Last month we offered our regular monthly newsletter and offered a critique session to the homework challenge we offered.
February’s newsletter was all about perspective – how to show depth in your two-dimensional photos.
Al G, who’s taken many of our workshops, gave his perspective on the subject. We like it! A lot.
Thanks Al. Stay tuned for March’s newsletter, homework challenge and opportunity for critique! Join the photo newsletter list.
Perspective photo critique - © Al Garner
Our photo newsletter hits the airwaves today and with it comes a new option based on the successes of our Online Photo Program – a photo critique!
New Perspectives
Photos are supposed to depict what we see but they cannot show three dimensions.
That’s a problem!
But there are ways to show depth perspective within a photo – and this week we offer photo tips to help you create better photos with depth – read the whole article.
Photo Perspective - tips on depth
New option – photo critique!
This month we are drawing from the successes of our online photo program – people like the program’s video lessons, notes, feedback from the group but they LOVE the group video critique of member’s photos:
Preview an Online Program critique session from the Online Program’s “Closer” challenge. Directs to YouTube…
So, as an introductory offer we are will critique your newsletter homework through a group critique video for $5. See the newsletter for details.
We’ve been running the online photo program for almost a year – helping people make better photos at their own pace. Last month’s challenge for members was ‘white.’
It was a simple challenge – to photograph something white and to have it come out white in their photos.
Try it – it’s not that easy!! Your camera gets fooled by any scene that is predominantly white or black.
Online photo class - © Allan C - classic whites!!
Members of the program learned tips and tools to make their whites white!
This month I was told “This one was tough!”
Other comments:
“Thank you for the push to see everyday things and then turn them into something creative. I liked the white bathroom and the fact that not all wedding dresses are white in your video. … I think that the greatest challenge for me was taking the time just to slow down, think and to really see what is in my day to day environment.”
Online photo course - © Eveline B. - white bubbles
“I questioned the cost before joining. But now that I have completed 3 months I believe that it is an excellent value.”
“The monthly feedback video using Lightroom is the best part; besides receiving technical and composition feedback on your own photos you see how the other students interpret the same assignment.”
“I like the format it works well for me. I’m not an avid or expert photographer but enjoy the monthly challenge which makes me think about composition. I always learn something even though some of the technical stuff is not for me or my camera!”
“I like how hands-on this course is. The monthly topics cover both technical and non-technical aspects of photography. I like the focus of the monthly assignment. I think the pacing of the course is good. You have sufficient time to fully explore the monthly topic and to get useful feedback via the forum.”
“…friends said the course was too expensive. Yet they own $3000 cameras with various high-end glass. Wrong priority for them I think 🙂” ed. note – this is common but it’s like buying a jet airplane and not investing in flying lessons. True, it’s less hazardous skipping the training with a camera but I often see people loaded with expensive equipment take technically poor photos because they do not want to invest in training!
Online photo program - © Cheryl K - white snow!!
This month we introduce ‘simple studio lighting‘ or how to light subjects at home with lights you already have.
Challenging? Yes!
Fun? Yes!
We just surveyed members of the online program and will be using their comments to tweak the program in the next few months to make it more streamlined. Stay tuned!!
This week we ran the Glass Blowing Photo Safari.
It was a welcome warm spot in Ottawa’s cold week! Furnaces and kilns kept us warm as Melody of Flo Glass Blowing heated the place up with glass blowing demonstrations for the group.
Ottawa glass blowing photo safari - © G Larose
The safari was well-received:
“Had a blast taking these shots! Special thanks to Harry to organizes the Best Photo Safaris. I know Harry, ‘Get Closer’.” Cheryl K.
“I had fun and learned a few things, it was a fairly challenging environment.” Gord L.
See more fun photo classes coming up soon.
Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing
Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing
Ottawa glass blowing photo safari - © G Larose
Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing
Ottawa photo class - Glass Blowing
This week we launched Boost your Creativity with Louise Tanguay. Treat your eyes to some of Louise’s photo work!
We’re very pleased to offer two more sessions with Louise this spring:
• Tulip Photo Workshop
• Macro Photography Class
Tulip photography photo class
Tulip Photo Workshop
This mini workshop allows you to soak up the world renowned expertise of Louise Tanguay while shooting one of the finest displays of tulips in North America. Louise’s macro and garden photography has taken her to Hawaii, Europe and throughout Canada.
Spend four hours under Louise’s photo care to help your photos grow into blossoms!
Dates
May 14th, 2013; 7am-11am
Cost
$125 plus HST – minimum of 5
Tulip photography photo class
Looking for more than an appetizer in photographing flowers, bugs and other fine work? Consider the Macro Photography with Louise Tanguay.
Spend three sessions with Louise to take your photography to a new world.
Dates
Monday, May 27th; 8am-noon
Tuesday, May 28th; 8am-noon
Wednesday, May 28th; 8am-noon
Cost
$375 + applicable taxes
macrophotography class - Ottawa
Creativity Workshop wit Louise Tanguay
We’ve just launched a fun, new workshop like we’ve never run before:
Boost your Creativity with Louise Tanguay!
Louise Tanguay, who ran our Macro Photo Workshop last year is running a mid-week workshop to help you boost your creative juices. It combines a photo course with a photo exhibition open to the public!
• Mornings are spent exploring with Louise.
• Afternoons are spent preparing imagery and homework.
• The last day is spent preparing an exhibition of your work for the public at Ottawa Studio Works. Very fun!
Dates
April 8th to April 11th during the day.
Cost
$475 plus HST – minimum of 6
Included are 4 days of instruction and assignments and preparation and participation in a photography show open to your family, friends and the public!
Course Instructor:
Louise Tanguay is predominantly a landscape photographer specializing in capturing subtle beauty. Her photo work has been featured in many magazines around the world. She has many photo books to her credit including two coffee table books – ‘Flora’ and ‘Natura.’
See full details and register!
It’s time to get clicking!
On Sunday we launched the Celebrity, Media (and Public) Photo Contest to raise funds for the Ottawa Food Bank. The event took place at Patrick Gordon Framing (thanks Patrick!)
Ottawa photo course - photo contest launch!
The theme is “Why I love Ottawa Gatineau.”
Ottawa celebrities, media and public arrived to pick up their packages and listen to our presentation of top photo tips to help them succeed in the contest and, really, help raise awareness and funds for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Ottawa photo contest launch - Mayor Jim Watson
After the photo tips Allison Burnett, Professor of a digital marketing course (“Marketing: New Tools & Approaches“) at Carleton University, introduced the public photo contest that will run alongside the celebrity challenge.
Allison Burnett - digital media professor
Anyone can enter online (via Facebook) and can also vote or ‘like’ their favourite photos. The photo with the most likes wins a spot at the final exhibition alongside the celebrity and media photos at Ottawa Studio Works on February 23rd. All photos in the exhibition will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Ottawa Food Bank.
Ottawa photo contest launch - CBC Radio One Host of 'All in a Day' interviews competing photo contestant Danielle Donders - Danigirl.ca blogger.
To enter the contest visit and like this page:
https://www.facebook.com/OttGatLove
… and click on the camera symbol to vote or upload photos.
So, GET CLICKING!
Enter often.
Vote.
And tell your friends.
You have until February 16th to enter!!
Also, follow the fun on twitter using the contest’s hashtag – #OttGatLove
A big, BIG thank-you to Morina Reece, photo course and ProProgram Graduate and for providing the photography for the event!!
Ottawa photo contestants from left Mayor Jim Watson, Sandy Sharkey (BobFM Radio co-host), Peter Tilley (Executive Director - Ottawa Food Bank), Ian Black (CBC climatologist)
Low Down News reporters Lucy Scholey and Trevor Greenway (photo contestant) discussing photo strategy.
Festive Photo Challenge - ©E Black, captured in Victoria, BC.
Our Online Photo Class continues to get good reviews and good photo results.
Last month members were challenged to create Festive Photos. Part of their challenge was to create what that meant! It was more of a creative challenge than a technical one which is often tougher as their is no formula.
As usual the photos surprised me with a mix of lights, people and magic.
Better photos - Online photo challenge - © J Beaumont; captured in Vancouver, BC.
Members worked hard and stretched their limits. One member sent this today:
“Thank you for the push to see everyday things and then turn them into something creative… I think that the greatest challenge for me was taking the time just to slow down, think and to really see what is in my day to day environment.”
If your photography needs a push join our Online Photo Program.
This month members are working on a very technical challenge that often confounds even experienced amateurs – getting whites to be white. I’ve seen a few good early results – their photo submissions are starting to come in.
Online photo course - festive photos - © MMcKenna captured in Ottawa
Yep, we’ve got another graduate from the ProProgram that we’re cheering!!
I first met Morina Reece on our Natural Light Portraits photo class. She was keen to learn as much as possible about photography and people. She then joined the ProProgram which accelerated her learning – not only from a photo aspect but also from a post processing, business, and client aspect.
© Morina Reece - ProProgram graduate
But enough from me. Hear what Morina has to say:
“The ProProgram has been a delightful, adventure!! Harry’s mantras of “get it as right as possible in the camera” and “do something different” has guided all my photography work and to some extent my personal and professional life!
The ProProgram offered me technical, creative, and business resources, advice, guidelines and encouragement. Most importantly, it provided me with a network of photographers (friends) who were and still are exceedingly generous with their time, guidance, and support. They cheer, motivate and provide me with much needed honest and critical critiques of all aspects of my photography business, not to say anything of the many fun times we have together!
"Do something different" - © Morina Reece
The ProProgram brought me from a fledgling amateur to a confident, competent photographer. Although I am graduating, the ProProgram will always be a part of my life, building and reinforcing my photography skills and passion for photography.
Thanks Harry and the gang!”
Thanks Morina! I am proud of you!!
Please join us in cheering for Morina’s work and success in photography.
© Morina Reece - ProProgram graduate
This winter Ottawa media and celebrities hone their photo skills to participate in a photo contest and exhibition at Ottawa Studio Works with an auction of the artworks to support the Ottawa Food Bank.
There’s a chance for member(s) of the public to participate with the media and celebrities. Keep reading!
Ottawa Food Bank photo
How it works:
• Event Launch
Sunday, January 20th, 2013; 10-11:30am
Patrick Gordon Framing
160 Elm Street, Ottawa, Ontario – enter off City Centre Ave.
Everybody is welcome to the launch at Patrick Gordon Framing to:
1. Hear their photo challenge and logistics.
2. Pick up their top photo tips sheet.
3. Learn some photo tips in an on-the-spot photo tutorial to help participants produce the best shots possible.
4. Learn how anybody can enter an online version of the contest
“Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau!”
The 15 celebrity and media participants then have until Monday, January 28th to email us up to three photo entries depicting “Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau!” Their photos will be printed, displayed by our sponsors and auctioned at the final exhibition February 23rd at Ottawa Studio Works.
Enter the Public Contest!
To enter the contest. Visit and like this page:
https://www.facebook.com/OttGatLove
… And click on the camera to submit your photo or vote.
So, GET CLICKING!
Enter often.
Vote.
And tell your friends.
You have until February 16th to enter!!
Also, follow the fun on twitter using the contest’s hashtag – #OttGatLove
"Why I love Ottawa/Gatineau" Ottawa Media and Celebrity Photo Contest
• Final Exhibition and Silent Auction
Saturday, February 23rd, 2013; noon to 8:30pm
Ottawa Studio Works
160 Preston St. Ottawa.
Auction
Thanks to our sponsors, participant photos will exhibited at Ottawa Studio Works where they will be auctioned to the highest bidder with proceeds to aid the Ottawa Food Bank. Donations will also be gladly accepted.
People’s Choice Award
The public will have their chance to vote on their favourite photos.
Visit the studio for your chance to meet the media and celebrities throughout the day on Saturday, February 23rd.
Media and Celebrity Participants:
Sandy Sharkey (co-host, Cub and Company, 839 BOB FM)
Stuntman Stu (Majic 100 Radio Host)
Jim Watson (Ottawa Mayor)
David Chernushenko (Ottawa City Councillor)
Peter Simpson (Arts-editor-at-large for The Ottawa Citizen)
Graham Richardson (CTV News Anchor)
Alan Neal (Host of All In A Day, CBC Radio One)
Ian Black (Climatologist, CBC News Ottawa)
Sarah Brown (Ottawa Magazine Editor)
Jane Corbett (Ottawa Magazine Art Director)
Trevor Greenway (reporter – Low Down to Hull and Back News)
Andrea Tomkins (Blogger)
Peter Tilley (Executive Director – Ottawa Food Bank)
Ottawa Magazine
About our Sponsors:
• Artopix – Digital Printer and long time print service provider in Gatineau (Hull).
Artopix.ca
• Patrick Gordon Framing – Custom framing, repair and installation serving fine artists and art dealers.
PatrickGordonFraming.ca
• Dave Andrews – Fine Art Printer. David is humble but provides printing service to high end artists and clients. His prints hang in prestigious galleries across North America.
DaveAndrews.ca
• Ottawa Studio Works – Ottawa Photo Studio on Preston St. and the home of HarryNowell.com for photo exhibitions, portraits and photo classes.
Ottawa Photo Studio
About the Beneficiary of the Event – Ottawa Food Bank
“The Ottawa Food Bank was founded in the basement of the former police station on Waller Street in 1984. Originally intended to be temporary in nature, the Ottawa Food Bank has grown to become a staple food relief organization in the Region. Today, we support 140 emergency food programs that feed approximately 48,000 people per month – 37 per cent of whom are children.
Our mission: To collect and distribute food to Member Agencies serving people in need in the Ottawa area.
Our vision: That no one goes hungry in the Ottawa area.”
Ottawa Food Bank
Come and join the fun! Thanks to all that help to make this work!