TORONTO, ONTARIO -- National Geographic Traveler Director of Photography Dan Westergren's career over the past two decades has seen him climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and the Matterhorn in the European Alps.
But two weeks ago he flew into Toronto for a different challenge -- to participate in the Google+ Hangout on Air broadcast to commemorate National Geographic Traveler's publication of the world's first-ever digital super mag, an in-depth look at the "50 Places of a Lifetime in Canada." Westergren toured the historic Distillery District in the east side of Toronto's downtown in an event that was sponsored by 500px.com and the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). (To watch the entire broadcast on YouTube, click here.)
The broadcast allowed viewers from around the world to tune in and communicate live and in real time with the accomplished photographer while he snapped pictures. The conversation ranged from how to frame your shot, to working with and around sunlight, to photographing indoor versus outdoor, and other tips for taking outstanding travel photographs.
While Toronto may not be the most exotic or dangerous place Westergren has visited in his career he enjoyed shooting in the Distillery District.
"I like how the city has kept the historical character and added modern shops," said Westergren, who spoke about almost running out of ideas when a curious dog walked up to say hello and his owner let Westergren take a picture. "It was good as well, because the people were so great, so helpful. I didn't have to ask if they wanted a picture, they just went along. The people of Toronto were very amicable to being photographed."
National Geographic Traveler Captures "Flavour" of Toronto
The day started with Westergren speaking to his audience from the downtown offices of Fat Dog Media, where he discussed the National Geographic Traveler's 50 Places of a Lifetime in Canada edition (follow all the news related to the edition on Twitter using the hashtag #Canada50). He also talked about what makes a photograph worthy of publication in National Geographic Traveler. Following that discussion, it was off to the Distillery, where Google+ Hangout on Air viewers could see him taking photographs while speaking to them on his iPad, which streamed video of Westergren's tour live.
Story by Rod Charles Vacay.ca writer.
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