#1055 Online Program – White Challenge Success!

Our Online Photo Program members worked hard last month on a tough technical challenge.

I asked them to only shoot colour scenes that were offered only black or white elements. The hard part was the photos had to be exposed perfectly straight from the camera.

black and white

© Cynthia S. – good exposure!

 

Background
One of my pet peeves in photography are photographs that are poorly exposed or photographers who rely on post processing to correct exposure mistakes made when shooting.

black and white

© Chris P – good exposure!

If you aim you camera at something predominantly white or black the camera will get the wrong exposure – EVEN in Manual Exposure Mode if you don’t know how to over-ride the camera’s brain.

Our most popular course is Creative Fundamentals. We teach people how to get correct exposures all the time without relying on the computer. Better still, we use simple steps to help people understand exposure.

For many people exposure is scary! We make understanding exposure accessible.

Member’s Photos
There were some growing pains this month. But people did well!! Help me congratulate our members for another successful challenge!

Join us to challenge yourself!

black and white

Leah E – good exposure with a slight colour cast – that’s ok for this assignment! The histogram shows bright whites and dark blacks!! Good work.

 

#1054 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – The Low Down on High ISO

At the end of February we sent out our latest photography newsletter based on a question from one of our Online Program Members:

“… shouldn’t I keep the ISO low whenever shooting?”

My answer has steadily changed as the world of photography has re-invented itself.
Get the latest ISO details to know when to use what ISO:

The Low Down on High ISO”

High ISO shooting

Until fairly recently I would never have dreamed of shooting at 1600 ISO for a client shoot. (Many years ago) when I first started shooting stock I did not dare shoot above 100 ISO!

 

#1050 Web distractions

A big thanks to our readers for the content of this edition of web distractions!
We have a long list this week!

Keeping up with Olympic photo deadlines
Past student, Nathalie Madore, shared this link from a photographer on the pressures of shooting the Olympics!

Beauty without Processing
Nichole McGill shared a link to real beauty.

Librarian Portraits
A reader who prefers anonymity offers a whimsical look at the look of librarians!

analogue photography

Film photography – slide, light table and loupe!

Sexism in stock photography?
‘Anonymous’ also offered this look about sexism in stock photography.

14 Photo Project Ideas
Barbara McKenzie sent this look at some good ideas to boost your photo creativity.

Toilet Paper Roll Art!
Dave Andrews offered this very fun look at amazing art found inside toilet paper rolls!

“Humans of New York” Photographer Interview
Hagen Hohn, past student, sent out this link of an interview with ‘overnight photo success’ photographer Brandon Stanton.

proper exposure

Blacks ad whites – proper exposures!

#1049 Winter and Spring Photo Classes

Our line-up of winter and spring photography courses is almost complete!

Ottawa Gatineau photo workshops

Better photos @ HarryNowell.com photo classes

For those close to Ottawa and Gatineau, we’re offering something for everyone:
a course for communications staff to create better work-based photos
Macro workshop (almost full) and tulip safari with Louise Tanguay
Smart phone photography with Blair Gable
Creative Fundamentals – our most popular course to help people with the basics of photography plus an advanced fundamentals course for those wanting fundamentals support but more than the basics.

For those further afield we offer our Online Photo Program – all you need is a good internet connection and a desire to learn from our members!

… And there are more courses listed and soon to be announced. Stay tuned…

Ottawa Gatineau Photo Classes

Better pictures through HarryNowell.com

#1046 – Web Distractions

We have another round of web distractions for you.
This month it includes photo and photo related links dealing with creativity.

Mountain Selfies Creating Buzz
Thanks to CAPIC for this link – Banff photographer, Paul Zizka has been shooting himself and getting attention!

The Power of Mistakes
This video came to me month’s ago and, while not about photography specifically, it inspired me to embrace creativity.

Creative Artist
Again, this is not about photography but creativity and art to help you think differently about your photography! Thanks to Eliot for this link…

Art

Art

#1045 Five Reasons to Leave your Tripod at Home

Some photo students secretly roll their eyes when I suggest they bring out their tripods. I can feel their loathing as they pull out the cumbersome, heavy, boring tripods.

In this month’s photo newsletter we offer FIVE reasons to leave the tripod at home. We also offer just one reason to bring it. And then we leave the decision whether to haul the tripod out up to you!

Read this month’s Exposed! photo newsletter…

Tripod photography

Winter Landscapes

#1044 – Online Photo Program – Black & White Environmental Portraits

Online Photo Program - © Al Garner

Online Photo Program – © Al Garner

We had a good crop of member photos from this month’s online photo challenge.

As usual, we set a photo challenge every month and we feed tips, links and videos throughout the month as members do their best to produce photos for the monthly critique.

Online Photo Class - © Barb McK.

Online Photo Class – © Barb McK.

This month we offered a DOUBLE challenge:
1. Environmental Portraits – photos of someone working/living in their natural environment.
2. Member photos had to be in Black & White – either converted in post processing or shot on film.

The private Facebook forum buzzed as members posted photos, offered criticism, ideas and encouragement.

Online Photo Program - © Gilles G.

Online Photo Program – © Gilles G.

The whole process helps photographers grow. Comments this month:

• “I had lots of fun this month. I wasn’t too confident coming into this month’s challenge.  After posting my three pictures on the Facebook forum and receiving such helpful and positive feedback, I felt much better.  What a great community!

Online Photo Course - © Brooke B.

Online Photo Course – © Brooke B.

• “There is zero chance that I would have taken these shots without the online photography program. I think the monthly assignments are starting to have a cumulative effect and my photography is steadily improving. I think I get the biggest bang for my buck from the online program. Keep it coming!

Online photography feedback

Online Photo Course – © April L.

• “I have been learning for over 6 months through one-on-one Creative Fundamental course, Lightroom course and the On-line Program which I absolutely love.

These courses combined, have taken my photography to a whole new level. I have learned so much and I have a much better appreciation to the complexities and creative side to photography and, I am having so much fun.
 
Thanks so much Harry.  I am still learning and I will be for a long time.  You are an exceptional teacher.“Good work this month, members!

Want better photos?
Join us!

Online photography forum

Online Photo Program – © Cheryl K

 

Online Photography Course - © Morina R.

Online Photography Course – © Morina R.

#1043 Student Success – Photo & Review

We ran Mastering Manual Exposures last weekend. The session was spent helping students understand the intricacies of light and exposure.

In short we helped people make whites white in appropriate places.

In three hours we brought light to a scary subject.

Some feedback:
I really appreciate Harry’s teaching style which is low key, no pressure but he is obviously extremely knowledgeable and a professional. He always provides just enough feedback and he tailors it to the specific individual.

I have been learning from Harry for over 6 months through a one-on-one Creative Fundamental course, Lightroom course and the On-line Program which I absolutely love.

These courses combined, have taken my photography to a whole new level. I have learned so much and I have a much better appreciation to the complexities and creative side to photography and, I am having so much fun.
 
Thanks so much Harry.  I am still learning and I will be for a long time.  You are an exceptional teacher.CF-1-3

#1040 Learning how to Photograph Events for the Workplace

event photography

Photographing key-note speeches

Years ago a government communications staff member lamented about the quality of photos she had to deal with in her work. She admitted photos often came from staff with intentions better than their photo skills – the reality being there was not always a budget to hire a working photographer.

She suggested we offer a photo course for communications staff that would help people get better pictures of their work events…

… And Photography for Communications Professionals was developed. We have run this course for many, many organizations including Carleton University, Ottawa Airport, Library and Archives Canada, Passport Canada.

The one day photo class includes material from:
Creative Fundamentals
Natural Light Portraits
• years of shooting events
and packages it in a format geared to communications staff from government and large organizations.

Event photography course Ottawa

Photographing podium speeches

The Format
1. There is a classroom section covering equipment, theory and challenges like consent forms.
2. A hands-on, practical session gives participants a safe environment to develop skills photographing:
• staff portraits
• podium speeches
• tricky lighting scenarios typical of events
• with and without the use of flash.

Photography for Communications Professionals is the perfect length, perfect structure, and perfect information for government photographers. One of the best teachers I’ve ever experienced.
A.P.

Details
This course is offered as a class and as a custom course for individuals or groups.

Group Course:
Wednesday, March 19; 8:30-4:30
Location:
• Morning: Classroom to be determined
• Afternoon: On Location shooting in central Ottawa/Hull
$600/person + any location costs

Custom Course
Available anytime schedules permit.
One person; full day: $775 + any location costs
Groups – please contact us for pricing
Location: Anything is possible. We can meet at your location or we can arrange locations.

Join us! Register online at the bottom of this link.

Event photography

Photographing in tricky lighting conditions

#1038 Web Distractions

We’ve been away from the blog while we recharged batteries over the holidays.
Thanks for the fun last year.
Welcome back!

Thanks to you we have a whole new slate of web distractions.
2013 in Pictures
Felix offers this look at 2013 in photos.

Find a darkroom worldwide
Dave Andrews offered this link – need a darkroom while traveling?

Fabulous photos
Ginny Fobert posted this link about photographer’s favourite photos.

Death of Photography
Yan H. offered this interesting read on the future of photography.

• “The photography teacher nobody wants
Claude Brazeau suggested this link exposing the finest teacher of photography. I agree.

Keep the links coming – hope to see you soon!