#623 Where are they now?

Posted on May 22, 2011 by admin

We recently asked some ProProgram graduates what they have done since graduating from the Program. We were impressed!

Today we feature Scott Martin who finished his program in 2010. He started his program and quickly developed a passion for music photography. That seems to have done well – he combined his background in web development, music and photography to develop SpotLightOttawa.com.

Scott says:

“There were a lot of avenues I wished to explore with my photography. The problem was, I was feeling pulled in too many directions. I needed a starting point. For me, that was music. I’ve been a music junkie since I was 13. I love discovering new music/bands, and going to live shows. Tagging along with friends to Ireland 10 years ago for their weeklong tour was the reason I bought my first digital camera. So music it was.

SpotlightOttawa.com

Earlier this year, I had someone from a media relations company contact me asking if I wanted to attend one of their artist’s shows and do something with the artist. It seemed open ended. What did that mean?? I enquired about an interview. Granted. Oh no!! Now what? I didn’t really want to post interviews on my photography site. I racked my brain for a few days. Because of that initial contact, my online music magazine Spotlight was born.

Four months in and I’m having a ball. We’ll see where it takes me. Being as shy as I am, that first interview was terrifying! I’ve done 4 more since. I’ve attended and photographed many shows. I have met new people. I have taken an interest in learning to become a better writer to post articles on my site. I have never been a fan of the word for word question/answer style written interview.

People talk about doing personal projects to help grow your photography. This online music magazine is my personal project.

It has opened up a new creative path in my life. Writing? Interviews? These aren’t things I envisioned myself doing a couple of years ago, but I’m having fun with it all. I hope I’m helping to introduce people to the great music coming out of Ottawa, as well as some of the great artists we have coming to Ottawa to perform.“

Nice work, Scott. He’s grown well in many ways – photography, networking, contacts and business – all part of the ProProgram!

#618 New Photo Safaris in Ottawa

Posted on May 11, 2011 by admin

They’re back! We have two new photo safaris coming up in July. Each safari presents a new challenge with interesting events combined with photo support in central Ottawa.

Bike Race Photo Safari

The first one involves fast paced action at a ‘behind the scenes’ bike race. This training race sends elite or sub elite cyclists around a closed loop where they test nerves, technical skills… and your cameras. Expect speed, fast paced corners and tight packs of well oiled machines.

Join us as we get close to the action with a pack of cyclists passing you every 90 seconds – perfect for perfecting fast paced photo skills. We meet for approximately two and a half hours to test your photo skills and challenge your photo friends in a race that will test the best photographers!

$65 + tax

July 12th; 6-8:30pm, Ottawa (Rain date: July 19th; 6-8pm)

Ottawa Bike Race Photo Safari

Fire Breathing, Unicycle Riding, Flaming Juggler Photo Safari

In July we explore the world of the unusual. Jugglers tossing flaming chainsaws? Acrobats? Clumsy clowns? Who knows what crazy performances we will find. We DO know the antics will challenge you and your cameras

Join us to discover some acts of daring and delight while performers perform for your cameras.

$65 + tax

July 29th, 5:30-8:00 (Rain date August 1, 5:30-8:00)

Fire-Breathing, Unicycle-Riding, Flaming Juggler Photo Safari!

#616 ‘Tis the season

Posted on May 5, 2011 by admin

We’ve started shooting the spring/summer season for our art clients.

This spring I have continued a personal project of following streams-creeks-rivers in search of shooting locales. It’s fun, muddy and eye opening. I have spent a couple of weeks exploring by foot without cameras to find new shooting locations. The camera has just started coming out.

For this work I use medium and large format film cameras.

What? Why?

I am printing these guys big and, really, there’s little comparison between any digital slr and a 4×5 slide once it’s blown up big and inspected in fine detail.

Film is more challenging and an important part of the artistic process. Film slows you down and forces more precision. A few hours may produce 5-10 photos with 0-1 stunning success.

Art photography film photography

#614 This week – Social Documentary Photographer in Ottawa

Posted on May 1, 2011 by admin

It’s a big week this week.

David Trattles is descending on Ottawa for his Photojournalism and Social Documentary Photo Workshop and his Photo Exhibition and Print Sale.

Exhibit – One Night Only!:

Saturday May 7th; 8pm. Boxing Ladies Presentation – 9pm

OttawaStudioWorks.com

160 Preston St. Ottawa

© David Trattles - Elvis visits the Yukon

He’s had a busy month. He returned in the last few days from a month of shooting, exploring and cycling for people stories in India.

But he returned to New York City to photograph for Bike New York (an amazing cycling, social event in the Big Apple).

He arrives in Ottawa this week for his photography classes and exhibit at OttawaStudioWorks.com with fresh stories and new visions.

© David Trattles - Art Photography Exhibition - Boxing Ladies

His photo workshop is always well attended leaving students with new photo ideas and sore smile/laugh muscles (it’s an entertaining class!)

His photo exhibit on Saturday May 7th features work from around the world exploring people’s stories. At 9pm he shows a free presentation of the Boxing Ladies – a collection of work about poor Muslim women looking to create a better life for themselves through boxing.

Guaranteed fun.

#613 New photo course dates

Posted on April 28, 2011 by admin

We are starting to line up the late summer and fall workshops based out of our Ottawa photo studio.

Over the summer we are working on some safaris – early last summer we were planning two adventures that turned into a photo trek in the Laurentians developed with a student who wanted something different than a workshop. This year we have more fun in the works – stay tuned.

Results from last summer's student photo expedition

Later in the summer we are hosting one of our longest running workshops – Natural Light Portraits. Many, many, many students have learned the secrets of portraiture: optimizing available light managing your subjects to get natural smiles, flash… Mark your calendars for August 24th, 27th, 31st for better people pictures.

Natural Light Portrait Photo Class

In the fall we have set dates for our most popular workshop, by far – Creative Fundamentals. This adventure helps new photographers and intermediate shooters create better photos by mastering the basic elements of photography – such as understanding exposure, learning to manipulate depth of field, getting a handle on theory and practice of composition. We start with the most simple building blocks and build from there. September 7, 10, 14, 2011.

Digital fundamentals photo class - Ottawa & Gatineau Park

Understanding exposure and focus depth in Creative Fundamentals - Gatineau Park

Coming up later in the fall is Night Light, one of my favourite photo workshops. Why? The lights at night offer opportunities that can make your eyeballs fall out. Stay tuned for dates to be set in October. We offer this once a year only.

Night Light Photography Workshop - Ottawa

And in November Photography for Communications Professionals helps corporate communicators learn to capture photos on the job.

Photo workshop for government communicators - Ottawa

Learning to shoot at a press conference

We have other, new photo classes in development. Stay tuned.

And, once again, we’d like to thank Patrick Gordon Framing for helping keep this blog and the newsletters coming to you!

Patrick Gordon Framing

#612 Reader’s Photo of the Month

Posted on April 27, 2011 by admin

That’s done it.

We have been deliberating for a couple of days. We recently started the Reader’s Photo of the Month. We choose a photo from reader’s submissions based on the photo but also the supporting commentary.

We don’t care what specific camera, lens or how many mega-zooples your processor zapped.

We do care about your inspiration, creative process and perhaps some minor technical info.

Read the guidelines.

Send us a photo for next month’s Reader’s Photo of the Month.

Darrell Larose won top spot this month for his version of a classic – see a larger version of Darrell’s portrait:

Reader's photo of the month

“Inspired by Karsh’s John F. Kennedy portrait.

I always liked this study (of Kennedy by Karsh), the fact reinforced when I held this original 11×14 photo in my hand. To see an original Karsh can’t be described. For a portrait photographer it is truly holding the Holy Grail. My self-portrait was inspired in terms of lighting and the profile. I opted not to be praying but I think I got the lighting close.

I opted to replicate Ilford FP-4 (my personal favourite B&W film)

I add just a hint of brown-sepia to emulate Agfa Portriga warm tone FB photo paper.”

Thanks Darrell.

His was chosen as this month’s Photo of the month.

Why?

We liked the lighting and technical elements, inspiration and homage to a classic portrait, photographer and medium. I have a spot for film photography and although Darrell shot this digitally he tips his hat to film.

Thanks Darrell and to all the people that sent in a photo.

Please try again in May.

#608 Student Success!

Posted on April 17, 2011 by admin

France Rivet of Polar Horizons joined our ProProgram a little over a year ago. She had specific goals to help her photography business – built around a love for the polar regions – to grow.

France came, learned and grew, enormously!

Help us send her congratulatory cheers as she graduates from the ProProgram. See her photos and visit PolarHorizons.com

France shares her recent photo experiences and photos:

“I first heard about the ProProgram in the fall of 2009 when you came to talk about stock photography & Iceland. Hearing one of your first pro-program students, Nathalie Madore, & you talk, I quickly realized that it was a program I could definitely benefit from.

Student Success - France River - Photo Course Graduate

About a year earlier, I had decided to make a drastic career change and wanted photography to be a major part of my new career path. I had so much to learn not only on how to improve my photography skills but also about the business side of things.

The ProProgram was a wonderful opportunity to benefit from the experience of someone who had gone through the process, who was willing to share his knowledge, skills, etc. Less than a month later I was registered.

Student Success – France Rivet Photo Course Graduate – Gatineau

The main benefits I got from joining the program include :
• My photography skills have undoubtebly improved. I feel a lot more confident. This year is the first time that some of my images made the short list of a provincial-level photography contest. I couldn’t believe it when I was told that not just one but three of my four images submitted had been selected.

• I have explored brand new areas of photography. I can’t wait to photograph new scenes, new destinations at the magical time of day.

Student Success - France Rivet - Photo Course Graduate - Gatineau

• I have learned so much through the ProProgram by being in contact with various individuals who are passionate about photography. Sharing our experiences is so beneficial. Some of the “second degree” contacts I have made following my participation in the ProProgram workshops have had a major impact on my photography and new long-lasting friendships were born.

• Shadowing was a fun and most beneficial exercise of the program. It forced me to meet established photographers and learn from their own way of doing things. Chatting about their life experiences, about their successes or failures proved to be most useful.

Student Success - France River - Photo Class Graduate - Gatineau

• Both the workshops and the shadowing have helped me identify where I really want (and where I do not want) to take my photography.

• I always appreciated the fact that whenever I sent you a question by email, the reply came in a timely fashion. Every time, I was amazed at how detailed the answer was. You had obviously taken the time and effort to provide me with more information. You have always been very open to sharing your knowledge.”

Student Success - Photography Course Graduate - Ottawa/Gatineau

Student Success - France Rivet - Photo Course Graduate - Gatineau

Merci, France – I am always happy to see someone progress like you have in your ProProgram!

Félicitations!

#606 Farm Photo Safari

Posted on April 12, 2011 by admin

Join us for our Farm Photo Safari coming up as we explore the world of sheep shearing, working dogs, pigs and cows.

Farm Photo Safari - Ottawa

Meet new friends. Learn photo tips as we visit a working demo farm in the region.

We spend two and a half hours walking and exploring life on the farm with your camera and a group.

We have arranged special access to photograph a working dogs in action. There will also be some sheep shearing, cows, goats, horses and smiling faces.

Farm Photo Safari - Ottawa

Date:
Sunday, May 22, 2011; 9am-11am.

Location:
We shoot at a farm in the Ottawa area!

Cost:
$65 + taxes for the photo safari.

#604 Sugarbush Photo Safari

Posted on April 7, 2011 by admin

A couple of weeks ago we visited Fulton’s Pancake House & Sugar Bush in the Ottawa Valley near Pakenham for a delicious photo safari.

Fulton's Sugar Shack and Pancake House

Participants arrived for breakfast and then warmed up their cameras to capture the sweet photos of the sugarbush.

Sugarbush Photo Safari - Ottawa Valley

People explored, clicked, and ended their photo session with a sleigh ride.

And then the photos came in. See the fun!????

We have another safari lining up for May – stay tuned – we’ll be announcing that on Monday.

Sugarbush Photo Safari - learning about sap!

Sugarbush Photo Safari - Ottawa Valley

What’s the difference between a Photo Safari and a Photo Workshop?:

• A safari emphasizes fun and friends with some photo guidance and tips included. They are short and inexpensive.

• On a workshop the emphasis is on learning specific photo skills. Fun is always included. Photo workshops are more intensive, longer and are usually more costly.

Sugarbush Photo Safari - Ottawa Valley

A big thank-you to participants, Fulton’s and Alain for helping pull this together.

Sugarbush Photo Safari - Ottawa Valley

Ottawa Sugarbush lines