Technology Archives - Page 2 of 42

Cyber Week Tech Deals

Black Friday continues, and Cyber Week has begun! Be sure not to miss these hot tech offers on TV’s, gaming accessories, cameras and more!

The Razor Home Run Gaming Bundle has everything you need to get gaming on your PC in no time. It’s backlight keyboard has a comfortable wrist pad, and it’s over hear headphones come complete with a mic.

Having a dashcam is a great way to capture what you see on the road. In the unlikely event you are involved in an incident, having the video can help show exactly what took place. The Thinkware F70 Dashcam records at 30 frames per second in full HD1080p, and features 140 degree viewing angle for a wide view of the road.

Garmin Fenix 6 SmartWatch combines the best features of Garmin’s fitness and outdoor watches, Fēnix 6 is the multisport GPS watch that brings cutting-edge design and performance to your fast-paced lifestyle.

The Skyworth 55 inch 4K Android Smart TV UC7500 Series features a premium bezelless design for a stunning edge-to-edge picture without a visible frame. A reduced frame dimension allows placement of a larger screen size in the same space on the wall or cabinet for an optimal viewing experience. Chameleon Extreme technology provides advanced and optimized colour, contrast and picture quality, while 360 immersive sound brings your home theatre even further to life with Dolby Digital and DTS TruSurround.

Combine productivity and entertainment when you use this Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 laptop. The 14-inch Full HD glossy display boasts touchscreen functionality for easy swiping and scrolling, while the AMD Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of system memory deliver dependable operation. A 512GB PCIe NVMe solid-state drive speeds up load times for easy access to apps and games. With a 360-degree hinge, this Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 laptop converts into a tablet for flexible use options.

Upgrade your travel vlogs or livestreams with this Sennheiser MKE 200 mobile kit. The MKE 200 directional on-camera microphone and included windscreen work to capture your voice with clarity in almost any location, while a smartphone clamp keeps your device in place and ready to shoot. A Manfrotto PIXI mini tripod makes it simple to set up a stunning shot. Including two coiled cables, this Sennheiser MKE 200 mobile kit supports use with a generous array or smartphones or cameras.

The Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 11 instant camera comes equipped with a new Automatic Exposure function, making it easier to snap-and-shoot instant photos than ever before. Also included is the new Selfie Mode, with a built-in close-up lens and selfie mirror that allow you to get up-close-and-personal for the perfect selfie every time. The camera has a minimal new design available in 5 brand new colours, all in a more compact size. Each camera also comes with 2 custom shutter buttons. Expressing yourself has never been easier than with the Mini 11!

More power. More clarity. More stability. The GoPro HERO9 sports a beastly sensor for ridiculous 5K video and stunning photos. A dazzling front display delivers a live preview for easy framing, while a large rear touchscreen with touch zoom provides fast, intuitive control. HERO9 boasts a powerful feature suite, including HindSight, and supports live streaming and webcam mode as well. A great gift for the adventure seeker in your life.

6 Photography Tips for Capturing Great First Day of School Photos

Back to school can be many things: emotional, stressful, hectic, exciting or all of the above. Most importantly though, it should be memorable. Capturing the memories of your little ones heading off on their first day of kindergarten, or their first day of the new school year can be a fun annual tradition. We’ve put together some tips on how to capture the day, so your photos pop, and the memories live on.

1. Do Some Planning

Planning your back to school photos is the first step. It might seem like you can just capture what you see on the day, but a quick 5 minute plan will help ensure you capture everything you’re hoping to, and won’t look back on your photos wishing you had remembered a key shot. It can be as simple as a shot list of must-have photos, or as complex as getting props, coordinating colours and upgrading your camera equipment. If you’d like to go all in, you can even have a custom lunch box kit made by our London Drugs Photolab with a photo of the family pet, or a shot from your summer vacation and incorporate that into your first day of school shoot! The plan all comes down to what your goal is, and what time you have available.

2. Pick Your Background Wisely

Do you ever wonder why certain photos just pop so much more than others? A very simple way to improve the overall aesthetic of your back to school images is to be very conscientious of the background. There are a couple key components to this: distance, technical settings, and content.

Compare the two images above. Notice how in the doorway (image left), separation between the subject and the background is lost, whereas when shooting with more distance between the child and home (image right), it creates a nice clean separation.

Another element of backgrounds is clean walls. It could be a colourful wall, a fence, or even the side of the house. A clean clutter-free background will let your little one pop as the subject and remove all the visual distractions in the image.

Lastly if you want to put a little more planning in, or are dropping them off at school, think about incorporating the school into the background, or the bus rounding the corner. This idea would require a little more thought and timing, but can lead to pictures that have that added storytelling element.

3. Shoot at Their Eye Level

Get down on a knee so you’re aiming the camera straight at your child, instead of aiming the camera down on them. This will play into that background point above, and will make your horizon line seem more natural vs when shooting from your eye level. This is a technical point many photographers overlook, but will really help make the image pop. Compare the vantage point in the two images above, and how they impact the image. Notice how when shot at their eye level (image right), the image has more depth, and pulls the viewer in?

Now that we have our background all sorted, let’s dive into the most important part of the image: your child!

4. Have Fun with Props and Outfits

This is where you can let your creativity shine. What would you like to incorporate into the image? Your imagination is the only limit here. Some parents have an adult-size “Grad 20XX” t-shirt made. They photograph the child in it every year until they finally fit into it, creating a very fun growth visual year over year.

Others make chalk boards with stats like: age, grade, teacher, school. This can be done by writing directly on the board, or by adding it using an editing program afterwards.

Our Photolab also offers My First Day Of School photo templates, so you can easily pop in a photo of your child and add their info in, like age, current likes, favourite subject, what they want to be when they grow up, and the date. Simply visit your local London Drugs Photolab, fill out the order form with the info above, and submit it to our LDExperts with your chosen photo. We can print you as many 8×10’s as you like!

Another fun idea is to print out last year’s photo as an 8×10 print, and have your child hold it up. As the years go on, the image slowly gains depth as each year, if you look closely, you can see the previous year’s photo continually disappearing like opposing mirrors.

5. Shoot More Not Less

It’s better to shoot a wide variety of images so you have lots to choose from, rather than not shooting enough and later wishing you had taken more. And if you happen to love all of your first day of school shots, you can print a back to school photo book showcasing a whole bunch of them! Another fun idea is to create custom photo gifts for family. And, if you pop into your local London Drugs Photolab, ask about the Take and Create options for custom children art items! You can have them draw their first day of school using our Take and Create booklets, and then our Photolab can print those drawings on a mug, magnets or even coasters for the grandparents!

6. Shoot with Shallow Depth of Field (Bonus Tip for Advanced Users)

If you’re using a smartphone camera, portrait mode replicates the shallow depth of field effect. If you’re using a mirrorless or DSLR and aren’t too familiar with the manual settings, use aperture priority mode.

In aperture priority, use the smallest F stop number available on your lens (usually somewhere between F1.8-F4). This will let the camera calculate everything else and you can focus on your shot. This is what creates that beautiful blurred background and even more levels of separation. The image above shows the aperture blades at different F stops. The more open, the shallower the depth of field is.

Hopefully these tips inspire you to have some fun with your camera this back to school season, and create memories you and your children can cherish forever. Remember to print your photos and remove them from the digital-only realm. Prints are great for framing, but you can also use these images in lots of other creative ways, like on a mug for grandma, or on next year’s family calendar (for the month of September, of course). Or explore our Photolab website for many more unique ways to share your child’s first day of school memories.

The Ultimate Guide to Personalizing Your Wedding Invites & Save-the-Dates

Calling all brides and grooms-to-be! For those who have been waiting patiently this past year to host a wedding in the presence of family and friends, it looks as though the time has finally come to start planning, as COVID restrictions begin to lift!

With so many weddings pushed until later in 2021 or until 2022, as well as many newly engaged couples looking to tie the knot in the next year, it’s best to get those save-the-dates out as soon as you can! That way, you can ensure your friends and family will have your wedding marked down before their calendars fill up.

Save-the-dates and wedding invitations are your way to not only announce the details of your big day, but are a chance for you to create a beautiful keepsake that both you and your guests can cherish. To make those keepsakes extra special, adding some personalization is important. With the help of our Photolab, you can create one-of-a-kind wedding cards, like save-the-dates and invitations, that truly capture the love you and your partner share.

Feature Your Photos

Before we dive into all the ways to design your save-the-dates and wedding invites, let’s talk about photos. Many photographers offer wedding photo packages that include engagement photos. This is not only a great way to get comfortable with your photographer and being in front of the camera before your big day, but is also a way to get some photos ahead of the wedding that you can then use to personalize your save-the-dates and invitations.

If you haven’t shot your engagement photos yet, let your photographer know that you’d like to use some photos for your save-the-date and invitations, and they can help plan out a shoot to fit the look and feel that will match your cards.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind, from some local wedding and engagement photographers:

1. Do your shoot during golden hour

Photo Credit: @bdfk_photography

“The most important thing is to ask the photographer to take the photos at sunset or sunrise. It is golden hour for the photographer when the lighting conditions are the best. We took this photo during sunrise. We prefer to shoot during sunrises because there are not a lot of people around. Most of the time we are shooting alone with the couple, so the couple will be more relaxed, when there is nobody around looking at them.” – @bdfk_photography

2. Strive for real vs. ‘perfect’ moments

Photo Credit: @justinerussophotographer

“Don’t worry about getting ‘perfect’ photos, let yourselves be seen as you are together. Whisper inside jokes, think about how excited you are to marry this person, and have fun with it! Bring drinks, choose your favourite spot for photos, wear your favourite outfit and have fun with it!” – @justinerussophotographer

3. Splash around and let loose

Photo Credit: @cojophoto

“Plan your engagement session at the beach, for sunset! Bring a bottle of champagne and pop that bottle for all the fun! Be prepared to get in the water and splash around and just let loose! You won’t regret it and it will be something you’ll remember forever” – @cojophoto

If you aren’t doing engagement photos, then why not dig through your old photos together? You’re bound to find some gems. Maybe it’s a photo from when you first met – or that as well as a photo of you two now, to show how you’ve grown together. Another great place to look is photos from other weddings you’ve been to together. Wedding photographers often capture great candid shots of guests, so if you can get your hands on a photo of you two together, that could be the one!

Save-the-Dates

The function of your save-the-dates is to give your guests a sneak peek at what to expect for your wedding (and to literally save the date in their calendar, of course). For instance, if you plan to have a formal wedding, it makes sense to give your save-the-dates a more formal tone too. Our Photolab has a selection of save-the-date templates so you can find the right one to set your tone.

Save-the-dates are often printed on a flat card, as it’s a smaller amount of info being shared than the full wedding invitation. We have both single-sided photo cards and postcards that fit the bill. For the postcards, you can choose from 9 specialty papers (see below), which can also help you set the tone of your save-the-dates. If you’re planning to send your save-the-dates by mail, our postcards are a great choice; you’ll be able to just stick on a stamp and an address and pop them in the mail!

Specialty papers Techweave, Woodgrain and Stipple not pictured here. Visit your local London Drugs Photolab to see samples.

The next step is to upload photos to the template to fully personalize your save-the-dates. As we mentioned above, engagement photos are a great choice. Or, just pick a favourite photo you have of the two of you.

Of course, your save-the-date is also meant to share key wedding details with your guests. Below are a few things to consider including on your cards. In addition to personalizing your save-the-dates with photos, our templates give you the ability to add text as well.

Details to include on your save-the-dates:

You and your fiancé(e)’s names
Wedding date
Wedding location (doesn’t need to be the venue name – can just be the city)
Wedding website URL (which may have additional info available for guests, including your gift registry)
‘Invitation to follow’ or another phrase that lets your guests know if you will also be sending out a wedding invitation at a later date

Generally, it’s recommended to send out your save-the-dates 4 to 6 months before the wedding, to allow your guests enough time to book off the date and/or make travel arrangements.

Wedding Invitations

While save-the-dates are often single-sided cards, wedding invitations can also be double-sided or folded. After all, there is more information to share! Based on your preference, you can choose from our single-sided photo cards, double-sided cards, postcards and folded cards. Like the save-the-dates, our postcards can be printed on specialty paper, as can our double-sided and folded cards. All of our cards (excluding postcards) also come with envelopes included, so you’ll be all set to add addresses and send them off.

In addition to choosing your card style and template, just like the save-the-dates, you’ll be able to completely personalize your wedding invitations digitally with photos and text. Invitations don’t always have images included, but if you’d like to personalize with a photo or two, you could use some additional photos from your engagement shoot if you did one, or select photo(s) you already have of the two of you.

Your invitations will give your guests a full picture of your wedding day, beyond the limited info on your save-the-date. Here are some details we recommend including on your wedding invitations:

You and your fiancé(e)’s names
Wedding date and time
Wedding location (venue details)
Dress code
Wedding website URL (which may have additional info available for guests, including your gift registry)
Info on how to RSVP and RSVP deadline (either a separate RSVP card, or a wedding website URL)

Pro tip: Create a Photolab account so that you can save a copy of your personalized wedding invitations. That way, if you need to re-send an invitation or send more invitations, you’ll still have a copy ready to order again! This is also helpful if you need to send out a second round of invitations, as you’ll be able to update the RSVP deadline date if necessary.

Depending on if you’re sending your wedding invitations internationally or within the country, the rule of thumb is to send them out 12 weeks or 6-8 weeks ahead of your wedding date, respectively.

Thank You Cards

Once you’ve said your I Do’s, it’s customary to send out a final card to your guests. A wedding thank you card allows you to personally thank your guests for joining you on your special day, as well as let them know your appreciation for any wedding gifts they may have given you (don’t forget to keep track of which gifts are from which guest).

Thank you cards are also a great way to share some of your favourite photos from your wedding day! Ensure you receive a digital copy of your photos from your wedding photographer, so that you can incorporate some of them into your thank you card template. Some people also like to tuck a couple individual print photos into the card for guests; easy enough – just choose a print that will fit inside your selected card style (you’ll want to go with folded cards for this one).

You could also use our thank you card templates for other wedding-related events like your bridal shower. Thank your guests for attending and for any gifts you received, and let them know you’re thrilled they will be there with you on your wedding day.

Pro tip: Rather than adding a handwritten note to each of your cards, save yourself the hand cramp by personalizing each of your thank you cards digitally! Once you’ve created a Photolab account and have saved your personalized card, you’ll be able to update it for each guest. Then simply add each card to your order.

Thank you cards are usually sent out within 3 months of the wedding.

Need some help creating the perfect wedding invites, save-the-dates or thank you cards? Visit our LDExperts at any London Drugs Photolab! You’ll be able to personalize your cards using our in-store kiosks, and our LDExperts will be there to answer any questions you might have. If you’re ready to get started right away, just hop over to our London Drugs Photolab website to start customizing!

MotherPixels’ Tips for Capturing, Sharing & Reliving Your Summer Adventures

Calgary-based photographer Robin Laurenson, known for the breathtaking landscape shots she posts on her Instagram @MotherPixels, shares her pro tips for capturing and preserving all of your staycation memories this summer.

Bears Hump Hike, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Summer is finally here and with warmer weather comes outdoor adventures. While travel restrictions are slowly easing allowing us to plan for our next globetrotting escapades, in the meantime, we can continue to make the best out of our own backyard. One of the most positive aspects of the past year has been that many of us discovered beautiful new places close to home and had time to take up new hobbies- photography, hiking, camping, biking, and many more. We also discovered that one of the best and safest things we could do was hit the great outdoors.

This summer is no exception- and with great adventures comes great memories that we all want to capture, share and relive when we look back at those photos and videos. From e-biking in Waterton, the unofficial wildflower capital of Canada, or visiting Moraine Lake, arguably the most Instagrammable lake in Canada, we recommend 3 photography must-haves you need to capture these memories and cherish them for years to come.

Nikon Coolpix P950

Whether you are hiking, travelling or vlogging, this camera is truly a maverick. The Nikon Coolpix P950 has practically everything you need to capture your staycation- with 83 times the optical zoom giving you a range of 24 – 2000mm, this allows you to not only capture landscape scenery, but also take photos of wildlife from a safe distance.

The F/2.8 aperture creates bokeh (soft blurry backgrounds) when shooting subjects and it helps you take photos in low light conditions without introducing a lot of grain into the image. It also boasts vibration reduction meaning it has internal stabilization which reduces the chances of taking blurry photos. The camera gives you the option to take photos in JPEG or RAW format for greater post-processing or editing control. You can shoot up to 360 photos per charge and with its built-in Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication technology (NFC), you can connect it wirelessly to your smartphone to instantly share photos or control the camera remotely.

If you are a vlogger, you will love the rotating display screen to ensure that you are sharp and in focus, the 4K recording video capabilities, and the built-in ability to take time-lapses.

Moraine Lake, Alberta. Located in Banff National Park, this lake is one of Canada’s most photographed lakes. The view from the Rockpile is also referred to as the “Twenty Dollar View.” This is because this location was pictured on the Twenty Dollar Bill of Canada between 1969 and 1979. (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Manfrotto Element Traveller Small Tripod with Ball Head

One of the challenges when photographing adventures is asking strangers to take photos of you and your friends. It can not only be uncomfortable asking but sometimes the photo will be out of focus or not what you wanted. If there is nobody around, then usually one of you cannot be in a group photo. This is where bringing your own tripod can be greatly beneficial. You can take exactly the photos you want with yourself and all your loved ones included. The Manfrotto Element Traveller is made out of carbon fiber for lightness weighing in at only 1.05 kg (2.3 lbs) with a ball head for 360 pan. This gives you the flexibility to not only find the perfect composition but also take panoramic photos. It is 32 cm (12.5 inches) closed and can reach a max height of 143 cm (4.8 ft).

Viewpoint from the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Lower Bertha Falls hike at Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Self-portrait taken at Moraine Lake, Alberta, Canada. Set up a tripod with a timer and stood still while the camera took photos. (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

GoPro HERO9 Black

For the ultimate adventurer- if you are mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking or white water rafting then the GoPro Hero9 Black is all you need to capture every heart-thumping, action-packed moment of your outdoor adventures. What makes this your perfect companion is that it is built tough to withstand extreme conditions, it is waterproof for up 33 ft, it has 45 compatible mounts, and you can switch between narrow, linear, wide and super wide by simply tapping the digital lens of choice. It has an outstanding 5k resolution for video and shoots 20mp photos for added sharpness and clarity in your images.

However, one of the most revolutionary features of GoPro Hero9 Black is HindSight. This feature makes sure that you never miss a moment again by capturing events that happened 30 seconds before you hit record. If you are bicycling and suddenly a bear crosses the road in front of you, press record and GoPro will record 30 seconds of video prior to pressing the shutter button. The GoPro Hero9 Black also allows you to record epic slow motion videos at an incredible 240 frames per second. This is a must-have if you love the outdoors and want to capture your adventures without being weighed down by a camera.

Grizzly with 3 grown cubs in Kananaskis Country in Alberta, Canada (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Paddle boarding at Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Relive Those Moments!

18×24 photo printed with a glossy finish. (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

These great adventures remind us of how big and beautiful the world is around us. Those are the moments in life that make us happy. They deserve more than to just be buried inside your phone along with thousands of other images. Choose your favourite photos and fill your home with these memories and wonderful stories. Even those memories that you think you will never forget will inevitably fade over time. Displaying photographs in your home can take you back to that moment in time and relive those feelings.

Secondly, it gives your home a personal touch. Fill your home with photos that are unique to you and are a representation of your life and the things you love. Filling your walls with stories and memories not only gives you daily reminders of happy moments, but your home will also be unlike anybody else’s.

The London Drugs Photolab has a wide variety of high-quality options to display your favourite photos- from standard prints and enlargements (all the way up to 44×96 in size!), to photo buttons, face masks and mugs. I exclusively have my own photos throughout my home all of which I printed at the London Drugs Photolab. Being surrounded by the defining moments in life with people I love the most brings me joy and happiness. It also makes me realize how quickly time flies and to be present and enjoy every moment with them.

My dining room with all photos printed at the London Drugs Photolab. On my wall I have photos of my wedding, pregnancies, my children and loved ones who have passed. (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Have a lot of memories and can’t choose from just one? Create a personalized coffee table book that you can flip through and take a trip down memory lane. You can even add text so you can remind yourself of the stories or events that happened that day.

12 x 12 Coffeetable Photo Book printed on Sterling Premium paper with a customized glossy cover. (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Not only are these great to display in your home, but they are also sentimental gifts for those who shared those memories with you. You can visit the London Drugs Photolab to browse through their full selection and quickly and easily order prints and gifts. You can also select in-store pick-up or curbside pick-up when ordering so you can collect your order at a time and London Drugs location that’s convenient for you.

As wearing masks became part of our daily lives, I used my images to create my own custom face masks at the London Drugs Photolab. You can either print your own images or choose one of their fun designs. They come in small, medium, and large sizes and are machine washable. The masks have two layers for optional filters.

Photo from Moraine Lake: the $20 view. Printed on a face mask. (Photo credit: @MotherPixels)

Whether you are staying close to home or planning your next vacation, these items will be the perfect companions to make sure you are capturing every moment with the clarity, sharpness and vividness they deserve.

-Robin Laurenson, @MotherPixels

How to Capture Your Canadian Staycation Memories this Summer

Once again, Canadians will be sticking closer to home this summer, but there are still plenty of places to explore right in our own backyard! It’s time to play tourist in your own town, while local destinations are still relatively tourist-free. Here are a few ways you can enjoy your staycation at home in Canada, while still capturing some great summer memories.

Road Tripping

Swap out a flight abroad for a road trip in your own province this summer. Canada has an abundance of natural beauty, so there is plenty to see right here at home! In BC, do a quick day trip up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler, or a longer drive up the Alaska Highway to Mile 0 in Dawson Creek. For Alberta residents, The Cowboy Trail or the Trans Canada from Lake Louise will make for good road trip memories. In Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills and Grasslands National Park are both worth a scenic drive. Meanwhile, recommended road trips in Manitoba include a drive to Steep Rock which has lots to see along Highway 6, and Yellowhead Highway to Minnedosa Valley.

If you’re planning to vlog the experience, having a Panasonic LUMIX G100 Vlogging Camera with Tripod Grip in tow will make capturing the journey a breeze. It has features for both beginners and experts, including 4K video, Frame Marker, V-LogL recording, audio tracking that auto-adjusts, and a lightweight design that supports one-handed recording. The Sony VZ-1 Camera for Content Creators and Vloggers and the Nikon Z50 Creators Kit are also great choices for the budding vlogger. You can check out our full selection of gear for vlogging and streaming here.

If you have a dashcam, you can also turn that video into a time-lapse video to add to your vlog! And another great item to pack is a drone, like one of our DJI drones or Ryze Tech Tello Drone. You’ll be able to capture epic aerial shots along your road trip, from the winding roads to sweeping views. We also offer a Coastal Drone Pilot Advanced Course Bundle to help prepare you for safe flying.

When documenting your road trip in photos, don’t forget to snap photos of mile markers, small-town city signs, scenic views, a couple of good shots of the windy road (we love a photo with some leading lines), and any unique stops you make along the way. Oh, and a group shot of your road trip crew, of course!

Hiking or Camping

Explore Canada’s stunning outdoor destinations this summer with a hike or some camping (or both!). There are lots of great hikes you may have seen on Instagram but have yet to venture out to – like Joffre Lakes in BC, which has spectacular views and a campground at Upper Joffre Lakes. Starting June 22, backcountry camping reservations will be available for the rest of the season, to accommodate for the increase in demand and to allow visitors to secure bookings in advance. For some picture-perfect hikes in Alberta, check out these 7 suggestions in the Rockies. Saskatchewan is home to Meadowlake Provincial Park which boasts the province’s longest developed hiking trail and has 12 campgrounds with over 800 campsites. In Manitoba, the Spirit Sands & Devil’s Punch Bowl hike at Spruce Woods Provincial Park is a must, plus the park also offers some great camping spots.

When hiking or camping, it’s a good idea to take a camera along that is rugged enough to withstand the elements, while also offering you great image quality to capture those spectacular views while out in nature. Especially if you’re planning to venture into the wilderness this summer, it’s worth upgrading to a camera like the Nikon Coolpix W300, which is dustproof, shockproof, freezeproof and waterproof. It also offers stunning high-resolution photos, 4K Ultra HD videos, time-lapse videos, superlapse videos and even music montages! The onboard GPS, eCompass, Altimeter, Depth Gauge and more will also help you easily track and view your course, steps taken, altitude, depth, and even atmospheric and water pressure. It’s the perfect hiking and camping companion.

From camping candids to wildlife sightings and landscape views, having your rugged camera by your side will ensure you capture every moment of your time in the outdoors.

Adventuring

Looking for an adrenaline rush? There are plenty of great options locally – from surfing on the West Coast in Tofino, to mountain biking and ATVing in the Rocky Mountains and on the Prairies. You can capture the exhilarating ride hands-free with a GoPro strapped to you for a unique perspective.

If you’re mountain biking, try the GoPro Seat Rail Mount which captures the action from the back of your seat, or this Handle Bar Mount for a front view. For ATVing, fasten your GoPro with a Vented Helmet Strap if you have a vented helmet, or use one of our Helmet Front and Side Mounts to help capture all the action. Surfers can mount their GoPro right to their surfboard, with the GoPro Surfboard Mount Kit.

Of course, the camera itself is the most important part. We have a selection of GoPro cameras that are rugged and waterproof – exactly what you need while adventuring. With Voice Command, just say “GoPro, take a photo” or “GoPro, start recording” to capture those extreme action shots hands-free.

Pool, Lake or Beach-Going

Summer vacation wouldn’t be complete without a trip to your nearest pool, lake or beach! Take advantage of spots that are close to home this season – check out some of our favourite beaches across Western Canada here.

Of course, if you’re going to be by the water, a waterproof camera is a must to avoid any smartphone mishaps. The Panasonic DC-TS7 Waterproof Camera can go down to a depth of 31 metres, so you can not only get it wet, but you can dive right in and get some great shots underwater without any additional waterproof case needed! The viewfinder is also designed for intense sunlight, so no matter how bright it is at the beach, you’ll always be able to compose the perfect photo. You also may want to add a floating strap to your camera, so if you become separated, you’ll be able to spot it floating on the surface. If you’re looking for some tips for taking better photos at the beach this summer, check out our blog on capturing beautiful beach views.

We hope your summer is full of new and exciting experiences this year, even if your plans are a little closer to home. Between driving, camping, hiking, biking and beach-going, we’re sure your camera will be full of photos of your summer adventures in the great outdoors! To preserve those memories, compile your photos into a personalized photo book from our Photolab that you can look back on for years to come. They’re printed on high-quality photo paper with exceptional inks, and every image is reviewed and corrected as necessary by our professional Photolab technicians. You can even customize your photo book’s cover with linen, leather, soft cover and photo cover options. Text can also be added to help document your road trip stops or notate where you caught that breathtaking sunset.

If you took some beautiful scenic shots while on your summer road trip or hike, then you may want to think even bigger! We can print your images as enlargements up to 44×96 in size. Or really take your wall décor to the next level by printing your image on an aluminum metal panel or a canvas gallery wrap.

Click here to get started with printing your summer memories!

Outdoor Accessories for Your Next Adventure

Nice weather is finally here, and that means it’s time to go play outside. Whether planning a backcountry camping trip, or birdwatching in the park, there are a wide variety of products that can help enhance the experience.

Spot Messenger

The Spot Satellite Messenger is great for those who like to adventure beyond the reach of cell towers. With it’s two-way satellite messaging capability, a 2.7 inch backlit display and illuminated full QWERTY keyboard, this satellite messenger ensures you can type quick and accurately while having clear view of incoming messages. Rated IP57 for water, dust and impact resistance, it is ideal for use in outdoor environments. (Service subscription plan is required.)

Garmin Hand Held GPS

Find your way through challenging trails and climbs with this Garmin GPSMAP 66i handheld GPS system. The 3-inch display delivers added brightness in sunny conditions for better visibility, and the interactive SOS feature lets you reach a 24/7 search and rescue monitoring centre for safety and peace of mind. A long-lasting rechargeable battery provides up to 35 hours of use in 10-minute tracking mode and 200 hours in expedition mode, so you can use this Garmin GPSMAP 66i handheld GPS system during extended hikes.

Portable Power Banks

While traveling off-grid with electronics, no one likes a dead battery. Have a power back up ready with a portable power bank. Available in a wide range of storage capacities, sizes and designs, you are sure to find one that fits your style and needs. This Renogy Power Bank is even solar powered so you can top up its charge on the go!

Pelican Cases

The ultimate personal utility case for your personal gear that’s crushproof, dustproof, and adventure proof. These Pelican cases ensure your valuables are protected no matter the adventure you choose. With a wide range of sizes and options available, there is one for you. IP68 rated protection from water, dirt, snow and dust ensure worry-free transport. Strategic organization features allow you to customize the inner compartments to fit everything you need, and a lifetime guarantee gives peace of mind.

Nite Ize Radiant 170 Rechargeable Headlamp

Don’t get left in the dark. The Nite Ize 170 Rechargeable headlamp packs 170 lumens to light the night. Features include 180 degree tilt, USB recharging, and multiple light options including low, high, red and flashing. Recharging in under 3 hours via USB, this is a must have accessory to keep in your bag for any adventure.

Binoculars

Get closer to your subject with a nice pair of binoculars. With a wide range of magnifications and uses, a pair of binoculars can help you spot your next camping spot from the ridge above, or get in close to see baby birds in their nest. Speak to an LDExpert today about what pair is best for your needs.

No matter what your next adventure holds, our LDExperts can help ensure you have the tech needed to ensure a great trip. Visit us in-store or online today.

6 Apps and Tips to Virtually Connect with Mom this Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day may look a little different, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spend quality time with “World’s Best Mom”. With the power of technology, you’ll still be able to your latest life updates with Mom – it will feel as if they are right at the Sunday brunch table with you! We’ve compiled a list of video call apps and equipment to use, as well as some set up tips and tricks to help make this year’s virtual Mother’s Day a memorable one.

Best Apps to use for Video Calling

With all the apps and services out there to choose from, it might be overwhelming to know which one to use. Below, we have broken down some great video calling apps, and what sets them apart to help you choose the right one for you.

Zoom
Zoom is an excellent choice if you have larger families, as you can call with up to 100 people using their free plan, although only for 40 minutes of video calling. It works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here for a Zoom how-to set up guide.

Facetime
Facetime is great for those Apple product lovers, as it works on all Apple devices such as iPads, iPhones and Mac computers and laptops. You can host a video call for up to 32 people. Click here for how to set up FaceTime.

WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a great choice for video calls when you have friends and family living across the globe. You can have up to 4 users, and the calls are on the phone’s data plan or via WiFi, so voice calls do not use up any of your phone minutes. It works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here on how to set up a WhatsApp group video call.

Skype
Skype is another great app to use, especially if you have family living in other countries. What makes it a little better than Whatsapp is that it lets you make free international calls online for up to 100 people for audio or video conferencing on any device (Hello, big virtual family gathering!) Works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here for how to set up a group chat in Skype.

Houseparty
If you love being the life of the party (or your friends and family do), you’ll love Houseparty. It’s a social networking app that allows up to 8 people to video chat at once in a “room,” plus you can also play games on it, such as Heads Up!, Trivia, Quick Draw and more! Works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here to learn more about Houseparty and how to set it up.

Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger lets you easily chat and video call with your friends and family. It’s great because most of your friends and family will probably already have it if they have a Facebook account, making it an excellent choice for those who aren’t as tech-savvy. Plus, video calls have a limit of 50 users. Works on Windows and macOS (desktop), and Android and iOS (mobile). Click here for how to set up Facebook Messenger group video chat.

Set Up Tips

Lighting
Of course, you’ll want to look your best when video calling with your Mom, since she may request a group screenshot to capture the moment. If you are using a laptop, set up a light source behind and above your screen. This way, your face will be nicely lit up and visible. Also, use lighting from multiple sources and angles, so that it is dispersed nice and evenly. This can help you avoid harsh shadows casting on your face or in the background.

Sound Check
Nothing is worse than not being able to hear your video caller, or them struggling to hear you. If you have a microphone plugged in, make sure your computer isn’t sticking to its default audio input device. Check by making sure your microphone settings on your computer are correct. You can check on a Mac computer by clicking the volume control in the menu bar and selecting “sound options.” In the “Input” tab, make sure that your external microphone is selected from the list. Once it is selected, ensure that the “Input level” bar is moving to show that the computer is picking up any sound. Lastly, check that the volume slider isn’t all the way down.

If you’re using a PC, right click the volume icon in the taskbar and select sounds. Choose the “Recording” tab and choose your external microphone from the list. If you are using you computer for the first time or it is fairly new, you can select “Set up microphone” to go through the Microphone Setup Wizard.

Go Hands-Free
If you don’t have a laptop and will be using your phone, instead of awkwardly propping it up on your table, use a mini or table top tripod. This way, you can eat or do other things while you chat with friends and family. As well, many tripods have convenient, bendable legs that you can securely place on any type of surface or wrap around anything, like a floor lamp post.

Tidy Up!
Lastly, if you’re planning a video call with Mom, make sure the space in the background is somewhat tidy. The last thing you want is a big pile of dirty laundry sitting in plain sight, or the dishes you forgot to put in the dishwasher the night before on the counter behind you. It’s not the end of the world, but it might save you some embarrassment (and nagging)!

Take it to the Big Screen

If you have your set up ready to go, take it one step further and run your video calls through your TV screen! It is a lot better than hunching over a laptop or trying to see everyone on a tiny mobile screen. If you have any Apple or iOS devices, use a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter. Just plug the adapter into an HDMI cable, hook the cable up to the TV, and switch to the appropriate input.

If your laptop has an HDMI port, you can also simply plug an HDMI cable from the laptop straight into your TV. For newer Macs and Windows PCs with USB-C ports, you can use a USB-C to HDMI cable. Once you have plugged it in, press Windows-P on a Windows laptop to switch between display modes. Choosing “Second-screen only” will disable your laptop’s screen while it’s connected to the TV.

BONUS TIP: If you own a camera, you can also check out our blog on Using Your Camera as a Webcam | How-To Guide for Better Video Calling at Home.

We hope you found this blog helpful on how to virtually connect with your Mom this Mother’s Day. From choosing the right video call app or service, to setting up, and even using your TV for enhanced visual and sound, it will feel like your Mom is right there with you!

For some last-minute Mother’s Day gift inspiration, be sure to read our blog on Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas That Will Warm Her Heart.