#701 – Photo Contest Winner Announced

Posted on October 30, 2011 by admin

It’s the end of October and that means we have a new winner for the Reader’s Photo of the Month.

We are pleased to announce top dog this month is Cheryl Kreis for her photo “Lift Off.” Cheryl has entered this contest before. Persistence has done her well! This month her flying hound grabbed our hearts. We love the motion and the fun and the timing. Nice work Cheryl!

Ottawa photo contest winner!!

Cheryl says:

“Being a dog walker I’m so fortunate to capture such funny scenes. I love this one because it show just how high this little Jack Russell can fly. The game they are playing is catch me if you can … Enjoy...”

For her efforts Cheryl wins a LowePro Nova 1 photo bag, courtesy of a couple of our readers – Thanks Andrew and Gwyn!

Next month Canadian Geographic has kindly donated a one year subscription to their amazing magazine. A big thnaks to Can Geo.

Canadian Geographic Magazine

See all the winners. We are wrapping up this photo contest at the end of November, 2011. So you have just ONE opportunity to win!

Keep clicking and submitting – make us smile!

#699 Night Light Photo Workshop Review – ghosts and all

Posted on October 25, 2011 by admin

Recently we ran our annual Night Light Photo Course in central Ottawa. It’s one of the most fun workshops we offer. This year we were blessed with wet weather that pumped up the reflections and vibrant KAPOW of the photos. We stayed mostly dry shooting from sheltered locations.

This workshop draws some of our biggest smiles – Student photo worlds open wide with new techniques and vibrant lights offered at night.

“The course is designed to teach new photo techniques at night and I must say, this the most fun I’ve ever had in a photo workshop.” BM

“Learned lots as usual. Your transparent approach and effective teaching methods keep bringing me back for more!” SR

“I REALLY REALLY had a wonderful time.” PR

See some student photo below. See some more student work at Barb’s site. She saw ghosts.

Stay tuned for Night Light next year. Can’t wait? We teach this course, anytime, as a Custom Course!

#698 Fire & Steel Photo Safari – Photograph a Blacksmith

Posted on October 23, 2011 by admin

Last week we confirmed a new safari – the Blacksmith Photo Safari – just west of Ottawa. Test your photo skills to capture the heat, sparks and action of a veteran traditional blacksmith at work.

Blacksmith Photo Safari in the Ottawa Valley

Meet new friends. Learn some photo tips!

We spend two hours with your camera in the working blacksmith shop.

Blacksmith Photo Safari in the Ottawa Valley

What to expect:

This very small group will get access to the blacksmith’s shop to photograph the beauty of fire and sparks. The emphasis is on fun, friends and photographic challenges!

: Blacksmith Photo Safari in the Ottawa Valley

Date: Saturday, November 26, 2011; 1-3pm.

Location: We meet in Carleton Place, 30 minutes from central Ottawa. Car pooling is encouraged!

Cost: $75 + taxes for small sized photo safari.

See more details… Contact us to register!

Blacksmith Photo Safari in the Ottawa Valley

#697 Student Success – new ProProgram graduate

Posted on October 21, 2011 by admin

A couple of years ago Sandra Finner contacted me about taking her photography to the next level with the idea of shooting weddings and portraits in Ottawa.

She joined the ProProgram and started working. Developing photo, networking and business skills suitable for photo work is a long process.And Sandra dove in head first.

After completing five of the program’s courses, ‘One-onOne’s’ and some shadowing Sandra is taking bookings for portraits and weddings. She’s smiling, too. She has every reason to be! In the two years since I have met Sandra her work has blossomed. I am proud of her.

What does Sandra say?

“As a recent graduate from the Harry Nowell Pro Program I wanted to take time to congratulate you on offering such a well designed program that has helped advance my photography faster than it would have taken in a larger, more formal classroom.

student success! - Sandra Finner Wedding Photography

The people I’ve met and the contacts I’ve made while in the Pro Program have absolutely helped me be a better photographer. This program not only teaches technique but by mentoring each photographer on an individual basis with one-on-one sessions, you help us understand our strengths & weaknesses and focus on areas that need attention.

student success! - Sandra Finner Wedding Photography

The variety of courses offered, whether it be shooting with and developing film, night, studio & natural light photography, understanding flash photography or learning unconventional shooting techniques [in the David Trattle’s course] have all helped me learn how to progress from a casual picture taker to doing professional work that my customers have been excited about.

Thanks Harry for being so generous with your time and knowledge and introducing me to the Ottawa photography community. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all my time learning from you and I feel confident that my business will continue to move forward which was my goal.

student success! - Sandra Finner Wedding Photography

I look forward to meeting the new students at the regular social events and following along with their successes as well.”

Join us in cheering for Sandra!

#696 Photo studio open house – Ottawa Studio Works

Posted on October 18, 2011 by admin

Yep, it’s coming up – we are flinging open our doors to welcome you into our Ottawa studio to celebrate the season, Christmas and other festive holidays, snow, dogs, family, photography or whatever else needs celebrating.

Details:

Ottawa Studio Works

160 Preston St, Ottawa

7pm onwards; Saturday, December 3rd, 2011.

Ottawa Studio Works - photo open house

Join us Saturday, December 3rd form 7pm onwards at Ottawa Studio Works, 160 Preson St, central Ottawa for some fun.

Fun? What kind of fun?

• DJ Ron LaVoie spins some festive tunes

• be seen hob-nobbing with Ottawa’s super cool photo community

• new photo work to ponder

• a chance to buy gifts – workshops, prints, greeting cards, critique sessions, DIY portrait sessions, regular portrait sessions – for friends and family. Remember to buy locally and support your community.

Refreshments will be served.

Fun will be had.

Donations gladly accepted -erm, urged- to support the dogs and, yes, ALL animals including the cats at the Aylmer SPCA. Please bring food or $.

A new project to be exhibited in 2012 will be unveiled at the open house.

Ottawa Studio Works

160 Preston St, Ottawa

7pm onwards; Saturday, December 3rd, 2011.

RSVP appreciated.

Ottawa Studio Works - open house - do it for the dogs

#695 Shoots… and SCORES!!! Ottawa hockey photography workshop

Posted on October 16, 2011 by admin

We’re very happy to announce we’re offering our Pro Hockey Photo Workshop with the Ottawa 67s in 2012 – our fifth year running this fantastic event.

Ottawa 67s hockey

Hockey/photo fans love getting close to the action to photograph the next NHL superstars as the Ottawa 67s take on the Kingston Frontenacs.

Get close to the action with 'Photographing Pro Hockey' - Ottawa photo class

We have arranged privileged access to allow participants of this workshop to shoot from ice level with mainstream media photographers.

We meet a week before the game to cover elements of shooting fast paced indoor hockey including equipment, techniques, and logistics.

Photographing Pro Hockey - Ottawa Photography Class

Photographing Pro Hockey - Ottawa Photo Class

On game day we walk you through shooting to achieve the best results and gain experience shooting fast paced indoor sports.

And finally we meet a third time to review, critique your successes and suggest improvements for future games.

See last year’s workshop.

And 2010’s workshop.

Valerie, one of our first graduates of this course now runs the Ottawa 67s fan blog and has produced two books on the Ottawa 67s.

Photographing Pro Hockey - Ottawa Photo Course

Join us for this chance of a lifetime:

January 28th: hockey prep, 10am-1pm

February 4th: Game Day, noon-6pm (approximately)

February 8th: Review & Critique, 6-9pm

Locations: Ottawa Studio Works and the J Benson Cartage Centre at Lansdowne Park.

Cost – $325 + taxes.

Join us for Photographing Pro Hockey!

#694 A big thanks and other things

Posted on October 13, 2011 by admin

It’s that time of the month when I thank our sponsors who help keep this blog and newsletter running.

Artopix, Patrick Gordon Framing and Dave Andrews have been with us from the beginning – THANKS! – we use their services, too.

Artopix - print services Gatineau & Ottawa

Patrick Gordon Framing - Ottawa

Dave Andrews - premium printing - Ottawa

In other news…

• We handed in that assignment about the Ottawa Rowing Club today. It was well received, I am pleased to say.

• I’ve finished much of the shooting for an art project based on the wanderings of a creek/stream/river that runs through park, residential properties, village and under a major highway. Watershed will be coming out in 2012. The project started many years ago when my dear dog Tigger needed some exercise and I wanted an adventure – so we decided to see where the little creek went.

• Friday’s Photography Round-up looks at a portrait of a member of the Dragon’s Den for iRun.ca and other local photographer’s work. The round-up hits the airwaves Friday afternoon.

#693 Upcoming Photo Classes in Ottawa and Gatineau

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

We’ve been updating our workshops and classes. Here’s a selection of what’s brewing:

See all of our upcoming workshops and events.

Night Light – is coming up fast – this weekend. Looks like one (maybe two) spots left.

Night Light Photo Class - Ottawa

Creative Business Seminar – for anyone curious about turning photo into a business. We delve into the kinds of things you won’t find in textbooks. First weekend in November.

Photography for Communications Professionals – Better workplace imagery, this workshop is geared for government and corporate communications departments.

Lightroom Seminar – get your heads wrapped around this industry standard editing software from Adobe. Run by veteran photographer and Lightroom expert, J David Andrews. November 19th.

Creative Fundamentals – our most popular workshop. Everyone can benefit from the fundamentals. January, 2012.

Natural Light Portraits – also very popular. Better people pictures. January, 2012.

To be announced very soon – Photographing Pro Hockey – Jan 28, Feb 4, Feb 8th. We get access to an Ottawa 67s game to shoot alongside media at ice level. Very fun!

Get close to the action - "Photographing pro hockey" photo course - Ottawa

See more workshops, safaris and events.

#692 Assignment Spotlight – Principal portraits

Posted on October 10, 2011 by admin

In September I photographed Vivian Bright, principal of Alta Vista Public School, for a Danish magazine.

I met with writer Dorthe Lundh to discuss the portrait – for the magazine skolelederne. It was nice to see the artwork produced primarily in Denmark – quite a different look. I needed to create some work that matched the style – including a light-hearted sense of fun not usually associated with school principals.

Ottawa editorial portrait

I shot two short sessions:

• the first was in the principals office to show the more academic side

Ottawa editorial portrait

• I chose the playground to show an alternate view.

Ottawa editorial portrait

Fun shoot.

Fun people.

Just plain fun.