#999 Oh, exciting…

Posted on September 18, 2013 by admin

We have a few developments coming up. They are almost ready to announce but I can’t contain myself.

Coming soon we will be offering:
• a Photoshop Seminar to help you make magical worlds out of ordinary photos. It’ll be lead by a veteran working photography with a passion for digital imaging.

• a framing seminar on how to frame artwork yourself… Coming thanks to Patrick Gordon Framing.

• a Platform Series presentation from a climbing Clark Kent (superhero and humble) – Doug Pratt Johnson as he present his solo climb of the iconic Yosemite climbing area.

Stay tuned…

#996 Caffenol Platform Session – Alternative B&W processing

Posted on September 11, 2013 by admin

We are offering an evening with Matt Hinther as part of our Ottawa Platform Series. Matt is joining us to guide you through the new-ish alternative process of film and paper development – Caffenol!

Caffenol – Black and White Processing

What is Caffenol?
The Caffenol process is a much less toxic development process using simple ingredients to develop and print B&W film.

People with home-based darkrooms or those working in shared darkrooms will appreciate working in a less toxic environment.The opportunity to try new tinting and creative options is also exciting!

Join us on October 25th for a fun, evening of exploration with Caffenol!
Only $15…
Details and registration.

#995 Online Photo Program – Bad News / Good News

Posted on September 8, 2013 by admin

We’ve offered our monthly challenges for 15 months now. We have bad news and good news!

Online Photo Program – Fast Photo Challenge – © Cathy Vanners

The Bad News is that, after 15 months, we’re raising the price. Just a little. The cost used to be $180 for 6 months – that’s $30/month. We’re raising it to $195 for 6 months. That’s only $2.50 extra per month.

The good news is we’re offering a fall promotion that makes the Online Program cheaper… for a limited time!

Yes, we’re offering 6 months of the Online Program for $160. That’s just the price of one dinner at a restaurant each month!

This offer only lasts until Wednesday, September 18th!
$160 + tax for 6 months of photo challenges, video tutorials, tips, photo community and personal critique.
This deal has finished but you can still join at the regular price:
Register NOW!

What do you get from the Online Program?
Think of it as a new photo class every month with:
• a video lesson
• course notes
• weekly email check-in with tips, encouragement and news
• ongoing group support through a private Facebook group for Members only
• and a compreshensive video critique of member’s photos at the end of the month.

Member Comments:
• “We’re lucky we have you to guide us”
• “Thanks so much Harry, couldn’t have done it without you and the online course.”
• “I am very much enjoying the challenges and the format of what you’ve created here with the online program. For me, just the right balance of freedom to work at your own pace and structure to keep you honest and get something done. With good advice along the way. I appreciate it, and am very happy to support it.”
• “It was a tough assignment and needed a lot of elements to come together for it to work. But a great learning experience. I’m loving this and the FB group is terrific.”

Watch a sample video on YouTube. This is from one of our more technical challenges.

See one (there are three) of the critique videos from the lesson above on YouTube.

This offer only lasts until Wednesday, September 18th.
$160 + tax for 6 months of photo challenges, video tutorials, tips, photo community and personal critique.
This deal has finished but you can still join at the regular price:
Register NOW!

#994 Portfolio Reviews with David Trattles

Posted on September 5, 2013 by admin

Remember David Trattles?

David Trattles

He’s offering his popular Travel & Documentary Photography Workshop again. It sold out again.

As part of our Platform Sessions he has offered his expertise to people through portfolio reviews. It’s last minute and there are not many spots available…

Details
Dave has kindly offered to meet with people One-on-One to review their photos and stories Saturday, September 14th afternoon slots at Ottawa Studio Works – 160 Preston St.

Half hour sessions are $50 + HST.

More details and registration…

#993 Gatineau Park Photo Safari Photos

Posted on September 4, 2013 by admin

Photo Safari MacKenzie King Estates © Morina Reece

Last weekend we ran a photo safari at MacKenzie King Estates in Gatineau Park for the NCC.

Many smiling faces joined us as we explored this year’s theme of Nature.

Some fine photos resulted. What do you think?!

Missed this photo adventure?
Join us for Creative Fundamentals as we help people get comfortable with their cameras in Gatineau Park

Gatineau Park Photo Safari © Marcel Mathurin

Gatineau Park Photo Safari © Suzanne Rochford

Gatineau Park Photo Safari © Nathalie Fortier

#992 Online Photo Class – New Perspectives

Posted on September 1, 2013 by admin

In August we offered a new direction in challenges of our Online Photo Program.

In June we offered a Photojournalism Challenge and a (some said tougher!) Social Documentary Challenge in July.

Last month we asked our members to photograph the same subject AT LEAST 50 different ways.

Crazy, they said.
I don’t care, I replied.

Member’s resulting photos glowed, proving that my mad challenge had a purpose!

Online Photo Challenge – © Morina R

What member’s said this month:
“Always amazed to see the creativity folks display when taking on Harry’s challenges – constantly saying to myself,I wish I had thought of that.”
Al

Online Photo Challenge – © Jeffrey F

“I learned so much from the challenge and it was a lot of fun. The John Cleese video was especially entertaining and some really good tips on creativity. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks again for keeping us on our photography toes, so to speak.”
Christine

Online Photo Class – © April L

“Great challenge. – again!

I am off tomorrow morning to the Freeman Patterson workshop. Thanks to the 6 months of experience in the online course, I am feeling much more comfortable using my camera.

Will renew my online course when I return.”
Anon.

Online Photo Challenge – © Kevan E

“You guys and gals, have some wonderful shots. I am learning more and more each day.”
Michelle

“Just watched the critique and I learned something from EVERY photo submitted (and Harry’s advice of course!). Thank you all for sharing your efforts. All of you inspire me with your work! Looking forward to next month’s challenge …”
Maureen

Join us for the fall online photo challenges!

Online Photo Challenge – © Christine P.

#989 Portraits Photo Class – Review

Posted on August 25, 2013 by admin

Another session of one of our longest running courses is complete.

We offered the summer session of Natural Light Portraits in August and nerves turned into smiles all round.

Natural Light Portraits
© Marie Josée Leblanc

Let’s face it … making people pictures is hard. The photographers often get nervous and worry they’ll be good enough. Not only do they have to manage their camera’s technical elements and creative concerns but they ALSO have to engage with a person or people. That’s a lot to deal with even if you have experience!

By the end of the course students were more comfortable and relieved that their ability to capture good portraits had produced good results!

Portraits Course
© MJ Leblanc

“Great learning curve.”

“Very patient and positive instructor. Loved it.”

And the models were happy with their photos!Our busy workshop season is coming up with courses by photojournalist Blair Gable, socdoc photog David Trattles, Graphic Designer Peter Handley and myself, Harry Nowell. Courses range from Night Light to Fundamentals to Lighting to travel to processing.

See more workshop details and invest in yourself and your photo skills!

Portraits Photo Course
© Madeleine Bachand

#988 Watershed Photo Exhibition + Assignments + Photo Class

Posted on August 22, 2013 by admin

I realize I’ve been slacking on sharing some projects I’ve been working on…

What’s been going on this summer:
• Just finished an editorial assignment that sent me shooting a municipal political portrait and sunrise in a canoe for the same article.

• Finishing a stock assignment with an educational client.

• Finished Natural Light Portraits photo workshop. It’s always a good sign when nobody leave at the end of a course – makes me smile.

Better Portraits – Natural Light Portraits Photo Class

• Handed in some product shots a while back of some BEAUTIFUL custom furniture.

• Preparing some promotional material for our workshops.

• Installing Watershed at the Ottawa Airport very, very soon.

Watershed Art Exhibition

Details and photos will be coming as they become available for sharing…

#985 Who’s doing what in Ottawa photography

Posted on August 15, 2013 by admin

Each Friday over at Ottawa Studio Works we offer insight into what photographers are working on in Ottawa & Gatineau.

Ottawa Art Studio

For three years we’ve covered photo fun like:
• Tony Fouhse’s review of Ed Burtinsky.
• France Rivet’s devastating story of Innuit on display in Europe.
• Justin Van Leeuwen’s extreme family portraits.

As well as our own photo classes and photo tips.

What’s new this week on the OSW Blog?

Ottawa Studio Works Event

#982 Photo Contest Winners Announced

Posted on August 8, 2013 by admin

In July we launched our 2nd annual photo contest for past students and we were very happy to see the results. Entires were diverse and spoke highly of the hard work (and fun) students have invested in their photo skills.

We selected four winners.

What were our criteria?
We were looking for:
• diversity in the photos
• technical excellence
• something different… There are many, many good photos out there – we wanted something that would catch the eye and make someone smile. We’ve always preached “Do something different.” Each of the winning photos stood above the norm.

We’re very proud of all of our students.

Photography is tough. During the last ten years digital camera manufacturers have erroneously preached “EASY.” It’s NOT easy. It takes skill, perseverance, passion and many years of time to develop skills.

All the winners have been involved with our lessons for YEARS!

Alan and Cheryl have separately taken (almost) every course we’ve offered. They have taken a couple of courses more than once. Both are currently enrolled in our Online Photo Program with monthly challenges.

Yesterday Cheryl sent me a note after learning about her win: “I would have never got that photo if it wasn’t for your great teaching ability and getting me out of the box of ho hum photography.”

Eryck started with the Pro Hockey photo workshop and has grown from there reading our photo tips and newsletters, etc.

Morina completed our ProProgram last year and has taken many of our courses. She commented about Natural Light Portraits – “Superbly challenging, informative, exciting & very practical!”

Thanks for sticking with us to develop your skills.

The winners all receive a free three month membership of our Online Photo Program.
Congratulations!