#495 Office portraits

Yesterday we spent time helping Paul, a federal employee, learn more about practical photography in a custom photo course designed for him. In his day to day job he is often called upon to do portraits of staff for the web, intranet, staff newsletters, etc. He also covers some events. When the photos are needed NOW or cannot justify hiring someone (like me) to shoot the work Paul gets called.

It can be stressful being asked to photograph a Minister when they visit a department! Paul has called before to gain some experience behind the camera. Our second session, yesterday, concentrated on candid workplace portraits.

The nice thing about a photo course like this is the dedicated opportunity to experiment with the camera in a real work scenario. The pressure to perform is gone and the fear of mistakes is eliminated helping create a stronger base of experience from which to draw when it really counts!

Paul did very well and we saw some great improvements in his portraits!

Some very quick, available light portraits of Paul in his work environment yesterday:

Photo for Communications Department

Photo for Communications Department

Photo for Communications Departments

Photo for Communications Departments

#494 Tidbits

Here are some tidbits this week:

1. I met with someone about a teaching project this week and he told me about LOCR – ”locate your photos”. It seems like a great site to explore – load a photo and some geo placement and it provides you with all kinds of geo and wikipedia content about your landscape.

2. We have been working on a secret project this summer. It’s been a lot of work but will have big benefits for our clients and students. Code named “Preston!” Stay tuned…

3. This week we will be teaching a prototype film photo workshop and our Photography for Communications Professionals as a custom course to a government department. Good news!

Photography for Communications Professionals

Photography for Communications Professionals

#492 Photoshop CS5 Review

Ok, ok, those who know me, know I preach “get it right in the camera, save time in post processing.

It’s true. Spend a little time making sure everything is as good as possible before clicking can save hours in Photoshop.

Recently Photoshop CS5 was launched and I have heard some good reviews. Time for an upgrade at Harry, Inc., I think.

Read the CS5 review at Photo District News

How much tweaking do I do? Depends on the assignment!

Read the Exposed! photo Newsletter –“Cheating or Tweaking” for views on post processing.

Post Processing - Icelandic Horses

Post Processing - Icelandic Horses

#490 R&R

We took a few days off over Canada Day to Rest & Relax.

It’s very important. And I sometimes need to take the R&R more seriously.

We spent some time:

• in a canoe exploring the Rideau Canal system

• cheering at TWO small town Canada Day parades

• at a cottage

• with no camera whatsoever and very limited access to computers or phones.

It was nice.

Rideau Canal Photo

Rideau Canal Photo from a previous expedition

#487 Good news!

We are very pleased to say we will be again be offering a fall photo workshop with David Trattles in Ottawa.

Photographer David Trattles

Photographer David Trattles

Dave is a leading social documentary photography – published widely and well traveled. His work is defined by people and their stories:”All photography that involves people. Documentary, Travel, Portrait and Weddings.”

David Trattles photo

David Trattles photo

David’s workshops have sold out every time he comes to Ottawa. He wows participants with a mix of experiential stories, new ideas and critique:

“My biggest photo self discovery on this course was that I needed to be a little “messy”. My work was too “square” and “nice” as David put it.” Jessie

“I really appreciated the challenge Dave gave me to see outside my photographic box. I feel a lot freer from my viewfinder, squaring images up and having everything in focus!” Ross

“Harry – thank you for introducing me to David.  This course has changed the way I take photographs.  More importantly it has changed the way I see myself and the world around me.”  Prasad

Interested? Please contact us to sign up.

#483 Fast car photos

Remember the Luskville Dragway shoot for Ottawa Magazine?

It hit the news stands recently featuring fun summer options around Ottawa. There was a full page from the shoot of the race cars. I was pretty pleased.

And, speaking of fast cars, tomorrow I will be shooting part of the Ferrari Festival as part of Italian week on Preston Street in Ottawa. My shoot will be at Calabogie Motorsports Club. Very fun!

Stay tuned for updates.

Luskville Dragway Photo

Luskville Dragway Photo

#482 Kids photography

On Tuesday night Christine Denis finished the Photographing Children Workshop in Ottawa.

It was the first time we have offered this course but it went very well! Christine commented on her blog:

I’m so happy to report that the workshop participants went from knowing nothing about how their camera worked… to shooting in full Manual Mode for the practical session.

It went so well that we are hosting the workshop again in September – people are already on the list . The dates are September 14, 18, 21. Contact us to register!

Some photos from the session on Saturday:

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa - Christine Denis

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa - Christine Denis

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa - Christine Denis

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa - Christine Denis

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa - Christine Denis

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa - Christine Denis