#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.

#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

#886 Review – Photo Workshop in Victoria

Posted on December 14, 2012 by admin

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Jonathan Adams

It’s been almost a mont since I went to Victoria’s Luz Gallery to present our Night Light Photography Workshop – time to show off some of the work from the photo course.

I spent almost a week in Victoria to bring the Night Light Photography Class to people on the west coast.

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Andrew F

My hosts were wonderful supporting the workshop. Many thanks to Quinton, Diana, Molly and Brian for making the class run so smoothly.

Students discovered the magic light available to patient photographers at twilight. We saw ghosts, speeding lights, magnificent skies and urban artworks painted with light.

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Herb L

I met new friends and discovered an old one from many years ago.

Students work glowed with the magic of the lights – they should be proud! What do you think?

Anybody have any Christmas light photos they’d like to see on our blog? If you send them to us, we’ll put some up.

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Eveline B

#885 Online Photo Class update

Posted on December 11, 2012 by admin

We’ve launched into December’s online photo course. It’s a tough challenge this month because the parameters are so wide.

It’s a creative rather than technical challenge built around the festivities happening in December.

Online members are asked to interpret their festive fun…

… which is hard. Technical challenges are often easier because I can give recipes for silhouettes, motion, etc. Creative challenges tax a different part of the brain!

The online photo students are up to it, though. They’re good at testing new ideas and trying new things. And their photos show it!

online photo workshop - sIlhouette challenge - © Willa Mason

Other upcoming photo workshops to help you get better pictures are coming up if you like to learn in a live group setting in central Ottawa.

In January we offer the Glass Blowing Photo Safari – it’s a hot assignment in a cold month with enough to challenge beginner and pro!

Ottawa glass blowing photo safari!

Want to figure out the fundamentals? (Ahem… many, many people could use a refresher or intro to the building blocks of photography.) Creative Fundamentals is your ticket to advanced shooting.

Natural Light Portraits comes up in in January, also, with creative and technical tips for better people pictures and an intro to flash.

Are you missing hockey this season? Want an opportunity to shoot pro hockey on the ice the Senators use? Experience shooting a live pro event with our Shooting Pro Hockey Photo Course. Gets you close to the ice and sharpens your skills. A classic workshop.

March Break Photo Camp and Workshop

And we now have a March Break photo camp and program for 8-12 year olds. The week long day camp introduces pre-teens to the world of photography. They get to learn to shoot, admire art in a gallery and see the magic of a photo developing before their eyes in a darkroom!

This spring and summer we’re lucky to have Louise Tanguay back to teach Macro and other courses. Stay tuned for the fun!

#883 Friday Loose Ends on the Photo Blog

Posted on December 6, 2012 by admin

There are some loose ends to address on the blog today.

1. OPEN HOUSE EXTENSION!
We are open on December 9th from 1-4pm
We had a great turnout at the Open House last weekend but some people were disappointed to miss it. It’s not too late – we are opening the studio over the next few weeks to:
• present our work – editorial, commercial and artwork
• show off our photo students work – They have worked hard on our photo classes. It’s time to show off some of their work!
• offer cards, artwork and posters for sale.
We are open on December 9th from 1-4pm

Open House at the Photo Studio - Ottawa art, gifts

2. Pet Photos with Santa!
We are photographing YOUR pets with Santa at the West Quebec SPCA to support their work to help dogs and cats. The SPCA is selling our photos of your pets for a crazy price of $15 (many people pay more – it’s a good cause!)

Come with your pet. Have your photo taken. Donate. Pick up your print as you leave. Easy!!

Pet Photo Details

3. Cube Gallery – Great Big Smalls
Visit the Cube Gallery’s fun Great Big smalls show – there’s something for everyone and all art budgets! Many artist’s work (including mine!) grace the walls – waiting for you to take it home!

4. DIY Portraits
Guaranteed Fun!
We have some spots left on Saturday, December 15, 2012. Bring your camera and plug it into our studio. You direct and photograph your family photos in a working Ottawa photo studio! Very fun and a good deal!!

DIY Portrait Details

DIY portraits - Ottawa - © Lucy, Richard, Catherine!

5. Photo Classes, Safaris and Workshops
Better photos. Our workshops help people make sense of their complicated cameras. Students get better photos and smile more!!

Coming up:
• Online Photo Program – Join us for a new photo challenge every month!
• Creative Fundamentals – the building blocks of photography
• Natural Light Portraits – better people pictures!
• Glass Blowing Photo Safari – a hot photo adventure
• Photographing Pro Hockey – Fast paced Ottawa 67s hockey on Senator’s home ice – realize a dream shooting at ScotiaBank Place!

6. Check Friday’s Photographer Round-up
Be nosy and get the scoop on who’s shooting what in the Ottawa area. Comes out each Friday in the afternoon (or morning!)

#882 Successes! Online Photo Program

Posted on December 4, 2012 by admin

Our Online Photo Program offered another technical challenge to the group last month. Building on the backlighting challenge we urged Online Members to go to the dark side to investigate the world of silhouettes.

People were gently challenged by the weekly lessons, support and forum comments through the program. There were many excellent photos and some very good growth this month.

One photo that caught my eye was from Allan C, online member and workshop grad, who caught the chair sculpture, below.

What caught my eye was he captured most of the sculpture as a silhouette but noticed that a couple of the elements were oriented perfectly to be exposed well – this photo plays with silhouettes and normally exposed parts in a fun play on exposure.

Allan says:
“I have enjoyed this month’s challenge.

All month I have been trying to capture a silhouette of Tim des Cloud’s chair statues. But something was always off, clutter … buildings, traffic lights, wires or the lighting wasn’t right. I got this shot walking back from the library on my point & shot. One should always carry a camera; sometimes the shot is just found instead of stalked.”

Well said!

And well done, Allan.

This month we are challenging members to a more creative challenge involving the festive season.

Join us for the online program in December!

Online photo class - silhouette - © Allan C

#879 Update!: Ottawa Photo Studio Open House – Do it For the Dogs!

Posted on November 27, 2012 by admin

Our photo studio is starting to shape-up for this weekend’s Open House.

Visit this Saturday, December 1st;
Noon-4pm
7pm-close
OttawaStudioWorks.com
160 Preston St. (between Somerset and Gladstone)

art exhibition Ottawa

What to expect:
• Student photos! We’ve been overwhelmed with student and instructor photos. All these photos have come from people either teaching or taking our photo classes. Come and see their successes!
• Watershed. See one of the biggest collections we’ve shown from this decade long project.
• Dogs. Sadly (or luckily?) there will be no dogs at the Open House but we encourage you to bring some food or $donations for ALL the furry friends at the WestQuebec SPCA.
• Artwork. There will be artwork on the wall for viewing, discussing and buying. Something for all budgets.
• Greeting cards. We have a growing collection with some new choices this season.
• Photo Classes. Find out what’s coming up.
• Extended Hours. Due to requests we will open the Open House in the afternoon. Bring the family.

Art Exhibition Ottawa

Details:
Saturday, December 1st;
Noon-4pm
7pm-close
OttawaStudioWorks.com
160 Preston St. (between Somerset and Gladstone)
More info…

Ottawa Art Exhibition

#875 New Ottawa Photo Safari – Molten Glass-Blowing!

Posted on November 19, 2012 by admin

We’re excited to add to our photo workshops listings a hot new photo safari – glass blowing.

From furnace to finished glass your photo skills will be tested as you face challenges of light, composition and timing the fast paced action in the studio.

Ottawa photo safari - glass blowing!!

We have arranged to bring photo fans to a glass blowing studio in Ottawa. The action heats up as our hosts build glass art before your cameras.

This safari is most suited to photographers comfortable with setting exposures in manual mode. This photo safari will test your skills!

ottawa photo safari - glass-blowing!

What’s the difference between a photography workshop and a photo safari?
• In photo workshop, we set up multiple photo sessions to teach specific elements within a photography niche.
• In a photo safari, we bring photographers to a shorter, single session with the emphasis on photo fun offering tips to maximize results.

Details:
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 (7-9pm)
$75 + taxes
Due to space constraints this photo safari is limited to six participants. We work on a first come, first served basis!

To register visit the Glass-Blowing Photo Safari page!

Ottawa photo safari - Glass-Blowing!

#872 – Student Success! Another ProProgram Photo Course Graduate.

Posted on November 11, 2012 by admin

Please join me in congratulating Sarah Ruest as she graduates from her ProProgram. I first met Sarah when she enrolled in a bike race safari in 2011 and she quickly decided photography was something she wanted to pursue!

She worked hard to explore many facets of photography from technical proficiencies to underlying style and story behind each photo project.

Sarah progressed well over her year in the program and we’re excited to see where she takes photography next! Keep an eye out for her work!

The Program helped Sarah take some big steps in photography. Hear what she has to say:
“I entered the ProProgram with a love of photography, but feeling quite uncertain of how to grow my skills and vision for what was a fun hobby and outlet for me. I found Harry’s Bike Race Photo Safari and had a blast shooting something different. I was amazed at how much I learned in this short evening safari, and was impressed with Harry’s transparent teaching style. I took a few more workshops, and in the fall joined the ProProgram officially.

Student success - ProProgram course graduate

The ProProgram allowed me to gain technical skills and build creative business sense. Harry’s constant encouragement and advice guided me toward building my vision for how photography fit into my life. It is the ideal program for anyone, because it is customized to your interests and needs instead of being a boilerplate.

I have a long list of projects to pursue, and hope to have a show someday. Harry shared all of his experiences and lessons learned in this field, which gave me the confidence I needed to know that I can do anything I want to in photography. Burned in my mind forever are Harry’s words “Do something different”!“

We’re cheering for Sarah’s next steps in photography.
Congratulations, Sarah!

We’ll keep you posted with tales from ProProgram grad successes!

Interested in taking a giant leap in your photography? Ask us about the ProProgram!

#870 New Photo Course Preview

Posted on November 7, 2012 by admin

We’re excited! Our winter line-up of photo classes, workshops and safaris is shaping nicely.

What’s Coming up?!
• Photographing Pro Hockey
Missing NHL hockey during the strike? Get your hockey fix by photographing the Ottawa 67s at Scotiabank place (home of the Senators.)

This is a classic course – our 6th annual visit to the 67s home ice.
February 2012

• Winter Landscapes
Many people shy away from winter shooting but we show you the spectacular ‘scapes available to those willing to brave winter weather. We also teach you to be comfortable shooting in the winter. It is possible!
February 2012

• Glass Blowing Photo Safari
We just visited the glass blowing studio – fiery furnaces, molten glass and active artisans makes for a photographic extravaganza! Limited spots available due to a small working space.
February 2012

• Photography for Pre-Teens – March Break Program
Join experienced school teacher, Shona Schneider, as she leads your budding photo artists through photo adventures during Ontario’s March Break.
March 2012

• Photoshop Seminars
Based on the success of our Lightroom Seminars with Peter Handley we are looking at seminars on specific elements of photoshop. Stay tuned!

Summer 2013 looks promising with more macro, safaris, sports and landscapes, people, tulips and more.

• Online Photo Program
We offer more challenges on the Online Photo Program. Looking for ongoing photo fun, support and critique? This is the course for you!

Can’t wait? Drop us a line and we’ll tell you more and reserve your spot…