#869 Online Photo Course – Backlighting Successes and New Silhouette Challenge

Posted on November 4, 2012 by admin

Online Photo Program - Backlighting © Jeff F.

Last month we challenged the Online Photo Program Members with the tough technical challenge of backlighting – the tricky scenario of bringing MORE attention to the main subject by blasting the background with light.

Online Photo Course - © Christa R

But they performed! I was pleased at how the group progressed. It was a tough challenge for many but I was pleased with the results!

Online photo program - beautiful pictures

Online photo program - backlighting © Madeline B

And Online member, Scott, sent us this comment about his experience on the program:

“Loving the on-line program. I like that it pushes me to think about how I want to capture the image before me. At last weekend’s cyclocross race I sought out shooting locations that allowed me to blow-out the background and highlight the cyclists. I’d say I’m feeling more involved with the picture taking process.”

Online Photo Class - take better pictures!

Online Photo Class - Backlighting - © Scott Hall

We’ve just started this month’s online photo challenge with an introduction to silhouettes and what they are.

Better photos through online learning!

Later this week we give technical tips on silhouettes and how to achieve them. We also outline participant’s specific challenge for the month.

Join us to learn about silhouettes and challenge yourself!

#864 Photo Class Feedback

Posted on October 23, 2012 by admin

It’s been a good week. At the risk of tooting our own horn we’d like to share some unsolicited feedback we received for our photography courses and portraits.

We received this note about CK’s experiences so far on our online photo program:
“Just want to tell you how much I am enjoying your monthly challenges. You have taken the Online Workshops to a different photography level and have me thinking outside the photo norm.

Frankly I was feeling a little bored and unchallenged before your On-Line Workshops. Bravo to you! You have done it again by sharing such great photography techniques. Love that fact that I can work at my own pace and time frame.
Great Job!”

Online photo course

And Erica sent this note about her family photos:
“I just wanted to let you know we had a peek at the photos tonight, and really loved them! What a fun session, and you managed to catch some really candid, natural shots of everyone! THANK YOU!”

Fun family photos

And PR sent this unsolicited note about the Lightroom seminar we presented at our photo studio by Peter Handley:
“Harry, just to let you know that today’s workshop on Lightroom was Fantastic. Thank you and Peter. Looking forward to next Saturday. Hope your Night light workshop went as fun as last years. Have a great week.”

Now, it’s true we receive feedback regularly but it’s always nice when it comes!
And a big THANKS to all of our students and clients – without YOU this couldn’t happen.

#862 Online Photo Program Success

Posted on October 18, 2012 by admin

Many of you know we run an online photo course for those people who want to take better photos but don’t always have time for regular classes.

Online photo class - © Cheryl K

Last month we sent members of the program a challenge to get closer. No, really close to their subjects. Their work took a good step forward as I saw creative developments.

Online photography course - © Maureen McK

Help cheer a few of the many successes from September’s challenge. Members are working towards their October deadline and we just started filming November’s class – there’s still time to register for the online fun!

Online photography course - © Scott H

#860 Ottawa Gatineau Family Portraits

Posted on October 14, 2012 by admin

A while back I showcased a recent wedding and talked about a candid style.

Today’s blog post features a fun family who wanted a similar experience in portraits – less structured and more true to the personalities of the family. For this kind of portrait I travel lightly and spend an hour following the family in their fun.

Candid family portrait - Ottawa Gatineau

Family pictures - Ottawa Gatineau

We played in a forested park and I captured the antics of the family. Big smiles and true personalities came through.

Candid family portrait - Ottawa Gatineau

If you’re looking for better portraits either to be in them or to take them we have a few options:
• We can photograph you. Contact us for details.
• We can teach you – we have a series of fun photo classes. We’ve offered Natural Light Portraits for years. The portrait class offers simple tips on how to get better portraits of friends or family.
• You can take your own portraits with guaranteed success and smiles. We offer DIY Portraits whereby you bring your camera and plug into our lights at our central Ottawa photo studio. We make it easy. You take the photos. Easy, fun, and way cheaper than hiring us to do it for you!!

Candid family portrait - Ottawa Gatineau

#821 New Photography Class – Summer Sports Photography!

Posted on July 20, 2012 by admin

We’re excited!!

In September we’ve booked Blair Gable to share his secrets of shooting summer pro field sports as you shoot the Ottawa Sooners Football Club.

Football Photography by Blair Gable

So, who’s Blair?

Blair has photographed the NHL All Star Game, FIFA World Cup Soccer, Toronto Blue Jays, Ottawa Sooners, rugby, hockey for his media outlets.

Blair currently works as an independent photojournalist supplying photo work to Reuters, MacLeans magazine, Globe and Mail, and many other national and international magazines, newspapers and agencies.

In his early years he covered enough sports and events to rise to the top of the field.

Blair is now a sought after shooter. He has photographed Obama, the Queen, Princess Kate, politicians, thugs and celebrities on assignment for different media outlets.

For this workshop he’ll be sharing his sport shooting techniques to help you rise to your potential.

Dates:

Sat., Sept. 29, 2012 (11-1pm; classroom and 3-7pm (approx) game) Sun., Sept. 30 (1-4pm critique)

Locations
• Ottawa Studio Works, 160 Preston St., Ottawa.
• Ottawa Sooners home field at Carleton University

Costs
$275 + taxes limited to 8 participants (smallest class sizes around!)

Join the course by email and get the opportunity to shoot high end football as you develop the skills needed to perform!

Register online at the bottom of the Summer Sport Photography workshop page.

#818 Urban Compositions Safari and Online Photo Program

Posted on July 12, 2012 by admin

Saturday we launch into the Urban Compositions Photo Safari.

Today I did some last minute scouting. Each time we run this the route changes as the city changes. We are taking the group to some special sites within the city – asian pagoda, hilltop panoramic cityscapes, tunnels and a hidden stretch of downtown whitewater. We’ll be playing with light – natural and artificial and expanding horizons!

Urban compositions photo safari

Today we also sent out the latest web based class to our online photo program members. Last month was all about self portraits. This month they are exploring geometry in their favourite subjects. Curious? Join the fun.

online photography program - © CKreiss self portrait

Stay tuned…

#816 Ottawa’s Macro Photography Class

Posted on July 9, 2012 by admin

In June we ran the Macro Photography Class with Louise Tanguay. The course filled quickly and people loved it.

This is Louise’s first class with us and she brings with her vast teaching and photo expertise. Our students were lucky to learn from Louise:

“I loved this course and Louise is a great teacher.”

“The challenges made me experiment with angles I never would have explored otherwise. This workshop was great because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. It was so helpful !”

“I found Louise a wonderful ”teacher” if I can call her like that. The way she made the presentations and explanation had a major impact in my photography.”

“I thank you both for the enthusiasm you gave me! I think I am becoming a better photographer. How about that!!!”

“The challenges forced me to explore new techniques and aspects of photography… it opened many new doors for me.”

“I enjoyed this workshop tremendously and I learned so much. Thank you.”

“Learned lots. Thank you very much… and had fun too…”

“…great course and Louise was so awesome and I got to learn a lot.”

Stay tuned for more courses!

See some photo successes:

Ottawa Macro Photo Workshop

Ottawa Photography Class

Macro photo workshop

Ottawa Photography Class

Ottawa Macro Photo Workshop

#812 Online photo class – June’s challenge highlights

Posted on July 1, 2012 by admin

This summer we started our online photography program for people wanting to learn at their own pace, from anywhere via the internet.

We developed the ongoing, online course – members register and receive instruction, inspiration and critique throughout the month. The summer is an introductory program with the fully featured sessions starting in the fall.

In June we pitched the ideas of self portraits with tips, ideas and inspiration to help members push their limits, overcome shyness and develop ideas to make their photos smile. Self portrait was defined as a photo of you or about you. We sent out the critique session video last week. I was impressed and so were members. A few member photo’s self portraits are attached.

What do you think?!

Online Photo Class

July’s session starts soon. We pitch a new challenge to get creative photo brains working and smiling. See what we can do for you! You can join the fun by registering online at the bottom of the photo memberships page.

#811 New Camera – Old Skills

Posted on June 28, 2012 by admin

I often get asked “What camera do you use?”

My usual answer is “It doesn’t matter.”

And it does matter to some degree, of course. But some people get more hung up on tech and ignore the skills needed to make it perform.

Point and shoot cameras

I’ve waited for the right time to upgrade equipment. I have many good cameras but had specific requests for any new camera:

• large file size capability

Large file size means little unless you want to print BIG – it’s not often I need to print big for commercial or editorial clients but I want the possibility for artwork like Watershed. Watershed is shot mostly on medium and large format film because of the large amount of data from 6×7 and 4×5 film.

• High iso capability

Gives way more versatility for event coverage. This feature has been around for a while but not necessarily in tandem with my other wants/needs.

• Video capability

A new tool that boosts what I can offer. We’ve started offering video based newsletters. This summer we also started offering video critique and lessons via our Online Photo Program.

… There are many other features on cameras that are pitched to help entice buyers. Often the features are over-rated. 11 frames per second? Hmm. I’ve almost always shot single shot – it takes practice to time the click. Many features I turn off.

The one feature no camera has so far built in are the skills needed to use the camera effectively. For the last ten years manufacturers have promised “easy, easier, easiest.”

It takes time and patience… A few years ago I was contacted by someone who wanted to start a photo business – quickly: “I want you to teach me everything in two weeks.”

I taught her the fundamentals class and she quickly learned, like any trade, it takes years to get a modest base of skills.

Ok, so what camera did I buy?

It doesn’t really matter. It’s good and will help my work. But my old skills are what keep me going, photographically.

Graflex - cutting edge technology in 1930s

#27 More hockey

Posted on March 11, 2008 by admin

One of my students from the Hockey Photo Workshop contributes to an Ottawa 67s blog. V is a big hockey fan and wanted to learn a little more about the photography end of things! Have a look at her blog posting and photos from the game we shot!

Another photo from the game with a student shooting from ice level: HarryNowell.com

Students from my event photo workshop were able to borrow gear from Headshots Rentals Ottawa location – some students walked out with thousands of dollars of pro-level gear to try for the afternoon. Thanks Headshots!

Stay tuned for the summer event photography workshop!