Giveaway: Lowepro Whistler Backpack 350 AW II
If you’re looking to gear up with the latest and greatest, don’t miss this giveaway! I’ve teamed up with Manfrotto and Lowepro to give you the chance to win a Befree Advanced Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod and a Protactic camera backpack (valued at $460 USD).
This giveaway is now closed. Congrats to our winner, Imran!
A reliable backpack that protects your gears is a must, especially for landscape and adventure photography. I've teamed up with Lowepro to give one lucky winner a Whistler BACKPACK 350 AW II (valued at $469.95 CAD).
See all entry options below! Enter in as many ways as you like. Each option counts as an entry!
Contest closes February 20, 2021, at 11:59pm MT.
→ Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and the United States (except Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and other United States territories and possessions). See full Contest Rules here.
Prize package includes:
Top and body-side access fits Standard DSLR & Pro mirrorless
Wider interior space with expandable compartment fits 3 lenses
CradleFit™ compartment safeguards up to 13-inch laptop
Supports attachment of heavy equipment like skis, axes & tripod
All Weather AW Cover™ protects gear from rain, snow, dust & sand
Entry Options
Follow Paul Zizka Photography and Lowepro on Facebook and leave a comment below to let us know you have done so.
Follow @PaulZizkaPhoto and @loweprobags on Instagram and leave a comment below to let us know you have done so.
Follow @PaulZizkaPhoto and @Lowepro and tweet the following message:
Win a @Lowepro Whistler Backpack 350 AW II via @PaulZizkaPhoto! To enter, RT this tweet and find more entry options at zizka.ca/blog/winter21giveaway.
Newsletter
You may unsubscribe at any time after the contest winner is announced. If you are already on the Paul Zizka newsletter, you may fill out the form and we will be notified of your entry.
Giveaway: Win a Canon SELPHY Square QX10 Printer!
Looking for a way to turn your digital images into stunning prints? Don't miss this giveaway! We've teamed up with Canon to give away one SELPHY Square QX10 portable printer (valued at $199.99 CAD).
Looking for a way to turn your digital images into stunning prints? Don't miss this giveaway! We've teamed up with Canon to give away one SELPHY Square QX10 portable printer (valued at $199.99 CAD).
Find out how to enter this giveaway below.
Giveaway closes on December 31, 2020 at 11:59pm MT. Open to Canadian Residents only. See our full giveaway policy here.
Prize Package includes:
Canon SELPHY Square QX10 Printer
Compact, portable printer that weighs less than a pound.
Dye-sub technology means great, fast-drying 2.7” x 2.7” prints that can last up to 100 years.
The free, downloadable Canon SELPHY* Photo Layout app lets you add creative templates, stickers, filters and more.
Comes with one ink/photo paper cassette. Paper has an adhesive backing so you can get creative!
Find additional product info here.
Entry Options
1. Go to this post.
2. Be sure you’re following @PaulZizkaPhoto and @canoncanada on Instagram.
2. Tag a friend in the post that you love taking selfies with. 1 tag = 1 entry.
The winner will be announced in January. Good luck everybody!
2020 Holiday Print Sale!
Our annual holiday print sale is here! We’re doing something special this year. We know it’s been a tough year for people financially-speaking, so we’re still offering 20% off. But for any full-price print sales, we’ll be donating 20% to the Alberta Children’s Hospital! Here’s why.
THANK YOU! Thanks to your print orders, we were able to donate $1,000 to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Your generosity means so much to us and families who have received care at ACH, like Jack Wilson and his family.
Our annual holiday print sale is here!
We’ve got something special this year, too.
Two options:
Save 20% off limited edition prints with checkout code HOLIDAYS20.
Pay full price and we’ll donate 20% of the print sale to the Alberta Children’s Hospital!
Place your orders ASAP for timely delivery for the holidays!
Email us with any questions at inquiries@zizka.ca
Why the Alberta Children’s Hospital?
Photo by @lauralouphoto.
Seven years ago, our little pal Jack began to have seizures. He was diagnosed with polymicrogyria (PMG), a rare structural malformation that makes his brain prone to these seizures. In the past few years, this brave warrior has undergone three brain surgeries at the Alberta Children’s Hospital to help him live seizure-free. These surgeries involve removing parts of the brain and result in some side effects, such as weaknesses with muscle control, but each time he amazes us with his bold spirit and desire to relearn how to things like bike and ski. His most recent surgery was just this month, and we have been watching in awe as he’s adapting to new challenges. Go, Jack!
This holiday season, we have chosen to give 20% of the sales from full-price prints to the Alberta Children’s Hospital as a tribute to Jack and his incredible family.
Jack and his family; parents Brooke and Rob and siblings Laila and Nash.
Conference + Chill: Outdoor Adventure Photography Edition!
I am thrilled to be hosting the Outdoor Adventure edition of Conference + Chill, a virtual photo gathering connecting creatives around the globe.
Hang out with me on November 15, 2020! 9am -8pm PST.
I am thrilled to be hosting the Outdoor Adventure edition of Conference + Chill, a virtual photo gathering connecting creatives around the globe. I'll also be co-hosting the event with my partner Meghan J. Ward, a woman of many talents you might also know as the lady in the red dress!
Conference + Chill: Outdoor Edition is an all-day virtual event stacked (a project of Pepper) with top-notch guest speakers sharing their talent, knowledge, and general good vibes!
Tickets for full-day access cost only $59 and include a coveted Swag Bag, access to replay each presentation, and the opportunity to win fantastic prizes throughout the day.
Speakers
A friend and co-founder of OFFBEAT, Dave will be presenting The Life, Adventure, a collection of travel and adventure images from around the world that address the ethics of travel photography and the reasons we explore. He'll also dive into creating images that aren't only pretty, but also tell stories.
Cliford Mervil
Presenting My Path to Becoming an Outdoor & Commercial Photographer, Cliford will walk us through the ups, downs, twists, and turns he faced on his journey to become a full-time creative.
Angela Percival
Senior Outdoor Photographer for Arc'teryx for more than a decade, Angela Percival has masterminded wild expeditions to some of the world's most remote places. Angela will share images and stories about pushing the limits of outdoor photography.
Peter Mather
Peter Mather is an established photographer focused on northern wildlife and culture. He will present How to Try and Fail at Becoming a National Geographic Wildlife Photographer. You're guaranteed to laugh and learn from the story of his futile attempt to. live every wildlife photographer's dream.
Irene Yee
A successful climbing photographer based in Las Vegas, Irene's unique perspective shines a light on the social and community aspects of climbing.
Follow @CONFERENCEANDCHILL on Instagram for updates!
LightMATTERS Conference Coming Up Oct. 23-25!
I'm excited to be speaking at this year's LightMATTERS conference, an annual educational event that brings professional photographers and passionate creatives together in Alberta.
I'm excited to be speaking at this year's LightMATTERS conference, an annual educational event that brings professional photographers and passionate creatives together in Alberta.
I’ll be talking about one of my favourite subjects: Shooting Stars: The Amazing World of Astro-Photography.
Taking place from October 23 - 25, 2020, LightMATTERS is an opportunity to connect with knowledgable educators, develop your skills, and expand your professional network. The talented lineup of guest speakers also features Andrew & Arlene Simpson, Katherine Calnan, Cole Thompson, Sophia Katherine, Mike Hoffman, Doreen Vanderhart, and Kelly Robitaille.
Register for the event and get 20% off with my discount code: Paul20.
*Discount code applicable to non-members of the PPOC.
Visit lightmatters.ca for full details!
Visit the LightMATTERS event on Facebook.
Giveaway: Win a Manfrotto Tripod + Lowepro Camera Backpack!
If you’re looking to gear up with the latest and greatest, don’t miss this giveaway! I’ve teamed up with Manfrotto and Lowepro to give you the chance to win a Befree Advanced Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod and a Protactic camera backpack (valued at $460 USD).
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
If you’re looking to gear up with the latest and greatest, don’t miss this giveaway! I’ve teamed up with Manfrotto and Lowepro to give you the chance to win a Befree Advanced Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod and a Protactic camera backpack (valued at $460 USD).
See all entry options below! Enter in as many ways as you like. Each option counts as an entry!
Contest closes August 16, 2020, at 11:59pm MT.
→ Open to residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and the United States (except Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and other United States territories and possessions). See full Contest Rules here.
Prize package includes:
Befree Advanced Carbon Fibre Travel Tripod twist, ball head
Advanced Travel Tripod kit Carbon
Superior performance with maximum lightness
Center Ball Head with three independent ergonomic controls
Side pull selector ensures quick setup with both hands
Unique premium design, 100% Made in Italy
3-point access Pro Mirrorless/Standard DSLR cameras and lenses
ActivZone™ for comfort with structured back panel
50/50 storage split of camera gear to personal belongings
Removable molded EVA QuickShelf™ divider system
CradleFit™ compartment safeguards up to 15-inch laptop
Entry Options
Follow Paul Zizka Photography, Manfrotto and Lowepro on Facebook and leave a comment below to let us know you have done so.
Follow @PaulZizkaPhoto, @manfrottoimaginemore and @loweprobags on Instagram and leave a comment below to let us know you have done so.
Follow @PaulZizkaPhoto, @manfrotto_uk, @Lowepro and tweet the following message:
Win a @manfrotto_uk Tripod + @Lowepro Camera Backpack via @PaulZizkaPhoto! To enter, RT this tweet and find more entry options at zizka.ca/blog/summer20giveaway.
Newsletter
You may unsubscribe at any time after the contest winner is announced. If you are already on the Paul Zizka newsletter, you may fill out the form and we will be notified of your entry.
The Wilder Side of Malta: Gozo
I had the chance to visit Malta with my family back in December and take in its wild coastlines, dramatic rock structures, and rugged seascapes. We also toured the old city of Valletta, which was a sight to behold, but I did not take out the camera much during that portion. Naturally, I’m drawn to the sea and landscapes, and here is the best I shot while in Malta. In fact, all of these images were taken on the Maltese island of Gozo.
The Republic of Malta is a country that defies description. Its history is as multi-layered and complex as its towering cliffs that hang over the sea. Located 80 km south of Italy and 333 km north of Libya, smack in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta has been used as a naval base for centuries. It’s culture today possesses remnants of all those that came before, from the Phoenicians and Carthaginians to Romans and Greeks, Arabs and Normans, French and British. Remarkably, the habitation of the island goes back to 5900 BC and some of the oldest man-made structures on the planet can still be found there.
I had the chance to visit Malta with my family back in December and take in its wild coastlines, dramatic rock structures, and rugged seascapes. We also toured the old city of Valletta, which was a sight to behold, but I did not take out the camera much during that portion. Naturally, I’m drawn to the sea and landscapes, and here is the best I shot while in Malta. In fact, all of these images were taken on the Maltese island of Gozo.
All of these images are available as Limited Edition Prints in a variety of sizes and formats, as well as stock image licensing.
Dwejra Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka.
Dwejra Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka.
Wied Il-Mielaħ. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
Xlendi Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
Xlendi Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
Xlendi Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
Sanap Cliffs. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
The Inland Sea at Dwejra Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
Xlendi Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
The Inland Sea at Dwejra Bay. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
To the Ends of the Earth: An Evening with Paul Zizka
Take a journey to remote landscapes around the world, from the icebergs of Antarctica to the crystal waters of Polynesia, the eerie deserts of Mongolia to forgotten corners of the Canadian Rockies. Join us for an evening of storytelling and photography with award-winning photographer, Paul Zizka.
Take a journey to remote landscapes around the world, from the icebergs of Antarctica to the crystal waters of Polynesia, the eerie deserts of Mongolia to forgotten corners of the Canadian Rockies. Join us for an evening of storytelling and photography with award-winning photographer, Paul Zizka.
Register to attend this live event or watch a replay afterwards!
June 5, 2020 - 6pm-7:30pm Mountain Time
Tickets are just $10. 10% of ticket sales will go to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Paul Zizka Now on Patreon!
I finally have the opportunity to offer more in-depth material, online, to those who are seeking it. So, I’m excited to announce that you can now join me over on Patreon for Live Q+As, photo tips and advice, stories behind the images and photo critiques! I’ll let you into my home, my world, and give you a window into my process and my journey as a photographer.
I often get asked about the story behind my images and how they were created. I also get questions about all aspects of photography and frequently fall short on time to answer them because of my travels and workshop teaching.
Well, I’m home now, for a while. I finally have the opportunity to offer more in-depth material, online, to those who are seeking it. So, I’m excited to announce that you can now join me over on Patreon for Live Q+As, photo tips and advice, stories behind the images and photo critiques! I’ll let you into my home, my world, and give you a window into my process and my journey as a photographer.
I invite you to watch the introductory video below check out the details on Patreon!
Two tiers are available:
The first – Behind the Images with Paul Zizka – is just the price of a latte ($5 USD) per month and gives you access to weekly Patreon-exclusive content.
The second is something I’m particularly excited about – a 1-on-1 Mentorship Program with five spots only. Five students snagged the spots in just the first two hours of my launching. For all those of you who are interested, I am considering adding some spots. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, I highly recommend you sign up for Behind the Images with Paul Zizka, as there will be plenty of opportunities to learn there. I will also post there any time a student is off again on their own trajectory and making room for someone new.
The Frozen Bubbles
The lakes are starting to freeze in the Canadian Rockies, and the bubble craze (and skating season!) are just around the corner. I get a lot of emails in the winter about the methane bubbles that form under the ice, so I thought I’d provide a bit of info so more people can learn more about them.
The lakes are starting to freeze in the Canadian Rockies, and the bubble craze (and skating season!) are just around the corner. I get a lot of emails in the winter about the methane bubbles that form under the ice, so I thought I'd provide a bit of info so more people can learn more about them.
These bubbles can occur in many different lakes, and I have even shot the bubbles in 10-12 lakes in and around Banff National Park. However, the lakes eventually get snow-covered, and the majority of them will not show ice again until the spring when the bubbles are gone.
The bubble phenomenon occurs when the lakes are exposed to the warm Chinook winds causing some of the lakes to shed their snow to reveal the bubbles mid-winter. Some of the bigger lakes that come to mind are Abraham Lake, Lake Minnewanka, and Vermilion Lakes.
Locations:
Bubbles at the far end of Lake Minnewanka. Photo by Paul Zizka Photography.
Abraham Lake is by far the most popular location to document the phenomenon as its surface is very easily accessible, and it gets far less snow than other parts of the Rockies. It's a busy place, though, when the bubbles do occur - people come from all over the world to shoot here, but if you're willing to walk/skate a little, you can find solitude still.
The Vermilion Lakes sometimes offer very short windows where the winds will blow the lakes free of snow and reveal small pockets of methane bubbles. Don't expect wide vast swaths of them, though.
Lake Minnewanka has the best bubbles I've ever seen, but they're often best at the far end of the lake, 20+ km from the road. For that reason, I expect it'll always be quiet there. If you are lucky, there are sometimes pockets of bubbles near the road too.
When to Shoot:
As far as when to shoot them, I've found that it can really depend. The window of opportunity is usually short, a few weeks at best. When we get a warm weather spell, like essentially all of last winter, then that window can narrow down to just a few days. Warm weather creates a film of water on the lakes, and the bubbles get "buried" deeper in the ice. I've found overall that the best time of the year to shoot them is mid-January to late February. Having said that, I got this image in November…
It goes without saying: Be safe, and always test the ice before getting into it!
Happy shooting out there, everyone. Might see you on the lakes this winter! More bubble photos are below!
