#1068 How to Boost your Creativity

Posted on April 29, 2014 by admin

This month’s Exposed! photo newsletter launches today.

“His photos were beautiful but he was stuck. Our workshop student was frustrated that he had hit a plateau and couldn’t get beyond it…

The workshop student’s photos made beginners jealous – they were classic compositions – beautifully framed and well exposed. He had come on the workshop to get out of a rut.

In this edition of Exposed! we look at ways to:
• boost your creativity
• fuel new adventures in your artwork
• get out of your rut….”

Learn how to ignite your imagination’s fire!

Boost your creativity – try new formats and techniques…

#1066 Back from away

Posted on April 22, 2014 by admin

We have just returned from the Netherlands and Copenhagen where we relaxed, biked, saw some sights and visited family working in Europe.

It was a fun with the focus on family and fun.

Trip highlights?
• Family – It was good to remove most (there were a few deliverables) of the pressures of work to play and enjoy family all the time.
• Bikes – I love bikes and all about them. And while I knew both countries were bike oriented, the bikes and bike culture were a high point of my trip. Everything revolves around bikes – city planning, transit, etc.
• Windmills – Not just the pretty postcard windmills (of which we had a tour – loved it!) but everywhere we went we saw power-generating, efficient, clean windmills.
• Tastes of Europe – Cheese, craft beer, chocolate… We sampled and smiled.
• Photography, lack of – I brought an iPhone and a ‘half-framer’ Ricoh film camera (which, erm, we left in Montreal airport, in case anyone finds it…) I took a few photos mostly of family giggling and enjoying themselves! It was time to recharge.

Leiden Windmill, Netherlands, iPhone photo

I am officially back at work Wednesday and will take a few days to be running at normal speed.

What’s coming up?
• Workshops – In the next couple of weeks we offer the classic Creative Fundamentals and introduced the more challenging Fundamentals II.
• Acrylic Painting Presentation (this Wednesday!)
• we’ll be announcing new arts based workshops later this week featuring Claudia Salguero.
• Producing work for two ongoing collections – Sunstreaks and Watershed.

Stay tuned!

#1065 Reminder! Wednesday’s Artist’s Talk – Rosemary Leach

Posted on April 20, 2014 by admin

REMINDER!!

This Wednesday – Artist’s Talk:
Acrylic Painter, Rosemary Leach, shares her experiences on the ‘Artist’s Journey’ and her work.

Meet Rosemary and ask about her painting, influences and inspiration.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23RD; 7pm
Ottawa Studio Works
160 Preston St.
Ottawa

Details

Ahhhh!

Posted on April 9, 2014 by admin

We’re taking some time off to recharge batteries.
What does that mean? Perhaps:
• Biking
• Skiing
• Sleeping
• Family and friends
• Relaxing
• Fun Photo Time
• … and a break from blog posts, email and work.

I’ll be opening the office later in April to continue this blog, the OttawaStudioWorks blog, and respond to your emails. Until then I will do my best to not visit the office!

The studio will still be active as resident photographer Bonnie Findley continues to serve her clients from OSW.

Very early morning iPhone capture of the Ottawa skyline as I prepared an all day SunStreak with my big 8×10 camera

#1063 University Stock Assignment

Posted on April 4, 2014 by admin

Stock assignment

One of my most fun assignments last month was shooting promotional material for a university recruitment program – effectively a stock assignment.

I spent a couple of days developing imagery with students, professors in two areas of the university.

My instructions were to capture some fun, vibrant activity and students and professors in action.

I am limited in what I can show but included are a couple of shots.

Very fun – and good people to work with…

Thanks for the fun!!

Stock photo – teaching laboratory – social work

#1062 Web Distractions!!

Posted on April 1, 2014 by admin

Welcome back to our current instalment of Web Distractions. And thanks for your part in sharing your finds on the web!

We have a full slate of photo and arts based web investigations.

• “Absurdly Expressive” dog portraits
I love dogs!
And I think Debbie S. knows it. She shared this collection of canine portraits.
🙂

dogs!

• Best photographers in film
Thanks to Rod MacIvor, retired photojournalist, for this link to some amazing films involving photographers.

• 4500km China walk – with camera
Nichole McGill provided this link to a man’s amazing photo trek through China…

• “Leica photography is dead.” … interesting view on an amazing camera line-up
Dave Andrews posted this link link. Interesting…

• Illegal photo taking in Hungary – the controversy!
Nathalie Madore shared this link to a new Hungarian law that’s shaking things up!

• Shy photographer gets noticed
Ken H offers this fun story…

• Montreal’s underground photographic beauty
Danigirl brought us this look at what lurks, beautifully, under Montreal.

• Vivian Maier’s hidden photo talent and collection
Liz links to this documentary of a hidden talent who wanted nothing to do with the fame she is generating! Amazing story…

A big thank-you to contributors! Keep sharing your photo and arts links!

DavidBarbour.com with his Leica

#1061 Finding Creativity – Exposed! Photo Newsletter

Posted on March 27, 2014 by admin

“Where do your creative ideas come from?”

Good question! Creativity is an intangible seed that grows under varied and unusual ways. What works for a creative scientist may not work for an artist but there are common, underlying elements that help unleash creativity.

This month we explore one of the ideas – unstructured daydreaming and aimless wandering.

Read more to fuel your creativity.

Learning to harness creativity.

#1060 Online Photo Program – Student Success!

Posted on March 24, 2014 by admin

We offered a “simple” challenge to our members in the online program – photographing sunrises or sunsets.

But sometimes the simple things can be the toughest!

Sunset Challenge – © Marcel M.

That’s right, sunsets can be really tough.

Why?:
• it’s an advanced lighting challenge with often two or three very distinct light levels to choose from.
• The sun will not wait for your schedule! Finding the time to be in the right place and right time can be tough!
• Weather can thwart best intentions. March is usually quite mild but many of our members live close to Ottawa. And Ottawa is enjoying an unusually lonnnng winter which makesit tough to get out and shoot!

Sunrise Challenge – Maisie I.

Our members braved the cold and embraced the challenges to produce some amazing work. Yep, I am proud!

Students also learned a lot!:
“This was a great challenge Harry and you pushed me to get out there and take photographs regardless of the weather. This is what I love to do!
I am really enjoying this and I am hoping that your on-line program stays around for a long, long time.”

“Your program provided really great information… I’m totally hooked!”

“I will definitely want to continue until September. Its a great program… Definitely great value in my view.”

We’re offering a limited time offer on 6 months of the online photo program – $30 off until Saturday, March 29th. That’s just $165 (plus tax) for 6 months of online photo fun.
(Ahem, the registration button was broken last week – it’s been fixed!)
Register Online.

#1059 Friday Photographer Round-up

Posted on March 21, 2014 by admin

Every Friday we feature what’s fun and hip in the world of Ottawa photography.

Ottawa STudio Works

Based out of our photo studio website we offer links to some very cool projects other Ottawa/Gatineau based photographers are working on. In the last few month’s we’ve featured:

• Editorial photographer, Jame’s Park‘s coverage of the CIAU basketball championships
• Commercial photographer, Tony Fouhse‘s update on his publishing side of his business – Straylight.
• Fashion Photographer Tina Picard‘s look at behind the scenes of Ottawa Fashion Week.

See the posts and cheer the local photographer’s work.

Ottawa Studio Works event

#1058 – Online Photo Program – Special Offer (for a limited time!)

Posted on March 17, 2014 by admin

Our online photo program has been going almost two years.
We’re offering a special offer for a 6 month membership for a limited time…

Members are talking:

“There is zero chance that I would have taken these shots without the online photography program. I think I get the biggest bang for my buck from the online program. Keep it coming!”

“This course has accomplished two things for me. First, it has renewed my love of photography and second it has made me a better photographer.”

“Yes, I am totally hooked…”

“Thanks Harry – I have signed up for another 6 month session. I like the challenges. It stretches my creativity.”

The Online Photo Program
• A new photo challenge every month
• New content 4 times per challenge
• Ongoing feedback via a private Facebook group
• Member critique video at the end of each month

Special Offer!
For 12 days only we’re offering $30 off the regular price of $195 for a six month membership. That’s a 15% savings.

But only until March 29th…

More Online Program Details
Register now and save!

Simple Studio Lighting Challenge – Members learned to take photos like this with simple household tools!