#962 Rowing Photo Safari

Posted on June 21, 2013 by admin

A couple of years ago I spent the summer shooting at the Ottawa Rowing Club for an assignment for Ottawa magazine. It was a fun job – I rowed at university and my father rowed for Britain in the 60s – that let me relive the fun of the sport!

Rowing Photography for Ottawa Magazine

Ta-daa!
We’re offering a very small rowing photo safari next week on a weekday evening.

The Rowing Safari
We’ll be taking one or two people to the club to experience photographing a training session. I’ll be coaching the photographers to capture the on-land preparation fun, photojournalistically, and then jumping in a coach boat to follow the rowers on water.

Rowing Photography Safari

The session will be an evening of photo learning and opportunities. Approximately three hours of photo fun.

Interested in the spot? Interested in a session later in the summer?
Contact me by email for details…

Rowing Photo Safari

#958 Photo Exhibition Review – John Rowlands’ 50 Years of Rock & Roll History

Posted on June 11, 2013 by admin

We just exhibited John Rowlands’ 50 years of Rock & Roll at Ottawa Studio Works!

Jean Marc Carisse and John Rowlands

Many thanks are in order…
• Thanks to John Rowlands for photographing (and sharing) Rock & Roll legends for the last 50 years.
• Thanks to all the people who made the exhibition possible – Tetra speakers, past students and Ron LaVoie for supplying the music.
• Thanks to everyone for entering the Music Photography Contest (Congratulations Jacqueline Barisan and Bartholemew Nowak for your photo successes!)
• Thanks to Spotlight Ottawa and Photokibitiz for sharing the fun!
• And thanks to all of YOU for visiting the exhibition, supporting the Ottawa Food Bank and purchasing John’s work!

John Rowlands with Photo Contest Winner Jacqueline Barisan’s photo

We had a steady stream of visitors including Andrew Balfour and Jean Marc Carisse, prominent Ottawa photographers. And the stories John Rowlands told over the evening captivated the audience. Amazing…

The show will stay up for a few weeks and is available for viewing and purchases by appointment if you missed it! Just let us know…

Jean Marc Carisse, Harry Nowell and John Rowlands © Sandra Finnner

#957 Macro Photo Class Review

Posted on June 9, 2013 by admin

Macrophotography course with Louise Tanguay on the photo blog at HarryNowell.com

Macrophotography course with Louise Tanguay © Marc Lafleur

“Nice work.”

That’s what I thought when people sent in photos from the Macrophotography Class with Louise Tanguay.

Louise‘s last two workshops with us sold out and for good reason! She is a well-loved teacher and superb photographer with many publications and accomplishments to her name.

Macrophotography class with Louise Tanguay featured at HarryNowell.com/blog

Macrophotography class with Louise Tanguay – © Johanne Blain

We’re lucky to have her – she travels and teaches all over the world. A few students insisted we bring her back soon for another workshop. We’re working on it!

See a small sample of student’s work in this blog post.

What’s coming up next for photo classes? Check our listings and Online Photo Program. We also do custom courses – anytime – for our courses.

Macrophotography class with Louise Tanguay – © Alicia Borisonic

Ottawa Macrophotography course with Louise Tanguay

Macrophotography course with Louise Tanguay – © C Bressan

Macrophotography Course – ©Sébastien Albert – trobophoto.com

#954 – Upcoming Photo Exhibitions – Rowlands’ Rock and Roll

Posted on June 2, 2013 by admin

Elvis Presley at OttawaStudioWorks.com June 8th © John Rowlands

June is a busy month for art and exhibitions. The first exhibition in June is at our studio.

John Rowlands’ 50 Year Rock & Roll Photo Archives
Details:
Saturday, June 8th, 2013
noon-9pm (approximately)
Ottawa Studio Works;
160 Preston St. Ottawa

Bob Dylan – June 8th @OttawaStudioWorks.com © John Rowlands

We host an exhibition of John Rowlands’ collection of 50 years of shooting the biggest names in Rock & Roll:
• Mick Jagger
• James Brown
• Emmy-Lou Harris
• Bob Dylan
• Elton John
• Bob Marley
… and many, many more.

John’s collection is staggering. His stories are amazing.

John & Yoko – June 8th @OttawaStudioWorks.com © John Rowlands

John starting shooting superstars at the age of 13 in 1960 – at a time when few people were photographing the surge in supersonic stars of popular music.

Combining spunk, photo education, business acumen and a drive to succeed, John turned a passion into privileged access to some of the biggest names in entertainment.

• Read his account of his rise to the forefront of Rock & Roll photography.
• Listen to stories of his amazing career!

Rowlands’ Bowie photos currently hang in London’s prestigious V&A museum’s retrospective of the career of David Bowie.

James Brown – June 8th OttawaStudioWorks.com © John Rowlands

• See a selection of his photo work.
• Get a chance to hear his stories.
• Buy a piece of Rock and Roll history
… at our studio – OttawaStudioWorks.com on June 8th.

See also the winning entry in the John Rowlands Music Photo Contest by Jacqueline Barisan of Niagara Falls.

More details:
Join us!
Saturday, June 8th, 2013
noon-9pm (approximately)
Ottawa Studio Works;
160 Preston St. Ottawa

We’re also collecting proceeds to support the Ottawa Food Bank!

Emmy-Lou Harris – June 8th OttawaStudioWorks.com © John Rowlands

#953 Photo Distractions from the Web

Posted on May 30, 2013 by admin

In our Photo Distractions feature we present distractions about photography from the web on our own photo blog!

This week’s round-up:
• Quinton Gordon of LuzStudios offered this tip-of-the-hat to Ted Grant, well-known Canadian editorial photographer, with an announcement about a retrospective of his work.

• Photo District News announces the passing of Wayne Miller, prominent documentary photographer with who shot for Life Magazine.

• John Rowlands (opens to his music exhibition announcement) gets interviewed on PhotoKibitz about his 50 years of shooting Rock and Roll’s biggest superstars!

• We are ALMOST ready to launch a new web site featuring photo tips we feature on our Facebook page. We’re loading content…

Photo Tip #171 – Want better photos?
Get CLOSER to your subject!!

Photo Tip #171 – CLOSER!!

#952 One Year Anniversary – Online Program – Special Offer!

Posted on May 28, 2013 by admin

Happy Anniversary to us!!
A year ago, in June, we added the Online Photo Program to our list of photo classes to help bring our well-loved photo courses to people beyond Ottawa!

It was a lot of work and we weren’t sure quite what we were getting into!
But… what we did create has people coming back for more!

First photo challenge - self portraits © Jane B.

First online photo challenge – “self portraits” © Jane B.

Members keep sending in comments saying how the program has helped them:
• be more active photographers
• learn in a fun environment
• be part of a community of photographers looking to improve their skills.

First Online Photo Challenge “Self Portraits” © Maisie I.

Whatever the Online Photo Program does, I am seeing people improve their skills and produce better and better photos!

See last month’s online photo program review for more member photos and comments!

See part of the first critique session ever on the Online Photo Program:

Special Offer!
In celebration of the first year of photo fun on the online photo program we are offering a celebratory, limited offer to the lucky people who click the button below until June 3rd!

30% off! Hurry – it won’t last long!
Instead of $180 for 6 months of monthly photo courses, you get 6 months of photo challenges, video, notes, critique and sharing for $125! Price returns to $180 after June 3rd.

Special Offer has expired…
Register Online.

First Online Photo Challenge “Self Portraits” © Cheryl K.

#951 – Music Photo Contest Winner!

Posted on May 26, 2013 by admin

We have a come-from-behind winner in the Music Photo Contest linked to the John Rowlands’ Music Exhibition coming up on June 8th.

Jacqueline Barisan of Niagara Falls, Ont, photographed The Wholigans on July 14, 2012 at the Q107 Summer Bash in Toronto, Ontario and sent in the photo to the contest in the last week.

Some quick voting from fans sent this photo quickly to number one spot! Thanks to everyone that entered and voted!

Wholigans © Jacqueline Barisan

On her photo background she says:
“Photography has always been a great passion to me. It wasn’t until 2009 that I decided to pick up the camera again & start shooting.   I shot a lot of wildlife & landscape … A few years back I entered a photo to Canadian Geographic & it was published…. I have had no schooling in this field but always just had a natural eye for it.

I met up with some friends one night in Toronto & was introduced to the promotions guru from radio station Q107. He invited me out to many of their shows & it was then I decided to shoot live music concerts … I feel something different when I photograph bands, I get lost in the moment & feel in control.

Currently, I have been working alongside Canadian Country Artist Chelsea Crites.  

Networking, my personality & natural talent has got me this far & I hope one day to make a full time living at it … maybe I’ll get my lucky break soon I keep saying!”

On John Rowlands’ work she adds:
“His pictures tell a story & show his personal connection. There’s a uniqueness to the photos – his own mark …. a true inspiration to me … I would love to learn from him!”

Jacqueline’s photo has won a spot at John Rowlands’ Music photography Exhibition:
June 8th, 2013 from noon to night
Ottawa Studio Works
160 Preston St,
Ottawa, On.

We are collecting donations at the exhibition for the Ottawa Food Bank!

John Rowlands Music Photo Exhibition

#950 – Online Photo Class – May’s photo challenge review

Posted on May 23, 2013 by admin

Last month on the Online Photo Program we gave the members the challenge of Slow Photos – where we asked them to shoot with a shutter speed of 1 second or longer. That’s tough to do!

This month the photography class challenge was Fast Photos where we asked members to use a fast shutter speed to freeze any action to show implied motion in their photos. It’s also a tough challenge!!

Better photos - Online Photography Course

And the online programmers rose to the challenge! As usual I was impressed with the work they did and the results. We have a private Facebook group for members to share and exchange ideas – it’s nice to see people help each other grow.

The Online Program Experience
I don’t know any photo program offered like ours. It’s not quite a photography course… it’s more of a ‘group-exploration-of-photo-challenges.’

We offer a new photo challenge every month and support photographer’s development with:
• a video lesson
• course notes
• photo tips
• web links
• equipment suggestions
• support
• weekly lesson by email
• a Facebook based forum for members to share AND
• a video critique of member’s photos to wrap things up.
In all there are four weeks of programming every month. All for $30 a month, purchased as a 6 month block.

Member comments from May’s challenge keep coming in with praise for the program:
• “Thanks so much Harry, couldn’t have done it without you and the online course.”
• “I am very much enjoying the challenges and the format of what you’ve created here with the online program. For me, just the right balance of freedom to work at your own pace and structure to keep you honest and get something done. With good advice along the way. I appreciate it, and am very happy to support it.”
• “It was a tough assignment and needed a lot of elements to come together for it to work. But a great learning experience. I’m loving this and the FB group is terrific.”

Better photos - Online Photography Course "Fast Photos / Implied Motion Challenge" - Ken C

• “I like the program a lot, it keeps me on track. I wouldn’t be using my camera as much if I wasn’t taking the program.”
• “I am really enjoying the program. My intent when I signed up was to help me get creative, and off my butt and do some shooting. I find I’m more creative if I have a goal or deadline of some sort. Making one up didn’t work.
I think the timing (a month for a challenge) and its spacing is perfect. And I enjoy seeing other’s work and getting feedback, especially the criticisms. Tough to take, but the best way to learn. I’m already looking forward to the topic for June.”

Coming In June we’ll be looking at one type of story-telling with your camera. Join us!

Better photos - Online Photography Class

Better photos - Online Photography Course "Fast Photos / Implied Motion Challenge" - Cathy V

#948 Summer Portraits Photo Class

Posted on May 20, 2013 by admin

Better photos

Summer Portrait Class!
We keep getting asked to run our portrait course in the summer (usually run in Jamuary) so we are running Natural Light Portraits in August!

It’s one of our most popular courses – perfect for capturing informal (or formal) portraits at summer events – weddings, BBQs, birthday parties or at family gatherings.

Better birthday portraits!

Why it’s Popular!
It’s popular because we take people from their fundamentals of photography to specific portrait elements of photography. We cover some technical elements:
• exposures with portraits in mind – ie what shutter speeds and apertures are appropriate for different scenarios.
• introduction to use of flash in portraiture
• choice of different lenses for different portraits

Better people picture

We also explore the creative side of portrait photography:
• location selection – dealing with the harsh light of midday sun.
• elements of style – what is most appropriate for you and your portraits – candid or formal portraiture?
• working with people to create natural looking smiles and emotions (this is hard!)

Want better people pictures?
Join us this summer for some portrait fun!

Natural Light Portrait Workshop

#947 – Tulip Photo Course Successes!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by admin

Thanks to everyone who got up really early to take advantage of Louise Tanguay‘s wealth of experience in the macro, nature, tulip photo department.
The safari was well attended!

The photo safari met this week with a quick lesson and lots of practical tulip shooting.

They loved it:
“Here are a few shots from my best day off in years. It was my first try at macro photography and I loved it.”

Louise is also teaching our Macrophotography Photo Workshop at the end of May – it’s currently full but, so far the waiting list is empty. If you want a spot you could be first in line if there is a cancelation! Just send us an email.