add COFFEE to your magazine moment! REALLY nice fresh roasted coffee can spark a little extra warmth into your giftee's custom-built magazine moment. We love Sparkplug coffee because it's delicious , roasted fresh locally, and run by a cool female-led team. ADD-ON on a 300g bag of coffee to your PhotoED deliveries! Enjoy a 3 issue (1 year) PhotoED Subscription + 3 Bags (350g) of Coffee (A single bag is delivered with each edition) $80. Price includes delivery (x3) anywhere in Canada. Custom ground or whole bean options available. The coffee selection will change with each season. *Sorry, the RYAN VAN DER HOUT limited edition print is OUT OF STOCK. FIND OUT MORE - HERE. Cool stufF A statement piece! ART = WORK Get this tell-it-like-it-is T-shirt for only $20 — HERE. The ART=WORK campaign is run by VANL-CARFAC, Visual Artists of Newfoundland and Labrador + Canadian Artists Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens, in partnership with the Mary MacDonald Foundation . This joint fundraiser supports visual artists, curators, and art workers living in Newfoundland and Labrador through programs and awards distributed by their respective organizations. Handmade mugs also now available! Check them out HERE. Get 2023 on the right track. A calendar featuring Canadian photography is always a great gift. Here's one we REALLY love. Megaphone is a Vancouver-based organization that amplifies marginalized voices through writing, photography and public dialogue. Megaphone's 13-month Hope in Shadows Calendar features photographs from a local photo contest open to the low-income vendors who sell the calendar to earn income. This tear-jerker video of the launch of the 2021-2022 calendar is worth watching! Get inspired and support people to find hope in shadows - all year! $20. Calendars can be purchased online OR if you're in Vancouver, find a local VENDOR! Gelaskins Freshen up your tech! Gelaskins offers artist-designed skins for laptops, phones, tablets, wireless headphones, e-readers, and MUCH more... You can also upload your own photo , logo, or artwork and create a bespoke skin. And they're made in Toronto! Get 20% off your first order from Gelaskins by using our coupon code PHOTOED20. Mac skins, (pictured below), start at $42. Check out their full product line HERE. Urchin bags Are you holiday shopping for an eco-conscious adventurer? Photo adventures need sturdy (and stylish) ways to keep your stuff together. Urchin Bags might have just what you're looking for. Designed and made by Clare on Vancouver Island, the bags give old bike tires and seatbelts a second life as durable and unique carry-alls. We love the vegan, zippered bag (above) made with a used bike tire's inner tube and scrap vinyl, and the seat belt wallets (below) are super cool too! Urchin Bags diverts material from landfills and sews it into functional, funky, and durable pieces of art! They're perfect for holding small bits of gear, toiletries, or rolls of film. Check out more of URCHIN BAGS stuff - HERE. For the artists out there With eight great options, we LOVE artist/photographer Danny C ustodio 's T's. If you know someone that can laugh in the face of rejection, or the realities of being a starving artist - this is the perfect gift! Available in black with white text, or white with black text, in a range of sizes to suite any size of artist! Check out these T's - HERE . No. 1 leather camera strap This minimalist leather camera strap is handmade by the folks at Fieldwork Company in Alberta. It's cut from 6oz Full-Grain leather and features solid brass components. Over time, the leather will soften and develop a patina unique to your strap. AND you can personalise them with hand stamped initials! Starting at $50 + shipping at Fieldwork Co's website— HERE. FlicFilm (but also chemicals!) Located in beautiful Longview Alberta, Flic Film is a "manufacturer of 35mm cinema film cassettes for stills photography and a blender and manufacturer of photo chemicals." They state, "The products we produce are influenced by two principles, customer wants and needs, and environmental sustainability and responsibility. All products are designed and packaged to have the lowest possible impact on the environment." FlicFilm (and chemicals - including a C-41 kit!) are available through retailers across Canada, Beau Photo Supplies in Vancouver, Downtown Camera in Toronto, and others listed HERE . For the kids! Inspire kids through photography Project Kids & Cameras is a social enterprise empowering kids ages 7-14 to explore their voice and the world around them through photography, literacy, visual thinking skills, and social action. With in-person and online options, we LOVE this thoughtful gift idea! Find out more about what they do: www.projectkidsandcameras.com #SHOP LOCAL CANADA Our local Canadian retailers + small business' need us. Amazon + Walmart don't care about you. Shop smarter. It's easy! Not sure what your photography lover would like? Let them chose + SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS with GIFT CERTIFICATES. If you're in Vancouver - check out the awesomeness of BEAU photo. "Bottom line – we are here to assist you. It doesn’t matter if you are running your own photography business, are a photographic artist, a student getting into photography or someone who found an old film camera and wants to start using it. We are here to help you decide what is best for your needs. No hard sales tactics here." If you're in Toronto, we love a visit to Downtown Camera. At Downtown Camera, gift certificates can be used on anything in the store, from film developing (drop-in OR mail-in) and analog accessories, to the latest digital gear & gadgets. Your giftee will fee like a kid in a candy store! Looking for a store that's nation-wide? Henry's has everything A photographer could ever want. Check out their huge selection of cameras and photography gear, HERE. The ultimate Canadian photography lovers gift!? Of course we recommend our own selves as the BEST GIFT ever! + Our SUBSCRIBE + TOTE offer is a sweet deal. New ways to think about Canadian photography GUARANTEED. Subscribers get 3 beautifully printed issues DELIVERED per year. (Spring/Summer + Fall + Winter) We also have a neat catalog of BACK ISSUES - if there's a theme your gift-ee is into but missed out on previously - check it out. photoed.ca/shop + Feel the bonus karma points flow your way when you SHARE all these goodies through your social media channels! Behind all of these suggestions are REAL CANADIAN HUMANS working super hard to bring you their best - a 'Like' or a 'follow' on social media is a sweet little boost of the ego in hard times.

An interview with photoED Magazine Mauline Jacques in Montreal • Shot w/Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens at ISO 1250, 1/80 sec., f/2.8, 70mm Karene-Isabelle Jean-Baptiste is a Montreal-based photographer interested in capturing elusive moments of magic. She was selected as a Woman of the Year 2020 by Best Health   Magazine  for her photo project on Black women in healthcare. In 2021 she was awarded a Photojournalism Diversity Grant by La Presse , and in 2022 she received a Black Women Photographers Nikon USA award. Mauline Jacques in Montreal • Shot w/Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens at ISO 1250, 1/80 sec., f/2.8, 70mm photoED: Your profession until fairly recently was engineering. How and why did you decide to transition into full-time photography? Karene-Isabelle: At times, there is a synchronicity to things that we are not fully aware of. I had known myself to be unhappy as an industrial engineer for a certain time and the thought of doing that work day in and day out until I could finally retire was draining me mentally. In early 2020 I decided that I should take a chance on myself and on this career and pursue photography full time. When the pandemic exploded that year, it suddenly felt urgent for me to create work that would speak to the world as it was unfolding itself around me. That sense of urgency and my need to document this exceptional time led me to create my series Black Women in the Time of the Pandemic. It was this project that kick-started further opportunities and made it possible for me to become a full-time photographer. photoED: Your work appears effortless in its simple beauty and intoxicating use of colour. What would you like viewers to know and understand about all the work that goes on to craft an image behind the scenes? Karene-Isabelle: My work is very much inspired by painting and the natural world. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of colour and its ability to make us feel so deeply. I want my work to reflect that. I’ll often start with a specific colour in mind and work to add it into my palette. I often enjoy consulting wi th a friend who  has the most amazing eye for design and we work unbelievably well together. We bounce ideas off of each other and somehow always seem to meet in exactly the right place creatively. photoED:  What do you love most about creating stories through photography?   Karene-Isabelle: I am an avid reader and have always been awed by writers’ abilities to create worlds a reader can fully immerse themselves in. I share that same desire to create a world all my own. Photography affords me that opportunity and I am thankful for it. I love leading people into a story, an idea, or a community they may have never thought of but which they have now gained an entry into through the images I have crafted. Annaïla Telsaint in Montreal • Shot w/Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens at ISO 500, 1/320 sec., f/2.8, 154mm photoED: Whose work has influenced yours? Karene-Isabelle: I have been influenced by many but there are three standouts for me. The first is certainly Gordon Parks, whom I’ve always seen as a Renaissance man. I love his use of colour, the variety of his projects (fashion, film, photojournalism), and his distinct point of view. I love the work of Yousuf Karsh. The portraits he created are iconic and, in many cases, the definitive images by which his subjects are known. I go back to his work often when I look to create my own portraits. Lastly, I am a real fan of Malick Sidibé. I remember stumbling onto his iconic Nuit de Noël  in a magazine one day and I immediately cut it out. That led me to researching his work and discovering a freedom, simplicity, and honesty that influences me to this day. photoED: What makes a good photograph? Karene-Isabelle: A good photo is arresting. It takes us to a place that feels familiar yet unexpected. It forces us to linger, to wonder, to feel. It pulls us in, despite ourselves. photoED: How has working in photography influenced you personally? Karene-Isabelle: My work in photography has made me much more determined and more willing to take risks. Being a photographer involves a lot of pitching projects, submitting work for judgment, and approaching strangers. It typically involves a lot of rejection and that has led me to understand and accept that the word “no” is part of the world I evolve in. It is not an indication of the value of my work or of myself as a person. In a way, photography has taught me to do things while scared. This has helped me in other areas outside of my work as well. Shot w/Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens at ISO 1250, 1/160 sec., f/2.8, 100mm photoED:  What has been your favourite or most personally impactful project or adventure?   Karene-Isabelle: My work on Black women in healthcare is my favourite and most impactful project without a doubt. The reaction of the subjects themselves, of other women who also work in the medical field, and of the general public was overwhelmingly positive. I wanted to place Black women in the context of the pandemic and show how they contributed to Canadian society during what was inarguably a very difficult time. I wanted them to be seen. It also felt important to break with the myth of the powerful Black woman. I wanted the women to be seen as strong, yes, but also as vulnerable and scared. It felt important to show their humanity and give them a voice which they had felt deprived of. So many reached out to say that this project made them finally feel seen. photoED:  What does your dream project entail? Where do you hope photography will take you in the future? Karene-Isabelle: My dream project entails a look into the Montreal borough in which I live: Montr é al-Nord. I want to make work to counter the negative stereotypes that exist about the area and show what it’s really like to live here and show the beauty that exists within. It’s a working class neighborhood and people work hard but its difficult reputation is undeserved. I would fashion that work in the same vein as what was done by Jamel Shabazz in the eighties in New York: raw, honest, and hopeful. My hope for my photography is that it brings joy and love to my subjects. I would also love to have my work collected by galleries someday for posterity. I would love to say that I came, I revealed, and I changed some minds. Mauline Jacques in Montreal • Shot w/Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens at ISO 1250, 1/125 sec., f/2.8, 70mm GEAR UP What camera and equipment do you use? What’s your favourite lens? Tell us about your experience using Tamron lenses? Karene-Isabelle: I mostly use my Canon 5D Mark II. It’s an oldie but a goodie. I bought it many years ago and it is definitely a workhorse.  While I l ove a fixed lens, I was blown away by and fell in love with the 70-120mm Tamron zoom lens. Its depth of field is unmatched. It is sharp, fast, and light to carry. The focus is also soooo smooth. I’d never really worked with a zoom lens for fear of losing out on some of the light, but this lens was definitely a game changer for me and it certainly made me rethink my position. I am not a technical photographer and surely it has many features to endear it to other users, but I just know that I love taking pictures with it! Karene-Isabelle Jean-Baptiste See more of Karene-Isabelle Jean-Baptiste's work - HERE. Check out Karene-Isabelle Jean-Baptiste's fave new Tamron lens - HERE! www.tamron-americas.com

Ottawa, is home to a unique institution —  the SPAO  Photographic Arts Centre A   ONE - AND - A - HALF - STOREY  converted warehouse, tucked away on a residential street in the Little Italy neighbourhood of Ottawa, is home to a unique institution —  the SPAO  Photographic Arts Centre. The centre houses a gallery, a residency program, and the only two-year photographic arts college diploma program in Canada. The SPAO, Photographic Arts and Production Diploma program draws applicants from around the world, and accepts only 16 students per year into its full-time program. Founded in 2005 by art instructor Michael Tardioli, creative director Khalia Scott, and 20 students who pooled their money to launch it, the school was created to provide an alternative to the commercially focused photographic training offered by other colleges. “The students wanted something special that lived up to their educational expectations,” says Jonathan Hobin, the current creative director of SPAO. “No other program was offering that, so they built it.” That grassroots origin and small student body have allowed a close-knit community to flourish. “When you have a small group of people and they support one another, they care for one another,” says Jonathan. “You learn about people, you go deep, and you get vulnerable. It really is incredible.” Operating more like an artist-run centre than a typical art school, SPAO’s intimate, collaborative environment fosters cross-pollination of ideas between students of diverse backgrounds and ages. Instructors know every student by name and nurture the vision of each one, providing one-to-one mentorship and a safe, supportive space for students to grow and flourish as artists. “It’s a space that feels much more like a home away from home than a college or university campus,” says Jonathan. With a strong focus on process and experimentation, SPAO encourages students to push the boundaries of traditional photographic techniques. In year one, students explore subjects such as portraiture and landscape photography, and learn various technical processes such as cyanotype and dry plate. “We believe in the art of craft,” says Jonathan. “If you’re going to be working with photography, you have to understand your tools.” This foundation serves as a catalyst for students to experiment and develop their own unique artistic practices, which they then refine in their second year as they learn the business of being an artist. Classes covering topics such as project planning, building a portfolio, and community engagement prepare students for a successful art career. “It’s not just about learning photography,” says Jonathan. “It’s about learning how to be an artist.” This is the promise of SPAO — a space where students enjoy a transformative experience and become the lens-based artists they’re meant to be. Alumni have seen their work shown in and represented by local and international galleries, and have participated in photography festivals and art fairs around the world. They’ve sold pieces into public and private collections, have won major awards and grants, and have been featured in major media outlets. Here we share the stories of three SPAO alumni and how attending the tiny Ottawa college lay the groundwork for their thriving photographic arts careers. These artists have pioneered new, original photographic techniques, a testament to the disruptive nature of SPAO’s methodology. Each of their practices meld different photographic techniques together to create something completely original. "Conception of Tranquility" • Steve West • Brain scan image   Steve West - Class of 2020 Steve West first attended SPAO as a part-time student while he was working as a consultant in the Health Sciences sector. With encouragement from the school’s founder, Michael Tardioli, Steve enrolled and was accepted into the full-time diploma program. “I was a mature student, so I felt I had to justify to my classmates — and prove to myself — that I belonged in this artistic environment,” he shares.  That self-doubt quickly dissipated amid the nurturing environment of SPAO. Steve says, “When I look back at where I was when I started, and then what I achieved by the end of the diploma, it’s amazing. It was life-changing and incredibly enriching for me as a person.” With a highly accomplished career in health sciences, Steve is building an equally impressive second act in the photographic arts. Aestheticizing brain scan imaging data, his current work explores the mysteries of the human brain and those living with substance use disorders. Steve emphasizes, “I cannot stress enough the impact SPAO had on my artistry as well as providing me with the technical and post-production foundations to realize the work I want to produce. It gives you the confidence to experiment, be technically competent. For me, that’s just as important as producing the artistic work.” “The diploma program at SPAO was a life-changer for me and set me on a new course as a lens-based artist. I still go to SPAO and stay in touch with classmates. It is more than a school of photographic art — it’s a community!” – Steve West, class of 2020 “Transfix” • Whitney Lewis-Smith • Heliogavure etching on copper. Whitney Lewis-Smith - Class of 2011 Whitney Lewis-Smith had all but abandoned her artistic practice before attending SPAO. She was working in marine science at the time and enrolled in the photography school to focus on documentary techniques for use in tandem with her underwater fieldwork. However, the two-year program changed Whitney’s trajectory completely and her studio practice developed into a very successful career. “The program opened doors for me that I hadn’t previously considered,” she says. These days, Whitney builds elaborate botanical constructions and captures them on 8×10 glass plate negatives, using techniques she first began experimenting with at SPAO. She then transfers the image to a copper etching plate, using printmaking to reproduce the photo with the historic photogravure process. “What I learned at SPAO has remained as a sort of rulebook for me ever since,” she says.  Represented by the Bau-Xi Gallery in Toronto and Vancouver, Whitney has shown her work in galleries and art fairs as far as Seattle, Mexico, and Spain. Her pieces are in the collections of Global Affairs Canada and the City of Ottawa, as well as the private collection of Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. “The facilities at SPAO were a great playground of discovery for me. Every free hour outside of classes, I made use of the darkroom and studio, teaching myself obscure techniques. That free experimentation time with so many available tools is still something I consider invaluable today.” – Whitney Lewis-Smith, class of 2011 "Venus I" • Kamryn  Woloschuk • Composite image Kamryn Woloschuk - Class of 2023 Kamryn Woloschuk was procrastinating from doing schoolwork for her non-arts program in second-year university when she searched online for Canadian photography schools. Amid a sea of commercial programs, SPAO stood out to her as a place where she could develop an artistic practice without the four-year commitment a degree program required. Once she became a student, Kamryn found her time at SPAO to be not only fun but also validating. “I finally felt like an actual artist. It’s fulfilling to be a part of a community that takes your art and experience seriously, especially when you haven’t felt that before,” she says.  The small cohort had a broad range of life experiences, artistic talents, and philosophical perspectives — a diversity that helped Kamryn expand her own practice. Used to working in isolation, she says, “My favourite thing about attending SPAO was how the passion of those around me ended up fuelling my own.” Inspired by the Venus of Willendorf, Kamryn photographs what she affectionately refers to as fat bodies, and melding their forms over roughly articulated clay using post production tools. Now a graduate and emerging artist of the highest calibre, the queer multidisciplinary artist sees her practice not only as an outlet for self-expression, but also as a means to contribute to conversations on mental health, feminism, and community. “The SPAO diploma program was almost completely opposite to my experience in university. It’s intimate, casual yet sophisticated, hands-on, and community-based. We learned as much from the program as we did from being surrounded by other artists with diverse experiences and knowledge bases.”  – Kamryn Woloschuk, class of 2023 For more information about SPAO and how to apply to its college diploma program, visit spao.ca .

Entrez pour avoir! Enter to WIN! A Tamron lens giveaway! The Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is a fast-aperture lens that delivers outstanding resolution and superb overall performance in a lightweight compact zoom lens. See what this lens can do, HERE . Entries close October 31, 2023. No purchase necessary. Open to residents of Canada only. One entry per person. No substitutions. No cash value. Winner will be notified by email. Unsubscribe at any time. Prize must be claimed by December 1, 2023 or the prize is forfeited. The winner will be able to replace the Tamron SP 35/1.4 Di USD for SONY with a Canon or Nikon DSLR mounted lens ; or Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Fujifilm X mount ; or 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD for Nikon Z mount . No other substitutions. Entrez pour avoir la chance de gagner une Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 Zoom! (valeur $1199.00) Conditions d'entrée vous abonner à la newsletter électronique. Inscrivez-vous ici. Clôture des inscriptions le 31 octobre 2023. Désabonnez-vous à tout moment. Pas d'achat nécessaire. Ouvert aux résidents du Canada seulement. Pas de substitutions. Pas de valeur monétaire. Le gagnant sera averti par email. Le prix doit être réclamé avant le 1 décembre 2023 ou le prix est perdu. Le gagnant pourra remplacer la Tamron SP 35/1,4 Di USD pour SONY par une monture DSLR Canon ou Nikon ; ou Tamron 17-70mm F/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD pour une monture Fujifilm X ; ou 70-300 mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD pour une monture Nikon Z . Aucune autre substitution.

Synchronicity By Fabrice Strippoli Give it the time it deserves. In Synchronicity , Fabrice Strippoli offers us something remarkable in a collection of images made in Canada’s largest urban centres: the quiet city. Oh, there’s construction and traffic and streetcars alright, but there’s a pervasive sense of calm over it all. It’s as if the photographer has turned the volume control on the streets from ‘10’ down to ‘1.’ Or maybe even ‘off.’ And with all that quiet we can take the time to notice subtlety in the black and white film photographs. A man walks along Spadina saving a cigarette behind his ear for later. Kids huddle together to whisper secrets. A woman nods off in a park with a straw hat perched on her face to cut the sun. No one seems in a hurry, perhaps because they are busy with interior worlds rather than the streets around them. In the same way, the reader has to slow down to take it all in. Blink and you might miss it. Sure, there are more aggressive photographers stalking the streets, but they’re on the hunt for flash and adrenaline, not insight. What you’ll find in Strippoli’s work, page after page, is intimacy and respect for the ordinary people you pass every day, but may never meet. Released in September 2022 with an introduction from the photographer and short texts by Ron Sexsmith and Justin Kingsley, Synchronicity is a very human book. Give it the time it deserves. Get your copy today! Figure 1 Publishing Hardcover, 132 pages $40 CDN Enjoyed this free read?! Consider supporting us! As the ONLY independent editorial photography publication on Canadian newsstands we'd love to continue producing great content for you to enjoy! JOIN US AS A PATRON • SUBSCRIBE FOR PRINT DELIVERY • GET DIGITAL ISSUUS

From blossoming flowers to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, every season has its own unique charm and beauty. With the change of weather, we must adapt to the environment around us. Here are a few tips and techniques that will help you to capture amazing photos, and to prepare your camera for the winter months. 1. Use fast shutter speeds to capture moving snow When you take a photo while it is snowing, adjust your settings so you can shoot with a faster shutter speed. The falling snow can actually help to create a very interesting depth of field as snow falls into the foreground or background around your main subject. A shutter speed of 1/250 is recommended as a starting point. Higher shutter speeds will produce more unique results. 2. Batteries drain fast in the cold Try your best to keep your batteries warm when you’re in the snow, as cold batteries lose their charge fairly quickly. By putting batteries in your inside jacket pockets, or even in the front pocket of your pants, your body heat will keep the batteries warm so they last a little longer. As always, no matter what or where you’re shooting, BRING EXTRA BATTERIES! 3. Raise your exposure compensation If you use Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, or Program Mode, be sure to raise your exposure compensation because your meter may be tricked by the snow. When shooting snowy scenes, your camera’s sensor might think your shot is too bright due to the white, strong highlights from the snow. Your camera will automatically attempt to adjust to darken the scene, making snow look grey, instead of white. By increasing your exposure compensation to between +0.3EV and +0.7EV, you’ll be able to capture the pure whiteness of your scene more effectively as it helps compensate for the brightness that is lost in the camera’s metering process. Be sure to test your shots a few times to find the right exposure compensation value. If you are shooting in full manual mode, you won’t be able to adjust your exposure compensation, however, be sure to readjust your settings so your photo is a little overexposed for the best results. 4. Protect your gear from snow and moisture When you’re outdoors, dry, powdered snow won’t damage your camera, but be sure to wipe it off with your glove, sleeve, or a small towel. Don’t use your hands. Your hands will melt the snow, creating a possibility that water will seep into your camera. In general, cold weather won’t affect your camera, but keep in mind the change in humidity when you’re heading indoors. You may notice that your lens fogs up with condensation when entering a warm place. Although you can wipe it off of your lens, condensation builds up inside your camera as well! This could potentially harm the internal mechanics of your camera and lens. The best solution for this is to put your camera into an airtight bag or container before heading indoors. This will protect your camera from the change in temperature and humidity. If there’s a small condensation buildup, don’t try to wipe it, as the moisture may seep into other parts of your camera. Instead, let your camera sit on a towel and let it warm up! 5. Sunny 16 Rule Factors such as the sun, snow, and unpredictable weather during the winter months make setting your ISO, shutter, and aperture tricky. The “Sunny 16 Rule,” also known as the “Sunny F/16 Rule,” provides us with a great starting point to capture perfectly exposed images. During a very sunny and bright day, set your camera’s ISO to 100, shutter speed to 1/100, and aperture to f/16. If you need to set a faster shutter speed to capture some fast-moving action, simply adjust the ISO to 200 and the shutter speed to 1/200 with the aperture remaining at f/16, and so on. This may sound easy, but this rule may change for winter landscapes depending on the natural lighting and the amount of snow. When you are shooting a subject or scene that is very bright and has a lot of snow, try this rule with a faster shutter speed as the snow reflects a large amount of light. Starting with an ISO of 100, shutter speed of 1/200, and aperture of f/16 is recommended. 6. Make use of leading lines Leading lines may be a simple concept to many photographers, but when you’re trying to capture a beautiful winter landscape, leading lines become very important. Your winter photo may contain a lot of white, compositionally creating more negative space than you may want. To make things interesting, you can find either sloped lines that move diagonally across your scene (such as mountain tops) or a vanishing point (a point where two lines converge, such as a walking path). Both of these techniques will help you add depth to your photo and a point for viewers to focus on. 7. Use a zoom lens Even though a prime lens may get you a great shot, it doesn’t offer the flexibility you need when shooting outdoors. You may need to take a macro shot of a snowflake, and then a landscape shot immediately after. We don’t recommend switching lenses and equipment too often when you’re outdoors, as the inner parts of your camera and other equipment will be exposed to the elements. 8. Later sunrises, earlier sunsets The golden hours (one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset) are the best times to shoot, especially for landscapes. A great thing about winter is that you do not have to get up by 4 a.m. to capture the sunrise. Keep in mind that golden hours in winter occur later in the morning and much earlier in the evening. Be sure to check your local weather report the day before to see the times for the sunrise and sunset. 9. Add contrast to your photos With all the white from the snow, your photos may need a little kick when editing, as the colours and contrast may seem dull. Increase and adjust your blacks, contrast, saturation, and shadows to bring life back into your photo when you’re back at home editing. #HowTo #Canadianlandscape #landscapephotography #exposure #experimentation #Traveltips

A light cone is a great accessory for any tabletop photography where wrap-around diffusion is needed. This is especially useful for photographing shiny reflective metallic surfaces. The camera lens is placed on the small open end of the cone and allows one to shoot down at the subject. Professional light cones made of acrylic can cost several hundred dollars; here is a DIY solution that is simple and economical. Get some Mylar Purchase a sheet of Mylar, 24 x 36 inches from any art supply store (costs about $5.00). Do some math online We found Craig Russell’s blog calculator really helpful for measurements for the pattern to construct a flat top cone. craig-russell.co.uk/demos/cone_calculator Decide how big you want the cone — the limit here is the size of the Mylar sheet. Choose a diameter for the top, bottom, and height to accommodate the objects you plan on photographing. Enter lengths A, B, and C into the calculator, click on “Calculate,” and the program will generate the arc angle and radii R1, R2. For the sample shown here, A=100 mm, B=380 mm, and C=380 mm. Output from the calculator gave an arc angle of 124.5 degrees, R1=144.6 mm, and R2=550 mm. Tape the sheet of mylar to a table and draw in the measurements Measure the arc angle with a protractor and draw R1 and R2 using a straight edge. A string stretched tight with one end anchored at the vertex and the other tied to a pencil can be used to draw the arcs. Cut out the pattern. Place tape on one open edge and close to form the cone. When you’re done, unlike a professional cone, the tape can be removed and the cone can revert to its flat shape for easy storage. All that you have left to do is to find a suitable background material (seamless paper works well), set up your lights, place the lens at the opening and shoot. To steady your shot, use a tripod with the column reversed. Soon, you will be looking everywhere for shiny metallic objects to photograph! #DIY #studiophotography #stilllifephotography #HowTo #phototips