#598 Road trip

Posted on March 24, 2011 by admin

This week, J David Andrews and I went on a road trip to investigate locations for the upcoming Landscape and Wildlife Photo Course coming up in June.

It was a fun day that included waterfalls, ice cream and we even got a brief glimpse of a bear, groggy from hibernation.

The purpose of the trip was less about shooting and more about finding a location that students wouldn’t have access to individually. We found a spot to provide privileged access to people on the course.

The re is currently one spot available. Please contact us to register. Please check our other workshops for other workshops.

On the trip I managed to capture a couple of shots of the inquisitive and unique Andrewsifus Photographes JDavid. He was quietly enjoying his natural habitat but once he detected me shooting he fled into the wilderness:

Andrewsifus Photographes JDavid

Andrewsifus Photographes JDavid

#597 Tips for “Getting your Photo Seen”

Posted on March 22, 2011 by admin

One of our students is working on developing his art work – we have developed a Custom Program – similar to the ProProgram to help him achieve his goals. Kevin’s work has come along way in the last year and we are now discussing non photo elements involved in promoting a show of art work.

Recently, we discussed what it takes to get noticed, artistically. Unfortunately, producing good work, alone, does very little to attract attention and a reputation as an artist! At our last session we discussed the process of developing a following, artistically.

After our session he sent me the article “5 Ideas for Getting Your Photography Seen“ from the Lightstalking website. And Kevin says “This is a lot of reiterating things that you have been pointing out, but it might be a useful article for your blog.”

And thanks to Kevin you benefit from his research!

Kevin Foisy Photo - Portrait Photo Workshop

In other fun news, another reader sent us a link to PerfectlyTimedPhotos.com – a fun distraction of what appears to be fun photos submitted by the public.

Have a fun photo related site or bit of photo news? Let us have it!

#596 Portrait Photo Class

Posted on March 20, 2011 by admin

Recently, we ran a custom photo class in central Ottawa for a woman who wanted to learn about portraits.

KL did well, starting with good photo skills. She had a few portrait elements she wanted to develop.

We met and worked with a few very fun models who were very willing to make our student work for her photos – see below. Ok, a skill testing question… How was this hair shot made?!

Ottawa Portrait Photo Course © KLambert

My job? Well to teach and assist KL which included making the models smile:

Ottawa Portrait Photo Workshop - behind the scenes © KLambert

#595 Photography for Communications Professionals

Posted on March 17, 2011 by admin

There were some furrowed brows.

Then lightbulbs started popping.

And they finished the photography class with smiles (and better photos.)

Last week we took a group of Ottawa based government communications staff through a photo class – Photography for Communications Professionals – to help them produce better work photos.

Many of the participants were expected to provide good photos of events, meetings, press conferences as part of their jobs.

That can be scary!

We started the day in our studio and finished with some practical shooting in Ottawa.

“I very much enjoyed the Photography for Comms Professionals course. You were very conscious of the challenges faced by comms professionals and presented some great tips for getting around sticky situations…”

I’ve covered events in Ottawa for years – communications staff benefit!

Our next session is in November, 2011.

Event Photography - Daniel Alfredsson celebrates Royal Ottawa Hospital's 100th anniversary

#594 Photography and Copyright

Posted on March 15, 2011 by admin

Whether you have hired us for a photography assignment or you are taking one of our photo workshops or safaris around Ottawa, copyright is a big deal.

Why?

Copyright represents who owns a photo and this affects you if you have hired someone to photograph you or you are posting your own photos on the web, Facebook or in an email.

Kevin F, graduate of many of our photo workshops forwarded me an article on “Photography, Copyright, and the Law” by Carolyn E Wright, a US lawyer.

In Canada there are some important differences – legislation is undergoing some changes that will bring Canadian copyright legislation in line with much of the rest of the world.

For more on copyright check Access Copyright.

#593 Intro to Studio Photo Workshop – Ottawa

Posted on March 13, 2011 by admin

Last week we ran the Intro to Studio Photo Workshop for two growing Ottawa photographers in our rental studio.

Both had some experience shooting and wanted to enter the world where anything is possible – the studio. In the studio you can control everything if you have the time, equipment and skills.

See student’s successes below:

Ottawa Photo Studio Workshop - student success!

On past studio photo courses we have had students who expressed ‘some’ interest in studio photography who got totally addicted. It’s infectious.

Ottawa Photo Studio Class - student success!

We start with the basics, build a trial set and then bring in some very willing models where I turned the studio workshop over to them. They built the set and produced the work below with our gracious models – Thank-you for providing the talent!

I was impressed for their first time in the studio. It was nice to see their smiles widen as their workshop successes grew.

Ottawa Photo Studio Course

#591 Photo Art at the War Museum

Posted on March 8, 2011 by admin

Two photo exhibitions worth investigating are currently showing at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa:

Legion Halls “capture a glimpse of the role that Legion Halls play in Canadian communities today.”

Missing Lives “tell the heartbreaking story of the families who lost loved ones during the wars in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.”

I haven’t been but am planning to go next week. Stay tuned… Anyone interested?!

#590 Ottawa Portraits

Posted on March 6, 2011 by admin

Recently, we shot some portraits for an Ottawa area writer – Ann – who wanted a portrait for press releases, author info and marketing purposes. She asked for a simple natural author portrait. For her that meant a sincere look without big smiles.

We met at our photo studio Ottawa Studio Works – which was perfect for her as she works in central Ottawa.

She enjoyed the session and I had to work to make her stop smiling so much – see the portraits, below. Drawing the desired personality – that’s the fun for me. The technical camera work is only the beginning.

Monday we’re back in the studio run a Custom Photo Class for two people looking for an introduction to studio skills.

Ottawa Portrait - with smiles

Ottawa Portrait - more authorly!

#589 – Yum! Sugarbush Photo Safari in the Ottawa Valley

Posted on March 3, 2011 by admin

Maple sugar? Photography?

All at the same time?!

Yes, yes, it’s true.

We are offering a photo safari to one of the Ottawa Valley’s most established (and delicious) Sugarbushes.

Maple sap collection - Sugarbush Photo Safari - Ottawa Valley

Join your guide, Alain, as he takes you through the sweet operation with tips to better photos and a chance to compare successes with other photo fans.

This photo walk lasts two hours and includes some photo opportunities for motion on the sleigh ride. Stay later (or arrive before) if you would like to treat yourself to the meal (extra fees apply).

Sleigh ride - Sugarbush photo safari - Ottawa Valley

Details:

Saturday March 26, 2011; 10am-noon.
Meet at the sugarbush, 45 minutes from central Ottawa. Car pooling is encouraged but transportation is not included in the course!
Cost: $65 + taxes for photo safari, sleigh ride and taffy. Meal is extra.