The Toronto Camera Club in conjunction with camera retailer Henry’s Cameras are offering a series of workshops featuring some amazing Canadian photographers.
If you skip around these photographers’s websites a couple of things become immediately apparent. First all of these photographers are at the top of their game. Clearly all of them have mastered the techniques of shooting images.
But many, if not all of the images, could have been shot by anyone of us.
So why do the images of these accomplished photographers stand out from all the rest of the images that we see daily on social media and TV and magazines? And why aren’t our photos just as good?
Aside from their technological knowledge most if not all of their images are visually appealing. Either the composition is compelling or the image was taken in a photo-rich environment or both. Often shot during the early mornings or late evenings these photographers understand that photography – especially great photography – is dependent on the available light and they have become masters of lighting.
So where are these photo-rich environments?
A lot of them are closer to home here in Ontario than you might expect. Oh sure there are images from some of the iconic photographic places in the world but Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Naure Photographer of the Year Patricia Homonylo is from Toronto and one of her award-winning images was shot in Toronto. Peter Dulis is a Canadian fine art photographer and you’ll recognize a lot of the locations where he has taken some amazing images.
So how do we get better as photographers?
Here’s my list:
- Use the camera you have. None of this is about gear!
- Take lessons at a local club or pro-level weekend workshops
- Become a student. YouTube is an online college-level teacher
- Go to photo-rich places and shoot a lot of photographs
- Experiment with light and shadow
- Finally practice, practice, practice
StreetShooters 
Leave a comment