#908 – New Perspectives Photo Newsletter + Critique Option!

Our photo newsletter hits the airwaves today and with it comes a new option based on the successes of our Online Photo Program – a photo critique!

New Perspectives
Photos are supposed to depict what we see but they cannot show three dimensions.

That’s a problem!

But there are ways to show depth perspective within a photo – and this week we offer photo tips to help you create better photos with depth – read the whole article.

Photo Perspective - tips

Photo Perspective - tips on depth

New option – photo critique!
This month we are drawing from the successes of our online photo program – people like the program’s video lessons, notes, feedback from the group but they LOVE the group video critique of member’s photos:

Preview an Online Program critique session from the Online Program’s “Closer” challenge. Directs to YouTube…

So, as an introductory offer we are will critique your newsletter homework through a group critique video for $5. See the newsletter for details.

#907 – Photo Fun & Links

We’re starting a new feature on the blog – we’ll be bringing you a fun, recent photo story.

Why?
To get you inspired, trying new things and just keeping your photography fun.

Where do the stories come from?
• We sometimes find them via Facebook. Subscribe to our Facebook Page!
People feed us links and fun tips
• My own discoveries

London Olympics Photographer –  with a twist
This week we feature a very fun story of a London Olympics photographer. Most photographers at the Olympics are using very current, high powered, usually Nikon or Canon cameras.

Our featured photographer this week shot the Olympics using a very modern version of a camera launched in 1912. Photographer David Burnett shot with the modern Graflex Speed Graphic from the 1940s.

Graflex large format camera

Graflex large format camera

Graflex large format camera
The Graflex is probably one of the most successful press cameras ever – it was first sold in 1912 and ceased production in 1973. It’s a very compact, large format, 4×5 press camera. It’s still very available and popular because of its small size and availability.

So Mr Burnett shot the Olympics on a camera that, if you’re fast, could expose a few exposures a minute. That’s far behind the leaders of the equipment pack that shoot 11 frames per second.

How did Burnett’s photos tun out?
See for yourself, but I think they’re brilliant…

#906 Online photo course update

We’ve been running the online photo program for almost a year – helping people make better photos at their own pace. Last month’s challenge for members was ‘white.’

It was a simple challenge – to photograph something white and to have it come out white in their photos.

Try it – it’s not that easy!! Your camera gets fooled by any scene that is predominantly white or black.

Online photo class

Online photo class - © Allan C - classic whites!!

Members of the program learned tips and tools to make their whites white!

This month I was told “This one was tough!

Other comments:
Thank you for the push to see everyday things and then turn them into something creative.  I liked the white bathroom and the fact that not all wedding dresses are white in your video.  …  I think that the greatest challenge for me was taking the time just to slow down,  think and to really see what is in my day to day environment.

Online photo course

Online photo course - © Eveline B. - white bubbles

I questioned the cost before joining. But now that I have completed 3 months I believe that it is an excellent value.

The monthly feedback video using Lightroom is the best part; besides receiving technical and composition feedback on your own photos you see how the other students interpret the same assignment.

I like the format it works well for me. I’m not an avid or expert photographer but enjoy the monthly challenge which makes me think about composition. I always learn something even though some of the technical stuff is not for me or my camera!

I like how hands-on this course is. The monthly topics cover both technical and non-technical aspects of photography. I like the focus of the monthly assignment. I think the pacing of the course is good. You have sufficient time to fully explore the monthly topic and to get useful feedback via the forum.

…friends said the course was too expensive. Yet they own $3000 cameras with various high-end glass. Wrong priority for them I think 🙂ed. note – this is common but it’s like buying a jet airplane and not investing in flying lessons. True, it’s less hazardous skipping the training with a camera but I often see people loaded with expensive equipment take technically poor photos because they do not want to invest in training!

Online photo program

Online photo program - © Cheryl K - white snow!!

This month we introduce ‘simple studio lighting‘ or how to light subjects at home with lights you already have.

Challenging? Yes!
Fun? Yes!

We just surveyed members of the online program and will be using their comments to tweak the program in the next few months to make it more streamlined. Stay tuned!!

#905 OttawaGatineauLove Photo Contest

Photo Contest Update!!
We are starting to make room at the studio for the (trumpets blare) Media and Celebrity “Why I love Ottawa / Gatineau” Photo Contest to support the Ottawa Food Bank.

The celebrity media photos are FUN! I was happy with the photos from contestants.

Exhibition and Auction
Want to see the celebrity and media photos?
 You’ll have to visit exhibition and auction raising money for the Ottawa Food Bank:

Ottawa Studio Works
160 Preston St. (between Gladstone and Somerset)

Saturday, February 23rd
Noon to 8:30pm.

Auction and “People’s Choice Ballot” runs until 7pm.
Presentation at 8pm

Reasons to visit the exhibition and auction:
• meet some celebrities
• see some artwork
• buy some artwork!
• support the Ottawa Food Bank!
• Bid on other prizes from sponsors!

Public Photo Contest
The public photo contest is roaring along with many fabulous entries – and a race for most votes that wins a spot in the exhibition with the celebrities! Enter and/or VOTE by clicking on the camera symbol.

Visit the Facebook event page.

Follow #ottgatlove on twitter!

Thanks to Sponsors!
Celebrity photos are getting printed & mounted by sponsors (thanks ArtopixDaveAndrews.ca and Patrick Gordon Framing.)
Ottawa Gatineau photo contest

Ottawa Gatineau photo contest

#903 Glass Blowing Photo Safari – Review

This week we ran the Glass Blowing Photo Safari.

It was a welcome warm spot in Ottawa’s cold week! Furnaces and kilns kept us warm as Melody of Flo Glass Blowing heated the place up with glass blowing demonstrations for the group.

Ottawa glass blowing photo safari

Ottawa glass blowing photo safari - © G Larose

The safari was well-received:
“Had a blast taking these shots! Special thanks to Harry to organizes the Best Photo Safaris.  I know Harry, ‘Get Closer’.” Cheryl K.

I had fun and learned a few things, it was a fairly challenging environment.Gord L.

See more fun photo classes coming up soon.

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

Ottawa Glass Blowing Photo Safari © Gord Larose

Ottawa glass blowing photo safari - © G Larose

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing

#902 Top photo tips – update!

On our Facebook page we offer photo tips a few times a week. They are designed to give you a little inspiration, motivation and incentive to get you shooting and trying new fun!

Below are a few recent tips:
• Photo Tip #100 – Read lots of tips to improve your photography. BUT the best thing you can do to improve your photography is GET OUT THERE AND EXPERIMENT WITH YOUR CAMERA!!

• Photo Tip #99 – Shooting outside for a long time? remember the vapour barrier liners and the extra big outer coat for when you stop to shoot!! More…

• Photo Tip #96 – Keep your sensor clean – set your camera to “clean at start-up.” It won’t be perfect but it helps.

• Photo Tip #94 – Try shooting within 3 feet of your subject. Wide angle lens helps. Try it for a whole day. Be careful out there!

• Photo Tip #92 – Try something that scares you – just a bit.

• Photo Tip #83 – Try something very new and different. It’ll challenge your old ways. That’ll make you a better photographer.

• Photo Tip #81 – Zoom lens for convenience. Prime lens for low light capability.

 Photo Tip #79 – poor weather often makes for the best photos. Bundle up, be safe and se what you can do!

Want to receive more photo tips in your Facebook line-up. Like our Facebook Page!

#901 Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau photo contest update!

Wow!

The entries are flowing steadily in both the celebrity and public parts of the “Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau” photo contest.

Recap:
Celebrity and Media Contest
We invited celebrity and media to participate in the contest and they have until TODAY to submit their entries.

We’ve already taken in some beauties and can;t wait to see the rest.
Contest sponsors will print and present the photos for an exhibition and silent auction at Ottawa Studio Works on Saturday, February 23rd.

Visit the studio to:
• Donate funds and food to the Ottawa Food Bank
• Bid on the celebrity & media photos – proceeds to the Ottawa Food Bank
• meet the celebrities and media at the studio sometime on Saturday

photo contest

Ottawa Gatineau photo contest entries

Public Contest
We also invited YOU, the public, to share your views of why you love Ottawa Gatineau. The entries are steadily coming in.

You have until February 16th to submit work to the official contest site – www.facebook.com/OttGatLove. The photo with most votes (you can vote everyday!) wins a spot in the celebrity exhibition!! (high res file needed.)

Join the fun!
Enter your photos.
Vote.
Join us for the exhibition and fundraiser for the Ottawa Food Bank!
Follow the fun on Twitter – #OttGatLove 

Thanks to our sponsors:
Artopix
Dave Andrews 
Ottawa Studio Works
Patrick Gordon Framing

#900 More Photo Classes with Louise Tanguay

This week we launched Boost your Creativity with Louise Tanguay. Treat your eyes to some of Louise’s photo work!

We’re very pleased to offer two more sessions with Louise this spring:
Tulip Photo Workshop 
Macro Photography Class

Tulip photography photo class

Tulip photography photo class

Tulip Photo Workshop
This mini workshop allows you to soak up the world renowned expertise of Louise Tanguay while shooting one of the finest displays of tulips in North America. Louise’s macro and garden photography has taken her to Hawaii, Europe and throughout Canada.

Spend four hours under Louise’s photo care to help your photos grow into blossoms!

Dates
May 14th, 2013; 7am-11am

Cost
$125 plus HST – minimum of 5

Tulip photography class

Tulip photography photo class

Macro Photography Class

Looking for more than an appetizer in photographing flowers, bugs and other fine work? Consider the Macro Photography with Louise Tanguay.

Spend three sessions with Louise to take your photography to a new world.

Dates
Monday, May 27th; 8am-noon
Tuesday, May 28th; 8am-noon
Wednesday, May 28th; 8am-noon

Cost
$375 + applicable taxes

macrophotography class - Ottawa

macrophotography class - Ottawa

#899 Boost your Photo Creativity – Workshop and Exhibition with Louise Tanguay

Creativity Workshop

Creativity Workshop wit Louise Tanguay

We’ve just launched a fun, new workshop like we’ve never run before:

Boost your Creativity with Louise Tanguay!

Louise Tanguay, who ran our Macro Photo Workshop last year is running a mid-week workshop to help you boost your creative juices. It combines a photo course with a photo exhibition open to the public!

• Mornings are spent exploring with Louise.
• Afternoons are spent preparing imagery and homework.
• The last day is spent preparing an exhibition of your work for the public at Ottawa Studio Works. Very fun!

Dates
April 8th to April 11th during the day.

Cost
$475 plus HST – minimum of 6
Included are 4 days of instruction and assignments and preparation and participation in a photography show open to your family, friends and the public!

Course Instructor:
Louise Tanguay is predominantly a landscape photographer specializing in capturing subtle beauty. Her photo work has been featured in many magazines around the world. She has many photo books to her credit including two coffee table books – ‘Flora’ and ‘Natura.’

See full details and register!