#1003 David Trattles SocDoc and Travel Workshop Student Success!

Posted on September 26, 2013 by admin

Thanks to everyone who joined Dave Trattles for his Ottawa session of the SocDoc and Travel Workshop at Ottawa Studio Works.
The course was full, again.

We’ve run this workshop many times and it often makes many people re-think photography!

People said:
“Great experience. Photography is so much more than f-stops and shutter speeds and Dave teaches this so very well.”

“Loved it… the learning curve is high… What a character.”

“Great combo of tips, showing our work and critique…”

Missed this workshop but want to soak up some of Dave’s wonderfulness? Join him for his “Best Quality South India Bicycle (and Photo and Yoga) Adventure.”

#1002 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – Three BORING Tools to improve your photography.

Posted on September 25, 2013 by admin

They’re not sexy.
They’re not cutting edge.
They’re not even hard to find.

But they are indispensable for better photos.

This month we round up three of the most boring ways to improve your photography.

Read about the tools to improve your pictures!

Boring tools for better photos…

#998 Web Distractions

Posted on September 16, 2013 by admin

Welcome back – this collection of web distractions comes from many people (thanks!)

• Good news for film!
First up Peter Handley (link opens to his course) & Dave Andrews both brought my attention to good news in the film department! Ilford is opening a black and white film lab in California based on the success of its lab in the UK. That IS good news.

• Overused photo tricks
Steve Gerecke posted this fun – overused photo tricks…

• Prime Photo Tips
And we bring you some of the latest photo tips at PrimePhotoTips.com.
Ahem, somebody that likes our Facebook page of photo tips this month will win a free three month membership in our Online Photo Program.

Photo Tip #241 Look for ways your background can support your subject:

• Tips for sunset photos and drops…
Nancy Belanger found some fun photos and tips on:

Sunset photo tips

Liquid Art

• Milky Way photos
Carol Halls (link opens to her business) of Sutton, Qc offered us this fun Facebook page of Deep Space photos!

Photo Tip #254 Add some motion to your photos!

#997 Watershed Exhibition at Ottawa Airport YOW

Posted on September 13, 2013 by admin

In August I was asked to hang a show at one of two exhibition spaces at Ottawa Airport.

It is the largest single showing of Watershed works to date covering much of the printed material along the 13km I have explored starting from the little creek behind our home.

Watershed Art Exhibition – Chelsea, Qc and Gatineau Park

Details
Watershed Exhibition
Departures Lounge (near Gate 14)
Ottawa International Airport YOW
August 2013 to January 6th, 2014.

Watershed Art Exhibition at Ottawa Airport YOW

It all started in 2001 as I started exploring the local waterway with my dear old dog, Tigger. We followed the creek upstream to the headwaters and later started following it downstream.

After a number of years of muddy, wet, fun wandering I realized my explorations warranted a photographic documentation. Realizing the works would best be presented BIG I started shooting the scenes predominantly on medium and large format equipment.

My aim is to show the length of the watershed as it exists and reacts with all elements surrounding it, human or otherwise. The human infrastructure especially intrigues me as the small creek has been seen to overpower concrete and steel feats of engineering.

Watershed Art Exhibition at Ottawa Airport YOW

Many years later I have explored the ‘little creek’ for many kilometres.

You can see the exhibition at Ottawa Airport in the Departures Lounge near Gate 14. It’s hard to miss as it stretches 60 feet long.

Please visit – send your comments, please.

Watershed Art Exhibition at Ottawa Airport YOW

#992 Online Photo Class – New Perspectives

Posted on September 1, 2013 by admin

In August we offered a new direction in challenges of our Online Photo Program.

In June we offered a Photojournalism Challenge and a (some said tougher!) Social Documentary Challenge in July.

Last month we asked our members to photograph the same subject AT LEAST 50 different ways.

Crazy, they said.
I don’t care, I replied.

Member’s resulting photos glowed, proving that my mad challenge had a purpose!

Online Photo Challenge – © Morina R

What member’s said this month:
“Always amazed to see the creativity folks display when taking on Harry’s challenges – constantly saying to myself,I wish I had thought of that.”
Al

Online Photo Challenge – © Jeffrey F

“I learned so much from the challenge and it was a lot of fun. The John Cleese video was especially entertaining and some really good tips on creativity. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks again for keeping us on our photography toes, so to speak.”
Christine

Online Photo Class – © April L

“Great challenge. – again!

I am off tomorrow morning to the Freeman Patterson workshop. Thanks to the 6 months of experience in the online course, I am feeling much more comfortable using my camera.

Will renew my online course when I return.”
Anon.

Online Photo Challenge – © Kevan E

“You guys and gals, have some wonderful shots. I am learning more and more each day.”
Michelle

“Just watched the critique and I learned something from EVERY photo submitted (and Harry’s advice of course!). Thank you all for sharing your efforts. All of you inspire me with your work! Looking forward to next month’s challenge …”
Maureen

Join us for the fall online photo challenges!

Online Photo Challenge – © Christine P.

#991 Art Events in Ottawa

Posted on August 30, 2013 by admin

1. Portraits of Bluesfest
Last night I soaked up the fun at Peter Simpson‘s annual Portraits of Bluesfest Event at Patrick Gordon Framing.

What I love about this annual show is the diversity of work. There are a few photos but most the work are interpretations inspired by the festival.

Fine Bluesfest oriented artworks are auctioned off to raise money for Blues in the Schools. This year Peter estimated they raised close to $10,000. Pretty nice!

Michael Franti – Bluesfest Ottawa

2. Oil/Change
Danny Hussey, accomplished Ottawa artist has recently opened a new studio Central Art Garage in Ottawa’s China Town and is kicking off the fall season with a show with other celebrated Canadian artists.
Worth a visit!

Details
Central Art Garage
September 13th 2013 7PM 10PM
66B Lebreton St. N. Ottawa, Ontario

3. Watershed Exhibition at YOW
More coming later… but our Watershed Exhibition is now hanging in the Ottawa Airport in the departure lounge.

Ottawa Airport Exhibitio (thanks to Lisa Forbes for the photo)

#990 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – iPhone Photo Tips

Posted on August 27, 2013 by admin

This spring my web developer, Tanya, told me I needed an iPhone.

I protested.
She insisted.

Guess who won…

In this month’s Exposed! photo newsletter learn to take better Smartphone photos…

Photo Tip – Make your whites white by touching the blue sky to expose well.

#989 Portraits Photo Class – Review

Posted on August 25, 2013 by admin

Another session of one of our longest running courses is complete.

We offered the summer session of Natural Light Portraits in August and nerves turned into smiles all round.

Let’s face it … making people pictures is hard. The photographers often get nervous and worry they’ll be good enough. Not only do they have to manage their camera’s technical elements and creative concerns but they ALSO have to engage with a person or people. That’s a lot to deal with even if you have experience!

By the end of the course students were more comfortable and relieved that their ability to capture good portraits had produced good results!

“Great learning curve.”

“Very patient and positive instructor. Loved it.”

And the models were happy with their photos!Our busy workshop season is coming up with courses by photojournalist Blair Gable, socdoc photog David Trattles, Graphic Designer Peter Handley and myself, Harry Nowell. Courses range from Night Light to Fundamentals to Lighting to travel to processing.

See more workshop details and invest in yourself and your photo skills!

#987 Web Distractions

Posted on August 20, 2013 by admin

A big thanks to readers for this week’s set of fun photo links to the web!

• The “A-Z guide to street photography.”
Ron L sent us this link from DazedDigital.com with 26 tips to street photography.

• Too much equipment, not enough clicking…
Wayne S sent us this article about buying too much gear and what’s really going on!

• Colouring Classic Black & Whites
And Mimi G offered this link showing some coloured interpretations of classic imagery.

• Photo tips = Better Pictures
Finally, take a look at these photo tips – simple and fun!

As always – send us your favourite photo distractions from the web!!

Photo Tip #229 Learn from your child’s perspective.

#985 Who’s doing what in Ottawa photography

Posted on August 15, 2013 by admin

Each Friday over at Ottawa Studio Works we offer insight into what photographers are working on in Ottawa & Gatineau.

Ottawa Art Studio

For three years we’ve covered photo fun like:
• Tony Fouhse’s review of Ed Burtinsky.
• France Rivet’s devastating story of Innuit on display in Europe.
• Justin Van Leeuwen’s extreme family portraits.

As well as our own photo classes and photo tips.

What’s new this week on the OSW Blog?

Ottawa Studio Works Event