#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.

#982 Photo Contest Winners Announced

Posted on August 8, 2013 by admin

In July we launched our 2nd annual photo contest for past students and we were very happy to see the results. Entires were diverse and spoke highly of the hard work (and fun) students have invested in their photo skills.

Photo Contest Winner! © Morina Reece

We selected four winners.

What were our criteria?
We were looking for:
• diversity in the photos
• technical excellence
• something different… There are many, many good photos out there – we wanted something that would catch the eye and make someone smile. We’ve always preached “Do something different.” Each of the winning photos stood above the norm.

Photo Contest Winner – © Eryck B

We’re very proud of all of our students.

Photography is tough. During the last ten years digital camera manufacturers have erroneously preached “EASY.” It’s NOT easy. It takes skill, perseverance, passion and many years of time to develop skills.

All the winners have been involved with our lessons for YEARS!

Alan and Cheryl have separately taken (almost) every course we’ve offered. They have taken a couple of courses more than once. Both are currently enrolled in our Online Photo Program with monthly challenges.

Yesterday Cheryl sent me a note after learning about her win: “I would have never got that photo if it wasn’t for your great teaching ability and getting me out of the box of ho hum photography.”

Eryck started with the Pro Hockey photo workshop and has grown from there reading our photo tips and newsletters, etc.

Photo Contest Winner – © Al Garner

Morina completed our ProProgram last year and has taken many of our courses. She commented about Natural Light Portraits – “Superbly challenging, informative, exciting & very practical!”

Thanks for sticking with us to develop your skills.

The winners all receive a free three month membership of our Online Photo Program.
Congratulations!

Photo Contest Winner © Cheryl Kreis

#980 Online Program – Social Documentary Photos

Posted on August 5, 2013 by admin

“I found so many levels of challenges within this month’s program but so far I have learned and grown far more than I could have imagined an on-line course could provide.”

In July we offered what is likely the toughest challenge we’ve ever posted on our Online Photo Challenge – to capture a story through a social documentary style.

Online Photo Program – Social Documentary Photo Challenge – © Marcel M.

Social Documentary photography differs from photojournalism. Both offer stories but:
• Photojournalism tells the story within one single photo (think of newspaper stories.)
• Social documentary work tells in depth stories over weeks or months and offers a collection of photography to tell a story (think of National Geographic magazine.) ‘Socdoc’ usually deals with social issues and people.

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © David Burt

The social documentary challenge was tough because:
• it made people get involved with a story involving people or animals.
• it takes time. Many socdoc photogs spend months and many, many visits to learn about and capture their stories.
• Moments are fleeting – Technically perfect photos are less important than capturing the moment in SocDoc.

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © Christine Payant

The group rose to the challenge and captured events, family, theatre, sports and (a popular subject) life at a local shop or boutique.

What members said this month:
• “It was a tough challenge this month. I’m excited to see what other people submitted to give me some new ideas – I have a feeling this challenge is going to be a bit of an ongoing project for me.” WM

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © Gina Rifa

• “I loved every single moment. I grew so much so fast that I felt the growing pains! Normally I would be sad that it’s over but I know I have more fun to come so I’m looking forward to the next challenge.

Thanks for all your straight forward advice and always being so encouraging while pushing us all to be better.” LG

• “Thanks for your encouraging words.” BB

• “Boy this was a very tough challenge! I learned a lot from this assignment and I had a lot of fun getting to know Jim and the small town hardware business.” CP

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © Willa Mason

• “This month’s challenge was the most effort of all so far but that is what made it fun for me. I’m glad you pushed me… I am pleased with the outcome.” MM

• “I like the challenge and how it’s stirring up ideas. It’s a great subject for the monthly challenge. It involves creativity and spontaneous photography to capture the in-the-moment images that are so interesting in Soc Doc photography! A very good challenge!” GR

Online Photo Course – Social Documentary Challenge – © Lynn Gaulin

August’s program starts this week and we have a challenge to help members break out of comfortable shooting patterns (and growing as a photographer!) by urging them to shoot a subject in new ways.

Missed the social documentary online challenge but want to explore this medium? Enrol in our Travel and Social Documentary Photo Class with David Trattles in September. At time of writing there are only two spots remaining – availability will change without notice.

Join us to develop your photo skills!

Online Photo Program – Social Documentary Challenge – © Don Douglas

Congratulations to ALL of the members. I am proud of your progress – with time, small steps will take you a long way!

#970 Online Photo Challenge Review

Posted on July 10, 2013 by admin

Our online photo program roars along with a new photo challenge every month. Members receive video lessons, tips, links and share ideas as they produce their best shots for the photo challenge.

June’s challenge was photojournalistic storytelling and members were guided as they created single photos that told stories within themselves.

Photojournalism Challenge – “One Photo Stories” Love – © Gina R

The creative challenges are often tougher than the technical challenges because there are fewer “recipes for success!” Still, participants rose to the challenge with some amazing photos.

Photojournalistic storytelling – Online Photo Challenge – © Maisie I

And they continue to enjoy the process!
Comments from the past month:
• “[My photos improved over the last year…] It’s all thanks to you, the course and the forum! I know that I wouldn’t have learnt as much just taking a class here and there. For this, I can’t thank you enough!”

• “Harry, you always keep me on my toes and throw in extra food for thought. I love it, thank you!”

Photojournalistic Storytelling – Online Challenge – © Lynn G

“I found this challenge to be very challenging. I got out shooting and I tried a new style that should help improve my images going forward. It was a good exercise and (as always) it was helpful to see what others were shooting”

Photojournalistic Storytelling – Online Photo Challenge – © John D.

“Thanks for another great challenge!”

“Photojournalism, a very good challenge… it makes you think about taking just a photo vs. a photo story. Gives the photo taking purpose and helps with composition.”

Photojournalistic Storytelling – Online Photo Challenge – © Allan C.

“This was my first challenge and I found it consumed a lot of my thoughts; I was excited, scared and felt hungry for the challenge … I do feel a little sad that it’s over but I will continue to use the story telling in all my photos in the future. I look forward to the July challenge.”

Photojournalistic Storytelling – Online Photo Challenge
– © Marcel M.

Want better photos?
Looking to boost your skills?
The online photo program helps you get the experience for better pictures.

How?
Weekly content with lessons, videos, links, critique and a member forum.
Join us…

#967 Custom Photo Course Review – Macro & Fundamentals

Posted on July 2, 2013 by admin

So last week we ran a custom course for Christine who wanted a refresher on photography and an intro to macro photography. We met at a public ornamental garden and covered elements of Creative Fundamentals and Macro work.

How’d she do?
Her photos improved and her confidence grew!

Custom Photography Course – © Christine Payant

And it sounds like she loved it…
(Ok, ok… now, I know I am a good teacher and photographer but comments like these make my teaching worthwhile!):

“Thank you so much for the great Creative Fundamentals custom course yesterday. It was absolutely worth every penny.

I learned so much in just one day and can’t believe I never learned or knew about these skills before. This proves to me just how important it is to continuously upgrade and maintain photography skills in order to get better and better.

Better Photos © Christine P.

You are a wonderful and very patient teacher and obviously a gifted photographer.
Thanks so much for the great custom course.

I will definitely be taking some more courses this summer and fall. I will probably start with the on-line course, to keep me pushing to take more pictures and improve my skills.

Thanks again so much.”

Thank-YOU Christine! I love teaching and I love creating beautiful pictures. I feel so lucky to do what I do!

Better photos through HarryNowell.com! © Christine P.

UPDATE: Christine just sent us an email – she’s been enjoying her new skills! Nice work Christine!:

Macro Custom Photography Course © Christine P.

#940 Online Photo Course “Slow Photo” Results

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

Last month’s challenge on the Online Photo Class was “Slow Photos.”
Members were asked to shoot at slow shutter speeds of 1 second or longer. That’s tough – just try it! Much of the time it’s hard to even shoot at one second because there’s too much light.

Members, as usual, wow-ed me with their creative ideas. They took the info and lessons I presented in the weekly material sent via email, web and private Facebook forum and created some beauty!

Better photos through the Online Photo Program! © Don Douglas

Online photo members enjoyed it, too!

“I’m not sure why it took me so long to come aboard, I knew about this ages ago. I was certainly in a funk with photography and now feel inspired to shoot again.

I enjoyed the informative critique video very much and learned a lot through that review and exercise. I’m glad I signed up for this online program. Look forward to more…”
G.R. April

Slow photography - Online Photo Class!

“I had a couple of main goals when I signed up – have fun, actually get out and shoot, enjoy the process.

So far all of these goals have been fully met… I have been out shooting more in the last two months than in the year before that!”
A.G. April

“Once again a fun challenge with lots of learnings. I particularly enjoyed experimenting with light painting.”
M.M., April

Join us for “Fast Photos” in May.

Slow photo challenge - © Allan Cameron

#930 Online Photo Class – March Highlights

Posted on April 4, 2013 by admin

Online photo class - candid portraits - no viewfinder! © Ruben Vroegop

In March we challenged our Online photo members to some more creative and technical fun.

They were asked to spend the month exploring candid portraits… with a catch. They were not allowed to look through the viewfinder (or live view.)

“That’s crazy!!”

Yes, it is.

Online photo class - candid portraits with a story! © Danielle Donders

There’s value in the month’s challenge. We gave tips and creative support to help members produce some amazing candid portraits. See for yourself…

What members said this month:
“I am having fun with this and it is a good, positive group! Looking forward to April’s challenge.”

“Thanks, this was a fun assignment!”

“I found this assignment much easier to do with my point & shoot than my DSLR. This assignment didn’t come naturally to me, I think I will make it a recurring task (monthly) to shoot a subject this way.”

“Thanks for another fun challenge.”

“I really enjoyed the assignment and as I have had a tiny bit of practice shooting from the hip I knew how hard the technique would be. Also I was uncomfortable shooting my subjects at the start of each shoot and I got over that. Maybe some growth? I hope I was successful!”

There was a lot of success this month – based on comments, emails, and the private Facebook group, I saw people getting ahead, photographically. Member’s photos get better because they are exposed to new photo ideas and practice – on their own time – every week!

What’s the Online Photo Program?
Fun!

It’s a monthly photo challenge designed to take photographers to a new level with a video lesson, weekly tips, support, and a private Facebook group for members to share ideas and photos.

That’s all.
Join the fun…

#916 Online Photo Program Special Offer!!

Posted on March 3, 2013 by admin

Our Online Photo Program is maturing. We’ve run it for almost a year and have been listening to (and implementing) member’s ideas

As an enticement to try the photo challenge (and a thanks to existing members) we are offering a 6 month membership at 30% off for the month of March, 2013.

For the month of March you can sign up for 6 months of ongoing contact, photo lessons & notes, challenges, group discussion and video critique…

… all for $125 instead of the regular $180.
• For photographers curious about the program this is an easy way to test our monthly challenges!
• Existing members can take advantage – adding the block onto their current membership.

Online Photo Challenge - Simple Studio Lighting - © Jeffrey Furry

What’s the online program all about?
Think of it as a new photo class every month with:
• a video lesson
• course notes
• weekly email check-in with tips, encouragement and news
• ongoing group support through a private Facebook group for Members only
• and a compreshensive video critique of member’s photos at the end of the month.

Recent comments:
“I’m happy to see that we don’t have to spend an arm and a leg in order to take good pictures. As always, I look forward to hearing your critique!”

“I questioned the cost before joining. But now that I have completed 3 months I believe that it is an excellent value.” (… and that was at full price!)

“Wow, was this fun! My dining room was a disaster for days (SImple Studio Lighting Challenge!), but boy, was it FUN! 🙂”

Online Photo Challenge - Simple Studio Lighting - © Maisie Ismail

Special Deal offered during March 2013
Six months of Online Photo Programming for $125.
That works out to a month’s worth of photo programming for $20.83 per month – that’s a special deal only until the end of March.
The normal price is $180 or $30 per month.

That means SIX online courses for just over $20 each!

Register NOW!

February’s Photo Challenge
Last month’s challenge on the Online Photo Program at HarryNowell.com was called “Simple Studio Lighting.”

Member’s learned to explore the world of studio lighting using only equipment they had at home.

Result’s were stunning…

Online Photo Challenge - Simple Studio Lighting - © Christa Rumleskie

#906 Online photo course update

Posted on February 7, 2013 by admin

We’ve been running the online photo program for almost a year – helping people make better photos at their own pace. Last month’s challenge for members was ‘white.’

It was a simple challenge – to photograph something white and to have it come out white in their photos.

Try it – it’s not that easy!! Your camera gets fooled by any scene that is predominantly white or black.

Members of the program learned tips and tools to make their whites white!

This month I was told “This one was tough!”

Other comments:
“Thank you for the push to see everyday things and then turn them into something creative. I liked the white bathroom and the fact that not all wedding dresses are white in your video. … I think that the greatest challenge for me was taking the time just to slow down, think and to really see what is in my day to day environment.”

“I questioned the cost before joining. But now that I have completed 3 months I believe that it is an excellent value.”

“The monthly feedback video using Lightroom is the best part; besides receiving technical and composition feedback on your own photos you see how the other students interpret the same assignment.”

“I like the format it works well for me. I’m not an avid or expert photographer but enjoy the monthly challenge which makes me think about composition. I always learn something even though some of the technical stuff is not for me or my camera!”

“I like how hands-on this course is. The monthly topics cover both technical and non-technical aspects of photography. I like the focus of the monthly assignment. I think the pacing of the course is good. You have sufficient time to fully explore the monthly topic and to get useful feedback via the forum.”

“…friends said the course was too expensive. Yet they own $3000 cameras with various high-end glass. Wrong priority for them I think 🙂” ed. note – this is common but it’s like buying a jet airplane and not investing in flying lessons. True, it’s less hazardous skipping the training with a camera but I often see people loaded with expensive equipment take technically poor photos because they do not want to invest in training!

This month we introduce ‘simple studio lighting‘ or how to light subjects at home with lights you already have.

Challenging? Yes!
Fun? Yes!

We just surveyed members of the online program and will be using their comments to tweak the program in the next few months to make it more streamlined. Stay tuned!!

#897 Online Photo Course – Better Photos – Festive Photo Challenge!

Posted on January 17, 2013 by admin

Our Online Photo Class continues to get good reviews and good photo results.

Last month members were challenged to create Festive Photos. Part of their challenge was to create what that meant! It was more of a creative challenge than a technical one which is often tougher as their is no formula.

As usual the photos surprised me with a mix of lights, people and magic.

Members worked hard and stretched their limits. One member sent this today:
“Thank you for the push to see everyday things and then turn them into something creative… I think that the greatest challenge for me was taking the time just to slow down, think and to really see what is in my day to day environment.”

If your photography needs a push join our Online Photo Program.

This month members are working on a very technical challenge that often confounds even experienced amateurs – getting whites to be white. I’ve seen a few good early results – their photo submissions are starting to come in.