Cameras Archives - London Drugs Blog

Photo Month 2022 Contest Terms and Conditions

May is Photo Month

May is photo month! Every week all through the month of May, we will be hosting content that covers a different theme relating to various types of photography. With content from industry leaders, professionals, and photo enthusiasts, make sure you don’t miss any by checking weekly!
May 1-7 : Look out for videos on how to capture memories of your pets, family as well as creating personalized photo gifts in time for Mother’s Day. Featuring expert advice from Instax, Tamron, Sony and Canon.
May 8-14th: Let us inspire you to capture your outdoor adventures. With videos created by experts from Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Vorext and Cybersport Photo
May 15-21: Improve your vlogging, streaming and content creation with tips from Sony, Fujifilm, Canon and Cyber Sport.
May 22-30: Perfect your photography with expert advice from Fujifilm, Canon, Sigma and Manfrotto.

Photo Month Contest

Each week we will be hosting a photo contest on Instagram that aligns with our weekly theme.
To enter :

Follow @LDPhotolab and @LondonDrugs on Instagram
Share an Instagram post on your feed of the weekly theme using that week’s hashtag. Entries are taken for the week’s theme only and are due by 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) May 30, 2022.
Please ensure your profile privacy settings allow your entry to be visible.

Weekly Themes:

Week 1: May 1, 2022 to Saturday, May 7, 2022

Pet Photography (use hashtag #LDFurryFriends to submit your best pet photo.)

Week 1 Prize Package:

Lacie 1TB Rugged $119.99
Aura Carver Luxe $229.99
Lexar 256GB Micro SD 1000x $89.99
Joby Gorillapod Mobile Vlogging Kit $299.95
Litra Glow light $79.99
Tenba Skyline 13 Messenger $99.99

Week 2: May 8, 2022 to Saturday, May 14, 2022

Landscape Photography (use hashtag #LDViewpoints to submit your best Landscape photo.)

Week 2 Prize Package

Ricoh Theta SC2 White $369.99
Lacie 1TB Rugged $119.99
Logitech Stream Cam $199.99
Lexar 1TB SD 633x $399.99
Lexar 256GB Micro SD 1000x $89.99
Lowepro ProTactic MG 160 AW II Black $219.95
Tenba Skyline 13 Messenger $99.99

Week 3: May 15, 2022 to Saturday, May 21, 2022

Street Photography (use hashtag #LDStreetPhotography to submit your best Street photo.)

Week 3 Prize Package
Nikon Z5 W/24-50 F/4-6.3 Kit $2199.99
Lacie 1TB Rugged $119.99
Lexar 1TB SD 633x $399.99
Manfrotto 190XPRO Aluminum Tripod w/ Ball Head $479.95

Week 4: May 22, 2022 to Monday May 30, 2022

Portrait Photography (use hashtag #LDPortraits to submit your best portrait photo.)

Week 4 Prize Package
Sony A7M4 Body Only $3199.97
Blue Mic Yeti X $229.99
Lexar 256GB Micro SD 1000x $89.99
Lexar 1TB SD 633x $399.99
Sigma Art 40mm f1.4 DG HSM For Sony E-Mount $1799.95

Full terms and conditions:

This Contest is hosted by London Drugs Limited (“London Drugs”). Contest runs from May 1 – 30, 2022. The contest will be held on Instagram and will consist of photo entries made using the pre-determined hashtags slated for each week of the contest. Photos must be posted during the contest dates, and are limited to 1 (one) entry per hashtag. 4 winners will be selected over the course of the contest and those selected winners will receive a prize package.

Eligibility: The Contest is open only to persons who are at the time of Contest entry: (1) a legal resident of one of the following Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba; (2) have attained at least the age of majority in their respective province of residence (nineteen (19) in British Columbia, and eighteen (18) in all other provinces), (3) No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) photo per Instagram handle per week up to a maximum of four (4) Entries. Limit of one (1) prize may be won per entrant and per household. Contest will commence on May 1 and all Entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Time May 30, 2022. All submitting accounts must be public and not listed as “private”. Entries will be reviewed by a representative of London Drugs to ensure compliance with the Photo Content requirements below. Upon entry, entrants agree to have their photos “reposted” on London Drugs Instagram stories, with accreditation. This does not mean they have won the Contest. (unless otherwise participating without purchases); (4) have not won a London Drugs contest since May 30, 2021 (5) are not an employee of, or an immediate family member (e.g. spouse, parents, siblings and children) or household member of any employee of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies or the independent judging organization. The Contest is subject to all applicable laws and regulations and is void where prohibited. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Terms and Conditions which include the official rules of the Contest. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
To enter the Contest:

To enter on Instagram:

Follow @LDPhotolab and @LondonDrugs
Share an Instagram post on your feed of the weekly theme using that week’s hashtag. Entries are taken for the week’s theme only and are due by 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) May 30, 2022.

Weekly Themes:

o Sunday, May 1, 2022 to Saturday, May 7, 2022: Pet Photography (use hashtag #LDFurryFriends to submit your best pet photo.)

o Sunday, May 8, 2022 to Saturday, May 14, 2022: Landscape Photography (use hashtag #LDViewpoints to submit your best Landscape photo.)

o Sunday, May 15, 2022 to Saturday, May 21, 2022: Street Photography (use hashtag #LDStreetPhotography to submit your best Street photo.)

o Sunday, May 22, 2022 to Monday May 30, 2022: Portrait Photography (use hashtag #LDPortraits to submit your best portrait photo.)

Please ensure your profile privacy settings allow your entry to be visible.

Submissions will be taken from the pre-determined hashtags and all valid entries at the end of May will be entered into the Contest.

Entries will be limited to a maximum of 1 (one) per hashtag to a maximum of 4 (four) throughout the contest. Photos must be posted during the contest time frame and old photos will be not be counted. Multiple submissions will not increase the odds of winning. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected. London Drugs reserves the right to disqualify any person who attempts to tamper with the Contest, to harass or interfere with any other entrant, or otherwise acts in an inappropriate, offensive, illegal or unsportsmanlike way, all as determined by London Drugs in its absolute discretion. Submissions shall be void if incomplete, not legible, or if they contain errors or do not comply strictly with all requirements in these rules. No mechanical reproductions or robotic online entries. All entries become the property of London Drugs Limited and will not be returned.
The chances of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received during the period the Contest is open for. All entries of May 1, 2022 – May 30, 2022 will be entered into a draw administered by May 31, 2022 in Richmond, British Columbia. To win, selected entrants must correctly answer a timed, skill-testing mathematical question and must sign London Drugs’ declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize as awarded, releasing London Drugs, its agents, sponsors and the judges from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes. Only one prize may be won per person and per household. In the event that any selected entrant incorrectly answers the skill-testing question or is otherwise unwilling or unable to comply in full with these rules, a new entry will be drawn.
There will be a total of 4 (four) prizes awarded at the end of the contest; 1 for each week’s competition.

Week 1 Prize Package:

Lacie 1TB Rugged $119.99
Aura Carver Luxe $229.99
Lexar 256GB Micro SD 1000x $89.99
Lexar 1TB SD 633x $399.99

Week 2 Prize Package

Ricoh Theta SC2 White $369.99
Lacie 1TB Rugged $119.99
Logitech Stream Cam $199.99
Litra Glow light $79.99
Lexar 256GB Micro SD 1000x $89.99

Week 3 Prize Package

Nikon Z5 W/24-50 F/4-6.3 Kit $2199.99
Lacie 1TB Rugged $119.99
Lexar 1TB SD 633x $399.99

Week 4 Prize Package

Sony A7M4 Body Only $3199.97
Blue Mic Yeti X $229.99
Lexar 256GB Micro SD 1000x $89.99
Lexar 1TB SD 633x $399.99

Prize must be accepted as awarded, is non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted, except that London Drugs reserves rights to substitute a prize or prize component for one of equal or greater value. Actual value of each prize may fluctuate based on pricing of each prize component at time prize is redeemed. Prizes will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to the Contest winner. Prizes must be picked up by Contest winner within seven (7) days.

Selected entrants will be contacted by phone or email. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the selected entrant is unreachable within five (5) days a new entrant will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is determined.
Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final. London Drugs, contest sponsors, their advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).
This contest is governed by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and to the extent applicable the laws of Canada. It is subject to all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations.
By entering this contest, the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs, the independent judging organization, its advertising and promotional agency and their respective agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at www.londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.
This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any other social media platform which may be used to communicate this Contest. All such entities are completely released of all liability by each entrant in this Contest. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Contest should be directed only to London Drugs
London Drugs and its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their employees, officers, directors and anyone involved in the production, development or implementation of this Contest or the provision of any prize are not liable or responsible for any failure of any website during this Contest, nor liable or responsible for any problems or technical malfunctions of computer online systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment, software or any e-mail, online or internet entry lost due to technical problems or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to an entrant’s or any other person’s computer or property related to or resulting from playing or downloading any material in the promotion.
The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

Entries will be disqualified if they include any of the following, as determined by London Drugs and/or the Contest judges in their sole discretion:

crude, vulgar or offensive images and/or symbols;
derogatory characterizations of any ethnic, racial, sexual or religious groups;
content that endorses, condones or discusses any illegal, inappropriate or risky activity, behaviour or conduct;
any identifiable third party product and/or trademark; or
any other content that is or could be considered inappropriate, unsuitable or offensive.

Entries will also be disqualified if it comes to the attention of London Drugs that Entry contains unauthorized personal information of individuals.

Beginner’s Guide to Winter Photography

Pictures of fresh snow have always been mesmerizing, and every aspiring photographer looks to snap some great shots of powdery white landscapes. Here in Canada, we’re lucky enough to have all kinds of beautiful wintery spots to photograph right across the country. However, stepping out with your equipment in the snow can be a lot more challenging than you’d imagine. Here are some basic tips from our LDExperts in the Photolab that will help you get the best out of your next winter photography adventure.

Gear Tips

Keep batteries warm and carry spares

Battery life tends to reduce in colder weather. While newer lithium ion batteries have less issues, it’s still good to have a backup. Ideally you should charge two to three and keep the spare batteries in an inside jacket pocket. Once your batteries run low just replace them with a charged one and keep the drained battery in your pocket, you may still be able to use it once it warms up. The battery drain will vary depending on how cold it is and how power hungry your camera is.

Bag your camera or use silica gel packs

When you bring your camera indoors from the cold, condensation can form very quickly and instantly damage your camera and lens. One of the easiest and best ways to avoid this is to put your camera in a Ziplock bag and seal it tight. Once you’re in the house, place it near a slightly open window or any cooler location so it can gradually warm up to room temperature. You could also leave it in the car for a while to warm up. Once it reaches room temperature you can take it out of the bag and use it normally. Silica gel packs like the Pelican Reusable Silica Gel Hydrosorbent Unit are also an easy way to ensure all the moisture is absorbed. Just keep it in your camera case.

Avoid fogging the lens

Cold weather adds new risks while photographing outdoors. A warm humid breath will condense on your lens creating a milky frost, and wiping it will just create smudges. You can wear a neck gaiter, or a balaclava pulled over your nose and mouth to avoid this. Never place your camera under your coat or jacket in the hopes of warming it up quickly. The warmth of your body heat and the moisture from sweat could potentially damage your equipment. Breath is the usual culprit of fogged lenses but sometimes at night natural frost can form too. Use your lens caps when you’re not shooting or moving from one location to another. If you need to wipe off the moisture from the lens, always use a microfiber cleaning cloth.

Photography Tips

Focus on contrast

When you’re shooting snow, an all-white frame can cause the autofocus to have a hard time locking in. It helps to focus on any dark object (a branch or the bark below the snow). Autofocus requires contrast to adjust itself properly, so if the focus isn’t locking on, move the focusing point to a darker area and then press your shutter half way to focus. This usually does the trick.

Correct exposure with a histogram

Don’t trust the preview of the images you see on the LCD screen on the back your camera. Checking photographs while outdoors on the LCD screen may not give you the best judgement of how a picture would look on your desktop. Ideally using the histogram is the best way to judge. Take a test shot and check the histogram. If it is slightly “humped” in the middle, then just add a little positive compensation to add brightness. If the graph appears to fall off on the right-hand edge, then just dial in a little negative compensation to stop blown out highlights.

Exposure compensation

Colour balance with snow is quite tricky. Cameras usually tend to make snow look grey. This can be easily corrected by setting the exposure compensation to +1 or +2. You can also adjust exposure compensation while editing. Also, when shooting in shade, be aware of a blue bias. If a photograph is taken in sunlight mode it may come out with a blue tinge, especially in high altitudes.

Shoot in RAW format (or RAW+JPEG)

Don’t bother trying to select and delete photos while outdoors. As mentioned earlier, capturing the correct exposure and color temperature when your scene is overwhelmed by reflective white snow can be tricky. Setting the file format to RAW will allow you to safely adjust your settings later. The camera LCD usually looks washed out so if you shoot in RAW, you’ll be able to recover highlights and adjust shadows afterwards.

Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode

Aperture Priority (‘AV’ on Canon, ‘A’ on Nikon) will allow you to quickly change your depth of field. When shooting in Aperture Priority the camera will choose the ISO, (if the camera is set to auto ISO) and the shutter speed, so all you need to do is switch between aperture settings. This is great in cold weather and allows for a lot of creativity.

Preparation Tips

Capturing fresh snow

If you’re looking for fresh, footprint-free snow you will need to plan ahead and be outdoors first thing in the morning as soon as it gets bright. Planning what shots you want to take a few days in advance helps.

Plan depending on the weather and lighting

Snowy landscapes look great in both sunny and cloudy weather. Cloudy days add elements of colour to break up the white. If it’s snowing, use a shell cover to protect your camera. Winter skies are beautiful this time of year. Warm and cool tones create a different mood and will make your snow images pop. Make use of sunrise and sunset to capture warm tones from the sunlight reflecting on the snow. Looking to create a more dramatic image? Expose the sky and everything else will be darker; this technique adds a little mystery and changes the mood of your image.

Lighting during winter can change very fast. If the sun goes behind a cloud, it can completely change how the snow looks. Waiting for the sun to come out again may be hard, especially in the cold, but the pictures will definitely be worth it.

Play with shutter speed

Shutter Priority (‘Tv’ on Canon and ‘S’ on Nikon) allows you to choose your shutter speed, while the camera takes care of the rest. With a fast shutter speed, you can freeze falling snow in midair. With a slow shutter speed, you can turn those flakes into long white streaks.

Always dress warmly

Dressing right is an absolute essential while stepping out for a winter photoshoot. Getting frost-bite will certainly hamper your ability to operate the camera. If you’re shooting in –40 Celsius you’d definitely need the right gear, which includes everything from long underwear, to fleece or wool sweater and pants, down or synthetic vest, 800 fill down jacket with a hood, windproof insulated pants, a pair of thick wool socks topped by expedition quality winter boots, a hat complete with ear flaps, a balaclava or face mask, and thin nimble gloves with a pair of expedition overmitts dangling from wrist straps to wear between shots.

So, go ahead and snap some great shots this winter. You can create a nice coffee table photobook to display your photos or a photographic album. Another great way to showcase your photographs is to print a customized 2022 calendar so you can treasure your best wintery shots throughout the year.

Ordering items is super easy with our in-store kiosks, the London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android, or simply go online and select from multiple print options and sizes!

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!

Elevate Your Photography – Food Photos at Home

While spending more time at home, have you found yourself enjoying the art of cooking or baking more? If so, you are not alone. A quick scroll through any social media feed and you’ll see everyone is cooking up a storm. If you want to capture your home creations in photos, we are here to help. We’re sharing 3 concepts to improve your food photography using your phone, a piece of paper and natural light, and it won’t interfere with enjoying dinner!

Follow along to learn how to elevate your food photography beyond the snapshot by considering content and framing, staging, and lighting. The examples below were all shot with an iPhone 11 and available light.

1. Content & Framing

What makes the images above different? The image on the left looks busy with all the counter items distracting focus from the food. To make your food photos shine, consider everything that is present in the frame. Ask yourself if something is required to tell the story, and if so, how does it interact with the rest of the items. A clean background will allow the food to stand out.

In the above right, you see the image is taken at a ¾ height with the salad as the prominent item, and the sandwich slightly out of focus in the background. You can also take an overhead shot looking straight down depending on how you feel the plate will come to life best. For an overhead shot, you will want to consider the surface it will be on, and any items that are visible. There are many other angles you can do, and if using an interchangeable lens system, a macro lens will allow you to get in to capture up-close details. For this blog, we will keep it to phone photography.

2. Staging

When plating your dish, carefully craft your plate. Examine the above two images. Notice the sandwich is cut differently, and in the left it is stacked and has some unnecessary items in the frame, whereas the right is side by side.

Consider how the elements of the dish appear together. On fancy cooking shows, or at high-end restaurants they always take great care in the presentation, and at home should be no different. A simple bowl of spaghetti can be twisted in a circular motion vs dumped on a plate. These small details will go a long way to help the visual presentation. Once you have your plate ready, make sure there are no unintended fingerprints, or drips on the rim of the plate, and then it’s time to set up your shot.

3. Lighting

Lighting is what will make or break the image. In all photography, the easiest way to improve is to learn how light behaves, how to manipulate it and control it. We will be using only available light for this tutorial.

Your camera has a built-in white balance. Mixing natural and artificial light will create colour casts of warm (yellow cast) and cool (blue/cyan cast). This is due to the different light temperatures of the light sources. It is better to use one or the other to avoid various colour casts in your final image.

In the two images above, the available light sources are from a window on the left side and an overhead light. In the left image, the overhead light is on and in the right image, it is lit only with the window. Notice how the colour is more balanced using a single light source? In the left, there is a yellow glow in the plate and a harsh shadow from the mug. The lighting in the left image is more balanced, but the shadows are still too dark.

To fill our shadows and help balance the light in the right image above, we will use a white piece of presentation board. Any white surface can work with varied results, from a sheet of printer paper to a white paper box. Get creative with what you have around the house. Place the white paper beside the object, on the opposite side from the window. This allows the light to reflect back on the subject, and fill in that shadow. Move the card around at different angles, and watch how the light changes on the plate.

Putting it all together

Next time you make something tasty in the kitchen, consider these 3 points and watch your food photography come to life! By taking a minute to consider your image content and framing, staging, and lighting, you can craft photos as beautiful as your kitchen delights are tasty. Below is a comparison of different outcomes with the lighting conditions described above.

1 – Background untidy, 2 – Naturally lit with overhead artificial light, 3 – Naturally lit, 4 – Add white card, 5 – Result with white card

Be sure to consider bringing your new home chef images to life. A homemade cookbook is great for future generations to preserve your unique and tasty recipes. Our Photolab makes book-making easy, and with your new food photography skills, your cookbook will be loved by all.

In the Field with the New Sony RX100-VII Camera

Sony has just dropped their RX100-VII compact point-and-shoot camera! Our LDExperts had the opportunity to take it into the field at the Richmond Sunflower Festival and put it to the test. Watch the video below to get a peek into the camera’s key features and see actual footage from the RX100-VII. Then keep reading below to find out what we think (and catch our exclusive video with Jin from Sony Canada at the bottom of this post)!

The Sony RX100-VII is the seventh iteration of Sony’s top-end point-and-shoot RX100 line. The newest incarnation brings many features of the A9 mirrorless into a compact pocketable camera. The all-new 20.1 MP, 1” stacked sensor can capture bursts at 20 frames per second, has incredible autofocus and can create 4K HDR video!

The impressive spec list of this camera doesn’t stop there. The most notable performance upgrades come in the video features. Sony decided to include an integrated 3.5” microphone jack, and continuous autofocus with face, eye and object detection in video mode (including eye detect for animals). Combined, these features open this camera up to anyone looking to create high-quality video content with sound.

Equipped with a Zeiss 24-200mm F2.8-4.5 lens, this camera can achieve nice wide-angle shots for up-close action, with the telephoto abilities to get right in on the action from the sidelines. The burst mode of 20 frames per second with no blackout or dropped frames is lightning fast, and ensures you can capture those moments of high-speed action.

Having it out in the field at the sunflower festival, we spotted a hummingbird to put the camera’s quick focus and burst mode to the test. When we spotted it, we quickly pulled the camera out hoping to capture the shot. To our pleasant surprise, the camera powered up, and zoomed in in no time. The autofocus instantly locked in on the hummingbird and the burst mode captured it beautifully. The quick response of the RX100-VII proved it as a capable pocket power machine.

These features also translate well for parents with active kids. The autofocus and burst mode combine to make sure you always capture your children in any activity they are participating in.

It’s also great for shooting in manual mode! For the more seasoned photographer, the camera’s manual controls allow full control over all settings, to really capture the shot you want. The front ring dial also allows for a custom experience by choosing what setting it controls.

Overall, our impression was how capable this camera was for such a small package. We strongly recommend it for anyone looking for a serious upgrade from their phone, but without diving into the interchangeable lens world.

Watch Jin from Sony Canada walking through even more camera feature highlights.

Pick up your Sony RX100-VII at London Drugs here!

10 Photography Essentials: What You Need in Your Camera Bag

‘Tis the season to get outside and start taking fantastic photographs!

Whether you’re shooting landscapes, weddings, portraits, or just exploring the city through your lens, making sure your camera bag is “camera ready” is vital to snapping the shots you want. Nothing is worse than missing that perfect picture because you were under-prepared.

Curious what you need in your camera bag? Here are 10 photography essentials to guarantee a successful shoot.

1. Camera

This seems like a no-brainer, but ensuring your camera is photo-ready is one of the most easily overlooked tasks when prepping your camera bag. Before you launch into photography season it’s a good idea to give this core tool the once-over.

You can do this by checking the sensor for dust (many cameras have an auto-clean mode), charging the batteries to full, wiping down lenses with lens-safe wipes, and clearing any old images you no longer need from the memory.

Of course, if you’re new to photography and don’t have a camera yet, a basic digital camera will get you started.

While you’re at it, why not keep a backup camera handy? Grab your GoPro or even your smartphone and make sure the battery is charged. That way you’ll have a backup should anything go wrong with your primary device.

Pro-tip: If you’re taking pictures with your smartphone, easily send them for print directly from your phone using the Photolab app!

2. Lenses

Standard lens – 50mm / f1.8: This is basically the workhorse lens of many a photographer, and will have you shooting stunning images in no time. It creates clear, crisp images and is fantastic for indoor or lower-light photography. Ultimately it produces great images that appear more natural.
Telephoto lens: Think of this lens as a portrait lens. This will give you a lot of distance and a very shallow depth of field, bringing incredible focus to your subject. It’s great for weddings, wildlife, or sporting events.
Macro lens: Want massive up-close-and-personal detail on flowers, insects, plants, or other subjects? This is the lens for you.

3. Extra Battery

Aside from the necessary task of taking photos, a lot of things can drain your camera battery.

For example, if you use the LCD screen a lot to preview your shots, press the shutter button incessantly, turn the camera on and off quite often, or use functions like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GPS, your camera battery may fall dead more quickly. Shooting video can also drain your battery. It’s not that you shouldn’t use these functions — they’re great tools within your photography arsenal! Unfortunately, they are also a drain on your power source.

Keep an extra charged battery on hand and ensure you don’t end up powerless when the right shot presents itself.

4. Polarizing Filters

If you find some of your photos look bland in post, polarizing filters are fantastic, especially for landscape and portrait photographers. When shooting outside, sunlight can be scattered, causing your final images to not look as vibrant as they did when you took them. These special filters help amplify colours and saturate light, while cutting glare and reflections in water and glass, even in hazy conditions.

They take up almost no room at all and easily attach to the lens of your camera. Investing in a couple can really take your photography to the next level!

5. Microfiber Cleaning Cloth and Digi Blower

A microfiber cloth and digi blower are two of the most understated — and useful — items in your camera bag!

Breathing on lenses can damage them with bacteria and moisture, while wiping them with any old towel can cause scratches that ruin photos. Using the proper camera cleaning supplies will ensure your camera works at optimal levels for as long as possible.

A microfiber cloth keeps on-the-go maintenance scratch-free and easy-breezy, while a digi blower is specifically designed to safely and effectively remove dust and dirt from sensitive digital cameras for safe cleaning of CCD sensors, memory card slots, and lenses.

Plus, if it’s large enough, you can use a microfiber cloth as padding to wrap around other accessories to keep them safe and undamaged during transport.

6. Spare SD memory cards

There’s nothing worse than catching the perfect shot and your camera tells you your memory card is full. Especially if the moment is fleeting.

Sure, you can go into Preview mode and scroll through the blurry or bad images to delete them, but that’s time consuming and draining on your battery. Instead, keep a spare SD memory card or two in your bag. They weigh nothing and take up practically no space at all.

7. Shot List

If you aspire to be a professional photographer, getting into good habits from the onset is a must. One of these good habits is developing a shot list.

Have you ever gone to the grocery store with a list of 10 items in your head, only to walk out with seven because you couldn’t remember the other three? The same thing happens in photography, only it’s worse because you can always go back to the store for the other things when you get home and realize what you missed. You may not be able to catch that same sunrise, gather the wedding party, or remake that perfect soufflé… and the opportunity to snap it will be gone.

Make a list of your must-have shots, and keep it close by. Use it like a checklist. This will help you tell the story you want to tell. Sure it takes a bit of planning, but future you will thank you for it.

8. A Way to Take Notes

Simply put: keeping field notes helps you take better shots.

Having your smartphone handy with your favourite note taking app or a classic notebook and a few pens in your camera bag allows you to quickly jot down something that worked well, as well as things that didn’t. Perhaps you want to remember a particular camera setting or a specific time the light was just right. Don’t just trust your memory — a lot can happen during a shoot, causing you to forget by the time you get around to uploading and editing your images.

Even the best photographers have a chance to learn from their mistakes and keeping detailed notes about how a shoot went — whether you’re a professional or hobbyist — can help make your photography better.

9. Sense of Adventure

Photography gives us the chance to see the world through a different lens — a different perspective. It gives us the chance to explore our cities, share our travels, and indulge our senses. It also allows us to connect with other humans — whether we’re taking pictures of them, or enjoying the shots of others. And that’s exciting!

So get out there and take some pictures. It’s a big wide world… so don’t forget your sense of adventure!

10. BONUS Essential: A Tripod!

While a tripod won’t typically fit in your camera bag, it is something that can be useful during certain shoots. It’s true most new cameras come with built-in stabilizers, but for added value, here are our favourite two reasons to carry a tripod for those special occasions.

1. Stabilizing the shot. This is particularly important in low-light settings or when shooting subjects with loads of detail. When you’re shooting in low light, any vibration or movement from the camera can disrupt the light coming into the lens, causing your image to become blurry. A tripod stabilizes the camera and allows the light to enter the lens from the same angle and rate, enhancing your shot quality.

2. Consistency in shot. If you’re shooting a series of images that require the same frame (i.e. portrait photography for multiple subjects, food photography for a restaurant, the evolution of a flight of birds, etc…), a tripod ensures the angle never changes; it’s fixed, whereas if you’re holding the camera, slight variations in height can be magnified in the final product.

If you need help or gear for your camera bag this season, we can help! Whether it’s a shiny new lens, advice about the best way to light your shoot, or a few a whole new camera kit, we got you. Stop by your local London Drugs and talk to our LDPhoto experts — we’d love to see you!

Photo Month 2022 Contest Terms and Conditions

Photo Month Contest

Weekly Themes:

Week 1: May 1, 2022 to Saturday, May 7, 2022

Week 2: May 8, 2022 to Saturday, May 14, 2022

Week 3: May 15, 2022 to Saturday, May 21, 2022

Week 4: May 22, 2022 to Monday May 30, 2022

Full terms and conditions:

Beginner’s Guide to Winter Photography

Gear Tips

Keep batteries warm and carry spares

Bag your camera or use silica gel packs

Avoid fogging the lens

Photography Tips

Focus on contrast

Correct exposure with a histogram

Exposure compensation

Shoot in RAW format (or RAW+JPEG)

Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode

Preparation Tips

Capturing fresh snow

Plan depending on the weather and lighting

Play with shutter speed

Always dress warmly

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

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

Nikon Coolpix P950

Manfrotto Element Traveller Small Tripod with Ball Head

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

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)

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)

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

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

How to Capture Your Canadian Staycation Memories this Summer

Road Tripping

Hiking or Camping

Adventuring

Pool, Lake or Beach-Going

Elevate Your Photography – Food Photos at Home

1. Content & Framing

2. Staging

3. Lighting

Putting it all together

1 – Background untidy, 2 – Naturally lit with overhead artificial light, 3 – Naturally lit, 4 – Add white card, 5 – Result with white card

In the Field with the New Sony RX100-VII Camera

10 Photography Essentials: What You Need in Your Camera Bag

1. Camera

2. Lenses

3. Extra Battery

4. Polarizing Filters

5. Microfiber Cleaning Cloth and Digi Blower

6. Spare SD memory cards

7. Shot List

8. A Way to Take Notes

9. Sense of Adventure

10. BONUS Essential: A Tripod!

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