#1128 – Recent Photo Teaching!

Posted on November 28, 2016 by admin

I changed directions a few years ago – more toward traditional teaching but I still get requests to teach one-on-one or small photo classes.

This fall I taught my most popular classes to individuals who came knocking. I spent a half day with each person covering Creative Fundamentals and Natural Light Portraits.

Portrait photography course © Chris Payant.

Creative Fundamentals began inside a beautiful building and we ventured outside to explore some of central Ottawa’s visual appeal.

For Natural Light Portraits Chris practiced on the teacher preparing for an actor to come and “model” for her camera.

Portraits © Chris Payant

“I cannot thank you enough for the session yesterday. I learned so much and I had fun! You certainly know how to challenge me just enough and you are a gifted teacher. I sent some sneak peaks to [the model] and she is thrilled!”

Smiles all around!
A big thanks to everyone for the fun!

#1090 World Press Photo Winners 1955-2011

Posted on July 23, 2014 by admin

Last blog post we announced the arrival of the World Press Photo Exhibition at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Past Winning Photos
Since then I discovered a site showing the winning photos of the award from 1955-2011. The photos give an idea of what to expect from this year’s exhibition.

WARNING!: Some photos in the link above show scenes of conflict or portray challenging situations that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Local World Press Award WInner
Ottawa’s own David Barbour, below, won a World Press Award in 1986 for a photograph taken in Egypt for CIDA.

Exhibition Details
This year’s exhibition runs from July 25th to August 21st, 2014 at the Canadian War Museum. It’s free!

Ottawa’s David Barbour – 1986 World Press Award winner

#1062 Web Distractions!!

Posted on April 1, 2014 by admin

Welcome back to our current instalment of Web Distractions. And thanks for your part in sharing your finds on the web!

We have a full slate of photo and arts based web investigations.

• “Absurdly Expressive” dog portraits
I love dogs!
And I think Debbie S. knows it. She shared this collection of canine portraits.
🙂

dogs!

• Best photographers in film
Thanks to Rod MacIvor, retired photojournalist, for this link to some amazing films involving photographers.

• 4500km China walk – with camera
Nichole McGill provided this link to a man’s amazing photo trek through China…

• “Leica photography is dead.” … interesting view on an amazing camera line-up
Dave Andrews posted this link link. Interesting…

• Illegal photo taking in Hungary – the controversy!
Nathalie Madore shared this link to a new Hungarian law that’s shaking things up!

• Shy photographer gets noticed
Ken H offers this fun story…

• Montreal’s underground photographic beauty
Danigirl brought us this look at what lurks, beautifully, under Montreal.

• Vivian Maier’s hidden photo talent and collection
Liz links to this documentary of a hidden talent who wanted nothing to do with the fame she is generating! Amazing story…

A big thank-you to contributors! Keep sharing your photo and arts links!

DavidBarbour.com with his Leica

#1051 DIY Portraits at the photo studio

Posted on February 23, 2014 by admin

The studio was filed with giggles and smiles.
It always happens when we host DIY Portraits.

DIY Portraits – Ottawa Studio Works

Families and groups have been taking advantage of our unique service – we set up the studio lights and equipment at our photo studio. And our guests plug in their own SLR cameras.

After a quick tutorial and test shot the group is in charge of their own portrait session. They shoot their own portraits or use a remote release to take their group shot.

Family Portraits – DIY – Ottawa Photo Studio

The Result?
Some fine, self-directed portraits and a super-fun family, corporate or group experience.

DIY guests walk away with their memory card full of their portraits to print, share and post as they please!

Interested?
We offer this service for special times of the year like Christmas and Mother’s Day but also offer Custom Sessions. The cost depends on a few things: custom dates, family or corporate use.
• Prices start at $150 for an hour of DIY family portraits on a day we offer a series of spots to the public.
• A corporate 75 minute DIY portrait session costs $275 for a booking.

DIY Portraits – Ottawa photo studio

#1048 Stock Photography Assignment – Trip to the Dentist

Posted on February 12, 2014 by admin

A while back I did some work for the Dentist in Commack who were looking to upgrade their online presence.

After consultation and some logistics I went to their office to capture the smiling faces behind the dental practice.

There were more smiling faces when I handed in the work. They were thrilled and so was I – this is my favourite type of photo work – a targeted stock assignment.

Stock photo assignment – Ottawa

stock photography – targeted promotion

Stock photography – Ottawa/Gatineau

#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.

#1040 Learning how to Photograph Events for the Workplace

Posted on January 12, 2014 by admin

Photographing key-note speeches

Years ago a government communications staff member lamented about the quality of photos she had to deal with in her work. She admitted photos often came from staff with intentions better than their photo skills – the reality being there was not always a budget to hire a working photographer.

She suggested we offer a photo course for communications staff that would help people get better pictures of their work events…

… And Photography for Communications Professionals was developed. We have run this course for many, many organizations including Carleton University, Ottawa Airport, Library and Archives Canada, Passport Canada.

The one day photo class includes material from:
• Creative Fundamentals
• Natural Light Portraits
• years of shooting events
and packages it in a format geared to communications staff from government and large organizations.

Photographing podium speeches

The Format
1. There is a classroom section covering equipment, theory and challenges like consent forms.
2. A hands-on, practical session gives participants a safe environment to develop skills photographing:
• staff portraits
• podium speeches
• tricky lighting scenarios typical of events
• with and without the use of flash.

“Photography for Communications Professionals is the perfect length, perfect structure, and perfect information for government photographers. One of the best teachers I’ve ever experienced.”
A.P.

Details
This course is offered as a class and as a custom course for individuals or groups.

Group Course:
Wednesday, March 19; 8:30-4:30
Location:
• Morning: Classroom to be determined
• Afternoon: On Location shooting in central Ottawa/Hull
$600/person + any location costs

Custom Course
Available anytime schedules permit.
One person; full day: $775 + any location costs
Groups – please contact us for pricing
Location: Anything is possible. We can meet at your location or we can arrange locations.

Join us! Register online at the bottom of this link.

Photographing in tricky lighting conditions

#1035 New Seminar – Portrait Retouching Process with Blair Gable!

Posted on December 16, 2013 by admin

Based on past popularity Blair Gable is back with a new seminar – the portrait retouching process!

Capturing a portrait in-camera is one set of technical skills. Processing is a skill set that requires a whole new set of skills.

Join Blair as he shares skills he’s developed while shooting for clients like MacLean’s, Reuters and Globe and Mail.

Portrait Retouching - Ottawa photo class

Details
February 22nd, 2014
Time – 4 hours
$100 (+tax) for a 4 hour safari with one of Canada’s leading photojournalists.
Central Ottawa.

Join us!
Register online at the bottom of this page.

Portrait Retouching with Blair Gable

#1019 On Location Lighting with Blair Gable – Review

Posted on November 6, 2013 by admin

In October we offered On Location Lighting with Blair Gable.

Apparently, it went well:
“It’s the best class I’ve taken, by far (this is my 11th photo class.)”
GM – her first course at HarryNowell.com!

We do our best to bring you the best in photo workshops!

Students came with a mix of backgrounds but many were new, working photographers, advanced amateurs and past students looking to advance their skills.

A big thanks to Blair and his crew for sharing his talents and space.

Stay tuned… Blair will be back for 2 more photo seminar/safaris new dates coming soon – iPhone photography and Post Processing with Photoshop.

studio photography class - Ottawa/Gatineau

“It was a great way to boost my creativity – to push myself to try new things.”
RG

“I just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic experience. Not only did I gain a lot from the class environment, I also gained a lot from the one on ones I had Blair.”
ML

“Good fun, very informative and inspiring to be more creative.”
Anon.

#1017 Winner!!

Posted on November 1, 2013 by admin

Last week we offered photo tips on better self portraits.
Seems we hit a hot topic!

We also asked you to share YOUR Selfies and we promised we would post one on the blog.

Virginia sent us her Selfie below.

We liked the creative element immediately and, in the end, it was the ‘different’ and fresh perspective that won us over… and won her a three month free membership on our Online Photo Program.

The other entries were strong and fun. We always have a tough time choosing!
Thanks for entering.

And congratulations to Virginia!
Watch for her photo tip on PrimePhotoTips, soon!