#898 Ottawa Celebrity, Media (and Public) Photo Contest Launched

Posted on January 20, 2013 by admin

It’s time to get clicking!

On Sunday we launched the Celebrity, Media (and Public) Photo Contest to raise funds for the Ottawa Food Bank. The event took place at Patrick Gordon Framing (thanks Patrick!)

Ottawa photo course - photo contest launch!

The theme is “Why I love Ottawa Gatineau.”

Ottawa celebrities, media and public arrived to pick up their packages and listen to our presentation of top photo tips to help them succeed in the contest and, really, help raise awareness and funds for the Ottawa Food Bank.

Ottawa photo contest launch - Mayor Jim Watson

After the photo tips Allison Burnett, Professor of a digital marketing course (“Marketing: New Tools & Approaches“) at Carleton University, introduced the public photo contest that will run alongside the celebrity challenge.

Allison Burnett - digital media professor

Anyone can enter online (via Facebook) and can also vote or ‘like’ their favourite photos. The photo with the most likes wins a spot at the final exhibition alongside the celebrity and media photos at Ottawa Studio Works on February 23rd. All photos in the exhibition will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Ottawa Food Bank.

Ottawa photo contest launch - CBC Radio One Host of 'All in a Day' interviews competing photo contestant Danielle Donders - Danigirl.ca blogger.

To enter the contest visit and like this page:
https://www.facebook.com/OttGatLove
… and click on the camera symbol to vote or upload photos.

So, GET CLICKING!
Enter often.
Vote.
And tell your friends.

You have until February 16th to enter!!

Also, follow the fun on twitter using the contest’s hashtag – #OttGatLove

A big, BIG thank-you to Morina Reece, photo course and ProProgram Graduate and for providing the photography for the event!!

Ottawa photo contestants from left Mayor Jim Watson, Sandy Sharkey (BobFM Radio co-host), Peter Tilley (Executive Director - Ottawa Food Bank), Ian Black (CBC climatologist)

Low Down News reporters Lucy Scholey and Trevor Greenway (photo contestant) discussing photo strategy.

#897 Online Photo Course – Better Photos – Festive Photo Challenge!

Posted on January 17, 2013 by admin

Festive Photo Challenge - ©E Black, captured in Victoria, BC.

Our Online Photo Class continues to get good reviews and good photo results.

Last month members were challenged to create Festive Photos. Part of their challenge was to create what that meant! It was more of a creative challenge than a technical one which is often tougher as their is no formula.

As usual the photos surprised me with a mix of lights, people and magic.

Better photos - Online photo challenge - © J Beaumont; captured in Vancouver, BC.

Members worked hard and stretched their limits. One member sent this today:
“Thank you for the push to see everyday things and then turn them into something creative… 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.”

If your photography needs a push join our Online Photo Program.

This month members are working on a very technical challenge that often confounds even experienced amateurs – getting whites to be white. I’ve seen a few good early results – their photo submissions are starting to come in.

Online photo course - festive photos - © MMcKenna captured in Ottawa

#896 Ottawa Book Award Winner Jamieson Findlay – Reading at the photo studio

Posted on January 16, 2013 by admin

We’re lucky! Yes we are.

Ottawa Book Award winner Jamieson Findlay reads from his prize-winning novel “The Summer of Permanent Wants” at Ottawa Studio Works.

Join us!

Jamie also hosts Ottawa’s first literary trivia quiz. Prizes to be won!

Summer Of Permanent Wants - Jamieson Findlay

Date: Saturday, Feb.2nd, 2013; 7:00 p.m.

Location: Ottawa Studio Works

160 Preston St. between Somerset and Gladstone.

Admision is free but we are accepting donations to cover the event.

Summer Of Permanent Wants - Jamieson Findlay

#895 – Public Participants Chosen for Photo Contest

Posted on January 13, 2013 by admin

Last week we announced a project we have been working on since the fall last year.

In support of the Ottawa Food Bank we are raising money through a Media and Celebrity Photo Contest. We have many loved Ottawa personalities including the Ottawa Citizen’s Peter Simpson, CBC’s climatologist Ian Black, CTV’s News Anchor Graham Richardson, BobFM’s SandySharkey and many more.

Ottawa Food Bank

Two Spots to the Public
We offered two spots in the main contest to the public and invited people to submit a short response as to why they should be in the contest.

The response by email and blog comment was, erm, excellent and we had a tough time choosing the two participants. But in the end we chose two very fun people:

The New Contestants!
Allison Burnett – Professor of a digital marketing course (“Marketing: New Tools & Approaches“) at Carleton University. Allison was excited about the contest as well as including her students as an exercise to help their skills (and help the Food Bank.) Wow!
Danielle Donders – Social media program manager for a big Canadian government department and blogger, mother, photo fan. She loves photography and also talked about the opportunity to help the food bank.

Your response was great! It was a tough choice to select the two spots available.

Why did these two people win the lucky spots? They were both interested in the photo side but both were interested in helping people – the Food Bank and students. Also, they both have the ability to spread the word wide and bring more support to the Food Bank.

Now, because we had such good response, we’d like to add an online-only part of the contest. This will be open to the public.

How to Participate in the Online Contest
People may join us for the launch on January 20th to hear the photo tutorial. There are photo tutorial packages and technical guidelines for the 15 participants of the Media and Celebrity portion of the contest.

We will also be giving out Top Photo Tips to anyone interested (while they last) in the online public contest. People may submit photos to the online contest from January 20th to February 16th. “How to Participate” details will be released at the launch and online January 20th onwards.

The Launch
Sunday, January 20th, 2013; 10-11:30am
Patrick Gordon Framing
160 Elm Street, Ottawa, Ontario – enter off City Centre Ave.

Congratulations to Allison and Danielle!!

#894 Pro Photo Program – Student Success

Posted on January 10, 2013 by admin

Yep, we’ve got another graduate from the ProProgram that we’re cheering!!

I first met Morina Reece on our Natural Light Portraits photo class. She was keen to learn as much as possible about photography and people. She then joined the ProProgram which accelerated her learning – not only from a photo aspect but also from a post processing, business, and client aspect.

But enough from me. Hear what Morina has to say:

“The ProProgram has been a delightful, adventure!! Harry’s mantras of “get it as right as possible in the camera” and “do something different” has guided all my photography work and to some extent my personal and professional life!

The ProProgram offered me technical, creative, and business resources, advice, guidelines and encouragement. Most importantly, it provided me with a network of photographers (friends) who were and still are exceedingly generous with their time, guidance, and support. They cheer, motivate and provide me with much needed honest and critical critiques of all aspects of my photography business, not to say anything of the many fun times we have together!

"Do something different" - © Morina Reece

The ProProgram brought me from a fledgling amateur to a confident, competent photographer. Although I am graduating, the ProProgram will always be a part of my life, building and reinforcing my photography skills and passion for photography.

Thanks Harry and the gang!”

Thanks Morina! I am proud of you!!
Please join us in cheering for Morina’s work and success in photography.

#893 – Ottawa Celebrity and Media Photo Contest to support the Ottawa Food Bank!

Posted on January 8, 2013 by admin

We’re very excited!

This winter Ottawa media and celebrities hone their photo skills to participate in a photo contest and exhibition at Ottawa Studio Works with an auction of the artworks to support the Ottawa Food Bank.

There’s a chance for member(s) of the public to participate with the media and celebrities. Keep reading!

Ottawa Food Bank photo

How it works:

• Event Launch
Sunday, January 20th, 2013; 10-11:30am
Patrick Gordon Framing
160 Elm Street, Ottawa, Ontario – enter off City Centre Ave.

Everybody is welcome to the launch at Patrick Gordon Framing to:
1. Hear their photo challenge and logistics.
2. Pick up their top photo tips sheet.
3. Learn some photo tips in an on-the-spot photo tutorial to help participants produce the best shots possible.
4. Learn how anybody can enter an online version of the contest

“Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau!”
The 15 celebrity and media participants then have until Monday, January 28th to email us up to three photo entries depicting “Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau!” Their photos will be printed, displayed by our sponsors and auctioned at the final exhibition February 23rd at Ottawa Studio Works.

Enter the Public Contest!
To enter the contest. Visit and like this page:
https://www.facebook.com/OttGatLove
… And click on the camera to submit your photo or vote.

So, GET CLICKING!
Enter often.
Vote.
And tell your friends.

You have until February 16th to enter!!

Also, follow the fun on twitter using the contest’s hashtag – #OttGatLove

"Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau" Ottawa Media and Celebrity Photo Contest

• Final Exhibition and Silent Auction
Saturday, February 23rd, 2013; noon to 8:30pm
Ottawa Studio Works
160 Preston St. Ottawa.

Auction
Thanks to our sponsors, participant photos will exhibited at Ottawa Studio Works where they will be auctioned to the highest bidder with proceeds to aid the Ottawa Food Bank. Donations will also be gladly accepted.

People’s Choice Award
The public will have their chance to vote on their favourite photos.

Visit the studio for your chance to meet the media and celebrities throughout the day on Saturday, February 23rd.

Media and Celebrity Participants:
Sandy Sharkey (co-host, Cub and Company, 839 BOB FM)
Stuntman Stu (Majic 100 Radio Host)
Jim Watson (Ottawa Mayor)
David Chernushenko (Ottawa City Councillor)
Peter Simpson (Arts-editor-at-large for The Ottawa Citizen)
Graham Richardson (CTV News Anchor)
Alan Neal (Host of All In A Day, CBC Radio One)
Ian Black (Climatologist, CBC News Ottawa)
Sarah Brown (Ottawa Magazine Editor)
Jane Corbett (Ottawa Magazine Art Director)
Trevor Greenway (reporter – Low Down to Hull and Back News)
Andrea Tomkins (Blogger)
Peter Tilley (Executive Director – Ottawa Food Bank)

Ottawa Magazine

About our Sponsors:
• Artopix – Digital Printer and long time print service provider in Gatineau (Hull).

Artopix.ca

• Patrick Gordon Framing – Custom framing, repair and installation serving fine artists and art dealers.

PatrickGordonFraming.ca

• Dave Andrews – Fine Art Printer. David is humble but provides printing service to high end artists and clients. His prints hang in prestigious galleries across North America.

DaveAndrews.ca

• Ottawa Studio Works – Ottawa Photo Studio on Preston St. and the home of HarryNowell.com for photo exhibitions, portraits and photo classes.

Ottawa Photo Studio

About the Beneficiary of the Event – Ottawa Food Bank

“The Ottawa Food Bank was founded in the basement of the former police station on Waller Street in 1984. Originally intended to be temporary in nature, the Ottawa Food Bank has grown to become a staple food relief organization in the Region. Today, we support 140 emergency food programs that feed approximately 48,000 people per month – 37 per cent of whom are children.

Our mission: To collect and distribute food to Member Agencies serving people in need in the Ottawa area.

Our vision: That no one goes hungry in the Ottawa area.”

Ottawa Food Bank

Come and join the fun! Thanks to all that help to make this work!

#892 – New Ottawa Photo Class: Winter Landscapes!

Posted on January 6, 2013 by admin

You asked and we listened!

We’ve been developing the Winter Landscapes Photo Class for two years based on your requests.

This year we offer Winter Landscapes again to help you:
• take better photos.
• learn to shoot in comfort in winter’s weather!

Ottawa Winter Landscape Photo Workshop

The first session is spent in the classroom looking at:
1. shooting techniques
2. equipment
3. ways to stay warm
4. ideas for winter photo compositions

Two outdoor sessions allow you two chances to try new techniques and tweak systems and ideas with support in the field.

The final critique session allows you to see other participants successes and to learn from everyone’s challenges! The critique is often the most valuable learning tool!

Dates

February 26 – 6-9pm – classroom preparation
March 2 – 7:30-10:30am – shooting
March 3 – 2-5pm – shooting
March 5 – 6-9pm – classroom critique session

Location

Workshop is held in central Ottawa at Ottawa Studio Works and in locations surrounding Ottawa/Gatineau. Shooting locations are specifically selected to provide promising photographic potential at this time of year.

Cost

$350 + applicable taxes

Register or see more details!

Ottawa Winter Landscapes Photo Workshop

#891 Recent Photo Assignments

Posted on January 3, 2013 by admin

I’m a bit behind on posting recent photo assignments and events in Ottawa. Below is a selection from some recent work.

Executive Headshots
In December I prepared for a large portrait session of executive headshots and group shots for a repeat client – my faviurite kind! Smooth sailing – logistics and timing went well.

Executive Portrait - Ottawa

Family Event & Portraits
I photographed a small family gathering honouring a75th birthday milestone. It was a fun family and fun event. It was the type of assignment I love – my only instructions were to capture the spirit and capture of the event. I shot for an hour as dessert and presents were presented. They loved the work (and bought many albums.)

Family Portraits - Ottawa

Event Coverage
Another regular client asked me to cover a series of meetings and a social after. Again, my instructions were to capture the spirit of the events. Fun to shoot and the results made my client smile – which is not always easy to do!!

Event Photography Ottawa

#890 Happy New Year! – Workshops, assignments and upcoming photo events

Posted on January 1, 2013 by admin

We took a break from the photo blog over the last 10 days.

Thanks for your patience!

It was a full year and I spent as little time working over the Christmas break as possible. It was nice to relax!

But we are getting back up to speed and there’s much fun coming up on the blog and at the photo studio in the next few months. Here’s a snippit of what’s coming up:

• We’ve been working on bringing a new event to the city. It involves Ottawa media personalities and celebrities and a photo contest. That’s all I’ll say now. We’re excited. You should be, too!!

Executive Portrait - Ottawa

• We’ll be featuring some assignment work from the last part of last year – including executive portraits, events, portraits, and editorial work, etc.

• Photo courses are coming up and we have more to announce in the next few weeks. Remember Louise Tanguay? She ran a macro photo workshop for us last year. She’s coming back with some more fun this spring and summer. ‘Portraits‘ is coming up. Glass Blowing photography anyone? We’re taking reservations for Creative Fundamentals in the spring. Shooting Pro Hockey? Stay tuned…

Glass Blowing Photo Safari - Ottawa

• Some ProProgrammers have graduated. We’re very proud of their accomplishments!

• The March Break Photo Camp is coming up, too. We’ve been asked for years to run one. We heard you!

Stay tuned…

#889 Ho Ho Ho!!

Posted on December 23, 2012 by admin

Happy Holidays to all our readers. Many thanks for all the fun this year.

We’re wishing you lots of smiles whatever you celebrate this season!
We’ll be celebrating many things over our Christmas break.

HoHoHo!