#873 Photo Art Exhibitions – Ottawa & Chelsea

Posted on November 13, 2012 by admin

It’s a busy month for art in Ottawa and Chelsea. On the blog today we feature three art events for your viewing fun!

1. La Fabrique
212 Old Chelsea Road, Old Chelsea, Qc.
Open House
Nov. 24th, 2012 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.
NOW until December 14th.

First, some of our Watershed work is featured in Chelsea’s new Art and Culture hub – La Fabrique. A lot of people have worked hard to turn the old Manse into a cultural destination. The show is already up but they are having a big art extravaganza November 24th, 2012 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.

2. Ottawa Studio Works Open House
Ottawa Studio Works
160 Preston St., Ottawa, On.
Our 3rd annual Open House
December 1st; 7pm onwards

Second, we will be featuring diverse elements of our work from Watershed, other artwork, greeting cards, recent assignments, and featuring work from our photo students and instructors. Interested in some artwork for your walls? There’ll be work for all budgets.

3. Cube Gallery – Great Big Smalls
1285 Wellington St. W. Ottawa
Vernissage: Dec 6th, 2012 — 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
December 4^th to December 30^th, 2012

Third, we’re featured in the Cube’s annual Great Big Smalls. It’s a fun event. There’ll be work for all tastes!!

Please join us at one or all events – it’ll be good to see you!!

#872 – Student Success! Another ProProgram Photo Course Graduate.

Posted on November 11, 2012 by admin

Please join me in congratulating Sarah Ruest as she graduates from her ProProgram. I first met Sarah when she enrolled in a bike race safari in 2011 and she quickly decided photography was something she wanted to pursue!

She worked hard to explore many facets of photography from technical proficiencies to underlying style and story behind each photo project.

Student success - ProProgram course graduate © Sarah Ruest

Sarah progressed well over her year in the program and we’re excited to see where she takes photography next! Keep an eye out for her work!

The Program helped Sarah take some big steps in photography. Hear what she has to say:
“I entered the ProProgram with a love of photography, but feeling quite uncertain of how to grow my skills and vision for what was a fun hobby and outlet for me. I found Harry’s Bike Race Photo Safari and had a blast shooting something different. I was amazed at how much I learned in this short evening safari, and was impressed with Harry’s transparent teaching style. I took a few more workshops, and in the fall joined the ProProgram officially.

Student success - ProProgram course graduate © Sarah Ruest

The ProProgram allowed me to gain technical skills and build creative business sense. Harry’s constant encouragement and advice guided me toward building my vision for how photography fit into my life. It is the ideal program for anyone, because it is customized to your interests and needs instead of being a boilerplate.

I have a long list of projects to pursue, and hope to have a show someday. Harry shared all of his experiences and lessons learned in this field, which gave me the confidence I needed to know that I can do anything I want to in photography. Burned in my mind forever are Harry’s words “Do something different”!“

Student success - ProProgram course graduate © Sarah Ruest

We’re cheering for Sarah’s next steps in photography.
Congratulations, Sarah!

We’ll keep you posted with tales from ProProgram grad successes!

Interested in taking a giant leap in your photography? Ask us about the ProProgram!

#870 New Photo Course Preview

Posted on November 7, 2012 by admin

We’re excited! Our winter line-up of photo classes, workshops and safaris is shaping nicely.

What’s Coming up?!
• Photographing Pro Hockey
Missing NHL hockey during the strike? Get your hockey fix by photographing the Ottawa 67s at Scotiabank place (home of the Senators.)

This is a classic course – our 6th annual visit to the 67s home ice.
February 2012

• Winter Landscapes
Many people shy away from winter shooting but we show you the spectacular ‘scapes available to those willing to brave winter weather. We also teach you to be comfortable shooting in the winter. It is possible!
February 2012

• Glass Blowing Photo Safari
We just visited the glass blowing studio – fiery furnaces, molten glass and active artisans makes for a photographic extravaganza! Limited spots available due to a small working space.
February 2012

• Photography for Pre-Teens – March Break Program
Join experienced school teacher, Shona Schneider, as she leads your budding photo artists through photo adventures during Ontario’s March Break.
March 2012

• Photoshop Seminars
Based on the success of our Lightroom Seminars with Peter Handley we are looking at seminars on specific elements of photoshop. Stay tuned!

Summer 2013 looks promising with more macro, safaris, sports and landscapes, people, tulips and more.

• Online Photo Program
We offer more challenges on the Online Photo Program. Looking for ongoing photo fun, support and critique? This is the course for you!

Can’t wait? Drop us a line and we’ll tell you more and reserve your spot…

#869 Online Photo Course – Backlighting Successes and New Silhouette Challenge

Posted on November 4, 2012 by admin

Online Photo Program - Backlighting © Jeff F.

Last month we challenged the Online Photo Program Members with the tough technical challenge of backlighting – the tricky scenario of bringing MORE attention to the main subject by blasting the background with light.

Online Photo Course - © Christa R

But they performed! I was pleased at how the group progressed. It was a tough challenge for many but I was pleased with the results!

Online photo program - beautiful pictures

Online photo program - backlighting © Madeline B

And Online member, Scott, sent us this comment about his experience on the program:

“Loving the on-line program. I like that it pushes me to think about how I want to capture the image before me. At last weekend’s cyclocross race I sought out shooting locations that allowed me to blow-out the background and highlight the cyclists. I’d say I’m feeling more involved with the picture taking process.”

Online Photo Class - take better pictures!

Online Photo Class - Backlighting - © Scott Hall

We’ve just started this month’s online photo challenge with an introduction to silhouettes and what they are.

Better photos through online learning!

Later this week we give technical tips on silhouettes and how to achieve them. We also outline participant’s specific challenge for the month.

Join us to learn about silhouettes and challenge yourself!

#867 Night Light Photo Course in Victoria BC

Posted on October 30, 2012 by admin

We’re excited as we prepare to trek to Victoria in November to present one of our most fun workshops – Night Light.

I’ve said before it’s not our most popular (we only offer once or twice a year) but it is one of our most fun workshops. You see, there’s photo magic involved. We help you photograph things you cannot see with your naked eye.

Night Light photo course

Night Light – Ottawa sold out in this year – we had a fun group who learned tons of fun ideas and techniques – everything from:
• capturing stunning skyscapes as the daylight sky gets sucked into night blackness.
• using flashlights to paint everything from statues to trees to words in thin air.
• using camera flash (SB units) to capture elusive ghosts in photos.
• two techniques to turn normal traffic into rivers of light or race cars among laser beams!

Night Photo Course Before Light Painting

Night Photography Course - Light Painting!

Ottawa students said:
“Excellent; night photography has always been intimidating and frustrating. No longer!” JM
“Harry was patient & challenging – love it.” JK
“You do a great job, Harry. Don’t change.” Anon.

Join us in Victoria, BC as guests of Luz Galley.
Registration Details.

Night Photography Course - Victoria BC

#866 Santa Agrees to Help Pet Portraits at the SPCA

Posted on October 28, 2012 by admin

Yes, we have recently confirmed that Santa has agreed, again, to make an appearance at the West Quebec SPCA Pet Portrait fundraiser on December 9th, 2012.

Pet Portraits Ottawa Gatineau

He is a busy man but we kinda guessed he’d help, again!

Why?!
• He has a soft spot for the furry friends.
• The SPCA feeds him good cookies!
• The event raises much needed $funds to support the dogs, cats and other pets.

We have helped Santa help the SPCA of West Quebec for years now by offering portrait services for pets and their humans. All proceeds go to the SPCA.

Pet Portraits - Ottawa Gatineau

So, please come to have your portrait taken with your dog, cat, pig, goldfish or hamster to support the SPCA.

Details
Sunday, December 9th; noon-4pm
SPCA of West Quebec
659 Auguste Mondoux Gatineau, QC J9J 3K2
(819) 770-7722

Portraits provided on site – $15.
Please be generous!

Over the years we photographed packs of dogs, some cats, one hamster and one pet pig (Einstein) with Santa.
Why do we do it?

DOGS. We love ’em. A lot.
After dear old Tigger died we adopted Biscuit from the SPCA of West Quebec. They do good work and we wanted to help. This was a way we could!

Tigger!!

Biscuit!!

#865 Night Light Photo Class Review – Student Successes!!

Posted on October 25, 2012 by admin

Ok, so Night Light is not our longest running workshop and it’s not our most popular (Creative Fundamentals and Natural Light Portraits attract more people over the year) but it’s currently my favourite and most fun workshop that I teach. This fall it was a full workshop.

Why?

There’s magic to be captured at night. I see people’s faces shine as they see their pictures appear on their screens…

And they say…
“But where do those amazing colours come from?”
“How do those lights make that affect?”
“Why do the ghosts appear?”
Magic, I say.

Ok, it’s NOT really magic, just some advanced photo techniques to help get magical results.

See some of the student photos from the weekend we spent in central Ottawa. They made me smile!

And what did students say?

“Excellent; night photography has always been intimidating and frustrating. No longer!” JM
“Harry was patient & challenging – love it.” JK
“You do a great job, Harry. Don’t change.” Anon.

The photo course is travelling this fall. We’ve been invited to present Night Light in Victoria by Quinton Gordon’s Luz Gallery. Stay tuned for reports from western Canada.

Finally, this photo was presented at the end of the night by one of the students to express her feelings for the workshop! Thank-YOU, Murielle and students for the fun, fun, fun!

#864 Photo Class Feedback

Posted on October 23, 2012 by admin

It’s been a good week. At the risk of tooting our own horn we’d like to share some unsolicited feedback we received for our photography courses and portraits.

We received this note about CK’s experiences so far on our online photo program:
“Just want to tell you how much I am enjoying your monthly challenges. You have taken the Online Workshops to a different photography level and have me thinking outside the photo norm.

Frankly I was feeling a little bored and unchallenged before your On-Line Workshops. Bravo to you! You have done it again by sharing such great photography techniques. Love that fact that I can work at my own pace and time frame.
Great Job!”

Online photo course

And Erica sent this note about her family photos:
“I just wanted to let you know we had a peek at the photos tonight, and really loved them! What a fun session, and you managed to catch some really candid, natural shots of everyone! THANK YOU!”

Fun family photos

And PR sent this unsolicited note about the Lightroom seminar we presented at our photo studio by Peter Handley:
“Harry, just to let you know that today’s workshop on Lightroom was Fantastic. Thank you and Peter. Looking forward to next Saturday. Hope your Night light workshop went as fun as last years. Have a great week.”

Now, it’s true we receive feedback regularly but it’s always nice when it comes!
And a big THANKS to all of our students and clients – without YOU this couldn’t happen.

#862 Online Photo Program Success

Posted on October 18, 2012 by admin

Many of you know we run an online photo course for those people who want to take better photos but don’t always have time for regular classes.

Last month we sent members of the program a challenge to get closer. No, really close to their subjects. Their work took a good step forward as I saw creative developments.

Help cheer a few of the many successes from September’s challenge. Members are working towards their October deadline and we just started filming November’s class – there’s still time to register for the online fun!