Discover Banff

An Amazing Photo Walk
As an Olympus Visionary I regularly have the opportunity of meeting like-minded photographers in order to explore new areas as part of a photo walk. Usually the walks last for a couple of hours and are relatively close to the store that is hosting the event. On July 8th I had the pleasure of being part of an incredible event in Banff National Park in Alberta. 
Sponsored by The Camera Store and Olympus America we departed Calgary at 1 p.m. and visited numerous scenic locations with the 14 participants. Later in the day we also had an amazing meal in the heart of Banff. 

Fourteen participants joined the "Discover Banff" event along with representatives from Olympus and The Camera Store. In the early evening we had an amazing meal at the Park Distillery in the town of Banff.

During this jam-packed day we visited a number of stunning locations including Spray Lakes, Lake Minnewanka, Vermillion Lakes and others. I asked participants to send me a few of their favourite shots from the day. Here they are, along with a few of my own.

Outfitted with their Olympus gear, two of the participants photograph Spray Lakes. Credit: Peter Baumgarten (Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4 PRO, ISO200, 1/1600 @ f/4)

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel; Credit: Peter Baumgarten (Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4, ISO200, 1/50s @ f/8)

The Bow River - Credit: Peter Baumgarten (Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4, ISO400, 1.3s @ f/7.1)

Lake Minnewanka; Credit: Paul Vink (Panasonic DMC-G85, Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO, ISO200, 1/1300s @ f/2.8)

Credit: Paul Vink (Panasonic DMC-G85, Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO, ISO200, 1/500s @ f/5.6)

Vermillion Lakes - Credit: Trisha Herbert (Olympus OMD EM10 MkII w/ M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm PRO; 1/320sec, f/2.8 and ISO 200)

Two Jack Lake - Credit Trisha Herbert (Olympus OMD EM10 MkII w/ M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm PRO; 1/400sec, f/5.6 and ISO 200)

Detail of Bow River Falls - Credit: Lori McLellan (Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4, ISO200, 1/10s @ f/20)

Credit: Lori McLellan (Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4, ISO800, 1/1250s @ f/8)

Climber in Canmore - Credit: Colleen Rodgers (Olympus E-M5 Mark II, 300mm f/4, ISO200 1/100 @ f/6.3)

Mount Rundell, Vermillion Lakes - redit: Colleen Rodgers (Olympus E-M5 Mark II, M.Zuiko 14-150mm, ISO250 1/100 @ f/4.5)

Participants at Surprise Corner - Credit: Denise Kitagawa (Olympus E-M5 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4 PRO, ISO400, 1/800s @ f/6.3)

Spray Lake Abstract - Credit: Denise Kitagawa (Olympus E-M5 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4 PRO, ISO400, 1/3200s @ f/4)

TransAlta Power Station - Credit: Denise Kitagawa (Olympus E-M5 Mark II, 8mm f/1.8 PRO fisheye, ISO400, 1/800s @ f/8)

Final Sunshine on Mount Rundle, Vermillion Lakes - Credit: Peter Baumgarten (Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO, ISO200, 1/25s @ f/7.1)

Final Words
I've had the opportunity to visit the Banff area a number of times over the years, and it never gets old. It is truly a majestic place. I think that most who attended were sorry to see the light fade away for the day. Thanks to The Camera Store, and Glen Gordon and Yannick Michaud from Olympus for organizing the event. And a final thank you goes to all of the participants. I had a blast!