Fujifilm X-T20 and X100F Hands-On First Look

 By Jordan Drake

It’s always exciting when we get an opportunity to get an early look at cameras for TCSTV, but especially so when the cameras in question are exciting additions to Fuji’s outstanding X-Series.  I recently commented on a TCSTV Live episode that I hoped Fuji would start bringing some of the technology from their excellent X-T2 and X-Pro 2 into some of their more compact models, and that’s exactly what we see with the release of the X-T20 and X100F. While the cameras we received were still unfinished, I had a great time shooting with both of them, and fully expect Fuji to have a couple more winners on their hands.

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An Eagle Story

 By MikeDrew

This guy was different. He just looked over his shoulder, seemed to shrug, then ignored me. I took a couple of shots, and then decided to edge closer. That worked so I edged closer again. And, then suddenly I was right across the road from him, so close that I didn’t need the full power of my Sigma 150-600 C zoom to get a picture. He barely acknowledged my presence.

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What’s Happening at the Banff Landscape Summit

 By Evelyn Drake

The ILPA landscape photography summit Jan 13-15 in Banff Alberta is more than just another landscape photography workshop. The Summit is meant to be a haven for creativity. It’s a weekend retreat from the hectic and numerous distractions of everyday life, so that you can turn your complete and undivided attention towards growing as a photographer in the glorious setting of the Canadian Rockies. The ILPA Landscape Photography Summit held, in beautiful Banff National Park again this year, is a photography conference where you can immerse yourself 100% into your photography and learn from leading professionals in the field.

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Tuesday Rental Special

 By Liz Graham

Looking to save a few bucks on your rental? Pick up your rental on Tuesdays to save 50% on every 2nd item. For example you can rent a camera at our regular rate, and save 50% on the lens rental to go with it. Or, if you book 4 items, you will get 2 of them at 50% off. 

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Mike Drew’s Review on The Canon EOS M5

 By MikeDrew

Let’s get this out of the way right off the top. The Canon EOS M5 is a sweet little camera.

It does pretty much everything its more sizeable siblings can do and even a few things they can’t. The controls are all in their familiar places – familiar to Canon shooters, anyway – the EVF is nice and snappy, the big back screen gives you an IMAX view of whatever you’re shooting and the focusing is speedy and accurate.

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Reflections on Photographing Syrian Refugees in Calgary

 By Leah Hennel

I found myself wondering how I would’ve handled the same situation, fleeing my homeland with nothing but the clothes on my back, and worrying about my loved ones. My first meeting with the newcomers took place a year ago when they arrived at the Calgary International Airport.

A couple of things struck me on that December night. For instance, the number of locals that were present to warmly greet the Refugees surprised me. There were “Welcome To Canada” signs, bags of winter clothing, and toys for the kids, and plenty of smiles for everyone. Some of the refugees even had family members, already established in Calgary, on hand to welcome them, hugging and crying.

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One Plus One Is Four: The Bauhaus Photocollages of Josef Albers

 By John Veldhoen

Josef Albers’ effect on past century art cannot be minimized. He was a painter, designer, educator, and though not considered his primary output, a photographer as well. He taught at Black Mountain College, and then later Yale University, and the list of students who worked with him veritably make him the single most influential teaching artist who may have ever lived. In terms of schools, he is often associated with the Bauhaus movement, He began instruction at the Bauhaus school in Weimar in 1920, wanting to enter the schools glass workshop, but was denied by the director of the school, the architect Walter Gropius, who insisted that Albers take preliminary instruction in painting. He made glass-painting studies, and as a result of that work was asked to organize a new glass workshop for the school. From there he made the first works that showed the influence of being paired with the painter Paul Klee, work that showed the strong reliance of organizing work using lattices, frames, crossing lines and grids, so characteristic of the Bauhaus method. 

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Winter Photography in Alberta is Awesome

 By Gavin Hardcastle

While I love spring, summer and autumn, my true heart can’t wait for winter to come. I absolutely LOVE winter landscape photography in the Canadian Rockies.

Let me explain why with three simple points:
1 – Ice
2 – Snow
3 – Low Light

Obviously there’s a but more to it than just these three things, but I think it’s fair to say that there’s no time of the year more spectacularly gorgeous than winter when it comes to the Canadian Rockies. Let me go into more detail.

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