#1142 Ten Year Blogging Anniversary

Ten years ago today I published my first blog post.
Since then 1142 diverse entries have followed my career.

In 2008, my web tech / comms / librarian wife suggested it would benefit my business. I secretly thought she was crazy but I followed her advice. Of course she was correct – the blog served my photo/arts workshop business and teaching career well.

The early posts now make me chuckle. Below are some memorable moments:
• Workshops
• Photography for Communications Professionals
Preston Studio
• Ottawa Photo Contest and Results
Ottawa Photo Newsletter
• Online Photo Program 
Watershed Art Project
Teaching Reflections

Keep reading and contributing.
Thanks for following…

Ottawa blog

Harry and his big plywood camera

#1141 Learning Links

As a young student I didn’t sit still very well. I got distracted sometimes. I loved what I liked and grudgingly did other work. Sometimes I sunk energy into subjects others thought I would be good for me… that never went well. I started to blossom when I allowed myself to pursue and enjoy what I loved.

This realization helped ignite my interest in education, and more broadly, working with youth to help them find their way and excel. I started reading, writing and learning.

Below are some recent resources I’ve enjoyed and that help me shape my next steps:

• Some of my toughest and most rewarding days are working with children who test our limits as teachers. I cannot believe these children are behaving as they do for fun. Their (often traumatic) circumstances shapes their spikey behaviours. Rob Miller describes “hugging the porcupine.”

math alternatives

Image Driven Math

• I spent a day last week learning about math strategies including our education ministry’s renewed math strategy.
I was happy to hear some of the strategies that included “image driven math,” math sites like  Which One Doesn’t Belong and Fermi’s open ended questions.
These sites get students’ brains and classes working differently. One of the presenters urged us to take math class outside. I smiled at that suggestion. I probably would have done better at university level calculus if we could play with practical applications outside the classroom…

• I don’t sit still very well. Active learning – ie being active while learning math / language, etc. helps me learn and smile. I am seeing more bike desks in classes to help students that need to move. Being outside and being active engage and retain students and their learning. Bill Murphy Jr. writes about the need for many to be active when learning.

Keep reading and learning. Please share your favourite links, below.

#1087 Web Distractions – Exposed! Newsletter

“I’ve lost my photo passion!”
I hear many photographers that burn out creatively.

There are many remedies.
One is to look for inspiration.

In this month’s Exposed! Photo Newsletter we look at our reader’s new suggestions for inspiration from the web. A big thanks to our readers for continuing to send links that inspire and engage, creatively.

slow motion photo

Twirling on a 30 deck

This month we link to:
• Stunning views of Iceland
• 6+ years of a selfie-a-day
• Tech news from Apple
• Photoshop variations from around the world
• A video interview of a National Geographic adventure photographer
… and more.

Read the newsletter. Get inspired by the links!

Large Format Photography

© HarryNowell.com Vintage Camera. Modern Views

#1077 Exposed! Photo Newsletter – Creative Influences

Last week we released the latest Exposed! photo newsletter.

In our recent look at creativity we suggest the effect of other creative influences on your work and offer the best of our recent web distraction posts including “absurdly expressive dog portraits!”

I am grateful for your feedback! Thanks.

Get influenced by these links!

Creativity

Dog Portrait

 

#1075 Web Distractions

This edition of Web Distractions is brought to you by many of our readers and supporters! Thanks for keeping the links coming…

55 Best Photographers, Ever
We stumbled upon this list and I was curious who got the number one spot…

Pre-Pantone Colours
Norman P offered this link about a book of colours described hundreds of years before Pantone.

Film Photography

Photos of Tears
Gina R suggested this link with photos about the uniqueness of tears.

Historic Negatives Found at Thrift Shop
Wojciech J. posted this link about a story of negatives that surfaced in a Thrift Shop.

Motorbikes and their Loads
Peter H brought our attention to this light hearted look at heavy loads.

Oops, wrong photos in a big news story
‘Anonymous’ suggested this NY Times story about the wrong photos being used for a mega news story

Post-Baby Beauty
Murielle C posted this link challenging perceptions of beauty.

• Photographer Round-up 
Check who’s doing what in the photo world – expand your horizons.

A big thanks for the links – keep them coming!

Bye for now…

#1070 Web distractions

This edition of Web Distractions is brought to you by many of our readers and supporters! Thanks for keeping the links coming…

• 2014 Scotiabank Photography Award goes to…
Mark Ruwedel! Congratulations…

• Sun Streaks to Analemma 
Gilles saw my SunStreaks project and sent me this link to the related Analemma – very interesting! Thanks Gilles…

sunrise photo

iPhone Ottawa Sunrise

Custom-Cameras
Mike V of PhotoKibitz offered this link to Custom Cameras… very fun!

NY Times: Alternate views of animals
Debbie S shared this article on different photos depicting animals.

Powerful photos…
Thanks again to Deb for this link!

Photographer Round-up 
Check who’s doing what in the photo world – it’ll help you develop your own vision!

A big thanks for the links – keep them coming!

Photography

Building a picture – soak up as many influences as possible!

#1062 Web Distractions!!

Welcome back to our current instalment of Web Distractions. And thanks for your part in sharing your finds on the web!

We have a full slate of photo and arts based web investigations.

“Absurdly Expressive” dog portraits
I love dogs!
And I think Debbie S. knows it. She shared this collection of canine portraits.
🙂

perspective

dogs!

Best photographers in film
Thanks to Rod MacIvor, retired photojournalist, for this link to some amazing films involving photographers.

4500km China walk – with camera
Nichole McGill provided this link to a man’s amazing photo trek through China…

“Leica photography is dead.” … interesting view on an amazing camera line-up
Dave Andrews posted this link link. Interesting…

Illegal photo taking in Hungary – the controversy!
Nathalie Madore shared this link to a new Hungarian law that’s shaking things up!

Shy photographer gets noticed
Ken H offers this fun story…

Montreal’s underground photographic beauty
Danigirl brought us this look at what lurks, beautifully, under Montreal.

Vivian Maier’s hidden photo talent and collection
Liz links to this documentary of a hidden talent who wanted nothing to do with the fame she is generating! Amazing story…

A big thank-you to contributors! Keep sharing your photo and arts links!

Leica

DavidBarbour.com with his Leica

#1061 Finding Creativity – Exposed! Photo Newsletter

“Where do your creative ideas come from?”

Good question! Creativity is an intangible seed that grows under varied and unusual ways. What works for a creative scientist may not work for an artist but there are common, underlying elements that help unleash creativity.

This month we explore one of the ideas – unstructured daydreaming and aimless wandering.

Read more to fuel your creativity.

creative outlets

Learning to harness creativity.

#1050 Web distractions

A big thanks to our readers for the content of this edition of web distractions!
We have a long list this week!

Keeping up with Olympic photo deadlines
Past student, Nathalie Madore, shared this link from a photographer on the pressures of shooting the Olympics!

Beauty without Processing
Nichole McGill shared a link to real beauty.

Librarian Portraits
A reader who prefers anonymity offers a whimsical look at the look of librarians!

analogue photography

Film photography – slide, light table and loupe!

Sexism in stock photography?
‘Anonymous’ also offered this look about sexism in stock photography.

14 Photo Project Ideas
Barbara McKenzie sent this look at some good ideas to boost your photo creativity.

Toilet Paper Roll Art!
Dave Andrews offered this very fun look at amazing art found inside toilet paper rolls!

“Humans of New York” Photographer Interview
Hagen Hohn, past student, sent out this link of an interview with ‘overnight photo success’ photographer Brandon Stanton.

proper exposure

Blacks ad whites – proper exposures!

#1046 – Web Distractions

We have another round of web distractions for you.
This month it includes photo and photo related links dealing with creativity.

Mountain Selfies Creating Buzz
Thanks to CAPIC for this link – Banff photographer, Paul Zizka has been shooting himself and getting attention!

The Power of Mistakes
This video came to me month’s ago and, while not about photography specifically, it inspired me to embrace creativity.

Creative Artist
Again, this is not about photography but creativity and art to help you think differently about your photography! Thanks to Eliot for this link…

Art

Art