#245 Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop

Posted on April 13, 2009 by admin

This week we start the first spring session of Creative Fundamentals. The course is our most popular. Why? It brings the overwhelming elements of technical photography and digital cameras down to simple ideas.

Creative Fundamentals Photo Course

Course agenda

We demystify f-stops, white balance and exposure…

The course starts with the technical elements of photography and progresses towards the creative control available through technical understanding. We have the chance to photograph some whitewater acrobatics at the end of the practical session:

Creative Fundamentals Photo Course

Who takes Creative Fundamentals?

The course is appropriate for people learning or those wanting to improve existing skills. While most people shoot digitally on the course we welcome film shooters – both media are based on the same principles. Different people will walk away with different successes!

Some comments:

“…so you can be very proud of your ability to teach. Thank God, there is a Harry.”

”I learned more in the five hours with you than in a five week course…”

The course is popular enough that we run 4-6 sessions a year. Still interested in a spring session? Just let us know…

Photo Course

#244 More Student Success!

Posted on April 10, 2009 by admin

I first met Al Garner on our Creative Fundamentals spring photo workshop two years ago. He was new to the world of f-stops and creative compositions. Over the last two years Al has enrolled in many of our regular and custom courses as well as courses by Mike Guilbault in Barrie, Ontario.

Al Garner AlGarner

Al’s Photo Path

Al has progressed nicely! Initially he tackled technical and creative challenges that would block his photo success and fun. With persistence, encouragement and regular local photo safaris Al’s photography has flourished:

His photos have come a long way
His photo confidence has grown
He smiles way more than he did at the beginning!

His photo journey continues as he keeps looking for new challenges and the possibility of taking on some photo work.

See more of his photos below:

Al Garner

Nice work Al!

#242 Dogs, dogs, dogs

Posted on April 7, 2009 by admin

I mentioned I was shooting at the Aylmer SPCA. There was no Santa this time but a surprise appearance of the Easter Bunny! The session went well with ~40 dogs and one hamster. Over $500 was raised to support the good work of the SPCA.

Some of the stars:

SPCA photo

#241 Karsh events

Posted on April 6, 2009 by admin

Yousuf Karsh and his brother Malak were fine examples of driven businessmen immigrating from a life that was both tragic and without the opportunities available in North America.

Karsh History

In about 1922 their family escaped from the Armenian Genocide. A couple of years later Yousuf Karsh was sent to Canada and lived with his Uncle Nakash in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Uncle Nakash sent him to apprentice with John Garo of Boston, prominent portrait photographer of the era.

Malak followed his brother in 1937 and learned the photography trade.

Assisting Malak Karsh – 1997

I worked with Malak for two weeks in 1997 – assisting him on his trip around the Yukon. He was 82 years old and still working full time. I asked “Are you ever going to retire?” He replied “Retirement is for doing what you really love.” He retired at a really early age, then!

My Biggest Lesson

What struck me most about their photo careers was not their creative work but their burning desire to succeed in their field. And not only normal success. They wanted international prominence and succeeded.

Drive

Anything is possible. They knew that. They overcame an attempted extermination and life obstacles with a drive rarely seen otherwise. How did they reach their fame and prominence in the photo world? With an attitude of success and a drive to find a way around the obstacles in their way.

Upcoming Karsh Events

There are two events coming up that pays tribute to their work:

Yousuf Karsh and Edward Steichen: The Art of the Celebrity Portrait at the National Gallery
Festival Karsh presented by Library and Archives Canada, the Portrait Gallery of Canada and the Canada Science and Technology Museum

#240 Dog photos at Aylmer SPCA

Posted on April 3, 2009 by admin

Ok, I have a soft spot for dogs. My dear old Tigger was a very good friend:

Tigger

We now enjoy Biscuit’s fun antics:

Biscuit

So when the Aylmer SPCA asked if I would do some photos to help their open house I said YES! We did photos at Christmas for dogs and their humans:

Dog photos with Santa

… and will be offering the same service again:

Saturday April 4; noon until 2pm
Aylmer SPCA; 659 Auguste Mondeaux, Gatineau, Qc.

Or call them for details. Santa will not be able to make it this time, sorry!

#239 Timberframe construction site

Posted on April 2, 2009 by admin

I recently shot some construction work Bala Structures was doing on a very old timberframe home. What was needed were photos documenting the rebuilding of a few exterior walls from the inside.

When the interior wall board was removed they discovered four inches of insulation in many places. Ahem, to put that in the ‘half empty’ context there were many places without ANY insulation – no wonder it was hard to heat!

The house will never be as efficient as a Passivhaus but will likely be better than the ‘low’ Canadian standards.

The contractors rebuilt the walls in question with at least ten inches of fibreglass batts and styrofoam insulation. Below are a few photos documenting the rebuild process starting with what they found behind the drywall – notice the gaps in insulation and the old window that was just paved over:

Timberframe photo

#238 Night Light follow-up

Posted on April 1, 2009 by admin

Our Night Light course went well. Great weather and good lights.

The Saturday night session also coincided with Earth Hour where the city dims its lights. That made for an excellent opportunity to shoot a candle light event around the centennial flame!

Tonight is the critique session where we see the results…

Night Light Photo Workshop

Night Lights with a surfer!

#237 Ottawa Magazine – Pumphouse Feature

Posted on March 29, 2009 by admin

I wandered by a news stand to buy a paper and noticed this month’s issue of Ottawa Magazine – my feature on Canada’s national team whitewater slalom training site is inside.

Ottawa Pumphouse kayak Sarah Boudens

The “Pumphouse” is quietly and obliviously passed by thousands of commuters twice a day on the edge of Ottawa’s downtown core. Olympians like Sarah Boudens and James Cartwright train at the site much of the year.

Ottawa Pumphouse kayak

Buy the Ottawa Magazine to see more photos and read about the hard work of Doug Corkery and the Ottawa River Runners to build the site over the last 30 years… despite the bureaucratic headaches.

Ottawa Pumphouse kayak Doug Corkery

Ottawa Pumphouse kayak

Ottawa Pumphouse canoe James Cartwright

#236 Photography for Communications Professionals

Posted on March 26, 2009 by admin

It’s been a busy week and one of the highlights has been the course Photography for Communications Professionals.

The Course

“Harry leads a focused, interesting, extremely helpful workshop – I got what I came for.”

The course is designed for those working in a significant communications department who need to work with photography as one aspect of their work. Participants included staff from many communications departments who have been asked to take photos at meetings, events or of keynote speakers, executives and staff. That’s tough work!

Photography for Communications Professionals

The Session

“The exercises closely connected to my work…”

The session was held at the beautiful National Gallery in central Ottawa and mixed classroom theory, practical photography, networking and discussions on photo ideas and issues around photography for communications departments:

consent forms
licensing photography
archiving imagery
negotiating with a photographer
usage rights and copyright

The Results

The group was fun! The exercises were challenging. The results were excellent:

“I have never had photos that were sooooo great!!!! Thank you a thousand times. I’m going through the photos from yesterday’s workshop and I am amazed at myself (and trying to stay humble at the same time)…“
“Very informative and well worth the time and cost.“

Nice work, people!

The next session of Photography for Communications Professionals is set for Wednesday November 4th, 2009.