#1103 Education Exploration

Posted on January 11, 2015 by admin

In my last post I came clean with what I’ve been doing with my time – I’m taking eight months off to study education at the primary / jumnior level (Kindergarten to Grade 6).m I love it.

In the months to come, I’ll be posting some posts about my exploration into education as well as some photo links.

Teaching in 2012 – © M Bachand

This week I read an article by well-known New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell on “Most Likely to Succeed” in the field of education. His writing is thought provoking (for me anyway.)

In “Most Likely to Succeed” he addresses attributes of a good, new teacher… which often counter the traditional selection process. He uses an NFL analogy to make his point. Worth a read if education or teaching interests you!

#1102 New Directions – Education

Posted on December 23, 2014 by admin

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all those celebrating.
We’ll be laying low over the winter break. Catching up, settling in and skiing!

It’s been a big year at HarryNowell.com that started on New Year’s Eve, 2013.

Last New Year’s Eve I was inspired by a friend to apply to Teacher’s College. I had applied twice before in the 1990s. This time they let me in.

I’m halfway through Ottawa U’s Primary/Junior Bachelor of Education. Their On-SIte Program condenses six months of lectures into two and a half months and allows for a six month practical placement working directly in a classroom.

I’ve just spent three months working in a Kindergarten / Grade One classroom in a central Ottawa school. Our class has students from Burma, China, Russia, Hungary, Bosnia, Iran, Pakistan, Australia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mexico, far-northern Canada. It’s a diverse, challenging and amazing class.

Teaching in the primary grades attracts me because I get to teach more than math and language – I get to help little ones develop as people using drama, arts and engaged play based learning. I love it – where else can you get so much impact dressing up as Captain Barnacle, the pirate, to teach about number sense & counting coins with treasure? The students gobbled up the lesson.

I’ve always loved teaching – it’s been a big part of my business for the past 20 years. Teacher’s College is a good next step for me. My marks from the lecture hall have been… excellent. My classroom evaluations have been… excellent. I feel very fortunate to have met such good people this fall!

I start in a new Grade Six classroom with a similar demographic in January. I’m excited.

And I’m excited about my new direction. Seeing the possibilities available in traditional teaching has me smiling.

Harry teaching

“But what about photography?”
The business will continue as Harry Nowell Photography and I will continue aspects of the business that I enjoy. I’ll continue to offer a few workshops, some stock assignments, some editorial and interesting artwork related to Watershed, SunStreaks and the big camera.

Thanks for your support over the years.
I can’t wait for 2015!

#1101 Facebook Photo Challenge

Posted on November 23, 2014 by admin

We ran our Online Photo Program for a couple of years and have started running it on a private Facebook Group since August.

We set a challenge every month and offer pointers, links and informal critique. All participants can offer feedback, questions and support, as well.

While I am taking sabbatical from the business (first time in 20 years!) this challenge is free.

Interested in joining?
You need to send me a friend request and then send me a Facebook message asking to join the monthly challenge.

Online Photography Challenge – we’ve come a long way from film (but I still love film!)

#1097 Take Control of your Digital Assets – Workshop with Colin Rowe

Posted on September 23, 2014 by admin

In our photo course for Communications Professionals we offer a crash course to help people take better workplace photos. We briefly introduce the idea of archiving their organization’s photos and other digital media.

In the course I suggest an ideal scenario where all of an organization’s photos are centralized, appropriately key-worded and accessible to staff.

I usually get blank stares.
The task of finding, organizing and setting up such a system can feel overwhelming.

There is help!
Colin Rowe, event and commercial photographer, also runs Archi-Media.ca to help large organizations make sense of their photos and digital assets.

Managing Digital Assets Workshop
Colin has just launched a timely Digital Assets Course to help you how to take control of your organization’s inventory of digital assets (images, videos, logos, design files and documents) quickly and effectively, while saving time and money.

Archi-Media reception

Course Agenda
Over the course of the day you will:
• organize your current inventory of digital assets
• properly name files and folder structures
• organize your model and talent releases effectively
• non-destructively edit your current inventory of assets, with your team’s help
• create metadata for tagging these assets, in a new or existing digital asset management system
• decide which metadata are important, manage current incomplete metadata and create a controlled vocabulary for your organization
• determine which internal policies your clients are using, and the issues and legal considerations that affect those policies
• assess and use digital asset management systems

Course Details
October 28th, 2014.
$685 + HST
Location: Central Ottawa
To register contact Colin at colin@archi-media.ca or 613-277-7693.

More information (links to Colin Rowe’s site)

#1094 Photo Gear Sale and Swap

Posted on August 7, 2014 by admin

We’re having a gear sale at our studio.
I’m taking some time off (see our newsletter) and we’re downsizing our collection of equipment.

Photo Gear…

Details:
• Saturday August 16th;
9am to noon.
• Ottawa Studio Works
160 Preston St.
• Cash or credit card.
• Some items (business) are taxable.
• All sales final.
Items must be picked up the day of the sale.

I want to move some equipment. Priced accordingly.

Want photos like this? – I’m selling some gear that can help…

Partial list expected for sale (we’ll be updating the list on our Facebook event page):
• 42″ LG monitor
• Backdrops
• Prime lenses (all AF Nikkor) – well used, functional and cheap.
• Recent production zoom lenses
• Nikon D300, D300s, D200, F90x
• Canon film camera/lens
• Manfrotto Autopoles and other rigging equipment
• risers for studio portraits
• photo props (like new – basketball, boxing gloves, barbell…)
• miscellaneous camera items
• metal picture frames
• hard wood desk
• office furniture
• comfortable folding chairs (from the Congress Centre)
• Darkroom equipment
• some other items like MEC baby backpack (brand new)… some xc ski equipment… boxing gloves… barbell…
We’ve had confirmation from others – we expect recent DSLRs, lenses and related equipment. The list keeps growing.

Do you have anything to sell or trade?
A few people will be selling their (quality) camera and related products. And we have room for a few more people.
Contact us by Wednesday, August 13th if you’d like to sell some gear at our sale. Space is limited – we may not be able to accommodate all.
Gear must be brought to the studio BEFORE the sales starts. You must be present to sell your gear.

Sell your gear!
Get new gear!

#1089 World Press Photo Awards Arrives in Ottawa

Posted on July 18, 2014 by admin

One of the finest annual photo events comes to Ottawa again starting next Friday, July 25th, 2014:

World Press Photo Exhibition at the Canadian War Museum

The World Press Photo Exhibition features the finest press photography from around the world. Subjects include:
• sports
• people
• peace
• war
• some lovely stories we never hear about
• … and some that make me cry

It’s worth a visit:
Canadian War Museum
July 25th – August 21st, 2014
Free.

You’ll walk away changed.

#1087 Web Distractions – Exposed! Newsletter

Posted on July 10, 2014 by admin

“I’ve lost my photo passion!”
I hear many photographers that burn out creatively.

There are many remedies.
One is to look for inspiration.

In this month’s Exposed! Photo Newsletter we look at our reader’s new suggestions for inspiration from the web. A big thanks to our readers for continuing to send links that inspire and engage, creatively.

Twirling on a 30 deck

This month we link to:
• Stunning views of Iceland
• 6+ years of a selfie-a-day
• Tech news from Apple
• Photoshop variations from around the world
• A video interview of a National Geographic adventure photographer
… and more.

Read the newsletter. Get inspired by the links!

#1086 Summer Urban Photo Safaris

Posted on July 6, 2014 by admin

Summer is here and it’s time for shooting.

Join one of our two summer photo safaris:
• For all skill levels – we’ll challenge everyone at their level.
• Meet photo enthusiasts.
• Discover fun photo locations and new techniques.

Each night we pull photo exercises from years of photo workshops in Ottawa and Gatineau. We shoot at different locations each evening.

Two dates in July, 2014 – cost is $75 plus tax…
Join us…

Jon us – urban photo safari in Ottawa

#1085 Large format innovations

Posted on June 30, 2014 by admin

I get bored easily…
So I am always looking for new and not-yet-done innovations with cameras or camera-like devices.

After your feedback and sales at The New Art Festival I am excited about the direction I am going with my work.

Large Format – One-of-a-Kind Works
More and more, I am excited about simple processes. I feel like I am going backwards along the evolutionary scale of photography – back to simpler equipment and slow, but extraordinary results.

Old photo formats – slow photography

While I have modern, new equipment I get most excited about old equipment. Last month I dropped my 4×5 in a lake… submerged. After a thorough disassembly (easy) and drying, the camera was happily back in action.

I’ve slowly explored the path of large format photography starting with a Graflex 4×5 and building up to my newest camera, my home made 8×10 field camera.

Last year I worked hard to figure out two new processes producing originals straight from the camera – not prints / reproductions.

I like it!

Next Show
I’m creating more this summer preparing for my next show at La Fab – September 18 – October 5th.

Stay tuned!

Original, straight from the camera. One of a kind. From my continuing 14 year Watershed project following the creek behind our home – 18km so far…