#467 Combat Camera!

Coming up this week is a photo workshop in Ottawa with David Trattles. Two participants are from Combat Camera.

Who?

That’s what I asked. And today we have a guest blogger – I asked Master Corporal Cribb some questions…

Sit back and soak up stories from Combat Camera:

Harry Nowell: “What is Combat Camera?”

Master Corporal David Cribb: Combat Camera is a Canadian Forces Unit attatched to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Affairs (ADM PA) for the Department of National Defence.  It employs 5 Public Affairs Officers, 13 imagery technicians (photographers and videographers), and 3 civillian editors (1 still 2 video). Our mandate is to inform the Canadian Public of Canadian Forces operations around the world and at home.

HN: “What is your role?”

MCDC:Typically (but not always) we cover events to which media cannot easily access; examples being foot patrols in Afghanistan, or a soveriegnty patrol with the Canadian Rangers in the high arctic.

HN: “How long have you been photographing?”

MCDC: I have been an airforce photographer for 7 years and with Combat Camera for the last 2.

HN: “Your most challenging assignment?”

MCDC: “My most challenging assignment was probably covering the Nijmeggen Marches in the Netherlands in 2009.  It was a deluge of rain for 4 solid days. We were averageing 22 hours a day and by day 4 we were almost hip deep in mud, trying to keep our gear dry, and scrounging to find somewhere dry with power for our post production work. It was a definite challenge.

HN: “What interested you in David Trattles’ photo workshop?”

MCDC: “What interested me in the course was the opportunity to work with someone like Mr Trattles who has such a wealth of story telling experience, and a wider focus of subject than we currently shoot. I’m hoping to get a broader perspective from this workshop, which in turn will translate to better stortelling for my imagery.

HN: “Thanks!”

Some of Master Corporal Cribb’s work:

Combat Camera

Combat Camera

Combat Camera

Combat Camera

Combat Camera

Combat Camera

#466 Exposed! Photo Newsletter

We are sending out this month’s Exposed! Photo Newsletter:

Understanding Blur in your Photos

“My new camera’s not working!”

Recently, I had two separate students approach me with a similar problem. Their photos appeared out of focus and they were questioning their cameras.

With a little detective work I found that theirs was a common misunderstanding. Their “out of focus” photos were actually perfectly in focus but suffered from slight motion blur.

In this edition of Exposed! we’ll discover how to use your camera’s metadata to help differentiate between slight motion blur and slight focus blur…

Read the whole article! with photo examples of motion blur, focus blur and a muddy blur mess!

#465 Royal Ottawa Hospital and Daniel Alfredsson

This weekend was the Royal Ottawa Hospital’s 100th anniversary. I have worked for them covering different events over the years.

On Saturday I covered all kinds of events at the hospital – from lectures to info kiosks to volunteers to ceremonies to the highlight of the day – an appearance by Ottawa Senator’s star Daniel Alfredsson.

Alfredsson is a star on the ice but he also shines brightly in how he gives to community. He helps bring awareness to the often “shush-ed” issues of  mental health.

When I’ve worked events for the hospital I get a little choked up (really) seeing the good work being done and the difference the people at the hospital make.

While I was working Alfredsson was very approachable and down to earth. He’s a superstar – and I am not talking about hockey.

Daniel Alfredsson celebrates Royal Ottawa Hospitals 100th anniversary

Daniel Alfredsson celebrates Royal Ottawa Hospital's 100th anniversary

#464 Pro Program Graduate Announced

It is with great pride that we announce (trumpets start trumpeting) that Nathalie Madore of Madore Photographie has graduated from the Pro Program at HarryNowell.com.

Nathalie’s start

Nathalie joined the ProProgram almost exactly a year ago. When she joined the Program she had some basic skills allowing the camera to take the shots in auto mode and some ideas where she wanted to take her photo business.

Development

From there she starting consuming knowledge, skills and photo ideas voraciously. She learned fast. As part of the Pro Program she is required to learn technical skills, pursue shadowing experience with photographers and check in for One-on-One review, critique, and goal setting sessions.

The Result

We met last week for the final review. She has learned in one year what it took me many years to learn. I am proud of her… and envious about the speed the program allowed her to progress compared to my slow start years ago!

And Nathalie? She said:

A year ago I decided to get serious with my photography and found Harry’s Pro Program. The flexibility and the content of the program made me register and now one year later….. I have graduated.

Since I started the program I learned but it is always an on going process. I have more confidence and a strong base in photography that will stay with me forever. When I look at my pictures before the Pro Program and what I can produce now, there is a huge difference.

I am now in the process of establishing my style as a photographer and getting my name out “MADORE Photographie.” I am still exploring all the aspects of the art.

Thanks to Harry – for his teaching and all the skills and secrets that he passed on to me. I will always respect him as a photographer but even more as a great human being.

Check her graduation post on her blog (en francais).

Félicitations Nathalie!

Nathalie in action on the Pro Program:

Nathalie Madore - self portrait

Nathalie Madore - self portrait

Nathalie Mador in action

Nathalie Mador in action

Nathalie Madore in action

Nathalie Madore in action

#463 Art Walk – West Welington

A reader just told me about a fun outing on select Thursday nights:

First Thursday West Wellington Art Walk

How it works:

The first Thursday of every month take a walking tour of some fine galleries concentrated in a small and hip neighbourhood in the west end. Find photography and other art forms. Galleries will be open 5-9pm.

I’ve never done it – yet – but it sounds like a fun way to spend Thursday’s with a friend.

Read a review to find out more!

#462 Creative Fun

We have just finished two full Creative Fundamentals photo workshops in Ottawa and three individual Custom Courses based on Creative Fun.

It is our most popular workshop.

Why?

It starts with the fundamentals and builds from there. It caters to photographers from beginner to solid intermediates.

Such a range?!

Yes, beginners learn a lot and many intermediates have never learned the basics:

Many years ago I was waiting to pick up some film and the man in front of me – a self proclaimed life time (hobby) photographer – was lamenting his ‘dull’ medium format slides shot while visiting a far northern military base.

He explained the lacklustre shots were due to the snowstorms swirling while he was there. One quick peek over his shoulder told me his photos suffered from underexposure caused by:

  • his meter incorrectly reading the bright snow and
  • lack of technical knowledge to adjust for it

Creative Fundamentals teaches photography’s core elements – including the basics needed to get better exposures more of the time – especially in tricky lighting conditions.

Our next Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop is  September 15, 18, 22, 2010. The course can be taken anytime via a Custom Course.

Below are some photos of elements of the course by France Rivet of PolarHorizons.com. Merci, France!

Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop - Ottawa

Testing autofocus skills on a 'swift' moving subject!

Individual critique on the workshop

Individual critique on the workshop

#461 David Trattles Workshop

Starting later this week is David Trattles’ Photojournalism and Social Documentary Photography Workshop.

Last fall was his first session at HarryNowell.com and students loved it. I have known Dave for many years. He is a superstar with people and photography.

The first session is full and the second session – next week – is almost full.

See some student comments/photos from 2009.

Read an interview with David Trattles at Canadian Geographic.

Read Dave’s top tips for photography.

Visit DavidTrattles.com.

© David Trattles

© David Trattles

#460 Eco Core

Remember last week Proulx Brothers asked me to try their Eco Core 3 product for mounting photos?

Well, I got spare time this morning and gave it a try. Now, I was never good at cut-and-paste and I get very squirrelly when doing precision work with fine elements… but this turned out quite well!

Preparation

I trimmed the print to be mounted on the eco friendly core backboard. It took a few slices to get the print just right. I then peeled the paper off the pre glued backboard and took a few deep breaths. (Photos below)

Mounting

The hardest part was lining the print up with the backboard – ’cause once it is stuck, it’s stuck! I took some care and managed to get it lined up pretty well – I was less than a milimetre off in one direction.

Suggestions if you try…

When I do it again I will trim the print to a greater than needed size and trim excess with a sharp knife after it is glued. Doing all this on a backlit lightbox will help, too.

So, it went well – and I would do it again for photos where I need a quick, easy and effective mounting.

Thanks Proulx.

See the steps below – shot quickly, hand-held.

Proulx Brothers Eco Core  mountingStep 1 – Trim the print
Step 2 - Size the print

Step 2 - Size the print

Step 3 - Peel the backing

Step 3 - Peel the backing

Step 4 - Line up and stick

Step 4 - Line up and stick

Step 5 - Enjoy!

Step 5 - Enjoy!

#458 Algonquin College Student Exhibition

Tonight (Monday)!!

Algonquin College graduating photo students are showing off their best work tonight at the Algonquin College student exhibition

It’s well worth a visit to see what some emerging photographers are producing.

Details:
• Monday April 26th – Doors open at 4:00pm, Awards at 7:00pm, Doors close at 9:00pm.

• Tuesday April 27th – Doors open at 9:00am and the exhibition closes at 3:00pm.

• The Exhibition will take place in the Klondike Room at the Adobe Tower, 343 Preston St.

Public parking located off Beech St.