#465 Royal Ottawa Hospital and Daniel Alfredsson

This weekend was the Royal Ottawa Hospital’s 100th anniversary. I have worked for them covering different events over the years.

On Saturday I covered all kinds of events at the hospital – from lectures to info kiosks to volunteers to ceremonies to the highlight of the day – an appearance by Ottawa Senator’s star Daniel Alfredsson.

Alfredsson is a star on the ice but he also shines brightly in how he gives to community. He helps bring awareness to the often “shush-ed” issues of  mental health.

When I’ve worked events for the hospital I get a little choked up (really) seeing the good work being done and the difference the people at the hospital make.

While I was working Alfredsson was very approachable and down to earth. He’s a superstar – and I am not talking about hockey.

Daniel Alfredsson celebrates Royal Ottawa Hospitals 100th anniversary

Daniel Alfredsson celebrates Royal Ottawa Hospital's 100th anniversary

#464 Pro Program Graduate Announced

It is with great pride that we announce (trumpets start trumpeting) that Nathalie Madore of Madore Photographie has graduated from the Pro Program at HarryNowell.com.

Nathalie’s start

Nathalie joined the ProProgram almost exactly a year ago. When she joined the Program she had some basic skills allowing the camera to take the shots in auto mode and some ideas where she wanted to take her photo business.

Development

From there she starting consuming knowledge, skills and photo ideas voraciously. She learned fast. As part of the Pro Program she is required to learn technical skills, pursue shadowing experience with photographers and check in for One-on-One review, critique, and goal setting sessions.

The Result

We met last week for the final review. She has learned in one year what it took me many years to learn. I am proud of her… and envious about the speed the program allowed her to progress compared to my slow start years ago!

And Nathalie? She said:

A year ago I decided to get serious with my photography and found Harry’s Pro Program. The flexibility and the content of the program made me register and now one year later….. I have graduated.

Since I started the program I learned but it is always an on going process. I have more confidence and a strong base in photography that will stay with me forever. When I look at my pictures before the Pro Program and what I can produce now, there is a huge difference.

I am now in the process of establishing my style as a photographer and getting my name out “MADORE Photographie.” I am still exploring all the aspects of the art.

Thanks to Harry – for his teaching and all the skills and secrets that he passed on to me. I will always respect him as a photographer but even more as a great human being.

Check her graduation post on her blog (en francais).

Félicitations Nathalie!

Nathalie in action on the Pro Program:

Nathalie Madore - self portrait

Nathalie Madore - self portrait

Nathalie Mador in action

Nathalie Mador in action

Nathalie Madore in action

Nathalie Madore in action

#462 Creative Fun

We have just finished two full Creative Fundamentals photo workshops in Ottawa and three individual Custom Courses based on Creative Fun.

It is our most popular workshop.

Why?

It starts with the fundamentals and builds from there. It caters to photographers from beginner to solid intermediates.

Such a range?!

Yes, beginners learn a lot and many intermediates have never learned the basics:

Many years ago I was waiting to pick up some film and the man in front of me – a self proclaimed life time (hobby) photographer – was lamenting his ‘dull’ medium format slides shot while visiting a far northern military base.

He explained the lacklustre shots were due to the snowstorms swirling while he was there. One quick peek over his shoulder told me his photos suffered from underexposure caused by:

  • his meter incorrectly reading the bright snow and
  • lack of technical knowledge to adjust for it

Creative Fundamentals teaches photography’s core elements – including the basics needed to get better exposures more of the time – especially in tricky lighting conditions.

Our next Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop is  September 15, 18, 22, 2010. The course can be taken anytime via a Custom Course.

Below are some photos of elements of the course by France Rivet of PolarHorizons.com. Merci, France!

Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop - Ottawa

Testing autofocus skills on a 'swift' moving subject!

Individual critique on the workshop

Individual critique on the workshop

#461 David Trattles Workshop

Starting later this week is David Trattles’ Photojournalism and Social Documentary Photography Workshop.

Last fall was his first session at HarryNowell.com and students loved it. I have known Dave for many years. He is a superstar with people and photography.

The first session is full and the second session – next week – is almost full.

See some student comments/photos from 2009.

Read an interview with David Trattles at Canadian Geographic.

Read Dave’s top tips for photography.

Visit DavidTrattles.com.

© David Trattles

© David Trattles

#460 Eco Core

Remember last week Proulx Brothers asked me to try their Eco Core 3 product for mounting photos?

Well, I got spare time this morning and gave it a try. Now, I was never good at cut-and-paste and I get very squirrelly when doing precision work with fine elements… but this turned out quite well!

Preparation

I trimmed the print to be mounted on the eco friendly core backboard. It took a few slices to get the print just right. I then peeled the paper off the pre glued backboard and took a few deep breaths. (Photos below)

Mounting

The hardest part was lining the print up with the backboard – ’cause once it is stuck, it’s stuck! I took some care and managed to get it lined up pretty well – I was less than a milimetre off in one direction.

Suggestions if you try…

When I do it again I will trim the print to a greater than needed size and trim excess with a sharp knife after it is glued. Doing all this on a backlit lightbox will help, too.

So, it went well – and I would do it again for photos where I need a quick, easy and effective mounting.

Thanks Proulx.

See the steps below – shot quickly, hand-held.

Proulx Brothers Eco Core  mountingStep 1 – Trim the print
Step 2 - Size the print

Step 2 - Size the print

Step 3 - Peel the backing

Step 3 - Peel the backing

Step 4 - Line up and stick

Step 4 - Line up and stick

Step 5 - Enjoy!

Step 5 - Enjoy!

#457 Remember Westboro Academy?

Remember Westboro Academy?

Late last year I did some work for the private school in Ottawa. Their website did not do their school justice!

Recently, though, they invested in a new website that showcases Westboro Academy in a much brighter light using much of the work I shot – there are also some photos we did not provide.

Their website comes across far better and should do well to attract attention.

Have a look at Westboro Academy’s new site to see more!

Westboro Academy

Westboro Academy

#455 Remember Iceland? Amazing volcano photos!

Our partner in Iceland, Kent, just sent us some links to some amazing footage of life in Iceland since the volcanoes.

Some amazing beauty:

Thanks Kent!

It would be an amazing time to be in Iceland with your camera!

Iceland waterfall

Iceland waterfall

#454 Drag Racing at Luskville Dragway

We were asked to do some work at Luskville Dragway, just northwest of Ottawa – to capture some of the fun at this traditional dragstrip. The day’s weather co-operated for the day – it was a test day at the track where people could test and tinker with their machines.

The assignment was editorial and they were looking for a single photo to show some of the action. Below are a couple of the out-takes – ie not the best shots – but a teaser of the types of cars the track caters to – from dragsters to motorcycles to street cars to suped-up roadsters.

Stay tuned – I will announce when you can see more of the work…

Luskville Dragway - Assignment SPotlight

Luskville Dragway - Assignment Spotlight

Luskville Dragway -  Assignment Spotlight

Luskville Dragway - Assignment Spotlight

#452 Steve McCurry – in Ottawa

So, last weekend I did a Custom Photo Course with Luke who had specific questions on some technical photography elements he was working on.

Within half an hour the light bulb popped above his head and he said “Ok – workshop’s over!” – meaning I had helped solve his puzzle. We finished the session (see his photo below) and Luke was pretty pleased:

Thanks again for Saturday – really enjoyed meeting you and I got a lot out of our time together.

What about Steve McCurry?!

Luke also said:

By the way, are you aware that Steve McCurry will be at the Museum of Civilization this Wednesday (April 14th)?  The show starts at 5 and Steve will be speaking at 7:00 p.m.

See the official details. This is a very worthwhile show – if you have any interest in photojournalism or social documentary photo work you should consider going!

Who is Steve McCurry?

Steve McCurry s a well known photojournalist who made a name for himself by entering Afghanistan many years ago with a bag load of cameras and film returning with the start of some iconic portraits – his most famous being the Afghan girl on the cover of National Geographic magazine.

Luke’s photo of, erm, his instructor:

Photo Course Portrait - Ottawa

Photo Course Portrait - Ottawa