#623 Where are they now?

Posted on May 22, 2011 by admin

We recently asked some ProProgram graduates what they have done since graduating from the Program. We were impressed!

Today we feature Scott Martin who finished his program in 2010. He started his program and quickly developed a passion for music photography. That seems to have done well – he combined his background in web development, music and photography to develop SpotLightOttawa.com.

Scott says:

“There were a lot of avenues I wished to explore with my photography. The problem was, I was feeling pulled in too many directions. I needed a starting point. For me, that was music. I’ve been a music junkie since I was 13. I love discovering new music/bands, and going to live shows. Tagging along with friends to Ireland 10 years ago for their weeklong tour was the reason I bought my first digital camera. So music it was.

SpotlightOttawa.com

Earlier this year, I had someone from a media relations company contact me asking if I wanted to attend one of their artist’s shows and do something with the artist. It seemed open ended. What did that mean?? I enquired about an interview. Granted. Oh no!! Now what? I didn’t really want to post interviews on my photography site. I racked my brain for a few days. Because of that initial contact, my online music magazine Spotlight was born.

Four months in and I’m having a ball. We’ll see where it takes me. Being as shy as I am, that first interview was terrifying! I’ve done 4 more since. I’ve attended and photographed many shows. I have met new people. I have taken an interest in learning to become a better writer to post articles on my site. I have never been a fan of the word for word question/answer style written interview.

People talk about doing personal projects to help grow your photography. This online music magazine is my personal project.

It has opened up a new creative path in my life. Writing? Interviews? These aren’t things I envisioned myself doing a couple of years ago, but I’m having fun with it all. I hope I’m helping to introduce people to the great music coming out of Ottawa, as well as some of the great artists we have coming to Ottawa to perform.“

Nice work, Scott. He’s grown well in many ways – photography, networking, contacts and business – all part of the ProProgram!

#617 Art Exhibition Success

Posted on May 8, 2011 by admin

Social Documentary Photographer Brings Story of Calcutta Boxers to Ottawa

Close to 100 people squeezed through our studio on Preston Street throughout the evening Saturday night.

They came to see some fine photo art and to learn more about underprivileged female boxers in Calcutta. Guests included people from Ottawa Magazine, Canadian Geographic, Library & Archives Canada, art photography collectors and photo fans.

Photo Art Exhibition – Ottawa photo studio

The event, hosted at Ottawa Studio Works, was part of a one-night exhibit of award-winning social documentary photographer, David Trattles.

David Trattles @ Ottawa Studio Works

Dave has a unique ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. But the photos are only one-part of the story. Hearing him speak about his work really reflects the passion he has for his subjects.

Photo Art Exhibition - Ottawa photo studio

Trattles’ show included a 45 minute presentation on his work photographing the “boxing ladies” of Calcutta, a group of young women using boxing to get themselves out of the slums. Trattles spent many months following the women and chronicling their story on traditional film cameras.

Photo Presentation - Ottawa photo studio

Dave’s prints speaks volumes. His story telling adds magic to the still photos. He tells stories no one else is telling.


: Photo Art Exhibition @ Ottawa Studio Works

Trattles has over 20 years experience in social documentary photography shooting for a long list of clients including aid agencies, prominent magazines and individual projects.

Photo Art Exhibition @ Ottawa Studio Works

#616 ‘Tis the season

Posted on May 5, 2011 by admin

We’ve started shooting the spring/summer season for our art clients.

This spring I have continued a personal project of following streams-creeks-rivers in search of shooting locales. It’s fun, muddy and eye opening. I have spent a couple of weeks exploring by foot without cameras to find new shooting locations. The camera has just started coming out.

For this work I use medium and large format film cameras.

What? Why?

I am printing these guys big and, really, there’s little comparison between any digital slr and a 4×5 slide once it’s blown up big and inspected in fine detail.

Film is more challenging and an important part of the artistic process. Film slows you down and forces more precision. A few hours may produce 5-10 photos with 0-1 stunning success.

Art photography film photography

#603 “Unusable stock photos”

Posted on April 5, 2011 by admin

Brian sent me a link to some “unusable stock photos” last week.

“What?!”

Stock photos are photos shot by photographers for the purpose of editorial, commercial or other use and usually marketed through a stock agency. The photographer usually spends a lot of time thinking about metaphors and building a photo around the theme.

Back a few years when stock produced better $sales I spent much of my time creating photos that had potential for sales. Some had good success. Some never made it.

The “unusable stock photos” have problems! Technically most are ok. They are exposed ok and are in focus but they lack in other ways – what do YOU think?!

Thanks Brian!

Harry Nowell.com Stock photo

#600 New feature – Reader Photo of the Month

Posted on March 29, 2011 by admin

Ok, ok, we’ve been batting this idea around for a while and would like to see how it works.

We’d like to feature more of YOU on the blog.

What that means:
Once a month we’d like to feature a reader’s photo and the story behind it on the blog.

Send us a photo.

And tell us about it!

We don’t care what specific camera, lens or how many mega-zooples your processor zapped.

We do care about your inspiration, creative process and perhaps some minor technical info – shutter speed and aperture if you wish.

Why?!

We’d like to inspire, share and promote people doing good things.

How it works

Send us a photo every month that fills you with pride. We will collect photos and select one per month that moves us in some way. That photo and supporting text will be featured on the blog with much fanfare, comments and links to your web site if applicable.

Technical details for submissions:

Photo – Please send one photo at a time. Maximum three photos per person per month. Please keep your photos small – we cannot consider photos greater than 1mb. Ideally, size photos to 450 x 300 pixels at 72 dpi. A gentle watermark is fine.

Supporting Text – This is as important as the photo. What inspired you? Why do you like it? How did you do it? Tell us about your photo!

Links – Would you like a link to your site? Please send us the specific link!

Sorry, we cannot reply to all photos submitted. Stay tuned. We will feature the Reader’s Photo of the Month at the end of each month.

Stay tuned for March’s Reader Photo of the Month on Friday.

#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!

#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.

#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?!

#587 Who’s Doing What?

Posted on March 2, 2011 by admin

At our Ottawa Photo Studio web site blog we feature news and links about other photographer’s projects every Friday. And we often write about other photo events in the region.

Over the last few months we have posted links to:

a lecture on the invention of photography (March 3rd!)
public art exhibits
reviews of art shows
photographer’s and their current work

See what’s going on and who’s doing what:

OttawaStudioWorks.com/blog

Ottawa Studio Works - photography studio