#788 Pro Photo Program Social

Earlier this week our ProProgram organized a social to meet, shoot and socialize. This bonus of the program is designed to get Programmers out together to exchange ideas and meet others pursuing photography in a serious way.

Pro Photography Program - Ottawa

Pro Photography Program - Ottawa

We meet as a group every 2-3 months and in May we met in the wilds of Gatineau Park to photograph on the escarpment overlooking the Ottawa Valley. It’s a magical time for two reasons:

• young leaves are beginning to green the desolation left by winter’s freeze

• the ravenous, carnivorous bugs are still relatively dormant.

Pro Photography Program - Ottawa

Pro Photography Program - © Erica McKay

We hiked into the location, spent some time shooting, made it back to the start point as it was getting dark and promptly reconvened for more discussion at the Old Chelsea Pub.

Pro photography course - Ottawa

ProProgram - © Erica McKay

Thanks to the ProProgrammers for keeping this part of my work fun!

Ottawa Photo Course

ProProgram - © Sue Fisher

 

#786 Creative Fundamentals Photography Class Review

Last week we finished our longest running photography class (Creative Fundamentals has run since 2001) at our Ottawa studio.

Ottawa Photography Course - Creative Fundamentals

Ottawa Photography Course - Creative Fundamentals - © June C

Creative Fundamentals continues to be popular because it helps beginners and intermediate photographers either learn or solidify the basic building blocks of photography – elements many people never learn. The class was eager and fun – with laughter mixed in with lessons.

Creative Fun Photography Class - Ottawa

Creative Fun Photography Class - Ottawa - © Victoria

The class did well with improvements made all round.

The next opportunity to learn the magic of fundamentals is either through a condensed Custom Course – available throughout the year – or in our September group session of Creative Fundamentals on September 19th (eve), 22nd (day), 26th (eve), 2012.

You can register on the Creative Fundamentals web page or contact a real human by email.

Creative Fundamentals Photo Class - Ottawa

Creative Fundamentals Photo Class - Ottawa - © Ginny B

#785 On Location Lighting with Blair Gable – review and photos

Last weekend students gathered to critique their work on the On Location Lighting Workshop with Blair Gable. The workshop sold out quickly and we are offering a second section in July.

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

Blair Gable is an independent photojournalist supplying photo work to Reuters, MacLeans magazine, Globe and Mail, and many other national and international magazines, newspapers and agencies. Blair has photographed Obama, Princess Kate, the Queen, Stephen Harper, Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Blue Jays.

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

The demands of his work have forced him to light quickly, effectively with simple equipment. We’re lucky to have his expertise available for a photo class in Ottawa! See some of the top student work, below:

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa - © Scott Martin

Participant’s comments:

“Friendly. Always willing to answer questions. In line with what I have come to expect from Harry(‘s workshops).”

“Very helpful. I really got to see how Blair sees light and shadows. Worth time/money. Very good.”

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa - © John Rathwell

“Relaxed, to the point, critical, informative.”

“Great workshop – pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to use new techniques.”

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa - © Frank Duggal

Blair was a very good teacher. I did not really sign up for the technical content. I was mostly interested in the image making aspects of location portraiture, and Blair did not disappoint. There was very strong content about what makes a compelling image. My eyes have been opened to some new possibilities and ideas.

The ideal participant is a photographer who wants an introduction or review of the possibilities of creative lighting using off camera flash.

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa - © Deana Scott

The next session of this workshop will have a slightly different format than the first – only three spots remain at time of writing.

You can register directly from the On Location Lighting workshop page or contact us to register with a human.

Thanks to everyone who came out!

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa

On Location Lighting Photo Class with Blair Gable - Ottawa - © Mark Horton

#784 Photo Goals on the blog

Better photos require many things – practice, learning, mastering fundamentals.

One thing that rarely gets mentioned in photography is goal setting.

Goals?! 

Goals help you improve. It’s true.

Photo Goals

Photo Goals - set your sights!

The process of developing your photo ideas takes time, practice, brainstorming, discussion and the commitment of thinking things through on a structured, regular basis.

The classic model to achieve this is through goal setting – forcing yourself to think through what you want to do and (more importantly) how you might get there – on a regular basis. The goals are less important than the process – visiting the ideas and goals regularly to help your photos get wherever they’re going – quicker!

The process is active. Goals change all the time. But the result of this ongoing brainstorming process has been documented to create and accelerate results.

What are your photo goals for the summer?

Me? I want to create 10 new exhibition quality pieces for the Watershed collection by the end of July. There, I’ve said it. I better get to work!