PechaKucha (’Pe chak cha’) comes to Ottawa on March 31st.

Quoi?!

PechaKucha started in 2003 as a way for people to present work in an informal but structured way to a group of peers. Participants prepare 20 photos that are presented for 20 seconds – no more no less.

Editing Exercise

This is a fabulous exercise in editing and mimics the kind of decisions needed to deliver a proposal to a prospective client. You are limited to few photos to get your skills and message across – choosing only 20 is tough and depends on who is viewing and what your intended message is!

PechaKucha is generous in the number of photos and time per slide. In reality, you may present ten photos for 2-3 secomds each when catching a client’s attention.

Pecha Kucha is often considered as the basis of framework for effective presentations.

More information on Pecha Kucha:

• Wikipedia
• Ottawa Pecha Kucha Facebook page (login required)
• Youtube

Visit the Ottawa PechaKucha event on March 31st!

Pecha Kucha - Ottawa

On Wednesday night I met with our networking group – Working Creatives.

I started the group almost three years ago to develop a support network for people working full time in their creative field. We have 170 people from many disciplines contributing with 10-30 people coming out each month.

Lisa Brunetta

Last night Lisa Brunetta lead the session:

“Exhibit and Sales Opportunities for Fine Artists and Craftspeople”

Gladstone Clayworks hosted the event.

Lisa is a superstar! She facilitated a great and well attended evening of info to a diverse audience of creative professionals. Everyone learned something new from the world of exhibiting.

Thanks to everyone that contributed, especially Lisa and Gladstone Clayworks!

March’s Exposed! Photo Newsletter was sent out yesterday to Ottawa and many readers far, far away.

Want to receive this monthly newsletter automatically? Subscribe to ‘Exposed!’ at the top of this page.

The recent photography newsletter explores the idea of decent photos vs spectacular photos encouraging you to expand your creativity.

Want more spectacular? The first step is to read the article:

Fire Up Your Creativity!

Creative Photo Ideas

Announcing a new workshop – Urban Landscapes.

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.

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:

• Lou Truss
• Nathalie Madore
• Sandra Finner
• Christine Denis

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

They make me proud!

Weeks ago I mentioned a winter assignment I have been working on.

Quite fun really!

I was to cover five outdoor hockey rinks in the region, meet the people and capture the fun. And fun it was! I visited rinks all over the region including:

• official City of Ottawa rinks
• a popular rink the NCC seems to wish didn’t exist
• a Chelsea pond
• the finest backyard rink I have ever seen!

The feature, with article by Jamie Findlay, will appear in December’s issue of Ottawa Magazine.

A preview below:

Ottawa Hockey

Ottawa Hockey

Ottawa Hockey

Ottawa Hockey

I do some work for an elite XC ski team every year. XCOttawa.ca are a powerhouse and win medals. This year they wanted a selection of ski photos – in action – showing off their new team suits.

Sport Portrait

Sport Portrait

Sport Portrait

Sport Portrait

Sport Portrait

Recently, we shot an executive portrait for a businessman in Ottawa. The client wanted headshots to support different aspects of his work – everything from an academic look to public speaking to business.

Over an afternoon with wardrobe changes and different venues we produced a collection of portraits that make him look good!

He was smiling last week when I delivered his portraits:

Executive Portrait - Ottawa

Executive Portrait - Ottawa

Executive Portrait - Ottawa

Sometimes an idea just hits.

Boom!

The photo below was shot recently and posted about a week ago. The idea to shoot the Gatineau Loppet this way just landed in my brain – all of a sudden. It worked. It was a creative lightning bolt. It put HarryNowell.com on the desk of some editorial clients.

More on Creativity

A reader sent a link to some ways creativity has helped people make some good sales. The stories involve good timing, patience but all start with a solid creative idea.

Read the post “Creativity Really Can Sell Pictures”

Creative Impulses!

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