#1051 DIY Portraits at the photo studio

Posted on February 23, 2014 by admin

The studio was filed with giggles and smiles.
It always happens when we host DIY Portraits.

DIY Portraits – Ottawa Studio Works

Families and groups have been taking advantage of our unique service – we set up the studio lights and equipment at our photo studio. And our guests plug in their own SLR cameras.

After a quick tutorial and test shot the group is in charge of their own portrait session. They shoot their own portraits or use a remote release to take their group shot.

Family Portraits – DIY – Ottawa Photo Studio

The Result?
Some fine, self-directed portraits and a super-fun family, corporate or group experience.

DIY guests walk away with their memory card full of their portraits to print, share and post as they please!

Interested?
We offer this service for special times of the year like Christmas and Mother’s Day but also offer Custom Sessions. The cost depends on a few things: custom dates, family or corporate use.
• Prices start at $150 for an hour of DIY family portraits on a day we offer a series of spots to the public.
• A corporate 75 minute DIY portrait session costs $275 for a booking.

DIY Portraits – Ottawa photo studio

#1048 Stock Photography Assignment – Trip to the Dentist

Posted on February 12, 2014 by admin

A while back I did some work for the Dentist in Commack who were looking to upgrade their online presence.

After consultation and some logistics I went to their office to capture the smiling faces behind the dental practice.

There were more smiling faces when I handed in the work. They were thrilled and so was I – this is my favourite type of photo work – a targeted stock assignment.

Stock photo assignment – Ottawa

stock photography – targeted promotion

Stock photography – Ottawa/Gatineau

#1047 Photo Art – Sun Streaks

Posted on February 9, 2014 by admin

I’ve been enjoying my new, hand built, 8×10, large format camera – I’ve been using the camera for a few different art projects.

8×10 large format camera – hand built

My large format sun streaks continues, sourcing an old pre-photography chemistry medium that’s supposed to be used without a camera – just light and paper. It took much experimentation to make the chemical process work in a big enormous camera.

The photo below tracks the sun’s arc across the sky above a beautiful church. The process is long, involved and best captured on clear, cold winter days when the sun’s arc is gentle.

Stay tuned!

Sun Streaks – photo art

#1045 Five Reasons to Leave your Tripod at Home

Posted on January 29, 2014 by admin

Some photo students secretly roll their eyes when I suggest they bring out their tripods. I can feel their loathing as they pull out the cumbersome, heavy, boring tripods.

In this month’s photo newsletter we offer FIVE reasons to leave the tripod at home. We also offer just one reason to bring it. And then we leave the decision whether to haul the tripod out up to you!

Read this month’s Exposed! photo newsletter…

Winter Landscapes

#1044 – Online Photo Program – Black & White Environmental Portraits

Posted on January 26, 2014 by admin

Online Photo Program – © Al Garner

We had a good crop of member photos from this month’s online photo challenge.

As usual, we set a photo challenge every month and we feed tips, links and videos throughout the month as members do their best to produce photos for the monthly critique.

Online Photo Class – © Barb McK.

This month we offered a DOUBLE challenge:
1. Environmental Portraits – photos of someone working/living in their natural environment.
2. Member photos had to be in Black & White – either converted in post processing or shot on film.

The private Facebook forum buzzed as members posted photos, offered criticism, ideas and encouragement.

Online Photo Program – © Gilles G.

The whole process helps photographers grow. Comments this month:

• “I had lots of fun this month. I wasn’t too confident coming into this month’s challenge. After posting my three pictures on the Facebook forum and receiving such helpful and positive feedback, I felt much better. What a great community!”

Online Photo Course – © Brooke B.

• “There is zero chance that I would have taken these shots without the online photography program. I think the monthly assignments are starting to have a cumulative effect and my photography is steadily improving. I think I get the biggest bang for my buck from the online program. Keep it coming!”

Online Photo Course – © April L.

• “I have been learning for over 6 months through one-on-one Creative Fundamental course, Lightroom course and the On-line Program which I absolutely love.

These courses combined, have taken my photography to a whole new level. I have learned so much and I have a much better appreciation to the complexities and creative side to photography and, I am having so much fun.

Thanks so much Harry. I am still learning and I will be for a long time. You are an exceptional teacher.“Good work this month, members!

Want better photos?
Join us!

Online Photo Program – © Cheryl K

Online Photography Course – © Morina R.

#1043 Student Success – Photo & Review

Posted on January 22, 2014 by admin

We ran Mastering Manual Exposures last weekend. The session was spent helping students understand the intricacies of light and exposure.

In short we helped people make whites white in appropriate places.

In three hours we brought light to a scary subject.

Some feedback:
“I really appreciate Harry’s teaching style which is low key, no pressure but he is obviously extremely knowledgeable and a professional. He always provides just enough feedback and he tailors it to the specific individual.”

“I have been learning from Harry for over 6 months through a one-on-one Creative Fundamental course, Lightroom course and the On-line Program which I absolutely love.

Thanks so much Harry. I am still learning and I will be for a long time. You are an exceptional teacher.“

#1041 La Fab Fundraiser – Art to Support Renos!

Posted on January 16, 2014 by admin

La Fab is a Chelsea Arts Centre representing many artists from the region. The centre is housed in the rectory of St Stephen’s Church.

The building needs some renovations and we’re having a fundraiser.
Visit La Fab next week to buy some fine art – at least 50% of proceeds go to the support the renovations of La Fab.

I have 4 pieces in the show including the shot below. Buy some fine art and support La Fab and the artists!

Join us…

La Fab
212, Old Chelsea road
Old Chelsea, Quebec

Vernissage:
Thursday, January 23rd from 5 pm to 7 pm
and continues until Feb. 2nd…

Hockey photography

#1038 Web Distractions

Posted on January 6, 2014 by admin

We’ve been away from the blog while we recharged batteries over the holidays.
Thanks for the fun last year.
Welcome back!

Thanks to you we have a whole new slate of web distractions.
• 2013 in Pictures
Felix offers this look at 2013 in photos.

• Find a darkroom worldwide
Dave Andrews offered this link – need a darkroom while traveling?

• Fabulous photos
Ginny Fobert posted this link about photographer’s favourite photos.

• Death of Photography
Yan H. offered this interesting read on the future of photography.

• “The photography teacher nobody wants”
Claude Brazeau suggested this link exposing the finest teacher of photography. I agree.

Keep the links coming – hope to see you soon!

#1037 HoHoHo!

Posted on December 23, 2013 by admin

HoHoHo!

Thanks for the fun this year!

There was much to smile about:
• Media and Celebrity Photo Contest
• Photo Workshops
• Our Online Photo Program
• Building the BIG large format Camera
• Watershed Art Exhibition developments
• Our new photo tips site

… and thanks for your support for keeping us going.
Without YOU none of this would be possible.

Congratulations to all of our students for your efforts and successes. You’ve come a long way!

Happy Holidays!
Holiday schedule:
We will be checking emails every few days and are open for online workshop registrations but we’ll be laying low (and skiing, building snow sculptures, skating and recharging) until the new year…

We’ll be back on the blog in early January.

Happy Holidays

#1036 Platform Series Seminar – Photography for Art Promotion

Posted on December 20, 2013 by admin

We’re teaming up with La Fab in Old Chelsea, Quebec to host Photography for Art Promotion.

We developed this seminar to help artists and crafts people create better photos of their own artworks for the purposes of juried exhibitions, archiving, and promotion.

“Harry’s [Photographing Artwork] workshop was one of the main attractions for attendees. Harry’s presentation was full of simple, effective solutions that were explained in a fun and lighthearted way.” Sara Washbush – Ontario Craft Council – Photographing Artwork for Promotion.

Photography is expensive and complicated!
Anyone can click a picture. But to get technically perfect renditions of your art is tough!
We present two different systems (simple or complex) to help you understand and create better promotional photos of your work.

Join us March 22nd in the evening at La Fabrique:
Register now!

Paul Saindon – fine artist