They’re not sexy.
They’re not cutting edge.
They’re not even hard to find.
But they are indispensable for better photos.
This month we round up three of the most boring ways to improve your photography.
Read about the tools to improve your pictures!
Boring tools for better photos…
© Richard Desmarais – Building new worlds with photoshop
Good news!
Our Lightroom Seminar with Peter Handley is almost full (at time of writing.)
And we’ve just booked Richard Desmarais to share his skills in Photoshop.
Creating Fantasy Worlds with Photoshop
In November, Richard will be helping people learn to build new worlds using specific elements of Photoshop.
About Richard
Richard has spent 30 years working as a photographer for high profile clients. In that time his photoshop skills developed enormously. He brings some of these skills to you in this seminar!
Register! And see more details.
Welcome back – this collection of web distractions comes from many people (thanks!)
• Good news for film!
First up Peter Handley (link opens to his course) & Dave Andrews both brought my attention to good news in the film department! Ilford is opening a black and white film lab in California based on the success of its lab in the UK. That IS good news.
• Overused photo tricks
Steve Gerecke posted this fun – overused photo tricks…
Photo Tip #241 Look for ways your background can support your subject:
Photo Tip #254 Add some motion to your photos!
We are offering an evening with Matt Hinther as part of our Ottawa Platform Series. Matt is joining us to guide you through the new-ish alternative process of film and paper development – Caffenol!
Caffenol – Black and White Processing
What is Caffenol?
The Caffenol process is a much less toxic development process using simple ingredients to develop and print B&W film.
People with home-based darkrooms or those working in shared darkrooms will appreciate working in a less toxic environment.The opportunity to try new tinting and creative options is also exciting!
Join us on October 25th for a fun, evening of exploration with Caffenol!
Only $15…
Details and registration.
This spring my web developer, Tanya, told me I needed an iPhone.
I protested.
She insisted.
Guess who won…
In this month’s Exposed! photo newsletter learn to take better Smartphone photos…
Photo Tip – Make your whites white by touching the blue sky to expose well.
A big thanks to readers for this week’s set of fun photo links to the web!
• The “A-Z guide to street photography.”
Ron L sent us this link from DazedDigital.com with 26 tips to street photography.
• Too much equipment, not enough clicking…
Wayne S sent us this article about buying too much gear and what’s really going on!
• Colouring Classic Black & Whites
And Mimi G offered this link showing some coloured interpretations of classic imagery.
• Photo tips = Better Pictures
Finally, take a look at these photo tips – simple and fun!
As always – send us your favourite photo distractions from the web!!
Photo Tip #229 Learn from your child’s perspective.
Each Friday over at Ottawa Studio Works we offer insight into what photographers are working on in Ottawa & Gatineau.
Ottawa Art Studio
For three years we’ve covered photo fun like:
• Tony Fouhse’s review of Ed Burtinsky.
• France Rivet’s devastating story of Innuit on display in Europe.
• Justin Van Leeuwen’s extreme family portraits.
As well as our own photo classes and photo tips.
What’s new this week on the OSW Blog?
Ottawa Studio Works Event
A year ago we started posting photo tips on our photo Facebook Page.
That became popular enough that we created PrimePhotoTips.com.
The Facebook page gets tips first but there’s no way to easily search archived tips.
PrimePhotoTips lags a few days behind but you can search for all tips on portraits.
Please like our Facebook page (ahem, someone got a free three-month online program for liking the page last month, just saying) and check PrimePhotoTips regularly to keep inspired to shoot.
Here are some recent tips:
Photo Tip #230
Do things differently.
Most people take photos of trees from the outside. Try going inside the tree’s canopy – everything changes perspective.
Photo Tip – Do things differently – Try shooting from within the tree’s canopy!
Photo Tip #229
Learn from your child’s perspective.
Give them your camera/iPhone etc. – they produce some beautiful (and perhaps unusual from-an-adult perspective) photos.
We can learn so much from them…
Photo Tip – Learn from the perspective of your young kids!
Photo Tip #228
Dedicated to all of our photo students:
“With time, small steps will take you a long way!”
Photo below by Morina Reece of Ottawa (who has come a long way in her photo skills!)
Photo Tip – With time, small steps will take you a long way.
Photo Tip #227
Ask yourself “What is this portrait about?”
• Physical appearance?
• Their soul & passion?
• What they represent?
Then, reflect and shoot.
This thought process can take days or more.
But it’ll help you produce better portraits!
Blacksmith Portrait – what’s the photo about?!
Photo Tip #224
Choose what you are exposing for.
• Don’t let the camera do it for you!
• Different light levels can have a huge impact on your photos depending on whether you expose for the sunny or shady areas…
A simple shot of backlit towels on a clothes line can produce some magic if YOU control the light settings properly.
Photo Tip – Backlighting can add magic to your photos
A big thanks to readers for feeding us some fun photo links. This week we have some fun for you:
• 100 years of Tour de France photos
Cycling readers inspired this link to historical photos from the world’s most famous cycling race!
• The Rise of the Selfie (Self Portrait) in Social Media
Lee brought us this link that explores the current social media obsession with the self portrait!
• Photo Spotlight on Detroit (and a series on Theatres…)
Marc sent us a link to the works of Marchand & Meffre. Worth a look!
• Photo Tips = Better Photos
And we bring you photo tips most days of the week @ PrimePhotoTips.com
Thanks for the web distractions. If you have things to share please send them in!
iPhone Self Portrait – Harry Nowell
Years ago I got a message from Scott Martin who was looking to advance his photo skills and get into some photo work.
His photos at the time were mere snapshots.
After a couple of years on the ProProgram his work blossomed.
© Scott Martin – Liam Lloyd
What happened?
He worked hard.
And he took many of our photography courses lead by accomplished working photographers like David Trattles (award-winning, veteran social documentary photographer) and Blair Gable (leading Reuters photojournalist.)
There are a lot of photo workshops offered nowadays. Learning from experienced veterans goes a long way, just saying!
Scott now runs ScottMartinVisuals.com and SpotlightOttawa.com. He recently shot Liam Lloyd at our photo studio for a feature.
We’re proud of what he’s accomplished!!
Well done Scott.
© Scott Martin – Liam Lloyd