a ertnst e&rtainment
Daryl Benson’s expert
photography tips
WHEN HE’S NOT out in the field, Daryl
Benson teaches photography courses
and workshops. He enjoys sharing his
knowledge with the public, and says he
often learns just as much from his students as they learn from him. He’s often
asked for travel photography tips, and
offers the following suggestions.
Daryl Benson offers
the best of Canada—
from gorgeous scenery
in British Columbia to
the dinosaur capital
in Alberta.
In the
Never discount anything as subject matter. “When I’m travelling, quite
often while I’m waiting out inclement weather, I’ll start photographing
the inside of my hotel room. I’ll shoot
things like hotel curtains, patterns
on bedspreads. When you come back
years later, these are the photos that
trigger images you may have forgotten,
like the way you felt that rainy day.
These are the memories that get lost
over time, and these quirky visuals are
great reminders.”
perfect light
DARYL BENSON
New book captures
Canada’s beauty, diversity
By Marissa Ponikowski
ALBERTANATIVEandworld-famousphotog- scape photographs
rapher Daryl Benson has spent much of his life because when you’re
travelling the globe, photography equipment in travelling, or just out
hand. He’s documented it all, from the eccentri- hiking, the ability to
cally majestic penguin colonies in Antarctica to be out in the big wide
Africa’s wildly fascinating Serengeti Plains. open and take pho-
Think about the future while
you’re shooting. “Scrapbooking is
a popular hobby right now, and the
whole concept of it can revolve around
the images you take on your trips. You
can think about that while you’re pho-
tographing. Think
about how you can
use the photos for
your scrapbook or
any other type of
memorabilia you
may want to cre-
ate from the trip.
This will help direct
your mind and keep
it active as you
travel.”—MP
“At the risk of sounding biased, I like tographs at the same
photographing Canada best,” says Benson. time really enriches The writing helped
“Canada is spectacular. It’s a place where the experience.” with the book’s visual
you can witness such amazing diversity…. Benson’s magnificent images are pep- presentation, and made it easier for Benson,
Everywhere is different. Take Quebec or pered with his own lively commentary, prov- with the help of his layout designer, to decide
Newfoundland—visiting those provinces is ing every picture really does tell a story. The which images to include in the volume. The
like visiting completely different countries. down-to-earth Canuck wrote his stories in stories are featured in both English and
And in the north, in the High Arctic, you get the third person in the hopes of sounding French. “I just couldn’t see doing a book about
these expanses of treelessness, which give you “less pretentious.” He says penning the text Canada in good conscience without both
spectacular vistas of landscape for miles and himself was no simple task, but he felt his languages included,” he says.
miles and miles. No forest, no trees, nothing images would benefit from a little literary Benson is deeply proud of Canada, not
but sunrise and sunset.” companionship. He explains, “I find with a lot just as the man behind the camera, but as a
In 1999, Benson self-published Alberta, of pictorials, no matter how strong they are, citizen of the country itself. “I consider myself
a dazzling pictorial tribute to his birthplace. halfway through them I’ll get bored if there so fortunate to be able to do this. I think
“The Alberta book did really well for a isn’tanytext.” everyone loves their home and thinks where
regional project. That gave me the confidence they happen to live is very beautiful, and I’m
and financing to take on a bit of a bigger proj- no different. I’m proud to be able to share this
ect,” Benson tells The Connection. The Costco with people through this book.” C
Enter Benson’s tour de force, Canada— Connection
a hardcover collection of more than 150 of Daryl Benson’s Canada Marissa Ponikowski is a freelance writer who lives
his images culled from the 25 years he’s been is available in most in Toronto with her husband and son. Most of her
a photographer. He says, “I love taking land- Costco warehouses. travel photographs include feet and/or thumbs.
