#995 Online Photo Program – Bad News / Good News

Posted on September 8, 2013 by admin

We’ve offered our monthly challenges for 15 months now. We have bad news and good news!

Online Photo Program – Fast Photo Challenge – © Cathy Vanners

The Bad News is that, after 15 months, we’re raising the price. Just a little. The cost used to be $180 for 6 months – that’s $30/month. We’re raising it to $195 for 6 months. That’s only $2.50 extra per month.

The good news is we’re offering a fall promotion that makes the Online Program cheaper… for a limited time!

Yes, we’re offering 6 months of the Online Program for $160. That’s just the price of one dinner at a restaurant each month!

This offer only lasts until Wednesday, September 18th!
$160 + tax for 6 months of photo challenges, video tutorials, tips, photo community and personal critique.
This deal has finished but you can still join at the regular price:
Register NOW!

What do you get from the Online Program?
Think of it as a new photo class every month with:
• a video lesson
• course notes
• weekly email check-in with tips, encouragement and news
• ongoing group support through a private Facebook group for Members only
• and a compreshensive video critique of member’s photos at the end of the month.

Member Comments:
• “We’re lucky we have you to guide us”
• “Thanks so much Harry, couldn’t have done it without you and the online course.”
• “I am very much enjoying the challenges and the format of what you’ve created here with the online program. For me, just the right balance of freedom to work at your own pace and structure to keep you honest and get something done. With good advice along the way. I appreciate it, and am very happy to support it.”
• “It was a tough assignment and needed a lot of elements to come together for it to work. But a great learning experience. I’m loving this and the FB group is terrific.”

Watch a sample video on YouTube. This is from one of our more technical challenges.

See one (there are three) of the critique videos from the lesson above on YouTube.

This offer only lasts until Wednesday, September 18th.
$160 + tax for 6 months of photo challenges, video tutorials, tips, photo community and personal critique.
This deal has finished but you can still join at the regular price:
Register NOW!

#992 Online Photo Class – New Perspectives

Posted on September 1, 2013 by admin

In August we offered a new direction in challenges of our Online Photo Program.

In June we offered a Photojournalism Challenge and a (some said tougher!) Social Documentary Challenge in July.

Last month we asked our members to photograph the same subject AT LEAST 50 different ways.

Crazy, they said.
I don’t care, I replied.

Member’s resulting photos glowed, proving that my mad challenge had a purpose!

Online Photo Challenge – © Morina R

What member’s said this month:
“Always amazed to see the creativity folks display when taking on Harry’s challenges – constantly saying to myself,I wish I had thought of that.”
Al

Online Photo Challenge – © Jeffrey F

“I learned so much from the challenge and it was a lot of fun. The John Cleese video was especially entertaining and some really good tips on creativity. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks again for keeping us on our photography toes, so to speak.”
Christine

Online Photo Class – © April L

“Great challenge. – again!

I am off tomorrow morning to the Freeman Patterson workshop. Thanks to the 6 months of experience in the online course, I am feeling much more comfortable using my camera.

Will renew my online course when I return.”
Anon.

Online Photo Challenge – © Kevan E

“You guys and gals, have some wonderful shots. I am learning more and more each day.”
Michelle

“Just watched the critique and I learned something from EVERY photo submitted (and Harry’s advice of course!). Thank you all for sharing your efforts. All of you inspire me with your work! Looking forward to next month’s challenge …”
Maureen

Join us for the fall online photo challenges!

Online Photo Challenge – © Christine P.

#982 Photo Contest Winners Announced

Posted on August 8, 2013 by admin

In July we launched our 2nd annual photo contest for past students and we were very happy to see the results. Entires were diverse and spoke highly of the hard work (and fun) students have invested in their photo skills.

Photo Contest Winner! © Morina Reece

We selected four winners.

What were our criteria?
We were looking for:
• diversity in the photos
• technical excellence
• something different… There are many, many good photos out there – we wanted something that would catch the eye and make someone smile. We’ve always preached “Do something different.” Each of the winning photos stood above the norm.

Photo Contest Winner – © Eryck B

We’re very proud of all of our students.

Photography is tough. During the last ten years digital camera manufacturers have erroneously preached “EASY.” It’s NOT easy. It takes skill, perseverance, passion and many years of time to develop skills.

All the winners have been involved with our lessons for YEARS!

Alan and Cheryl have separately taken (almost) every course we’ve offered. They have taken a couple of courses more than once. Both are currently enrolled in our Online Photo Program with monthly challenges.

Yesterday Cheryl sent me a note after learning about her win: “I would have never got that photo if it wasn’t for your great teaching ability and getting me out of the box of ho hum photography.”

Eryck started with the Pro Hockey photo workshop and has grown from there reading our photo tips and newsletters, etc.

Photo Contest Winner – © Al Garner

Morina completed our ProProgram last year and has taken many of our courses. She commented about Natural Light Portraits – “Superbly challenging, informative, exciting & very practical!”

Thanks for sticking with us to develop your skills.

The winners all receive a free three month membership of our Online Photo Program.
Congratulations!

Photo Contest Winner © Cheryl Kreis

#980 Online Program – Social Documentary Photos

Posted on August 5, 2013 by admin

“I found so many levels of challenges within this month’s program but so far I have learned and grown far more than I could have imagined an on-line course could provide.”

In July we offered what is likely the toughest challenge we’ve ever posted on our Online Photo Challenge – to capture a story through a social documentary style.

Online Photo Program – Social Documentary Photo Challenge – © Marcel M.

Social Documentary photography differs from photojournalism. Both offer stories but:
• Photojournalism tells the story within one single photo (think of newspaper stories.)
• Social documentary work tells in depth stories over weeks or months and offers a collection of photography to tell a story (think of National Geographic magazine.) ‘Socdoc’ usually deals with social issues and people.

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © David Burt

The social documentary challenge was tough because:
• it made people get involved with a story involving people or animals.
• it takes time. Many socdoc photogs spend months and many, many visits to learn about and capture their stories.
• Moments are fleeting – Technically perfect photos are less important than capturing the moment in SocDoc.

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © Christine Payant

The group rose to the challenge and captured events, family, theatre, sports and (a popular subject) life at a local shop or boutique.

What members said this month:
• “It was a tough challenge this month. I’m excited to see what other people submitted to give me some new ideas – I have a feeling this challenge is going to be a bit of an ongoing project for me.” WM

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © Gina Rifa

• “I loved every single moment. I grew so much so fast that I felt the growing pains! Normally I would be sad that it’s over but I know I have more fun to come so I’m looking forward to the next challenge.

Thanks for all your straight forward advice and always being so encouraging while pushing us all to be better.” LG

• “Thanks for your encouraging words.” BB

• “Boy this was a very tough challenge! I learned a lot from this assignment and I had a lot of fun getting to know Jim and the small town hardware business.” CP

• “This month’s challenge was the most effort of all so far but that is what made it fun for me. I’m glad you pushed me… I am pleased with the outcome.” MM

• “I like the challenge and how it’s stirring up ideas. It’s a great subject for the monthly challenge. It involves creativity and spontaneous photography to capture the in-the-moment images that are so interesting in Soc Doc photography! A very good challenge!” GR

August’s program starts this week and we have a challenge to help members break out of comfortable shooting patterns (and growing as a photographer!) by urging them to shoot a subject in new ways.

Missed the social documentary online challenge but want to explore this medium? Enrol in our Travel and Social Documentary Photo Class with David Trattles in September. At time of writing there are only two spots remaining – availability will change without notice.

Join us to develop your photo skills!

Congratulations to ALL of the members. I am proud of your progress – with time, small steps will take you a long way!

#970 Online Photo Challenge Review

Posted on July 10, 2013 by admin

Our online photo program roars along with a new photo challenge every month. Members receive video lessons, tips, links and share ideas as they produce their best shots for the photo challenge.

June’s challenge was photojournalistic storytelling and members were guided as they created single photos that told stories within themselves.

The creative challenges are often tougher than the technical challenges because there are fewer “recipes for success!” Still, participants rose to the challenge with some amazing photos.

And they continue to enjoy the process!
Comments from the past month:
• “[My photos improved over the last year…] It’s all thanks to you, the course and the forum! I know that I wouldn’t have learnt as much just taking a class here and there. For this, I can’t thank you enough!”

• “Harry, you always keep me on my toes and throw in extra food for thought. I love it, thank you!”

“I found this challenge to be very challenging. I got out shooting and I tried a new style that should help improve my images going forward. It was a good exercise and (as always) it was helpful to see what others were shooting”

“Thanks for another great challenge!”

“Photojournalism, a very good challenge… it makes you think about taking just a photo vs. a photo story. Gives the photo taking purpose and helps with composition.”

“This was my first challenge and I found it consumed a lot of my thoughts; I was excited, scared and felt hungry for the challenge … I do feel a little sad that it’s over but I will continue to use the story telling in all my photos in the future. I look forward to the July challenge.”

Photojournalistic Storytelling - Online Photo Challenge - © Marcel M.

Want better photos?
Looking to boost your skills?
The online photo program helps you get the experience for better pictures.

How?
Weekly content with lessons, videos, links, critique and a member forum.
Join us…