Skip to content

Ian MacDonald Photography

Vancouver based Official Fuji X Photographer, focused on street, travel and wedding photography

  • Home
  • About
  • Galleries
    • Street Photography
    • Travel Photography >>>
      • New York City Gallery
      • Amsterdam Gallery
      • Paris Gallery
      • San Francisco Gallery
      • Hawaii Gallery
      • Las Vegas Gallery
      • Vancouver Gallery
      • Other Places
    • People >>>
      • Portraits
      • Fitness & Dance
      • Vancouver Music Photography
    • Other >>>>
      • Long Exposures
      • Things
      • 20 Photos, 20 Tips
  • Workshops
    • Vancouver Street Photography Workshop
    • Toronto Street Photography Workshop
    • Private street photography workshops
    • Online Mentoring
    • Travel Photography Presentation
    • Street Photography Presentation
  • Weddings
  • Gear
    • Review – The Fuji X100F
    • First Impressions of the Fuji X-T2
    • Review: The Fuji X-Pro2
    • Review: The Fuji X-T10 Camera
    • Review: The Fuji Instax SP-1 Printer
    • Review: The Fuji Pro Zooms (The 16-55mm and the 50-140mm)
    • Review: The Fujinon 35mm f/2 Lens
    • Fuji X100 Series (X100/X100s/X100t)
    • My Fuji X100 / X100s / X100t Travel Kit
    • The Fuji X-T1 with Fujinon lenses
    • My Fuji X100t / Fuji X-T1 Travel Kit
  • Interviews
    • Ten Questions with Official Fuji X Photographer Patrick Laroque
    • Ten Questions With photographer Olaf Sztaba
    • A discussion with Official Fuji Guy Gord Webster
  • Contact

M

MTrpditch-1
10450824_10152055716776266_4788970163388750119_n
10338744_10152044880146266_7552654450973687192_n
10565185_10152139175471266_4700396035257457687_n
10325376_10152055717171266_2407966579962994771_n
10274114_10152063688881266_4563552056151526183_n
10422010_10152063686581266_290551882052991769_n
1975110_10151923628756266_1919398232_n
10355002_10152055764836266_6626880925521792800_n
10527727_10152139175281266_2092953360723735853_n
Untitled-1
DSCF0270-1
10525844_10152091609991266_5347065321082613513_n
10472082_10152063688871266_2712433159732535969_n
10505617_10152109216841266_2394027012282398997_n
10269381_10152044880561266_8513055284233290059_n
10514718_10152094167041266_7163507765259969403_n
10338719_10152091610491266_1984333427901942577_n
10454565_10152091610081266_3003473276009723740_n
10422042_10152091610631266_3898797735073181223_n
10431450_10152091610386266_961088240519414496_n
10440680_10152091613856266_2519713715309325084_n
10382744_10152091613931266_746857248367884981_n
10447750_10152055715781266_7309273426775387278_n
10509753_10152091555446266_2198673576718489913_n
10440949_10152055764791266_4939683653174630858_n
10489718_10152091610306266_635403413026515772_n
10403453_10152063686631266_6976337043849374664_n
10370435_10152055764476266_6112928330270392787_n
10354689_10152011411066266_7002584154602122020_n
10462564_10152091610601266_8542780035621907084_n
10400023_10152091610336266_8143815819469720529_n
10445491_10152104034266266_6621824091569559869_n
10574287_10152139175476266_2554158251576032796_n
10464207_10152091555486266_9212494334456251157_n
10371922_10152055764796266_1570470669721277049_n
1911831_10152139175391266_3185596278400306270_n
10360914_10152055764581266_6235249607495903038_n
10410425_10152091610236266_6049158669306446436_n
DSCF0210-1
10447839_10152055764586266_7118406864383183964_n
10527545_10152091610191266_2862285484887915372_n
Official Fuji X Photographer Ian MacDonald

Upcoming Workshops

Please click on each course below to view more information:

  • SOLD OUT:  Vancouver Street Photography Workshop June 2-4, 2017
  • SOLD OUT:  Toronto Street Photography Workshop July 21-23, 2017
  • SOLD OUT:  Vancouver Street Photography Workshop August 11-13, 2017

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 790 other followers

Follow me on Instagram

In my last post I wrote about building a street image step by step; i.e., seeing the light, working to get the best background, focusing on the right timing and the right subject, etc. There are definitely times, however, when you simply have to react quickly, click the shutter and see what happens. This photo, which was taken in Toronto while I was walking to meet a friend for lunch, is one of those times. I saw this lady with the amazing hat walking by as I turned the corner and was able to quickly get off 3-4 frames before she went by. The composition isn’t perfect of course, things were moving way to fast for that. She looks great in that hat though and sometimes a quick reaction to capture the moment is so much more important than a perfectly composed image. 👍 . . . . . #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmxseries #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #x100F #teamfujifilm #fuji #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetstyle #streetshot #streetphotography #streetphoto #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #bnw_society #bnw_captures #bnw_city #bnwmood #streetphotography_bw #bnw_life #bnw_globe #moodygrams @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus This weekend I was one of the presenters at the Vancouver International Photo Festival, where I delivered a 90 minute street photography presentation on behalf of my friends at Fujifilm Canada. During the presentation one of the things we talked about was building an image by finding the right background and light first, and then waiting for the right dynamic elements to enter the frame. This image, which I took in Toronto this past summer while teaching, is a good example of that: I saw the amazing light and shadows first, then worked the scene for the next 15 minutes or so until I had an image which had depth and layers in it. When you find the right light it is always worth investing the time required to build a compelling image. 👍 . . . . . #xphotographer #fuji #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #repostmyfuji #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #fujifilmxseries #fujix100f #fujifilmx100f #x100f #teamfujifilm #streetphotography #streetphotographer #streetphoto #streetportrait #everybodystreet #streetdreamsmag #streetshot #streetstyle #streetlife #streethunters #streettogs #wethestreet #ig_street #life_is_street #toronto #lensculture @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmeu @fujifilmme @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus Crazy lines and shadows. 👍 . . . . . . #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmxseries #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #x100F #teamfujifilm #fuji #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetstyle #streetshot #streetphotography #streetphoto #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #bnw_society #bnw_captures #bnw_city #bnwmood #streetphotography_bw #bnw_life #bnw_globe #moodygrams @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus Today is the 16th anniversary of the September 11th attacks in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Anybody old enough to remember that horrible day can probably remember exactly where they were, and what they were doing, when they heard the news. It was my generation’s Pearl Harbor and it changed the world forever. I have a 20 year history working as a paramedic and I distinctly recall watching my peers respond to the towers and to the other crash sites that day. I also recall how I felt when I learned that so many of them fell while performing their duties. My wife and I honeymooned in New York City not long after that, and I have a close friend who served in Afghanistan as a direct result of the attacks. Like many people, I feel a connection to that day. When I was back in New York last year I took this photo of one of the two reflecting pools found at The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (which is located underground). Each reflecting pool is approximately 1 acre in size and is located in the footprint of one of the World Trade Center towers. More than 400 trees surround these pools, creating an incredibly peaceful experience. The Memorial & Museum is a moving tribute to that horrible day, with a strong focus on the people involved (the victims, the heroes, the responders, those who worked so tirelessly at Ground Zero for so long, the families that were left behind and yes, the attackers too). It is respectful, educational, and it is not to be missed if you are ever in New York City. I have so many other photographs from my day spent at the Memorial. I even have a blog post written about it but the truth is that even now, 16 years later, it still hits close to home for me. I wouldn’t trade my current life as a photographer and author for anything but I will always honour my previous life serving on the streets as a paramedic, those who I served with and ultimately those who sacrificed everything to care for us and to protect us. My life is blessed: I am so lucky to have an amazing family and to be an artist. Days like today serve as an important reminder to never take any of it for granted. Another photo from my series “The Wall”. Have a great weekend everyone, what are you up to? 🤔🤗 . . . . . #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmxseries #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #x100f #teamfujifilm #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetstyle #streetshot #streetphotography #streetphoto #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #bnw_society #bnw_captures #bnw_city #bnwmood #streetphotography_bw #bnw_life #bnw_globe #moodygrams #silhouette @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus This week I was on the @_fujilove_ podcast, talking about a wide range of topics including how we started with the Fuji X system, what gear we currently use, what we hope to see from Fujifilm in the future, what inspires us to shoot, how we push through the inertia that holds us back from time to time and of course about our love of education. FujiLove is a remarkable community of artists and it is always a pleasure to collaborate with them. If you aren’t listening to their podcast, subscribed to their magazine and watching their videos you are missing out, so be sure to check them out at www.fujilove.com! . . . . . #fuji #fujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmxseries #repostmyfuji #myfujifilm #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmme #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #teamfujifilm #fujixpassion #xphotographer #X100f #xpro2 #xt2 #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetstyle #streetshot #streetphotography #streetphoto #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #podcast #photography @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmeu @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @_fujilove_ Final preparations are under way for this year’s photography trip to Amsterdam and Paris. I am so excited to spend evenings along the Seine, meeting new people and making photographs. Paris is a special place indeed. 👍 . . . . . #paris #france #notredame #xphotographer #fuji #fujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmxseries #myfujifilm #repostmyfuji #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmfrance #fujifilmme #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #teamfujifilm #travelphoto #travelphotography #travelphotographer #cityscape #nightscape #bluehour #hubs_united #ig_color #ig_paris #parislovers #moodygrams #worldbestgram #lensculture @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifeed @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmeu @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmaus @fujifilmfr @fujifilm_xseries @paris There are times on the street where patience will reward you more than any other thing. You find a spot with great light and a clean background and you wait for the right subject and the right moment to converge. This is analogous to going fishing, to casting your line in the water and seeing what bites. I cannot stress enough how important this approach is in street photography. Other times, however, you simply roam the city streets like a hunter. Your eyes are constantly scanning, your finger is on the shutter and when you see something happening you must react quickly, trying to capture the moment in a split second before it is gone. This photo was taken in this fashion as I came around a corner. I love these moments, how they happen and then they are gone forever. They keep me walking, wandering and always wondering what is around the next corner. I hope everyone has a great weekend! . . . . . #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmxseries #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #x100F #teamfujifilm #fuji #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetstyle #streetshot #streetphotography #streetphoto #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #bnw_society #bnw_captures #bnw_city #bnwmood #streetphotography_bw #bnw_life #bnw_globe #moodygrams @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus When shooting street resist the urge to review your images when you are at a good location, it will backfire on you and the perfect subject will walk by right when you have your eyes glued to your LCD. When you find that great location or that great pocket of light work the scene relentlessly. Just shoot, be 100% present in what is happening around you.... there is always time to look at the images later. And yes, I learned this the hard way. 😊 . . . . . #xphotographer #fuji #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #repostmyfuji #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #fujifilmxseries #fujix100f #fujifilmx100f #x100f #teamfujifilm #streetphotography #streetphotographer #streetphoto #streetportrait #everybodystreet #streetdreamsmag #streetshot #streetstyle #streetlife #streethunters #streettogs #wethestreet #ig_street #life_is_street #silhouette #lensculture @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmeu @fujifilmme @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Support this Site

Blog Post Categories

Recent Posts

  • Toronto Street Photography Part One – Sunshine
  • FujiLove Podcast
  • September 11th
  • Photography Matters
  • The Wall
  • The importance of reflection and editing your work
  • Los Angeles street photography with the Fuji X100F – Part two
  • Los Angeles Street Photography with the Fuji X100F – Part One
  • The Magic of Light
  • On being an Official Fujifilm X Photographer
  • Seattle, the Fuji X-Pro2, street photography, a chance encounter
  • 20 new Fuji X100F street images (and a quick word of encouragement)
  • On photo walks, friendships and not clicking the shutter
  • Street Photography Silhouettes
  • On collaboration, community and being true to yourself as an artist…
  • Finding peace at the water’s edge
  • Fujifilm X100F Street Photography
  • Setting up the Fujifilm X100F for Street Photography
  • Vancouver Street Photography Workshop
  • On Creativity, Perspective, and Acceptance
  • Coming Home – The new Fujifilm X100f
  • A quick update for the New Year…
  • 2016 – A Photographic Year in Review
  • Vancouver Street Photography, Light & Shadows, and a few thoughts on the Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 Pancake Lens
  • Travel Photography Tips from Amsterdam
  • San Francisco Chinatown Street Photography In Classic Chrome – Part Two
  • San Francisco Chinatown Street Photography in Classic Chrome – Part One
  • Politics, photography, and owning your happiness
  • Go right ahead and love your gear
  • Photographing New York City from the Top of the Rock
  • Street Photography with Valerie Jardin
  • Photographing Grand Central Terminal
  • Gratitude, Admiration, and One Hundred Blog Posts
  • New York Street Photography
  • Fujifilm gear pack for New York City
  • Photographing New York City
  • Street Photography
  • First impressions of the new Fuji X-T2
  • Restriction breeds creativity
  • Official Fujifilm X Photographer
  • The Interview Series: Ten Questions with Official Fuji X Photographer Patrick Laroque
  • Tips for shooting street portraits
  • Loss
  • Seattle street photography and the importance of always taking the time to do what you love
  • The importance of light when shooting street photography
  • Photographing Amsterdam at Night
  • Amsterdam Street Photography
  • Photographing Amsterdam
  • The night photography almost ruined my vacation – A cautionary tale
  • Fuji X-Pro2 Review Part Five: A Month With the X-Pro2
  • Fuji X-Pro2 Review Part Four: Using the X-Pro2 in a Portrait Session
  • Fuji X-Pro2 Review Part Three: Vancouver Cityscapes, Long Exposures, and Street Photography
  • The Interview Series: A discussion with Official Fuji Guy Gord Webster
  • Fuji X-Pro2 Review Part Two: Low light autofocus and high ISO performance
  • Fuji X-Pro2 Review Part One: Unboxing and First Impressions
  • What’s next for the Fuji X100t?
  • “Failure” is a necessary part of the creative process…
  • Photo Essay: A Winter’s Morning…
  • The Interview Series: Ten Questions With Olaf Sztaba
  • It’s 2016 – Let’s Do This!
  • The Best of 2015 – A Year in Review
  • Photo Essay: Père Lachaise Cemetery
  • Visiting Fort Langley with the new Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens
  • Photographing Las Vegas – Fremont Street!
  • Photographing the Las Vegas Strip at Night
  • Las Vegas street photography with the Fuji X100t
  • Discussing Vancouver Street Photography with Valerie Jardin
  • Photographing Paris – Shoot the Details!
  • Photographing Paris – A Study of Notre Dame
  • New Gear Reviews
  • Paris at Night
  • Paris Street Photography
  • Photographing Paris – Part One
  • Traveling with Fuji Cameras
  • Vancouver Music Photography
  • Photography at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
  • Vancouver Street Photography with the Fuji X-T10
  • First Impressions: The Fuji X-T10
  • Thinking About Street Photography
  • Vancouver Street Photography
  • Best of Fuji X Photography, complete with tips!
  • Two views of Greater Vancouver
  • Shooting long exposures at the Lonsdale Quay
  • Visiting Pearl Harbor
  • Vancouver sunrise in April!
  • Waikiki Street Photography
  • Preserving vacation memories: Hawaii, An 8 year old, and the Fuji Instax SHARE SP-1 Printer
  • 8 Days in Hawaii
  • Waterfalls, Clouds, Fog and Long Exposures
  • A photograph needs to be real: The beauty of the Fuji Instax Printer
  • Shooting portraits on a sunny winter day!
  • Looking down on Vancouver!
  • Coal Harbour marina at sunset and blue hour
  • The last sunrise of 2014!
  • Vancouver street photography and the new Fuji Classic Chrome film simulation!
  • Shooting through the light at dusk for great cityscapes
  • Vancouver Coal Harbour Panorama Shot with the Fuji X100s
  • Vancouver – False Creek Panorama
  • Shooting Stitched Panoramas with Fuji X100 Cameras
  • San Francisco – The Holocaust Memorial
  • San Francisco Chinatown Street Photography
  • Alcatraz – A Photo Essay
  • Fuji X100s Travel Kit
  • Vancouver skyline at night
  • A week in San Francisco with the Fuji X100s
  • Sweet Sixteen Photoshoot!
  • Keep working the scene: Iona Beach and Richmond Night Market Photography
  • The Fuji X100S
  • Sisters Together!
  • Shooting dance on the beach at sunset with Fuji X Cameras
  • Subject, Background, Lighting
  • Victoria BC street photography with the Fuji X100s
  • Shooting, shooting and more shooting!
  • Seeking subjects for new portrait series: People and their passions
  • Strength!
  • Meaning, Motion, Places & People – Vancouver Street Photography
  • This week’s challenge: One Street Portrait Every 10 Minutes with the Fuji X-T1
  • The people of Vancouver
  • Granville Island Street Photography with the Fuji X100s
  • All Fuji baby!
  • Don’t wait, get out and shoot!
  • A few street photographs from Disneyland
  • My Fuji X100s can see in the dark
  • iPhone saves the day
  • Riverview Hospital by iPhone
  • Sometimes it all just clicks…
  • Documenting Life and Hope
  • The World Passes By….
  • Different Perspectives
  • Lighting in Layers
  • Sometimes people just pose themselves (Fuji X100s street photograph)
  • Magic light with the Fuji X100s
Blog at WordPress.com.
Cancel