#1049 Winter and Spring Photo Classes

Posted on February 17, 2014 by admin

Our line-up of winter and spring photography courses is almost complete!

Better photos @ HarryNowell.com photo classes

For those close to Ottawa and Gatineau, we’re offering something for everyone:
• a course for communications staff to create better work-based photos
• Macro workshop (almost full) and tulip safari with Louise Tanguay
• Smart phone photography with Blair Gable
• Creative Fundamentals – our most popular course to help people with the basics of photography plus an advanced fundamentals course for those wanting fundamentals support but more than the basics.

For those further afield we offer our Online Photo Program – all you need is a good internet connection and a desire to learn from our members!

… And there are more courses listed and soon to be announced. Stay tuned…

Better pictures through HarryNowell.com

#1047 Photo Art – Sun Streaks

Posted on February 9, 2014 by admin

I’ve been enjoying my new, hand built, 8×10, large format camera – I’ve been using the camera for a few different art projects.

8×10 large format camera – hand built

My large format sun streaks continues, sourcing an old pre-photography chemistry medium that’s supposed to be used without a camera – just light and paper. It took much experimentation to make the chemical process work in a big enormous camera.

The photo below tracks the sun’s arc across the sky above a beautiful church. The process is long, involved and best captured on clear, cold winter days when the sun’s arc is gentle.

Stay tuned!

Sun Streaks – photo art

#1045 Five Reasons to Leave your Tripod at Home

Posted on January 29, 2014 by admin

Some photo students secretly roll their eyes when I suggest they bring out their tripods. I can feel their loathing as they pull out the cumbersome, heavy, boring tripods.

In this month’s photo newsletter we offer FIVE reasons to leave the tripod at home. We also offer just one reason to bring it. And then we leave the decision whether to haul the tripod out up to you!

Read this month’s Exposed! photo newsletter…

Winter Landscapes

#1044 – Online Photo Program – Black & White Environmental Portraits

Posted on January 26, 2014 by admin

Online Photo Program – © Al Garner

We had a good crop of member photos from this month’s online photo challenge.

As usual, we set a photo challenge every month and we feed tips, links and videos throughout the month as members do their best to produce photos for the monthly critique.

Online Photo Class – © Barb McK.

This month we offered a DOUBLE challenge:
1. Environmental Portraits – photos of someone working/living in their natural environment.
2. Member photos had to be in Black & White – either converted in post processing or shot on film.

The private Facebook forum buzzed as members posted photos, offered criticism, ideas and encouragement.

Online Photo Program – © Gilles G.

The whole process helps photographers grow. Comments this month:

• “I had lots of fun this month. I wasn’t too confident coming into this month’s challenge. After posting my three pictures on the Facebook forum and receiving such helpful and positive feedback, I felt much better. What a great community!”

Online Photo Course – © Brooke B.

• “There is zero chance that I would have taken these shots without the online photography program. I think the monthly assignments are starting to have a cumulative effect and my photography is steadily improving. I think I get the biggest bang for my buck from the online program. Keep it coming!”

Online Photo Course – © April L.

• “I have been learning for over 6 months through one-on-one Creative Fundamental course, Lightroom course and the On-line Program which I absolutely love.

These courses combined, have taken my photography to a whole new level. I have learned so much and I have a much better appreciation to the complexities and creative side to photography and, I am having so much fun.

Thanks so much Harry. I am still learning and I will be for a long time. You are an exceptional teacher.“Good work this month, members!

Want better photos?
Join us!

Online Photo Program – © Cheryl K

Online Photography Course – © Morina R.

#1041 La Fab Fundraiser – Art to Support Renos!

Posted on January 16, 2014 by admin

La Fab is a Chelsea Arts Centre representing many artists from the region. The centre is housed in the rectory of St Stephen’s Church.

The building needs some renovations and we’re having a fundraiser.
Visit La Fab next week to buy some fine art – at least 50% of proceeds go to the support the renovations of La Fab.

I have 4 pieces in the show including the shot below. Buy some fine art and support La Fab and the artists!

Join us…

La Fab
212, Old Chelsea road
Old Chelsea, Quebec

Vernissage:
Thursday, January 23rd from 5 pm to 7 pm
and continues until Feb. 2nd…

Hockey photography

#1038 Web Distractions

Posted on January 6, 2014 by admin

We’ve been away from the blog while we recharged batteries over the holidays.
Thanks for the fun last year.
Welcome back!

Thanks to you we have a whole new slate of web distractions.
• 2013 in Pictures
Felix offers this look at 2013 in photos.

• Find a darkroom worldwide
Dave Andrews offered this link – need a darkroom while traveling?

• Fabulous photos
Ginny Fobert posted this link about photographer’s favourite photos.

• Death of Photography
Yan H. offered this interesting read on the future of photography.

• “The photography teacher nobody wants”
Claude Brazeau suggested this link exposing the finest teacher of photography. I agree.

Keep the links coming – hope to see you soon!

#1034 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – Printing Your Photos at Home!

Posted on December 12, 2013 by admin

Printing Your Photos at Home!

Recently, I was approached by a biplane pilot I had photographed years ago for a stock assignment. He wanted reprints and I offered a digital file and permission to reproduce…

He wanted to print the photo at home.
That makes me nervous!
Why?

Printing is tougher than people realize and I often hear “the printer is broken” or “the file is bad.” Usually, the problem is somewhere else… and this month we help you navigate the printing process to help you decide what to do.

#1032 “Watershed” Project from the Big Camera

Posted on December 8, 2013 by admin

I’ve been working on the Watershed collection since 2001 – large beautiful prints of a little creek in Chelsea that happens to run behind our home. I’ve now followed it about 14 km with panoramic, medium and large format film equipment – capturing the very different facets of the waterway and the interrelationships with everything that it’s connected to.

It’s been a long project. Much of the work is hanging in an exhibition space at Ottawa International Airport.

Recently, as many of you know, I built an 8×10 large format camera. And I’ve started taking it out to the Watershed. It’s a lot of work – the new camera (including tripod) weighs about almost 14kg (approx 30 pounds) but the results are beautiful.

The whole point of an 8×10 camera is the beauty of enormous prints attributable to the large piece of film capturing every scrap of detail.

I’ve been using the camera in a different way. I am putting light sensitive paper (instead of traditional film) in the camera.
Quoi?

The ‘film’ I place in the camera is the final product that hangs on your wall.
Each photo is an original.

Also, there is NO post processing or darkroom manipulation to correct or enhance. The finished art comes straight from the camera and is a test of my camera skills and a showcase of my preferences at time of shooting.

I love it.

Interested in the art work?
Let me know…

8×10 print – straight from the camera, literally

#1030 Special Deal on the Online Photo Challenge

Posted on December 4, 2013 by admin

In light of the festive season where many people are challenged to find meaningful gifts we offer you a special deal on our Online Photo Program.

Yippee!

Limited Time Special Offer
We’re offering a special deal to help you buy a worthwhile gift while saving you some $money.
• Six month membership is normally $195 + HST.
• Until Saturday December 14th, we’re offering six months for only $160 + HST.
Register now!

What’s so good about our online class?
Well… Let me count the ways:
1. Challenge!
Each new monthly challenge offers photographers a reason to practice and grow.
2. It’s interactive!
Every month we present material, you submit photos, I offer critique and EVERYbody has the opportunity to share on the Private Facebook group!
3. New content every week.
We send an email linking to new content four times each month. Most regular courses last one to eight weeks after which many people’s passions dwindle. Our online program keeps you engaged every week!
4. Better Photos
Yes, your photos will improve.
Erm, I should add it’ll take some effort on YOUR part but we provide a platform that supports your growth in a fun, interactive and supportive way.
Ahem:
“[My photos improved over the last year…] It’s all thanks to you, the course and the forum! I know that I wouldn’t have learnt as much just taking a class here and there. For this, I can’t thank you enough!”

5. It’s cheap!
Cheap like inexpensive, not cheap like crappy!
The normal price works out to $32.50/month. With this special offer it’s even cheaper!
6. Get inspired
There are many members with amazing work.
There are many members grappling with he same challenges that you are, photographically!
On both the program and the interactive, private Facebook forum you will find people to help, inspire and support you!
7. It’s fun!
Yes, it is.
8. There’s a crazy guarantee
If, in the first month, you decide you don’t like it we offer a money back guarantee.

Last month we offered a “Straight from the Camera” challenge. It was designed to help photographers develop better in-camera photos so as not to rely on post processing to fix mistakes.

Members said:
“I realized just how challenging it is to take one’s time in order to get it right. This month has provided me with an even greater appreciation for the craft. Thanks for the great challenge!” MI

“Thanks again for helping me learn more about photography!” CS

Join us or have a loved one join us.
It’s easy.
Special price of $160 + HST lasts only until Saturday December 14th.
Register online right now!
Or read more details… and then join us.

#1029 People’s Choice Award Winner

Posted on December 1, 2013 by admin

We opened our doors to the fourth annual Studio Open House at Ottawa Studio Works.

We offered:
• New works from our Watershed series created with our Large Format Camera.
• Winter and spring workshops
• An exhibition of student photos selected by jury.

Open House – Ottawa Studio Works

Student Photo Show
One visitor asked “Who shot these photos?”
Harry – “Our photo workshop students.”
Visitor – “But they’re good.”
Harry – “Exactly.”

Open House at the photo studio – People’s Choice second place is awarded to Julius Liptak’s “Cuban Patriot” – featured here!

People’s Choice Award!
For the student show we asked visitors to vote for their favourite photo. By the end of the evening we had a decisive and clear winner.

Marie Josée L’s macro shot of droplets suspended on the stamen of a flower won over the Open House visitors. Her photo is the People’s Choice! And for her efforts she wins a free three month session of our Online Photo Program.

Second place went to Julius Liptak’s Cuban Patriot (see above) and there was a very close tie for third: Al Garner’s Green Oasis, Morina Reece’s ‘Vintage’ Portrait and Cheryl Kreis’ Dogs in Flight.

Congratulations to all…

Thanks again for the fun. And thanks to our sponsors who made this show possible:
Artopix.ca
DaveAndrews.ca
PatrickGordonFraming.ca

Thanks to our sponsors!