#892 – New Ottawa Photo Class: Winter Landscapes!

Posted on January 6, 2013 by admin

You asked and we listened!

We’ve been developing the Winter Landscapes Photo Class for two years based on your requests.

This year we offer Winter Landscapes again to help you:
• take better photos.
• learn to shoot in comfort in winter’s weather!

Ottawa Winter Landscape Photo Workshop

The first session is spent in the classroom looking at:
1. shooting techniques
2. equipment
3. ways to stay warm
4. ideas for winter photo compositions

Two outdoor sessions allow you two chances to try new techniques and tweak systems and ideas with support in the field.

The final critique session allows you to see other participants successes and to learn from everyone’s challenges! The critique is often the most valuable learning tool!

Dates

February 26 – 6-9pm – classroom preparation
March 2 – 7:30-10:30am – shooting
March 3 – 2-5pm – shooting
March 5 – 6-9pm – classroom critique session

Location

Workshop is held in central Ottawa at Ottawa Studio Works and in locations surrounding Ottawa/Gatineau. Shooting locations are specifically selected to provide promising photographic potential at this time of year.

Cost

$350 + applicable taxes

Register or see more details!

Ottawa Winter Landscapes Photo Workshop

#887 Many thanks to our photo clients and workshop students!

Posted on December 17, 2012 by admin

2012 will soon hand off to 2013.

We are working on a slower schedule for the next couple of weeks aand the photo blog is taking some time off. Ahhhh!

Christmas photo - HoHoHo

So, I’d like to say a few thank-yous and shout outs for the year.

Family
First, I’d like to thank family. At times I work whacky hours – evenings, weekends and sometimes late into the night to prepare files for clients. Thanks for the support.

Photo Students
Second, I’d like to send a shout-out to students of our photo workshops. It can be scary to pick up a camera and test yourself. I’ve seen many of you flourish and succeed in photography and life. You make me smile!

ProProgram and Online
Third, I’d like to thank our ProProgram students on Online Photo Class students – they have put a lot on the line to accelerate their photography. They’ve worked hard to pull together photo, people and business skills. I am cheering for you!

Photo Clients
Fourthly, I’d like to thank all of our clients – photo assignment clients, workshop clients, editorial clients and people that purchase our art work, photo cards, studio rentals, etc.

Every dollar you spend helps support our business and family.

Thank-YOU!

SPCA Santa and pet shoot 2012

This photo blog will be taking a break over the second half of December. Come back in January for three posts a week of photo news fun and tips.

If you need us over the holiday break we will be open for:
• Workshop registrations (you can also register online for many of our offerings on the specific workshop pages.)
• Last minute gifts – prints, gift certificates, workshops, greeting cards
• Work requests.
• Information.

Please contact us as you need. Between Christmas and New Year we will be on a slower response schedule.

HoHoHo!!

#886 Review – Photo Workshop in Victoria

Posted on December 14, 2012 by admin

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Jonathan Adams

It’s been almost a mont since I went to Victoria’s Luz Gallery to present our Night Light Photography Workshop – time to show off some of the work from the photo course.

I spent almost a week in Victoria to bring the Night Light Photography Class to people on the west coast.

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Andrew F

My hosts were wonderful supporting the workshop. Many thanks to Quinton, Diana, Molly and Brian for making the class run so smoothly.

Students discovered the magic light available to patient photographers at twilight. We saw ghosts, speeding lights, magnificent skies and urban artworks painted with light.

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Herb L

I met new friends and discovered an old one from many years ago.

Students work glowed with the magic of the lights – they should be proud! What do you think?

Anybody have any Christmas light photos they’d like to see on our blog? If you send them to us, we’ll put some up.

Night Light Photo Workshop - Victoria © Eveline B

#885 Online Photo Class update

Posted on December 11, 2012 by admin

We’ve launched into December’s online photo course. It’s a tough challenge this month because the parameters are so wide.

It’s a creative rather than technical challenge built around the festivities happening in December.

Online members are asked to interpret their festive fun…

… which is hard. Technical challenges are often easier because I can give recipes for silhouettes, motion, etc. Creative challenges tax a different part of the brain!

The online photo students are up to it, though. They’re good at testing new ideas and trying new things. And their photos show it!

online photo workshop - sIlhouette challenge - © Willa Mason

Other upcoming photo workshops to help you get better pictures are coming up if you like to learn in a live group setting in central Ottawa.

In January we offer the Glass Blowing Photo Safari – it’s a hot assignment in a cold month with enough to challenge beginner and pro!

Ottawa glass blowing photo safari!

Want to figure out the fundamentals? (Ahem… many, many people could use a refresher or intro to the building blocks of photography.) Creative Fundamentals is your ticket to advanced shooting.

Natural Light Portraits comes up in in January, also, with creative and technical tips for better people pictures and an intro to flash.

Are you missing hockey this season? Want an opportunity to shoot pro hockey on the ice the Senators use? Experience shooting a live pro event with our Shooting Pro Hockey Photo Course. Gets you close to the ice and sharpens your skills. A classic workshop.

March Break Photo Camp and Workshop

And we now have a March Break photo camp and program for 8-12 year olds. The week long day camp introduces pre-teens to the world of photography. They get to learn to shoot, admire art in a gallery and see the magic of a photo developing before their eyes in a darkroom!

This spring and summer we’re lucky to have Louise Tanguay back to teach Macro and other courses. Stay tuned for the fun!

#884 Dogs

Posted on December 9, 2012 by admin

I spent Sunday at the West Quebec SPCA.

SPCA pet photo with Santa

Dogs and cats woofed and purred for the camera and their humans donated over $1200 to support the ‘no-kill’ shelter. We raised more money through our Open House.

Thanks to one of our ProProgram students, Morina, who did some shooting as part of her program. She learned lots from the portrait session. Her photo workshops have started paying off!

And all the dogs and cats thank all of those who helped.

Thank-you!!

SPCA Pet photos with Santa

#882 Successes! Online Photo Program

Posted on December 4, 2012 by admin

Our Online Photo Program offered another technical challenge to the group last month. Building on the backlighting challenge we urged Online Members to go to the dark side to investigate the world of silhouettes.

People were gently challenged by the weekly lessons, support and forum comments through the program. There were many excellent photos and some very good growth this month.

One photo that caught my eye was from Allan C, online member and workshop grad, who caught the chair sculpture, below.

What caught my eye was he captured most of the sculpture as a silhouette but noticed that a couple of the elements were oriented perfectly to be exposed well – this photo plays with silhouettes and normally exposed parts in a fun play on exposure.

Allan says:
“I have enjoyed this month’s challenge.

All month I have been trying to capture a silhouette of Tim des Cloud’s chair statues. But something was always off, clutter … buildings, traffic lights, wires or the lighting wasn’t right. I got this shot walking back from the library on my point & shot. One should always carry a camera; sometimes the shot is just found instead of stalked.”

Well said!

And well done, Allan.

This month we are challenging members to a more creative challenge involving the festive season.

Join us for the online program in December!

Online photo class - silhouette - © Allan C

#879 Update!: Ottawa Photo Studio Open House – Do it For the Dogs!

Posted on November 27, 2012 by admin

Our photo studio is starting to shape-up for this weekend’s Open House.

Visit this Saturday, December 1st;
Noon-4pm
7pm-close
OttawaStudioWorks.com
160 Preston St. (between Somerset and Gladstone)

art exhibition Ottawa

What to expect:
• Student photos! We’ve been overwhelmed with student and instructor photos. All these photos have come from people either teaching or taking our photo classes. Come and see their successes!
• Watershed. See one of the biggest collections we’ve shown from this decade long project.
• Dogs. Sadly (or luckily?) there will be no dogs at the Open House but we encourage you to bring some food or $donations for ALL the furry friends at the WestQuebec SPCA.
• Artwork. There will be artwork on the wall for viewing, discussing and buying. Something for all budgets.
• Greeting cards. We have a growing collection with some new choices this season.
• Photo Classes. Find out what’s coming up.
• Extended Hours. Due to requests we will open the Open House in the afternoon. Bring the family.

Art Exhibition Ottawa

Details:
Saturday, December 1st;
Noon-4pm
7pm-close
OttawaStudioWorks.com
160 Preston St. (between Somerset and Gladstone)
More info…

Ottawa Art Exhibition

#878 Ottawa March Break Photo Camp for Kids!!

Posted on November 25, 2012 by admin

That’s right – we’ve consistently been asked for years about a photo camp for March Break.

Well, we’ve heard you and we teamed with an experienced school teacher who also teaches photography!

Designed for kids 8-12 this course is a week long photo camp during Ottawa March Break. The camp puts smiles on faces as kids:
• learn to take photos with digital cameras
• build their own cameras
• become more creative
• visit a fun gallery
• frame their photo to take home

Guaranteed fun!

Learn more (and register) for the March Break Photography Camp in Ottawa for 8-12 year olds.

#876 – Photographing Pro Hockey Workshop – dates announced on the blog

Posted on November 20, 2012 by admin

It’s back!

We’re offering the Photographing Pro Hockey workshop in Ottawa again this year. We team up with the Ottawa 67s to shoot a regular season home game at Scotia Bank Place.

Get close to the action! Ottawa photo workshop - pro hockey

It’s exciting!
It’s fun!
It will test your photo skills in an arena used by the NHL’s Ottawa Senators!

We cover everything from equipment to pre game planning to strategies for maximizing your shooting!

Ottawa 67s hockey

See past photos from the course.

“Harry is a personable and gifted teacher, drawing upon a wealth of photographic and other life experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.” Past Pro Hockey Photo Student!

Join us for the action. Register soon – space is limited.
Take home better sport shooting skills.

Hockey photography workshop - Ottawa

#875 New Ottawa Photo Safari – Molten Glass-Blowing!

Posted on November 19, 2012 by admin

We’re excited to add to our photo workshops listings a hot new photo safari – glass blowing.

From furnace to finished glass your photo skills will be tested as you face challenges of light, composition and timing the fast paced action in the studio.

Ottawa photo safari - glass blowing!!

We have arranged to bring photo fans to a glass blowing studio in Ottawa. The action heats up as our hosts build glass art before your cameras.

This safari is most suited to photographers comfortable with setting exposures in manual mode. This photo safari will test your skills!

ottawa photo safari - glass-blowing!

What’s the difference between a photography workshop and a photo safari?
• In photo workshop, we set up multiple photo sessions to teach specific elements within a photography niche.
• In a photo safari, we bring photographers to a shorter, single session with the emphasis on photo fun offering tips to maximize results.

Details:
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 (7-9pm)
$75 + taxes
Due to space constraints this photo safari is limited to six participants. We work on a first come, first served basis!

To register visit the Glass-Blowing Photo Safari page!

Ottawa photo safari - Glass-Blowing!