#54 My apologies!

Sorry for leaving you without content the last couple of days. Occasionally, I get days that stretch from very early to quite late – Wednesday and Thursday left no time for extras.What was I doing?

Creative Fun is going well. It’s my most popular course – ons graduating student wrote: “I’ve come away with exactly what I needed to get – Thanks!”

My assignment was to photograph Malcolm Isaac’s super insulated house near Wakefield, Quebec. It is built with the ideas of a European Passivhaus that consumes 10% of the energy of a conventionally built Canadian home. The cost is marginally more than a normal house but the $energy savings are astronimcal!

This is Malcolm’s photo of his house (mine must go directly to the magazine – they have first rights!):

Malcolm's Passivhaus

Have fun,

H

#53 Photo of the Month

Summer is coming…

I have just posted the current photo of the month – race photography from a “criterion bike race.”

I have also just announced a new sport photography workshop – photographing an elite bike race!

For the skiers – there is still snow in “them hills” – yesterday I skinned up Camp Fortune and had a fun tele-descent! Gatineau Park xc trails have less snow.

Have fun,

H

#52 The week ahead

Scott, assisting me for two weeks as part of his Algonquin College photo course, has moved on to bigger things. Thanks for your help! He has a summer full of photographing windsurfers ahead of him. Lucky man!

Sadly for H, the snow is fast disappearing – the xc trails are getting large patches of dirt and Camp Fortune – the little hill that could – is starting to show a few bare small bare spots. Sigh.

As far as the world of Harry I have a busy week:

  • an assignment for a magazine
  • I am close to submitting a new batch of work to one of my stock agencies
  • I am teaching two workshops
  • I have a new sport photo workshop to announce later this week
  • lots of admin

For some fun have a look at this YouTube video that shows a high profile fashion photo shoot – start to finish. Not everything is as it seems!

Have fun,

H

#51 The end of Batman and Robin…

Scott here one last time. It’s my last day at Harry Nowell Photography Inc., so we thought we would leave you with a reflection of what both harry and myself learned during the 2 weeks together.Scott learned from Harry:

  • how to shoot for stock
  • managing business client relationships
  • handling expenses for a small business
  • your best work is the work you’re most passionate about

Harry learned from Scott:

  • some advanced photoshop techniques
  • networking solutions for computer and camera hardware
  • that going to school for photo is very valuable – he has learned some excellent skills in a very short two years
  • that Scott is very modest and a bit ‘shy’. He said “I’ll never be able to  teleski” after successfully navigating a double black diamond on his third (ever) run on telemark skis.

Here is a self-portrait of both of us that we took today.How did we shoot it? (no ladder or tripod involved)

#49 The Seminar

This is Harry again.

I presented the Creative Business Seminar on Sunday to a diverse group of people. Participants included:

  • photographers
  • artists
  • a graphic designer
  • a technical writer
  • a web person
  • small business owners
  • part time business owners and
  • prospective business owners

Participants brought many diverse views and ideas to the table making it a great learning experience – for me too! Thanks to OCRI’s Entrepreneurship Centre for their support.
The next Creative Business Seminar has been set for November 2nd, 2008. See some student’s comments.

For more business ideas explore my recent Exposed! article:

“What is Your Photo Worth? The Business of Photography

Scott, my assistant on a two week work placement, will be posting a fine photo (of me) soon!

Take care,

H

#48 Movement on the water

Scott here again. I thought I’d show you some samples of my work that represent my style of photography. These images were both taken during the 2007 season. Both of them using a panning effect to bring some motion into the images.

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing are actually quite popular in Ottawa. These photos were taken at Britannia Park, which is the most popular spot in Ottawa for these sports.

This summer and fall I hope to focus my photography more specifically on capturing the action here in Ottawa as well as abroad. I like to keep my photos dynamic because it reflects the most significant aspect of windsurfing that keeps every sailor hooked to the sport. It’s probably one of the most unique sports because it’s a different experience every time you go out, and there is a variety of disciplines/styles to tackle.

The changing water conditions, fluctuating winds, and the movement of the board and sail together create an experience that’s unmatched by any other activity. This is what I want my photography to represent.

#47 Week one completed

Scott here again, and week one of my 2 week placement certainly went by quite fast. Next week will be my last few days here and then I’ll be moving on to finish things up at school.

After the Algonquin College photo exhibition, I’ll be heading out of the country to do some windsurfing/photography trips. First on the agenda is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, second will be a tour of the East Coast, and third will be a stay over in the Canary Islands to cover one of the PWA Windsurfing competitions.

I’m looking forward to finishing school and getting out in the real world to apply all the new knowledge and skills I’ve gained over my 2 years at school. My hope is to blend my passion for photography with my passion for windsurfing in a way that supports my lifestyle.

#46 More judging photos

It’s Harry again – quick post today.

I received a photo from RA Photo Club member Catherine Duncan of the three judges from the Interclub Photo Competition last week. From left Terry Sametz, Harry Nowell and Lois Segal. Thanks Catherine!

Judge photo by Catherine Duncan

The photo is a good example of flash combined with a long exposure to allow sharpness in the main subjects with ambient light illuminating the background – a technique taught on my Natural Light Portrait Workshop. Nice work Catherine!

More blogging tomorrow from my assistant – Scott – of Algonquin College’s photo program.

Harry

#45 The Business of Business

Today I had the chance to sit in with Harry on a meeting with a client to discuss the use of his work for an upcoming campaign. It was a good opportunity to learn the essentials of business relations, including strategies for image layout and selection, and communication with the client before, during, and after the meeting.

Learning the business of business is a really important process for a student like myself who’s coming out of a technical educational program, so I’m very excited to be helping out at Harry’s upcoming Creative Business Seminar this weekend.

I look forward to gaining more practical experience while working in conjunction with Harry during my time here.