Archive for November, 2008

#160 Sessions Photo Challenge

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Our newest course – Sessions Photo Challenge – started last week. We photographed in and around the National Gallery in Central Ottawa. Students were challenged to capture landmarks and landscapes of the city. The enormous spider was a draw for students!

Spider!

‘Sessions’ provides students a photo challenge per week and allows their photo skills to progress steadily with tips and feedback along the way. While the four sessions offer a complete progression students may join for a single challenge.

On Wednesday evening we will be meeting to investigate the buzz of the city. If you wish to join the challenge – or are curious to hear more – please contact us.

Harry

#159 Barack Obama Photography

Sunday, November 9th, 2008

The US election is over and analysis has started!

Photography can have a huge impact in any campaign from the negative to the positive. Below are two links to election campaign photo footage and their specific use that helped shape history:

  • Canadian Prime Minister hopeful Robert Stanfield fumbles one football out of many fine catches. The Globe and Mail prints the 1974 fumble photo that many people believe cost him the election and solidified Pierre Trudeau’s win. See the CBC video story
  • Barack Obama used great media coverage to get his face in the white house.

A picture is worth a thousand words… and can sway popular opinion!

Harry

#158 Dogs!

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

Yes, dogs.

I have a very big soft spot for dogs. My dear old Tigger and our new pooch Biscuit have kept me smiling for years.

I have started working on a new photo project that has me smiling – dogs. I spent the afternoon recently walking many beautiful canines with my equipment.

Here are a few out takes:

Dog photo  Dog Photo

Dog Photo  Dog Photo

Dog Photo  Dog Photo

A past photo workshop student also sent me a link to a fun site:

www.UpsideDownDogs.com    Thanks Chris!

Other news – our winter photo workshops will be announced at the end of next week. Stay tuned!

Harry

#157 – Archiving Work

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

I have been looking for more back-up memory for my digital files.

Ideally you want to have at least two backups – redundancy – in case one fails. Currently I back-up to an external hard drive and then burn a DVD which gets deposited offsite as possible.

We are investigating a Wiebetech system that has advantages and can be set up as mirrored hard drives – reducing the need for burning time consuming DVDs.

Another alternative is to store data on online photo sites like Photoshelter. One such service provider – Digital Railroad – just crashed leaving clients scrambling. Read the stry on Vincent LaForet’s blog.

We start the Sessions Photo Challenge tomorrow evening.

Visit tomorrow for some dog photos.

Harry

#156 “Sorry Everybody”

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

We are on the eve of the US Federal election. It seems the whole world is watching…

After the last US election I stumbled upon a very interesting photo website – SorryEverybody.com - photos submitted by people apologizing for allowing the US to elect George Bush for a second term.

Very interesting!

Harry