#874 Ghost Encounter in Victoria while scouting Night Light Photo Class

Posted on November 16, 2012 by admin

I am in Victoria this week teaching our popular Night Light photo workshop for Luz Gallery.

I’ve been here for a couple of days to get settled and scout locations for the course. I was checking out one location late one evening and encountered a ghostly impression. It was eerily familiar.

We chatted for a short while and I asked if the ghost could bring some friendly friends Friday or Saturday night for the students. I hope he’ll co-operate!

Interested in learning some photo fun? Check our current workshops – we have more classes coming online soon.

night light photo workshop victoria

#872 – Student Success! Another ProProgram Photo Course Graduate.

Posted on November 11, 2012 by admin

Please join me in congratulating Sarah Ruest as she graduates from her ProProgram. I first met Sarah when she enrolled in a bike race safari in 2011 and she quickly decided photography was something she wanted to pursue!

She worked hard to explore many facets of photography from technical proficiencies to underlying style and story behind each photo project.

Student success - ProProgram course graduate © Sarah Ruest

Sarah progressed well over her year in the program and we’re excited to see where she takes photography next! Keep an eye out for her work!

The Program helped Sarah take some big steps in photography. Hear what she has to say:
“I entered the ProProgram with a love of photography, but feeling quite uncertain of how to grow my skills and vision for what was a fun hobby and outlet for me. I found Harry’s Bike Race Photo Safari and had a blast shooting something different. I was amazed at how much I learned in this short evening safari, and was impressed with Harry’s transparent teaching style. I took a few more workshops, and in the fall joined the ProProgram officially.

Student success - ProProgram course graduate © Sarah Ruest

The ProProgram allowed me to gain technical skills and build creative business sense. Harry’s constant encouragement and advice guided me toward building my vision for how photography fit into my life. It is the ideal program for anyone, because it is customized to your interests and needs instead of being a boilerplate.

I have a long list of projects to pursue, and hope to have a show someday. Harry shared all of his experiences and lessons learned in this field, which gave me the confidence I needed to know that I can do anything I want to in photography. Burned in my mind forever are Harry’s words “Do something different”!“

Student success - ProProgram course graduate © Sarah Ruest

We’re cheering for Sarah’s next steps in photography.
Congratulations, Sarah!

We’ll keep you posted with tales from ProProgram grad successes!

Interested in taking a giant leap in your photography? Ask us about the ProProgram!

#870 New Photo Course Preview

Posted on November 7, 2012 by admin

We’re excited! Our winter line-up of photo classes, workshops and safaris is shaping nicely.

What’s Coming up?!
• Photographing Pro Hockey
Missing NHL hockey during the strike? Get your hockey fix by photographing the Ottawa 67s at Scotiabank place (home of the Senators.)

This is a classic course – our 6th annual visit to the 67s home ice.
February 2012

• Winter Landscapes
Many people shy away from winter shooting but we show you the spectacular ‘scapes available to those willing to brave winter weather. We also teach you to be comfortable shooting in the winter. It is possible!
February 2012

• Glass Blowing Photo Safari
We just visited the glass blowing studio – fiery furnaces, molten glass and active artisans makes for a photographic extravaganza! Limited spots available due to a small working space.
February 2012

• Photography for Pre-Teens – March Break Program
Join experienced school teacher, Shona Schneider, as she leads your budding photo artists through photo adventures during Ontario’s March Break.
March 2012

• Photoshop Seminars
Based on the success of our Lightroom Seminars with Peter Handley we are looking at seminars on specific elements of photoshop. Stay tuned!

Summer 2013 looks promising with more macro, safaris, sports and landscapes, people, tulips and more.

• Online Photo Program
We offer more challenges on the Online Photo Program. Looking for ongoing photo fun, support and critique? This is the course for you!

Can’t wait? Drop us a line and we’ll tell you more and reserve your spot…

#869 Online Photo Course – Backlighting Successes and New Silhouette Challenge

Posted on November 4, 2012 by admin

Online Photo Program - Backlighting © Jeff F.

Last month we challenged the Online Photo Program Members with the tough technical challenge of backlighting – the tricky scenario of bringing MORE attention to the main subject by blasting the background with light.

Online Photo Course - © Christa R

But they performed! I was pleased at how the group progressed. It was a tough challenge for many but I was pleased with the results!

Online photo program - beautiful pictures

Online photo program - backlighting © Madeline B

And Online member, Scott, sent us this comment about his experience on the program:

“Loving the on-line program. I like that it pushes me to think about how I want to capture the image before me. At last weekend’s cyclocross race I sought out shooting locations that allowed me to blow-out the background and highlight the cyclists. I’d say I’m feeling more involved with the picture taking process.”

Online Photo Class - take better pictures!

Online Photo Class - Backlighting - © Scott Hall

We’ve just started this month’s online photo challenge with an introduction to silhouettes and what they are.

Better photos through online learning!

Later this week we give technical tips on silhouettes and how to achieve them. We also outline participant’s specific challenge for the month.

Join us to learn about silhouettes and challenge yourself!

#867 Night Light Photo Course in Victoria BC

Posted on October 30, 2012 by admin

We’re excited as we prepare to trek to Victoria in November to present one of our most fun workshops – Night Light.

I’ve said before it’s not our most popular (we only offer once or twice a year) but it is one of our most fun workshops. You see, there’s photo magic involved. We help you photograph things you cannot see with your naked eye.

Night Light photo course

Night Light – Ottawa sold out in this year – we had a fun group who learned tons of fun ideas and techniques – everything from:
• capturing stunning skyscapes as the daylight sky gets sucked into night blackness.
• using flashlights to paint everything from statues to trees to words in thin air.
• using camera flash (SB units) to capture elusive ghosts in photos.
• two techniques to turn normal traffic into rivers of light or race cars among laser beams!

Night Photo Course Before Light Painting

Night Photography Course - Light Painting!

Ottawa students said:
“Excellent; night photography has always been intimidating and frustrating. No longer!” JM
“Harry was patient & challenging – love it.” JK
“You do a great job, Harry. Don’t change.” Anon.

Join us in Victoria, BC as guests of Luz Galley.
Registration Details.

Night Photography Course - Victoria BC

#865 Night Light Photo Class Review – Student Successes!!

Posted on October 25, 2012 by admin

Ok, so Night Light is not our longest running workshop and it’s not our most popular (Creative Fundamentals and Natural Light Portraits attract more people over the year) but it’s currently my favourite and most fun workshop that I teach. This fall it was a full workshop.

Night Light photo class - Ottawa - © Julie K

Why?

There’s magic to be captured at night. I see people’s faces shine as they see their pictures appear on their screens…

And they say…
“But where do those amazing colours come from?”
“How do those lights make that affect?”
“Why do the ghosts appear?”
Magic, I say.

Night Light photo class - Ottawa - © Marcel M

Ok, it’s NOT really magic, just some advanced photo techniques to help get magical results.

See some of the student photos from the weekend we spent in central Ottawa. They made me smile!

Night photography class - Ottawa - © Madeleine B

And what did students say?

“Excellent; night photography has always been intimidating and frustrating. No longer!” JM
“Harry was patient & challenging – love it.” JK
“You do a great job, Harry. Don’t change.” Anon.

Night photography class - Ottawa - © Ted M

The photo course is travelling this fall. We’ve been invited to present Night Light in Victoria by Quinton Gordon’s Luz Gallery. Stay tuned for reports from western Canada.

Finally, this photo was presented at the end of the night by one of the students to express her feelings for the workshop! Thank-YOU, Murielle and students for the fun, fun, fun!

Night photo course - Ottawa - light painting © Murielle C

#864 Photo Class Feedback

Posted on October 23, 2012 by admin

It’s been a good week. At the risk of tooting our own horn we’d like to share some unsolicited feedback we received for our photography courses and portraits.

We received this note about CK’s experiences so far on our online photo program:
“Just want to tell you how much I am enjoying your monthly challenges. You have taken the Online Workshops to a different photography level and have me thinking outside the photo norm.

Frankly I was feeling a little bored and unchallenged before your On-Line Workshops. Bravo to you! You have done it again by sharing such great photography techniques. Love that fact that I can work at my own pace and time frame.
Great Job!”

Online photo course

And Erica sent this note about her family photos:
“I just wanted to let you know we had a peek at the photos tonight, and really loved them! What a fun session, and you managed to catch some really candid, natural shots of everyone! THANK YOU!”

Fun family photos

And PR sent this unsolicited note about the Lightroom seminar we presented at our photo studio by Peter Handley:
“Harry, just to let you know that today’s workshop on Lightroom was Fantastic. Thank you and Peter. Looking forward to next Saturday. Hope your Night light workshop went as fun as last years. Have a great week.”

Now, it’s true we receive feedback regularly but it’s always nice when it comes!
And a big THANKS to all of our students and clients – without YOU this couldn’t happen.

#862 Online Photo Program Success

Posted on October 18, 2012 by admin

Many of you know we run an online photo course for those people who want to take better photos but don’t always have time for regular classes.

Last month we sent members of the program a challenge to get closer. No, really close to their subjects. Their work took a good step forward as I saw creative developments.

Help cheer a few of the many successes from September’s challenge. Members are working towards their October deadline and we just started filming November’s class – there’s still time to register for the online fun!

#860 Ottawa Gatineau Family Portraits

Posted on October 14, 2012 by admin

A while back I showcased a recent wedding and talked about a candid style.

Today’s blog post features a fun family who wanted a similar experience in portraits – less structured and more true to the personalities of the family. For this kind of portrait I travel lightly and spend an hour following the family in their fun.

Candid family portrait - Ottawa Gatineau

Family pictures - Ottawa Gatineau

We played in a forested park and I captured the antics of the family. Big smiles and true personalities came through.

Candid family portrait - Ottawa Gatineau

If you’re looking for better portraits either to be in them or to take them we have a few options:
• We can photograph you. Contact us for details.
• We can teach you – we have a series of fun photo classes. We’ve offered Natural Light Portraits for years. The portrait class offers simple tips on how to get better portraits of friends or family.
• You can take your own portraits with guaranteed success and smiles. We offer DIY Portraits whereby you bring your camera and plug into our lights at our central Ottawa photo studio. We make it easy. You take the photos. Easy, fun, and way cheaper than hiring us to do it for you!!

Candid family portrait - Ottawa Gatineau

#858 New Ottawa Portrait Photo Class Announced

Posted on October 9, 2012 by admin

Our classic photography course – Natural Light Portraits – is coming up fast. We’ve been running this class in Ottawa and Gatineau for years and it keeps being popular!

Why?
Well, who doesn’t have a camera these days?!
And who doesn’t want better photos of friends and family?!

portrait photography course - Ottawa

On this workshop we look at easy ways to create better people pictures using simple equipment.

• Want to learn better ways to use your camera?
• Curious how to make your on-camera flash work for you?
• Would you like to to make your friends look great in pictures?

This photography course will help!

natural light portrait - photography course

Past students have say:
• “Superbly challenging, informative, exciting & very practical!” Morina
• “I enjoy your down to earth teaching methods – easy & clear understanding way of explaining techniques & methods. I love your honesty in critiquing my work.” Brenda
• “Learned a lot more than expected.” Stephanie

Details:
Natural Light Portraits
January 17 (eve), 19 (day), 24 (eve), 2013.
$350 + HST
Location – OttawaStudioWorks.com (downtown – Preston St. near Gladstone)

Register online (bottom of the page) or contact us directly!