#308 Olympic paddler

Posted on July 23, 2009 by admin

I continued some work on accomplished athletes for a stock and commercial art project.

I first met James Cartwright while shooting an editorial assignment covering the rebuilding of a national team training site in central Ottawa as part of a feature on urban renewal in downtown Ottawa.

Olympics & World Cup

James Cartwright is a veteran of three Olympic games and World Cup competition as a C1 slalom paddler. He has placed as high as 6th in international competition.

Photo Fun

After my shoot I spent some time capturing James play on a wave at the Pumphouse, downtown Ottawa. See the fun below:

James Cartwright

#307 Tony Fouhse gets noticed in NYC

Posted on July 22, 2009 by admin

I just noticed (thanks Alexi) that one of Ottawa’s grittiest photographers recently got some good press in the New York Times.

Tony Fouhse took on some personal work – it’s a long story revealed in the links below – shooting large portraits of people at a street corner in central Ottawa. That specific street corner sees many crack addicts pass by. Over time Tony ended up with some very real portraits of an often shunned group of people. The portraits were shot with permission and collaboration.

I have seen some of his work at La Petite Mort. I think Tony gave his subjects respect and time – something they are often denied. Nice work Tony!

See the NY Times piece.

See Tony at La Petite MortGallery.

See Tony’s web site.

#305 Student Portraits

Posted on July 21, 2009 by admin

Last week I taught a Custom Course based on the Natural Light Portrait Course and posted a few of my photos of photographer and model.

Nathalie’s portraits are fun and well done. She has sent some of her photos to present to the world:

Nat

Natural Light Portraits Photo Workshop

Nathalie is working quickly through her Pro Program for those looking to make photography their profession. Her website is under development – we will be announcing her launch as it comes.

Nice work, Nat!

Harry

#304 Gallery Visit – August

Posted on July 20, 2009 by admin

Based on the success of July’s gallery visit of the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography’s exhibition of Scott McFarland’s large prints we are offering a gallery visit in August. This is an informal social gathering. There is no cost to participate.

Please note: Our gallery visit has changed dates and location to take advantage of a great opportunity. The new details:

“World Press Photo 09“

Thursday, August 20th, 2009 – 6:30pm

Gallery Cost: Free Museum entry after 5pm
Meet in the main lobby of the Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Place, Ottawa
RSVP
See some of the finest photojournalism and press photography of the year as we soak in “World Press Photo 09.”

See you there,
Harry

#303 Dave McMahon flying

Posted on July 17, 2009 by admin

This week I had the opportunity to shoot Dave McMahon for a stock and commercial art project.

Dave McMahon is an accomplished athlete – National Biathlon Champion with many other accomplishments. He now runs XCZone.tv providing video footage and producing films of “Clean Oxygen Fed Sport.”

We ventured into Gatineau Park for some trail running photos and caught him flying along the trail – both feet off the ground.

He’s fast.

Dave McMahon - xczone.tv

Dave McMahon

#302 Reminder – Gallery Visit this Thursday!

Posted on July 15, 2009 by admin

We announced Thursday’s National Gallery visit three weeks ago and the response has been good so far.

This is an informal social gathering. There is no cost to participate. It is an opportunity to meet, discuss, learn, and enjoy prominent photo exhibitions with other photo enthusiasts. After the event people have discussed visiting the Byward Market.

Scott McFarland – A Cultivated View

Thursday, July 16th, 2009; 6:30pm
Gallery Cost: Free gallery entry after 5pm
Meet: 6:30pm in the main lobby of the National Gallery, 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

We visit the National Gallery to see Scott McFarland’s work shot on a large format camera and ‘adjusted’ digitally.

Stay tuned for other Gallery visits.

Harry

#301 Nerves to Smiles

Posted on July 14, 2009 by admin

Nerves to Smiles

Yesterday’s Portrait Custom Course student was nervous – she is preparing for a 90th birthday party photo assignment. There’s a lot to think about when under pressure!

We went through the material from the Natural Light Portraits course spending time specifically on indoor use of camera mounted flash. We did a quick review before I left Nat to prepare for her final exam – producing portraits for an unknown person – Shirley, past photo student. Her modeling instructions were simply “Be yourself.”

Custom Course Natural Light Portraits Gatineau Ottawa

By the end of the session Nathalie’s nerves had melted into smiles. She did well and had fun shooting. Nice work Nat!

Below, see some photos I shot during her final exam:

Natural Light Portrait Photo Workshop - Ottawa Gatineau

#300 Business of Photography

Posted on July 12, 2009 by admin

Recently, I went out with a red shirt and cedar canvas canoe for one of our publications – a course notebook for Natural Light Portraits. The photos of the workshop instructor (me) were taken by the notebook editor, an accomplished student of some of our courses.

We brought the canoe to the Ottawa River whereby I paddled while Chris photographed. He chuckled, “you have a pretty good job – canoeing and taking photos.”

Harry photo canoe

I smiled – I do have a pretty good job. Chris saw the 10-20% fun part. Most of the work is editing, selling, marketing, submitting and filing.

With that in mind I present to you an article I stumbled upon recently related to smart principles of press releases. The ideas apply to new photography businesses and, more broadly, any promotional efforts.

The article makes good business sense – the kind of advice we convey in the Creative Business Seminar – dates coming this fall.

#299 Student Success

Posted on July 9, 2009 by admin

I just got an email from Susie Osler, ceramic artist, and was excited about her latest successes!

Susie’s work has developed through extensive training and continued development of her work. Her accomplishments are many.

Susie Osler SusieOsler.com

Coming up is the opening for her Fieldwork Project. Also be sure to tune in for her interview with CBC Ottawa’s ‘In Town and Out’ airing Saturday morning between 6 and 9 am!

Susie Osler - Fieldwork

Susie contacted me last winter as she wanted help documenting her ceramic work for promotion, galleries and juried shows. We designed a Custom Course based on the ‘Photography for Art Promotion‘ presentation I did for the Ontario Craft Council to help her shine.

We’re proud of her continued success! Yay, Susie!