#1015 New Photo Course – Exposure Basics – Mastering Manual Mode.

Posted on October 28, 2013 by admin

Better Photos
Few things scare a novice photographer more than the words “Manual Exposure Mode.”
Join us on this short course to learn how to avoid grey snow.

Learn to shoot with more confidence in Manual Exposure Mode!

Whites should be white!!

Who should take this course?!
This mini course is perfect for new photographers looking to establish a solid set of skills or for the intermediate photographer looking for a refresher.You will learn:
• simple, effective tips to get consistently better exposures
• about the importance and effectivenes of histograms to evaluate your photo in the field (erm, the screen on the back of your camera is notoriously bad at evaluating exposure!)
• the basis for successfully photographing advanced lighting conditions

About the Histogram

Join us:
Dates:
Saturday, January 18th, 2014; 10-1pmLocation
A central Ottawa location with lots of warm shooting potential to explore the world of exposure.

Cost
$80 + applicable taxes

#1014 Tips for Better Selfies + Selfie Contest!!

Posted on October 24, 2013 by admin

Selfies (self portraits) have become hot since Facebook met iPhones.

Hipsters and the more average among us are turning cameras on themselves… with varying degrees of success.

In this month’s version of Exposed! we offer tips for better Selfies.

Win a photo membership!
And this month we’re offering a free three-month Online Membership to one lucky reader who submits a selfie to us by Sunday, October 27th, 2014.

Details at the end of the Selfie Tips newsletter.

Be bold. Be brave.
Win an Online program!

Selfies – top tips for better selfies

#1013 New Photo Class – DIY Simple Studio Lighting

Posted on October 23, 2013 by admin

Our winter and spring photo courses are coming online. In January we’re offering a variation of a challenge we offered last winter to our Online Photo Program: Simple Studio Lighting.

Studio Lighting Made Easy!
For most people, studio lighting is prohibitively complex and expensive.
it doesn’t need to be!

We help you use tools you already have to create creative shots like the ones below.

Simple Studio Lighting – Learn creative Lighting Techniques with Simple Tools

Join us as we explore techniques and everyday tools to produce stunning imagery. We share techniques to use flashlights, store-bought lamps, obsolete camera flash and LED light sources to transform your creative ideas into beautiful pictures!

Details
Dates:
Thursday, January 9th, 2014 ; 6-9pm
Saturday, January 11th, 2014; 10-4pm
Thursday, January 16th, 2014 ; 6-9pm

Location
Workshop is held in central Ottawa at Ottawa Studio Works.

Cost
$350 + applicable taxes

Simple Studio Lighting – Learn to create beautiful photos with lights you already have.

#1012 Platform – Learn the Basics of Framing with Patrick Gordon Framing

Posted on October 18, 2013 by admin

Framed.

As part of our Platform Presentations we are very pleased to have Patrick Gordon Framing, one of Ottawa’s premier framing shops, teach you the basics of framing – and caring – for your artwork.

Join us to learn:
• how to enhance and protect your photos (and other art).
• different options for presenting your art
• basics of framing photography (and other art) with both aesthetics and longevity in mind

The seminar will focus on matting, frames, backings, mounting, glazing, hinging, as well as conservation methods of caring for your photos.

A big thanks to long time supporter and student Ken H for suggesting this seminar!

Details
Where: Patrick Gordon Framing – 160 Elm (near Preston), Ottawa, ON.
When: Wednesday, November, 13th; 7:30-9pm.
Cost: Free – donations appreciated.
RSVP appreciated.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Gordon Framing

#1009 Creative Fundamentals Photo Class Review

Posted on October 14, 2013 by admin

Another session of our classic course is complete.

We’ve been running Creative Fundamentals since 2001 and it quickly became popular with people who were intimidated with f-stops, manual exposure mode and grey snow in their photos.

Creative Fun – Photo Workshop – Gatineau Park © André Tognarelli

The course offers the fundamentals of photography in simple, easy to understand terms. People often join the course scared to shoot in manual exposure mode and, by the end, capture good exposures in tricky mixed lighting scenarios.

The students did well…

We often teach this course as a Custom Course.

Dates are up for the next group session of Creative Fundamentals in April 2014.

Silhouette Photo – Photo Class – © Judy Scott

New, Advanced Creative Fundamentals II
For many years students have asked us to run a follow-up session to challenge and solidify their fundamental skills.

Well, now is your chance to test your skills further. We take the core material of Creative Fundamentals and take you further. We assume you have some experience in Manual Exposure Mode and help you:
• recognize/capture advanced exposure scenarios
• maximize control of Depth of Field
• delve into creative compositional construction

Dates are set for May 2014

#1007 Online Program September’s Photo Challenge

Posted on October 7, 2013 by admin

Online Photo Program © Maisie I. Light Variations

In August we asked our members to shoot things from a different perspective.

Last month we offered a new challenge to members of the Online Photo Program – one to get them thinking about different light variations to help them go from an ok photo to something stunning!

Members were urged to shoot a scene in different ways (with guidance) to achieve photos like they’d never shot before! Tips and techniques were offered to help with starbursts, night shooting, star trails, sunsets, light painting as well as daytime shooting.

Results were awesome!

Light Variations – Online photo Challenge – © Gilles Gagnes

Some comments, this month, about the program:

“Yes, I am totally hooked…”

“I learned a tremendous amount and it was a refresher in night photography – something I don’t often do.”

“I found just dealing with all of the lighting conditions extremely challenging but overall the process very rewarding. I learned a great deal about lighting and my camera. It was alot of fun and the reading on lighting effects was fascinating.”

“Looking forward to your lessons in the critique and what others have produced. There was some impressive work on the forum!”

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

We’re proud of the student successes. They deserve some applause!

Interested in challenging yourself with weekly support and a supportive online photo group?
Join us for the Online Photo Program!

Online Photo Challenge – Light Variations – © AL Garner

#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.”

#1001 Building Magic Worlds with Photoshop and Richard Desmarais

Posted on September 22, 2013 by admin

Good news!
Our Lightroom Seminar with Peter Handley is almost full (at time of writing.)
And we’ve just booked Richard Desmarais to share his skills in Photoshop.

Creating Fantasy Worlds with Photoshop
In November, Richard will be helping people learn to build new worlds using specific elements of Photoshop.

About Richard
Richard has spent 30 years working as a photographer for high profile clients. In that time his photoshop skills developed enormously. He brings some of these skills to you in this seminar!

Details
November 10th, 2013; 1-5pm
$100 + HST

Register! And see more details.

#996 Caffenol Platform Session – Alternative B&W processing

Posted on September 11, 2013 by admin

We are offering an evening with Matt Hinther as part of our Ottawa Platform Series. Matt is joining us to guide you through the new-ish alternative process of film and paper development – Caffenol!

Caffenol – Black and White Processing

What is Caffenol?
The Caffenol process is a much less toxic development process using simple ingredients to develop and print B&W film.

People with home-based darkrooms or those working in shared darkrooms will appreciate working in a less toxic environment.The opportunity to try new tinting and creative options is also exciting!

Join us on October 25th for a fun, evening of exploration with Caffenol!
Only $15…
Details and registration.

#993 Gatineau Park Photo Safari Photos

Posted on September 4, 2013 by admin

Last weekend we ran a photo safari at MacKenzie King Estates in Gatineau Park for the NCC.

Many smiling faces joined us as we explored this year’s theme of Nature.

Some fine photos resulted. What do you think?!

Missed this photo adventure?
Join us for Creative Fundamentals as we help people get comfortable with their cameras in Gatineau Park