“Where do your creative ideas come from?”
Good question! Creativity is an intangible seed that grows under varied and unusual ways. What works for a creative scientist may not work for an artist but there are common, underlying elements that help unleash creativity.
This month we explore one of the ideas – unstructured daydreaming and aimless wandering.
Read more to fuel your creativity.
Learning to harness creativity.
We offered a “simple” challenge to our members in the online program – photographing sunrises or sunsets.
But sometimes the simple things can be the toughest!
Sunset Challenge – © Marcel M.
That’s right, sunsets can be really tough.
Why?:
• it’s an advanced lighting challenge with often two or three very distinct light levels to choose from.
• The sun will not wait for your schedule! Finding the time to be in the right place and right time can be tough!
• Weather can thwart best intentions. March is usually quite mild but many of our members live close to Ottawa. And Ottawa is enjoying an unusually lonnnng winter which makesit tough to get out and shoot!
Sunrise Challenge – Maisie I.
Our members braved the cold and embraced the challenges to produce some amazing work. Yep, I am proud!
Students also learned a lot!:
“This was a great challenge Harry and you pushed me to get out there and take photographs regardless of the weather. This is what I love to do!
I am really enjoying this and I am hoping that your on-line program stays around for a long, long time.”
Sunset Challenge © Marie-Josée L
“Your program provided really great information… I’m totally hooked!”
“I will definitely want to continue until September. Its a great program… Definitely great value in my view.”
We’re offering a limited time offer on 6 months of the online photo program – $30 off until Saturday, March 29th. That’s just $165 (plus tax) for 6 months of online photo fun.
(Ahem, the registration button was broken last week – it’s been fixed!)
Register Online.
Sunset Photo Challenge © Al Garner
Every Friday we feature what’s fun and hip in the world of Ottawa photography.
Ottawa STudio Works
Based out of our photo studio website we offer links to some very cool projects other Ottawa/Gatineau based photographers are working on. In the last few month’s we’ve featured:
• Editorial photographer, Jame’s Park‘s coverage of the CIAU basketball championships
• Commercial photographer, Tony Fouhse‘s update on his publishing side of his business – Straylight.
• Fashion Photographer Tina Picard‘s look at behind the scenes of Ottawa Fashion Week.
See the posts and cheer the local photographer’s work.
Ottawa Studio Works event
Our online photo program has been going almost two years.
We’re offering a special offer for a 6 month membership for a limited time…
Online Photo Challenge – © Al Garner
Members are talking:
“There is zero chance that I would have taken these shots without the online photography program. I think I get the biggest bang for my buck from the online program. Keep it coming!”
“This course has accomplished two things for me. First, it has renewed my love of photography and second it has made me a better photographer.”
“Yes, I am totally hooked…”
“Thanks Harry – I have signed up for another 6 month session. I like the challenges. It stretches my creativity.”
Online Photo Class © M. Reece
The Online Photo Program
• A new photo challenge every month
• New content 4 times per challenge
• Ongoing feedback via a private Facebook group
• Member critique video at the end of each month
Special Offer!
For 12 days only we’re offering $30 off the regular price of $195 for a six month membership. That’s a 15% savings.
But only until March 29th…
More Online Program Details
Register now and save!
Simple Studio Lighting Challenge – Members learned to take photos like this with simple household tools!
Upcoming arts events?
• Artist Talk – Harry Nowell: “Large Format Originals – Straight from the Camera”
Thursday, March 13th, 7pm.
La Fab; 212 Old Chelsea Rd, Chelsea, Qc; beside St Stephen’s Church
I’ll be presenting large format equipment including a home made BIG camera and discussing why I’ve chosen such large equipment and the idea of producing artwork straight from the camera – the substrate in my camera is the finished product!
More details.
Join us!
© Harry Nowell – Sun Streak above St Stephen’s Church – straight from the camera
• Artist Talk – Rosemary Leach: “Aching for a Little Character”
Wednesday, April 23rd; 7PM.
Ottawa Studio Works; 160 Preston St., Ottawa.
Join us as Rosemary discusses her own journey as an artist – She’ll present works and answer questions about her life as an artist.
© Rosemary Leach – Aching for a Little Character
Welcome back to our current instalment of Web Distractions. And thanks for continuing to share amazing photo and arts links!
• Overgrown Sarajevo Olympic Infrastructure!
Ever wonder what happens to the massive infrastructure built for past Olympic games? Steve Gerecke shared this haunting collection of photos documenting the sites of the 1984 Sarajevo winter Olympics. Haunting!
• Tribute to photojournalist Bruno Sclumberger
Rod MacIvor offered this tribute to Bruno Schlumbereger’s decorated career as a photojournalist.
• 40 best photos of the 2014 Olympics
Sanne sent this link to one set of amazing Olympic photos!
• Latest trends in camera developments – no more hobby SLR cameras expected from Canon
Camera technology and trends are changing fast. CAPIC reports Canon’s recent and (not-so) surprising decision on it’s new direction in photography.
• Smart Smart Phone How-to
Following current photo/camera trends, Blair Gable is offering his expertise on the booming Smart Phone photo movement.
Future of photo equipment?!
Our Online Photo Program members worked hard last month on a tough technical challenge.
I asked them to only shoot colour scenes that were offered only black or white elements. The hard part was the photos had to be exposed perfectly straight from the camera.
© Cynthia S. – good exposure!
Background
One of my pet peeves in photography are photographs that are poorly exposed or photographers who rely on post processing to correct exposure mistakes made when shooting.
© Chris P – good exposure!
If you aim you camera at something predominantly white or black the camera will get the wrong exposure – EVEN in Manual Exposure Mode if you don’t know how to over-ride the camera’s brain.
Our most popular course is Creative Fundamentals. We teach people how to get correct exposures all the time without relying on the computer. Better still, we use simple steps to help people understand exposure.
For many people exposure is scary! We make understanding exposure accessible.
Member’s Photos
There were some growing pains this month. But people did well!! Help me congratulate our members for another successful challenge!
Join us to challenge yourself!
Leah E – good exposure with a slight colour cast – that’s ok for this assignment! The histogram shows bright whites and dark blacks!! Good work.
At the end of February we sent out our latest photography newsletter based on a question from one of our Online Program Members:
“… shouldn’t I keep the ISO low whenever shooting?”
My answer has steadily changed as the world of photography has re-invented itself.
Get the latest ISO details to know when to use what ISO:
Until fairly recently I would never have dreamed of shooting at 1600 ISO for a client shoot. (Many years ago) when I first started shooting stock I did not dare shoot above 100 ISO!
Rosemary Leach presents a slide show and talk about the artist journey.
Working in the Ottawa valley for over a decade, Rosemary’s paintings focus on familiar objects but explore their inherent character.
This talk (and group discussion) will cover the unfolding of one artist’s journey; both the internal and external challenges and rewards. Musing on her personal journey Rosemary will be considering the concept of vocation, vulnerability as a path to finding one’s strengths, and what it means to lead a deeply authentic life.
© Rosemary Leach
Join us:
Wednesday, April 23rd; 7PM.
Ottawa Studio Works;
160 Preston St.
Ottawa.
Cost: Free, $10 donations welcomed.
Also, join us for Rosemary’s Acrylic Pianting Workshop in May!