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Ian MacDonald Photography

Vancouver based photographer, writer, educator & speaker. Official Fujifilm X Photographer.

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2020 Workshop Schedule

My 2020 workshop schedule will be live for registration on October 15th, with early bird discounts available until December 31st, 2019!

Workshops will held in:

San Francisco
Vancouver
Toronto
Paris

Online Photography Education

Can’t make a face to face workship? Consider one of my online learning options:

The Virtual Street Photography Workshop

Custom Photography Education

Guest Speaker Presentations

Are you looking for a presentation for your organization or event? I have been speaking publicly for 25 years and currently offer the following three presentations:

Street Photography

Travel Photography

Finding Creativity

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I am so damn excited to finally be able to share this with you: Over the years I have written a lot about my journey with PTSD. I have spoken about it on podcasts, on countless stages, in magazine articles and over coffee with friends who needed to talk. Putting yourself out there and speaking from a place of vulnerability is never easy. On the contrary, it can be terrifying at times. But, there is magic in doing it because it helps people. At my core that is who I have always tried to be... a helper. For so many years I did it with my hands, with IVs full of medication, with bandages and tourniquets and with defibrillators. The tools of my trade have changed now of course, I traded in my stethoscope for a camera a long time ago, but I am still trying to help by telling my story to anyone who will listen. I tell it because I know it has helped other people who are struggling, much like I was helped by hearing about the experiences of others when I needed it the most. Here is where the plot thickens. A few months ago I was contacted by the lovely people at @muse_storytelling. We spoke about this new project that my friends at Fujifilm Cameras were doing. It was a video based project that focused on the creative process, on why we make art and on what drives us to do what we do. There would be no talk about camera settings, or which lens is better, or what accessories you should buy. It was going to be a celebration of life, of people, of art and of storytelling. It was amazing, and I knew right away that I had to be a part of it. And now, finally, all of you who helped me on this journey can be a part of it too. You are all amazing. You saved me, and I will be eternally grateful. Please follow the link in my profile to view my video in the Create Forever series. I hope you like it. Cheers, Ian . . . . . . . #fuji #fujifilm #myfujifilm #myfujifilmlegacy #myfujifilmsa #repostmyfuji #repostmyfujifilm #fujilove #myfujilove #fujifeed #fujixpassion #fujicast #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx100f #x100f #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmx_au #fujifilmx_uk #fujifilmme #ptsd #ptsdawareness #ptsdawarenessmonth #anxiety #depression #healing #itgetsbetter

“Its like a finger pointing a way to the moon. Don’t concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of the heavenly glory.” . . . . . . . . . . #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifeed #myfujilove #x100f #teamfujifilm #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetsgrammer #fromstreetswithlove #streetphotography #spicollective #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #capturestreets #streetsacademy #bnw_society #bnw_captures #bnw_city #bnwmood #streetphotography_bw #bnw_life #bnw_globe #friendsinbnw #streetphotographybnw @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @fujifilmeu @fujifilmfr

The heart of a city is found not in its museums or monuments, but in its people. I walk when I travel, a lot, because the photos I want to make are of simple little vignettes into life on the streets; the baker photographed through the window, the shop keeper arranging their wares, the young couple sitting by the river, the older gentleman reading a book on a cafe patio. You miss photographs like these if you simply Uber/Metro/Bus your way from one tourist spot to another. Walk the streets, breath the air, talk to the people... you will learn so much more about the place you are visiting. And, I think, your photos will be so much better for it too. . . . . . . . . #fuji #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #repostmyfuji #fujifeed #fujilove #myfujilove #fujifilmxseries #fujixt3 #xt3 #teamfujifilm #streetphotography #streetphotographer #streetportrait #everybodystreet #streetdreamsmag #streetshot #streetstyle #streetlife #streethunters #streettogs #wethestreet #ig_street #life_is_street #streetsgrammer #fromstreetswithlove #spicollective #paris #silhouette @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @fujifilmeu @fujifilmfr

I was going back through old photos this morning, ones that I hadn’t previously shared, when I saw this image of a distinguished looking gentleman on the Eiffel Tower. It’s funny how our perspective changes over time; a year ago I didn’t really see a lot in this photo, but now I see several elements in it that I like. Our eye definitely changes over time, doesn’t it? . . . . . . . . #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifeed #myfujilove #xt3 #teamfujifilm #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetsgrammer #fromstreetswithlove #streetphotography #spicollective #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #capturestreets #streetsacademy #bnw_society #bnw_captures #bnw_city #bnwmood #streetphotography_bw #bnw_life #bnw_globe #friendsinbnw #streetphotographybnw @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @fujifilmeu @fujifilmfr

Always look for new perspectives. . . . . . . . . . #paris #france #cityoflights #eiffeltower #bridge #sunset #postsunset #bluehour #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifilmxseries #fujifeed #fuji #myfujilove #teamfujifilm #FujifilmFrance #xt3 #cityscape #nightscape #worldbestgram #greatshotz #hubs_united #photoarena #awesomepix #nightphotography #ig_color #travelphotography #travelphotographer @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @fujifilmeu @fujifilmfr

We lost two giants this week: Fred Herzog and Robert Frank. I never met either of them personally, but both of these gentleman were hugely influential to me as a photographer. They passed away at the ages of 88 and 94, respectively, after long lives spent pursuing their artistic passions. Inspirational indeed. I was the guest on this week’s FujiCast podcast (episode 30), where I spoke to one half of the dynamic duo that host the show (Kevin Mullins and Neale James). We chatted about photography, my PTSD, and about how important the arts can be to a person who is suffering from something. Neale was a gracious host, an even better interviewer, and I think we covered a lot of ground during our short talk. Be sure to check it out: https://www.fujicast.co.uk/?p=647 It feels like I am spending a lot of time talking about my journey these days, perhaps even as much as I spend working as a photographer. This wasn’t something that I intentionally set out to do, but I have had so many people reach out to let me know that my story helped them. That’s pretty much the best thing in the world. The truth is that I have always tried to be a helper in one form or another... it is what I do and it is who I am. Mr Rogers once said: When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world. That was me for over 20 years on an ambulance, and for 25 years in the classroom. Helping others has been my life’s work and, even though I am not on an ambulance anymore, maybe this is just my little way of trying to help right now. There is a project launching soon, related to this, that I am very excited to share with you. And to the both of you, Mr. Herzog and Mr. Frank, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the art that you created and so generously shared with the world. We are all better for it. Cheers, Ian

Authenticity is important when crafting storytelling street and travel photos. This image doesn’t work if the subject is a tourist in shorts (ironically enough, how I was dressed when I took it), but a waiter taking an evening break outside of a cafe is classically Paris. Be patient with your images, tying appropriate elements together, and your storytelling will be so much more cohesive. . . . . . . . #fuji #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #repostmyfuji #fujifeed #myfujilove #x100f #teamfujifilm #streetphotography #streetphotographer #streetportrait #everybodystreet #streetdreamsmag #streetshot #streetstyle #streetlife #streethunters #streettogs #wethestreet #ig_street #life_is_street #streetsgrammer #fromstreetswithlove #spicollective #capturestreets #storyofthestreets #streetsacademy #fujifeedstreet #paris @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @fujifilmeu @fujifilmfr

Subject. Moment. Background. Light. These are the elements that we use as photographers when we are crafting an image. It is a rare thing to get all four in a candid street photo of course, life is usually to unpredictable for that, but every now and then a photo comes together. I first saw the light and shadow in this scene, the way it created an interesting frame around the building. The photo didn’t come together, however, until this father entered the frame, walking his young child to school. The child skipped across the street, holding dad’s hand, and he looked down with what I can only imagine was a smile. Wonderful subjects, and a wonderful moment captured in silhouette. . . . . . . . . . . . #fuji #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #repostmyfuji #fujifeed #myfujilove #x100f #teamfujifilm #streetphotography #streetphotographer #streetportrait #everybodystreet #streetdreamsmag #streetshot #streetstyle #streetlife #streethunters #streettogs #wethestreet #ig_street #life_is_street #streetsgrammer #fromstreetswithlove #spicollective #capturestreets #storyofthestreets #streetsacademy #paris #silhouette @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @fujifilmeu @fujifilmfr @gulfphotoplus

Is there anything better than Paris in the rain? . . . . . . . . #fujifilm #myfujifilm #fujifilm_xseries #fujifilmx_us #fujifeed #myfujilove #xt3 #teamfujifilm #streetphotographer #streetdreamsmag #streetsgrammer #fromstreetswithlove #streetphotography #spicollective #everybodystreet #streetlife #streethunters #ig_street #life_is_street #capturestreets #streetsacademy #bnw_society #bnw_captures #bnw_city #bnwmood #streetphotography_bw #bnw_life #bnw_globe #friendsinbnw #streetphotographybnw @fujifilm_northamerica @fujifilm_xseries @fujifilmx_us @fujifilmme @fujifilm_uk @fujifilmnordic @fujifilmaus @fujifilmeu @fujifilmfr @gulfphotoplus

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Blog Post Categories

Blog Post Categories

Recent Posts

Using Photography to Heal From PTSD
Podcasts, Loss, New Directions & Mr. Rogers
On Time & Transition
Saturday | Departure | 7,930 Kilometres To Home
Thursday & Friday | Workshop | The Final 36 Hours
Wednesday | Workshop | Day Three
Tuesday | Workshop | Day Two
Monday | Workshop | Day One
Sunday | Explorations
Saturday | Fatigue | Movement
Friday | Departure | Airports
A Photographic Return to San Francisco
Reflections of Paris | The Power of Photography
What Lies Behind : Photographic Insights – Volume Five
Inspiration Through Reflection – A New Monthly Series
Thoughts on Becoming a Working Creative
Perfect Moments
What Lies Behind : Photographic Insights – Volume Four
The Fujifilm X100 series | Photography Redefined
Weekend Ruminations: What Freddie taught us about life and art
Les Rues De Paris | The Streets of Paris – Part Three
What Lies Behind : Photographic Insights – Volume Three
Les Rues De Paris | The Streets of Paris – Part Two
Les Rues de Paris | The Streets of Paris – Part One
What Lies Behind : Photographic Insights – Volume Two
Adversity & Acceptance
What Lies Behind : Photographic Insights – Volume One
Renewed Focus | A New Year
2018 | Reflections of a Photographic Year
Twenty More | The Streets of Vancouver – Part Two
I’ve lost my voice | The streets of Vancouver
2019 Photography Workshop Schedule
Shooting Through Changing Light
A Storytelling Approach to Travel Photography
Without Risk There Can Be No Reward
Time
Finding Creativity – A Different Kind of Photo Presentation
The Wall – Revisited
The Streets of Toronto
Weekend Rumination – Is Photography Art?
The Importance of a Moment in Time
Fujifilm… Momentum Defined
Patterns of Summer, the Pride of a Nation
Creative Composition in Street Photography – Part Five
Creative Composition in Street Photography – Part Four
Creative Composition In Street Photography – Part Three
New Street Photography Workshop Dates!
Photography Saved Me
Creative Composition in Street Photography – Part Two
Creative Composition in Street Photography – Part One
How Do You Eat an Elephant?
The Interview Series: Ten Questions With Official Fujifilm X Photographer Spencer Wynn
The Story of a City – Toronto Edition
Finding Photographic Balance in Hawaii
The Streets of San Francisco – Part Four
Is your photography healthy?
The Interview Series: Ten Questions with Wedding Photographer Eric Brushett
The Streets of San Francisco – Part Three
The Streets of San Francisco – Part Two
The Magic of Fujifilm
Street Photography Workshop Update & a new bonus for participants!
The Streets of San Francisco – Part One
Discussing Creativity, Inspiration and Motivation on the FujiLove Podcast
Processing Black & White Street Photographs with Acros
Vignettes of Amsterdam – Part Two
Vignettes of Amsterdam – Part One
2018: From Transition to Realization
My Final Images of 2017
When a friend inspires you…
406 Days With the Fuji X100F
Winter is Coming
Processing Street Photographs in Classic Chrome
2018 Street Photography Workshops
96 Hours in Paris – Part Four
96 Hours in Paris – Part Three
96 Hours in Paris – Part Two
96 Hours in Paris – Part One
A Beam of Light
Toronto Street Photography Part Two – Rain
Toronto Street Photography Part One – Sunshine
FujiLove Podcast
September 11th
Photography Matters
Amsterdam Street Photography Workshop
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
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

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