One of my recent students, Ariel, e-mailed me some ghostly portraits he captured on a Night Light Custom Course I did through his workplace. We were braving the cold of a ‘cool’ Canadian February evening on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. While we explored the opportunities available in low light conditions, Ariel captured me (yes that is my handsome mug) twice in the same frame – no photoshop magic here, beyond basic tidying, just good photography know-how: Creative photo techniques and a fast moving Harry were all that were needed for this ghostly night time wonder.For you history buffs I am posing with none other than Emily Murphy’s statue, one of the Famous Five who fought for the right for women to be declared ‘persons’ and, therefore, be eligible for political life in Canada’s Senate. 

Yes, as I said this morning, we skipped town for a bit of a getaway. I enjoy my work and taking time off is tough! We spent some time in the Laurentians, skiing, and then visited Montreal. It was short but fun!

We started in the Laurentians with two nights at L’Achillée Millefeuille – a B&B we discovered while cycling last summer. It’s pretty fantastic.

Our hosts, Claude and Monique, are gentle people and superb hosts. Their largest dog, Tofu, only has eyes for Claude and pulls at my heartstrings – I lost my Tigger 16 months ago.

We skied and ate well and departed for Montreal for a couple of days. We relaxed, window shopped, did a little urban hiking and I soaked up some culture at the Musée des Beaux Arts.

Last night we arrived back in Chelsea just in time for a short ski in the Gatineau Hills. As much as I enjoyed the getaway I was happy to be back at work – although I am playing catch-up!

Bye for now – tomorrow – ghostly portraits from a student.

Harry

Ok, ok, I admit it – we took off for a long weekend getaway! It’s not often I leave work completely  alone and go on holiday – but it happens. We were in the Laurentians and Montreal for 4 days of skiing, sleeping in, musée des beaux arts, a very good Coen Brothers film and good food. I even got to meet some new and old dog friends.A full report (avec les photos) later today.Harry  

I’m starting to look at getting a new camera for this blog — something that makes posting photos easier. I’m not looking for a Nikon D3 for this purpose, but more of a point-and-shoot.

I was just talking to Colin Rowe and he showed me his new 12 megapixel point-and-shoot that he’s bringing as a fun toy to accompany his “real” equipment on assignment to Africa. Pretty impressive. Simple. Small. Easy to pull out. And doesn’t scare people off.

What do you use as your fun toy camera? 

More details as they develop …

I have been shooting some pro hockey lately – the Ottawa 67s are a fun, sub NHL team that feeds into the big leagues. The arena is bright – as far as arenas go with some great shooting areas throughout the stadium for media – 3 rink side holes in the glass to aim cameras.

The glass is clear – not blemished plexiglass. It is rare that exposure is the easy part of shooting – but for indoor hockey the lighting does not change – EASY! However your eyes need to be everywhere at once, your equipment ready and your skills on high alert. 

It’s been a busy start to the year – which is good! The second half of next week will give me some time to catch up on submissions and administration.

Someone asked on my last Creative Business Seminar how much time I actually spend behind the camera shooting. It’s actually quite low. For every picture taken there is plenty of work to do to support the project and the business.

Take photos, have fun! 
Harry     

I just returned from 3 days in Callander, Ontario, living on the ice of Lake Nipissing in support of a feature for Canadian Geographic‘s November Travel Issue. Not sure quite what to expect.

 I arrived and met the writer, Bruce Gillespie, and our hosts, Scott, Christine and Tim at Glen Echo Cottages. A friend who grew up in North Bay confirmed that Glen Echo was THE place to experience ice fishing. 

Ok, first off, I am an absolute rookie fisherman! Our hosts went above board to bring us to the fish and make sure we landed some dinner. Bruce, the writer, and a friend, Greg, did most of the fishing and I spent most of my time behind the camera. Bruce and Greg had good luck and we feasted on some delicious pike.

A big thank-you to Scott, Christine and Tim at Glen Echo! Sorry, this is a pictureless post – Can Geo has first rights to use of the photos. Stay tuned for the November issue!

Tomorrow –  I should have more hockey pictures!

Harry   

I am starting to look at replacing a couple of lenses – my 24mm f2.8and 85mm f1.8 are still in good shape, optically, but they have seensome rough days of use. They have seen a few battles and beenknocked & bumped.I often visit my local used camera store – the Camera Trading Company– just to see what treasures they have in stock. Last week I saw animmaculate, like new – but used – 24mm f2.8 Nikkor lens. I bought it.I had to. It was a good deal!Does anyone have need of a battle scarred but hard working 24mm?

I recently covered some pro hockey – the Ottawa 67s. The NHL draft is on the horizon and these sub NHL-ers have every incentive to shine in front of the scouts. The hockey is fun, fast and furious!More hockey photos later this week. If you like hockey and you like photography consider my hockey photography workshop! 

I recently covered the Eastern Canadian Nordic Ski Championships held in West Quebec at Nakkertok Ski Club. Shown in this thumbnail are photos from the sprints – approximately 1.2km of pumped up, testosterone filled, controlled mayhem. Yes, it was fun!See the thumbnail full size 

More on style.

I choose to use a simple, “available light style” as in my ice climbing photo from ChelseaGallery.ca. Often, fill-flash is used to brighten any shadows or create a special effect. I don’t like the look. Notice no sign of flash in Doug, the ice climber at right – there would be a spark of light in his glasses, if I had used it. The reflective white ice and snow and his skyward looking face help reduce any harsh shadows.

Not using flash doesn’t mean it’s not worthwhile. It’s just not my style! Check LA commercial photographer Jill Greenberg’s heavily flash dependent style. It’s pretty amazing!

Have fun,

H