#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

#448 Photo Workshop Reviews

In the last couple of weeks we have completed a number of photo courses in Ottawa:

Photography for Communications Professionals – Participants from communications departments shared experiences and developed skills to make them shine! Some feedback:

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. – Ottawa

Printing with Dave Andrews – we had a full house for our first workshop with Dave Andrews. Smiles developed and light bulbs popped as participants learned to navigate their way through printing perplexities.

Night Light Photo Course – aside from an unexpectedly chilly evening we had perfect weather for exploring the changing magic of lights at night. Monique offered a couple of successes for the blog, below – Thanks Monique!

Missed your chance to participate this spring? Watch for all these photo courses to appear again in Ottawa in the fall of 2010.

Night Light Photo Course - OttawaNight Light Photo Course – Ottawa
Night Light Photo Course - Ottawa

Night Light Photo Course - Ottawa

#436 Urban Landscapes Photo Workshop

Announcing a new workshop – Urban Landscapes.

Urban Landscapes Photo Workshop - Ottawa

Urban Landscapes Photo Workshop - Ottawa

The course is a popular addition to Creative Fundamentals and Natural Light Portraits to round out a photographer’s base knowledge.

New or returning students are challenged to:

  • observe more closely
  • experiment with lighting opportunities
  • expand their ideas about composition

We explore two regions of central Ottawa/Gatineau searching for available invisibilities. Huh? Things that are visible but not noticed.

A past Urban Landscape student said:

“I finally got it. Thanks Harry. You are very gifted with the ability to teach!”
C.K. Ottawa

Visit Urban Landscapes to register.

#435 ProProgram Pride

We run the ProProgram designed for people looking to turn a passion into a career. We have nine ProProgrammers coming from all backgrounds – all looking to earn a living at what they do.

Last week we sent the group a ProProgram update to keep everyone abreast of the group’s successes – there is power in numbers – a supportive network is valuable.

Some excerpts from the student’s updates:

  • After releasing its new website at the end of January, Polar Horizon’s blog is now online. We have also started being active in the social media world. You can also follow us on Twitter and on our “Bitten by the arctic bug” group on Facebook. polarhorizons.com/blog
  • “I am launching my new site tonight…”
    www.scottmartinvisuals.com
  • It’s been a busy and exciting couple months. My website is under construction. It’s been a constant learning curve but I feel challenged, energized and feel I have progressed considerably in the past 6 months….and I’m looking forward to the next 6!!!”
  • Life has changed so much for me since I started the Pro Programme  last October.   I have completed 4 workshops which I have found challenging, not only have I learnt about the technical side but an awful lot about myself.
    I have had my first job, I have bookings  in April and a possible wedding in August. I start shadowing next month 2 afternoons a week  which will be a fantastic experience.”

Check some of the ProProgrammers websites:

Other Programmer sites are coming soon! Visit their sites and cheer them on!

They make me proud!

#430 Custom Course Completion – Photography for Communications Professionals

Today we spent the day teaching a one-on-one session to a client who wanted to take the Photography for Communications Professionals course on his own turf at his own speed.

Part of his job is to photograph internal events and new staff including visits by ministers and dignitaries. That’s scary stuff!

We spent the day covering the material that applied directly to his work in the locations he shoots while demystifying the challenges he faces.

We finished the day smiling and he asked about more sessions.

That’s my kind of day!

The group session of Photography for Communications Professionals is coming up March 24th, 2010. There are just a few spots left.

Photography for Communications Professionals - Ottawa

Photography for Communications Professionals - Ottawa

#429 New Workshop – Photographing Children

We are excited to be offering some lucky people the chance to improve their child photography skills.

The ‘Photographing Children Workshop’ with Family Photographer Christine Denis helps parents and grandparents capture once in a lifetime moments.

Photographing children workshop - Ottawa

Photographing children workshop - Ottawa

Join us with your SLR or point-and-shoot camera by learning:

  • technical capabilities of your DSLR or point-and-shoot camera
  • storytelling concepts
  • fundamentals to help you better capture your children
  • basics of post processing your images
  • storing, backing up, printing, creating albums, and digital scrapbooking

Dates
Tuesday, June 8th – 6-9pm
Saturday, June 12th – 9-3pm
Tuesday, June 15th – 6-9pm

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa

Location
Central Ottawa, Ontario for all dates

Cost
$375 + applicable taxes

Space is limited!

Reserve your spot with a $118.12 deposit and a complete registration form.Contact us for more information and to register.

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa

Photographing Children Workshop - Ottawa

#423 Ten years of teaching photography

It occurred to me recently we are entering our tenth year of teaching photography at HarryNowell.com.

In my youth I loved being outside and active and going FAST – mountain bikes, road bikes, xc skis, telemark skis, running, paddling, etc. With time I got some skills and started teaching under the pedagogical direction of many different sport’s guiding bodies.

Mountain bike photo

Mountain bike photo

I also worked as an instructor for Outward Bound where I assisted people in challenging their limits in life through outdoor pursuits – climbing, paddling whitewater, canoe tripping, etc.

Climbing photo

Climbing photo

Eventually, after a couple of failed attempts at getting in to Teacher’s College, I pursued photography. Years into photography a friend, Shoshona, asked “Have you ever thought of teaching photography?

Teaching photography

Teaching photography

Bing!

It was a natural progression. I had extensive experience being taught how to teach with many teaching certifications. And I had learned photography the hard way – being self taught I knew the frustrations of learning a challenging skill!!

So in 2001 I offered HarryNowell.com’s first photo workshop – it is now our most popular workshop – Creative Fundamentals. That first session started in our dining room with a class of TWO students – Brian and Heather.

Teaching Photo

Teaching Photo

There is a new facebook page started by a past student for past students (you may need to log into facebook first). There are many kind testimonials and many new workshops since 2001!

Here’s to many more years and many more smiling students!