#735 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – Rise & Tilt Video

Rise & Tilt Photo Newsletter

“Why are you carrying that ladder in the woods?” they ask.
“Rise and tilt,” I reply.
Rise and tilt. It’s a bit of a mantra for my photography. And it’s a phrase you can apply to your photos to help get better backgrounds and stronger foregrounds whether related to landscapes or people pictures.

Read the article.

In this edition of Exposed! we explore cleaner backgrounds with nothing more easy than a simple physical adjustment to any camera.

We are relying on video for the first time – We’re pretty excited about our mini movie. Let us know what you think.

 

#734 Student Success – ProProgram – Where are they now?

Last year Mercedes Déziel Hupé completed many of our photo classes to graduate from the ProProgram. Trumpets cheered and people applauded.

Mercedes took the ProProgram as she wanted to strengthen her résumé for communications work in the Arts community. Having photo skills is a benefit when looking for work in comms fields.

Others participate in the ProProgram for different reasons – the most common is looking for a career change as someone’s interests change or due to layoffs.

What is Mercedes doing now?
Mercedes now works at the Ottawa Art Gallery – a non-profit, public art gallery.

… And she continues to pursue her personal passion in dance and photography as she presents her first exhibit this week at Avant Garde this week.

Details:

Ballet in the Streets

Vernissage: Thursday, January 12 at 7 pm

Avant-Garde Bar & Gallery

135 1/2 Besserer St, Ottawa

See you there!

"Ballet in the Streets" photo exhibit

"Ballet in the Streets" photo exhibit - Mercedes Déziel Hupé

Mercedes describes “Ballet in the Streets”

“This collection of photographs is my tribute to my time as a dancer, from classical to contemporary. Through photography, I embrace a new side of this otherwise ephemeral art form.

I have been inspired by great photographers such as Lois Greenfield, whose studio approach to dance photography is unmatched. I am also inspired by the “Ballerina Project” which is a New York based phenomenon that celebrates the Big Apple as a creative hub.

Originally from the Capital region, I have experienced Arts as being overshadowed by politics. I photographed ballerinas and contemporary dancers in urban and industrial settings to emphasize how different they are from the environment in which we live. Despite the fact that they seem to stand out, the idea is the showcase the beauty and relevance of dance, especially in this fast-paced image-led world.

The dancer is a complete artist; from daily regimen to rehearsal, to exercises and performance. A dancer embodies strength, yet the dancer is surrounded by precarious circumstances. Dance changes everyone, from the performer to the spectator, the hobbyist and the photographer.

A dancer can be molded, but a dancer is usually born. It’s in the urge to move, to feel beauty and life, through your body. I wanted to show how dance shows through very easily. And how it is part of a dancer’s life, every day, everywhere.

By presenting dance outside of its normal frame of reference, whether that be the stage or the classroom, I state not only the existence, but the effervescence of dance in the capital region. I wish to render dance accessible and encourage reflection by bringing the dancer to the street.

#733 Executive Portrait – Ottawa

Late last year I had the pleasure of photographing a past portrait client again. This time we arranged the portrait at Ottawa Studio Works, our photography studio on Preston St.

She serves on two Boards and needed fresh photos for the causes.

It’s always fun working with J.

Next week we start our annual portrait workshop – Natural Light Portraits. The fun continues…

Ottawa Executive Portrait

Ottawa Executive Portrait

#732 New Photo Class – On Location Lighting with Blair Gable

We have another new workshop coming up in Ottawa. This time photojournalist Blair Gable teaches participants how to light subjects on the go.

The course – On Location Lighting – draws on 10 years of experience covering Obama, the Queen, Toronto Blue Jays, Princess Kate for editorial clients like MacLean’s, Globe and Mail, Reuter’s.

Ottawa photojournalism class

Blair Gable photographs Jose Bautista at Blue Jays spring training for MacLean's Magazine

The nature of his work forces him to create beautiful photos in very short timelines. He had to develop quick, lightweight & effective systems to make world leaders and superstars shine… in 15 minutes or less.

You may remember Blair from his photojournalism presentation in August 2011 at Ottawa Studio Works. It was packed.

Dates:

  • Practical: Saturday & Sunday, April 21, 22, 2012. (9am-2pm)
  • Critique: Sunday, April 29, 2012. (9am-12noon)

Location: Workshop is held in central Ottawa and at Ottawa Studio Works.

Cost: $400 + applicable taxes

Join us for this workshop. We’re lucky to access Blair’s talents. We ask for a $125 deposit and complete registration form to hold your spot. Contact us to register.

Ottawa photojournalism course

Blair Gable photographing Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Photo by Jason Ransom)