DR Photos

Toronto photographer offering portrait, engagement, product and event photography services.

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Tips for selecting a local product photographer

If you’re looking for a commercial photographer to take pictures of your product having a photographer nearby is a huge benefit.  The obvious reason is local photographers make life easier for you, or do they?  Agreed, local can be a lot easier for you but in today’s world shipping your product to the photographer is also easy so local is an option but not the only one to consider when selecting a product photography agency. Tips for selecting a top commercial photographer Here is my simple list of tips to consider when selecting a business photographer for your product or company. Read the full article with tips to selecting a product photographer https://www.drphotos.ca/product-photography/simple-tips-to-consider-when-looking-for-a-local-commercial-product-photographer/

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Tips for taking horse racing photos - DR Photos

Taking horse racing photos can be very rewarding. The fast paced action of horses in motion frozen in time can often...

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Sony A7R II video sample test

While out taking some nature and wildlife photos i thought why not try some video with the Sony A7RII to see how the 5 axis stablization wroks. This video review of the Sony A7 R II shows just how amazing that image stablization is on the Sony Alpha camera.

Sony A7RII video sample

My new video post shows how easy the Sony A7Rii video functionality really is. You can see nature photos taken with the Sony A7R ii during this video to see how eailyt this camera switches back and fourth.

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Best ideas for prom poses and photos

New ideas for prom graduation photographs

It comes around every year and every year there are questions around what’s the best or newest ideas for cool prom photos. Prom pictures are really no different than posing models outdoors, you have to be ready for anything that comes your way.  The key is working with your subject and location to create the best possible prom photos.

How to take prom pictures that last the test of time.

With today’s Instagram generation knowing how to take a prom photo that lasts is something that might be lost on those you’re taking the picture of.  Yes funny prom poses are cool today and are part of the instant gratification culture we live in but it’s not something you should limit yourself to when taking prom images.  Remember what’s fashionable today isn’t tomorrow.  Grab some fun light hearted pictures of the prom and then snap some traditional prom portraits that the parents would be proud of.

Location and how the prom picture background can change on you quickly

Location photo shoots always have challenges and when you mix in a few hundred teens it’s crazy.  When picking a location to shoot your photos pay special attention to how the backdrops for your prom pictures might change.  Even if you bring a muslin or paper sheet you need to consider how changes around will impact the prom pictures.  Simple things like doors opening can move the background with a gust of air.  Similarly your lighting may change drastically as someone opens an outside door to let some fresh air in.  If you’re considering prom pictures of couples and singles keep in mind how this can quickly impact what type of backdrop you might need.  Your senior prom pictures can easily grow to class or team photos once everyone wants in the picture.  Having a small location or background will either make the shoot look amateurish or require you to do a lot of post production editing.  Last thing you need is an embarrassing photo that simply can’t be edited.

Read the full artcile

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How do you take winter photos when there is no beautiful scenery?

It’s possible it really is. You can take beautiful winter photos by using a simple photo tip that I use on almost every shoot. I realized this when practicing some wildlife photography tips I read online. The one tip the always seemed to forget was my one best tip, just take a picture. This seems so simple but is compounded when trying to take a nice picture of a dull winter. Living in the North hemisphere you get use to months of dull grey cold days. As a photographer it can be challenging. You see all these beautiful winter snow scenes in magazines and think hey I can do that. The only thing is you need mountains and sunlight and well everything you don’t have at your fingertips. So unless you plan on travelling to take your winter scenes images you’ll just have to make do with what’s around you.

How winter photography tips are no different than any other

Yep that’s right. You need to forget about the fact it’s winter and lifeless outside. You need to dig deep and find inspiration somewhere out there. When I think of taking photos of winter scenes I picture myself look small. I don't have any vast expanses of space and nature that just work for photos of winter, I have suburban landscapes. So look like you would all year round and find those small subjects that with the right camera skills you can make something ugly beautiful.

Making beautiful winter photos requires one thing!

When looking for beauty in a winter's landscape try this simple tip. Drive around your local community and stop as soon as you see something that you like. Yes, it’s that simple. Don’t over complicate things with trying to find the exact angle, location, arrangement or composition. Use your gut first and stop as soon as you find something you like. Now, once you’re stopped the fun starts. Ask yourself why do I like this spot, what is it that makes me think it’s nice. Once you start asking these questions you will start to uncover what winter pictures look better to you than others. If you’re shooting snow photography for the first time check out tips on who to adjust for white balance. Generally you’ll have to increase by a stop or so just to offset your camera's issues with all white scenes. Nonetheless a little reading before hand and shooting in RAW will help to solve any post production issues you may have.

What to look for in the winter

Something frozen A sign of life Deep snow Lines of trees

How to overcome the limits wildlife photography in the winter

There is a huge challenge with finding wildlife in the winter. Most of them have gone south or are now hibernating. So what wildlife can you take pictures of in the dead of winter? Take your time and walk around a local forest or nature reserve. You’ll find more than you think if you slow it down and look. I captured this owl minutes after walking from where I parked. It wasn’t too far from an outdoor photo shoot that I was on early in the season Granted this doesn’t happen all the time but it does happen and it’s always a great find. So this year when you’re looking for ideas on what to photograph in the winter just remember it’s not much different than the rest of the year. Use your skills, some gut instinct and you’ll be able to find winter scenes that make for some beautiful photos.

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February photo challenge on Instagram

It’s true photographers will use any reason to have a challenge so why not have one just for February and why not do it on Instagram!

Photo challenges are a great way to push your boundaries as a photographer.  Having a goal or direction helps you to focus which is often one of the biggest issues when starting to take pictures.  

What’s the best Instagram photo size

Well for me I find using the 1:1 aspect ratio the best for Instagram photos.  It’s simple and easy to see when users are scrolling by your feed. I find the best Instagram image size to be 1024 by 1024.  Again, it’s simple and easy to produce and view on a small screen.  Let’s not forget that Instagram is all about the phone for viewing, not many people are using their desktop computer to surf Instagram. 

Should you use filters on Instagram for a challenge?

Well this all depends on the challenge you’re looking at doing. If you’re a photographer changes are you have Lightroom or Photoshop on your computer.  I’d recommend using these tools to edit your software and upload either through your photo or Hootsuite to Instagram. 

Where to find new photography ideas for a challenge

Everywhere!  Yep, going to as many photo sharing sites as you can to draw some inspiration and get new photo ideas.   As much as we think we are purists all photographers draw from other great photos.  It’s only natural and if you say you don’t pinch yourself because you’re dreaming.  Now I draw ideas from some of the most unlikely places like engagement photos.  The ideas I get from them can easily be applied to portraits or other types of images. An area I’d like to explore is steel wool photography.  I find this to be a very dynamic looking format and I’m sure something crazy to do.  

A photo challenge doesn’t have to be only one that is somewhat like a competition.  It can be your job.  Let’s face it taking pictures of children or babies is a challenge in itself.  So coming up with new ways to take pictures of family's or babies is not much different than say a 365 photo challenge.

Check out some of the best tumblr photographers for your February challenge

While you’re here on tumblr surf around for photography ideas, after all you’re already on this site.  You’ll find some very creative approaches to the most common hurdles and from that you can draw on.

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How to get the most from a 365 photo challenge buying taking a photo a day

It’s a new year and what better way to improve your photography skills.  Take on a photo a day 365 challenge is a great way to do just that.

Why do a 365 photo a day challenge?

There are many challenges when taking a photo every day and trying to make them all look good.  Some of the best photo tips I can give you for taking on a challenge like this are in my post on planning for 365 photo challenge.  Outside the obvious issues I learned somethings that I would have never guessed would be an issue.  Take for example support in your personal life.  Taking a photo a day everyday of the year is a serious commitment.  Let’s face it what else do you commit to like that, eating, sleeping what else?  

Most important 365 project tips you’ll need to be successful 

When thinking of starting a 365 project research ideas and lists to get you started but also look at the other side to this type of challenge.  You need to give 100% all the time regardless of how you feel. It can be done and it is something you should do.  You’ll learn some much more about your photo skills and direction than you can imagine.  Just do it!

Learn more about how I planned my 365 project and finished a year later.

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Roadside photo of a horse peering deeply in to his soul!

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Toronto photographer for portrait, engagement and wedding photography

The GTA (Greater Toronto Area) has a wide range of professional Toronto based photographers capable of shooting portrait, engagement and wedding photos.  The question is how do you select the right person for you?

For more information on Toronto photographers check out my blog.

How to find the best Toronto photographer for your local photos

There are a number of things you should consider when looking for a photographer in Toronto to shoot your portraiture shoots or wedding photos.  Here are my tops tips for selecting a local photographer that you won’t see elsewhere.

Tip 1 – Define your photographic style.  Yep what’s the style of photo you’re looking for? Knowing this will go a long way to helping pick a local photographer in Toronto.  Think of things like the mood of a photo or the style it’s shot in.  If you’re looking for a traditional baby photographer you might want to consider a big box store, honestly the cost is much less and the quality is going to be in line with what you want.  If you’re looking for a creative photographer to shoot your wedding engagement then you have to do some digging.  Have a photographer that knows Toronto and understands where to get the shot is going to be important to you. 

Tip 2 – Talk to the photographer!  Ok seems obvious but you’d be surprised how many people don’t talk to the photographer before signing a contract.  Just like so many other things we purchase you buy in part because of how the person makes you feel.  In this case the photographer is going to work with you under a somewhat stressful situation.  It’s essential that you and your wedding or portrait photographer communicate so well that when you’re taking the pictures it’s completely natural.

Tip 2 – Being local to Toronto matters!  Yes, finding a photographer that lives in Toronto or the 905 area is very important. These are the photographers that know the area and can offer a range of ideas on where to shoot.  If you’re not a Toronto based photographer your knowledge is going to be very limited and that’s going to come through in the photographs. Select carefully.

I hope those new tips on selecting a Toronto photographer help you when picking someone for your photos.  If you have a question or comment drop one below or check out my photo blog for more details.

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Outdoor model photography tips for overcast portrait shoots

This is a great article on how to get some good model photos from what would typically be a terrible day to shoot.  Most often when you see fashion model photography you’ll notice that there is always extra lighting used.  A crew of people support the shoot allowing the photographer to shape the lighting to whatever they like.  But what happens when you’re working on model portfolio photography and you don’t have a crew to help?  This is where you have to use everything you’ve learned to get the shot!

Why using Tumblr for model photography inspiration is a no brainer

I’m sure most of us use YouTube for photography tutorials but where do you go for inspiration?  I’m finding Tumblr to be a great source for new ideas on how to approach my fashion photography.  Take for example my last outdoor location shoot.  I was struggling for some new ideas on what to take and at the same time challenged by the potential poor weather.  So, I headed over to Tumblr to poke around and see what others are up to.  As much as I like to think that photography is an individual art I do believe we can always learn and part of that is to see others work. I was able to get some pretty good ideas on the settings for outdoor portrait photos  just by finding images that would be similar to what I’d be taking.  

Mixing photography techniques and creative tips to produce work you’ll be proud of.

When I looked out my window early that morning all I could see was a grey overcast day.  Not ideal for taking pictures.  Having little choice but to move forward I started to plan some ideas for what types of shots could I take on this type of day.  I quickly read some photography techniques and tips that I had saved to refresh my mind.  I then decided to simplify my strategy by focusing on only a handful of poses.  Now I know the model is going to want more but I felt that if we could walk away with 4 or 5 photos that would be a good day.  After having the model sign a release form I began to ask some basic questions about what was expected, what she’d like to try etc..  At the very least this broke the ice and set expectations for both of us.  

Here are a few photos taken on a very dull grey day.

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Nature photo (see full article here http://www.drphotos.ca/photography-tips/how-a-walk-in-the-forest-can-improve-your-photography-skills-for-any-canon-camera/) taken while learning new photo tips and tricks with the Canon 7D Mark II and the Sony A7 and Lensbaby Velvet 56. Useful composition and exposure techniques are shared.

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Essential wedding photographer tips for brides and even grooms living in Ajax

Lets face it your wedding is going to be one of if not the most important day of your life.  Picking a wedding photographer is going to be more important than the cake you pick.  Think about it, 10 years later you're going to look at the pictures and they will take you right back to that special day.  Thinking about your cake 10 years later isn't going to make you remember what it tasted like.  

Ajax photo studio and booking a wedding photographer

Durham region has a lot of photographers for taking wedding pictures.  Regardless of where they are located Ajax photographers or Oshawa photographers picking the right one requires a little work on your part.  Simple things like do you need a photo studio or will all the pictures be taken outdoors and at the hall are all independent from where they are located.

When selecting a photographer to take your wedding pictures use these tips as a starting point.  When you're ready to talk to the photographer focus on the top 5 or 6 questions that are important to you.  Not every tips is relevant to you just like not every song is critical at the dance.

As a local photographer in Ajax I understand the challenges to being comfortable with who you pick.  It's also equally important for me to pick the right clients to work with.

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Product photography services for use online and in print. Our product photos showcase your business clearly and effectively.

Looking for a local photographer for product photos big or small?   

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Under attack #redwingedblackbird #bird playing with #snapseed #naturephotography #canon_photos #7dm2 #sigma #nature #wildlife #lyndeshores #ontario #grunge

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The #donald #duck #bird #wildlife #nature #birds #flight #flying #migration #nature_obsession #naturephotography #natureshots #lyndeshores (at Lynde Shores Conservation Area)

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#goodmorning #best #redwinged #photo #sunshine #nature #naturephotography #photooftheday #red #birdwatching #wildlife #lyndeshores #dslr #sigma #Birding #RSPB #BirdPhotography #wilderness #birdwatcher #birder #natureshots #birdwatchin#goodmorning #best #redwinged #photo #sunshine #nature #naturephotography #photooftheday #red #birdwatching #wildlife #lyndeshores #dslr #sigma #Birding #RSPB #BirdPhotography #wilderness #birdwatcher #birder #natureshots #birdwatchin (at Whitby, Ontario)

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Driving along the lake in the middle of a snow storm... See all #365dayphotochallenge pictures at http://bit.ly/1xkBivY