#950 – Online Photo Class – May’s photo challenge review

Posted on May 23, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Last month on the Online Photo Program we gave the members the challenge of Slow Photos – where we asked them to shoot with a shutter speed of 1 second or longer. That’s tough to do!

This month the photography class challenge was Fast Photos where we asked members to use a fast shutter speed to freeze any action to show implied motion in their photos. It’s also a tough challenge!!

Better photos - Online Photography Course

Better photos - Online Photography Program - "Fast Photos / Implied Motion Challenge" © Al G

And the online programmers rose to the challenge! As usual I was impressed with the work they did and the results. We have a private Facebook group for members to share and exchange ideas – it’s nice to see people help each other grow.

The Online Program Experience
I don’t know any photo program offered like ours. It’s not quite a photography course… it’s more of a ‘group-exploration-of-photo-challenges.’

We offer a new photo challenge every month and support photographer’s development with:
• a video lesson
• course notes
• photo tips
• web links
• equipment suggestions
• support
• weekly lesson by email
• a Facebook based forum for members to share AND
• a video critique of member’s photos to wrap things up.
In all there are four weeks of programming every month. All for $30 a month, purchased as a 6 month block.

Better photos - Online Photography Course - "Fast Photos / Implied Motion Challenge" © Kevan E

Member comments from May’s challenge keep coming in with praise for the program:• “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.”

Better photos - Online Photography Course "Fast Photos / Implied Motion Challenge" - Ken C

• “I like the program a lot, it keeps me on track. I wouldn’t be using my camera as much if I wasn’t taking the program.”
• “I am really enjoying the program. My intent when I signed up was to help me get creative, and off my butt and do some shooting. I find I’m more creative if I have a goal or deadline of some sort. Making one up didn’t work.
I think the timing (a month for a challenge) and its spacing is perfect. And I enjoy seeing other’s work and getting feedback, especially the criticisms. Tough to take, but the best way to learn. I’m already looking forward to the topic for June.”

Coming In June we’ll be looking at one type of story-telling with your camera. Join us!

Better photos - Online Photography Class

Better photos - Online Photography Course "Fast Photos / Implied Motion Challenge" - Cathy V

#946 – New adventures? – iPhone photo

Posted on May 15, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Soooo, I am looking at iPhones, mostly to assist work.

Not so much for client photography but to support blog work, Facebook and other promotion work. I get tired of pulling out the big (lovely) cameras and going through the whole production needed to get a photo on Facebook, etc.

I DON’T love the techy-tech of photography and I usually a bit behind the leading edge (for good reason! – cheaper and early bugs often get resolved by the second generation.)

What’s your experience with Smartphone photography?

Update… I did it. iPhone. Now I am learning. Can’t wait for Blair Gable’s Smartphone Photo Safari.

Smartphone photography course - © Blair Gable

#939 Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop – Classic Course Results

Posted on April 28, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our longest running, most frequently run and well-loved photo class is Creative Fundamentals. We started it in 2001 and tweaked the curriculum as the course grew.

It’s popular because:
1. digital photography, for many people, is scary with too many buttons, menus and complications!
2. before photography, I was trained to teach people and develop curriculum in outdoor sports like alpine, tele, xc skiing and paddling while helping people achieve their goals.
3. I’ve learned to take scary ideas and convey them simply!

Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop © Liz R.

Scary to beautifulness!
Last week we finished April’s Creative Fundamentals course. It was a fun group. As usual, many people arrived a little nervous and somewhat confused about all the buttons on their cameras.

By the end of the course people were smiling and producing beautifulness!! What they said:
• “I wasn’t sure that I learned much on the first class (theory) but the exercises (exposure, histograms) were a big breakthrough for me…” (ahem – see point 3 above!)

• “I got far more out of this course than ever expected!”

• “I feel much more comfortable with the concept of exposure… Money very well spent.”

• “The best part? The One-on-One opportunities to get feedback from Harry.”

Next Creative Fundamentals Course Opportunity!
Join the next Creative Fundamentals group class on September 25, 28, Oct 2, 2013.
Can’t wait that long?! Take Creative Fundamentals almost anytime as a Custom Course.

Ottawa Photo Fundamentals Course - Better Photos © Miranda K

#920 Upcoming Photo Workshops and Classes

Posted on March 12, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

We have our spring line-up of photo courses and workshops lined up.

Coming soon we will be announcing some summer and fall photo fun and are looking for some input – what do YOU want to learn photographically?

Spring Classes
This spring is shaping up nicely. At time of writing there is one spot left in our classic Creative Fundamentals Photo Class – it’s been filling up regularly since 2001 because we’ve figured out ways to help people demystify the mysteries of the camera.

Our spring offerings with Louise Tanguay are filling nicely – last year her Macro course filled early!!

Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop - Ottawa

Summer and Fall Classes
We will be announcing new workshops soon but how do these sound?:
• Weekend Algonquin Park Triple Barrel Adventure with Harry Nowell and naturalists and Bird Photographers Tony Beck and Nina Stavlund.
• On-Location Lighting with Blair Gable. Last year we had to offer a second session as people ‘demaned’ more!
• Urban Compositions Photo Safari exploring the unseen wonders of the cityscape.
• Summer Sports Photography challenging your cameras to catch the action.
• 2013 World Press Photo of the Year Festivities We’ve run events in past years - packed!
• Post Processing Seminars
• Night Light Photo Workshop A classic and popular session of magic lighting
• Fireworks Photo Safari Figure out the formulas for popping fun.

Blair Gable On Location Lighting Class 2012 - Ottawa

I am getting dizzy just thinking about what is coming up.
Stay tuned as announcements come…

And what photo workshop would YOU like to see us host?

#917 March’s Online Photo Challenge

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our online photo program brings a new course to your computer every month.

In March we bring members a creative challenge – capturing candid portraits without looking through the viewfinder or live-view screen.

“That’s crazy!”
Yes, it is – a little bit.

But there are good reasons and good results that come from this technique. This month we help members develop better candid portrait results.

Join the fun!

Candid portrait - from last summer's wedding season - shot without the viewfinder.

#916 Online Photo Program Special Offer!!

Posted on March 3, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our Online Photo Program is maturing. We’ve run it for almost a year and have been listening to (and implementing) member’s ideas

As an enticement to try the photo challenge (and a thanks to existing members) we are offering a 6 month membership at 30% off for the month of March, 2013.

For the month of March you can sign up for 6 months of ongoing contact, photo lessons & notes, challenges, group discussion and video critique…

… all for $125 instead of the regular $180.
• For photographers curious about the program this is an easy way to test our monthly challenges!
• Existing members can take advantage - adding the block onto their current membership.

Online Photo Challenge - Simple Studio Lighting - © Jeffrey Furry

What’s the online program all about?
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.

Recent comments:
“I’m happy to see that we don’t have to spend an arm and a leg in order to take good pictures. As always, I look forward to hearing your critique!”

“I questioned the cost before joining. But now that I have completed 3 months I believe that it is an excellent value.” (… and that was at full price!)

“Wow, was this fun! My dining room was a disaster for days (SImple Studio Lighting Challenge!), but boy, was it FUN! :-)”

Online Photo Challenge - Simple Studio Lighting - © Maisie Ismail

Special Deal offered during March 2013
Six months of Online Photo Programming for $125.
That works out to a month’s worth of photo programming for $20.83 per month – that’s a special deal only until the end of March.
The normal price is $180 or $30 per month.

That means SIX online courses for just over $20 each!

Register NOW!

February’s Photo Challenge
Last month’s challenge on the Online Photo Program at HarryNowell.com was called “Simple Studio Lighting.”

Member’s learned to explore the world of studio lighting using only equipment they had at home.

Result’s were stunning…

Online Photo Challenge - Simple Studio Lighting - © Christa Rumleskie

#892 – New Ottawa Photo Class: Winter Landscapes!

Posted on January 6, 2013 by admin — No Comments ↓

You asked and we listened!

We’ve been developing the Winter Landscapes Photo Class for two years based on your requests.

This year we offer Winter Landscapes again to help you:
• take better photos.
• learn to shoot in comfort in winter’s weather!

Ottawa Winter Landscape Photo Workshop

The first session is spent in the classroom looking at:
1. shooting techniques
2. equipment
3. ways to stay warm
4. ideas for winter photo compositions

Two outdoor sessions allow you two chances to try new techniques and tweak systems and ideas with support in the field.

The final critique session allows you to see other participants successes and to learn from everyone’s challenges! The critique is often the most valuable learning tool!

Dates

February 26 – 6-9pm – classroom preparation
March 2 – 7:30-10:30am – shooting
March 3 – 2-5pm – shooting
March 5 – 6-9pm – classroom critique session

Location

Workshop is held in central Ottawa at Ottawa Studio Works and in locations surrounding Ottawa/Gatineau. Shooting locations are specifically selected to provide promising photographic potential at this time of year.

Cost

$350 + applicable taxes

Register or see more details!

Ottawa Winter Landscapes Photo Workshop

#882 Successes! Online Photo Program

Posted on December 4, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

Our Online Photo Program offered another technical challenge to the group last month. Building on the backlighting challenge we urged Online Members to go to the dark side to investigate the world of silhouettes.

People were gently challenged by the weekly lessons, support and forum comments through the program. There were many excellent photos and some very good growth this month.

One photo that caught my eye was from Allan C, online member and workshop grad, who caught the chair sculpture, below.

What caught my eye was he captured most of the sculpture as a silhouette but noticed that a couple of the elements were oriented perfectly to be exposed well – this photo plays with silhouettes and normally exposed parts in a fun play on exposure.

Allan says:
“I have enjoyed this month’s challenge.

All month I have been trying to capture a silhouette of Tim des Cloud’s chair statues. But something was always off, clutter … buildings, traffic lights, wires or the lighting wasn’t right. I got this shot walking back from the library on my point & shot. One should always carry a camera; sometimes the shot is just found instead of stalked.”

Well said!

And well done, Allan.

This month we are challenging members to a more creative challenge involving the festive season.

Join us for the online program in December!

#875 New Ottawa Photo Safari – Molten Glass-Blowing!

Posted on November 19, 2012 by admin — No Comments ↓

We’re excited to add to our photo workshops listings a hot new photo safari – glass blowing.

From furnace to finished glass your photo skills will be tested as you face challenges of light, composition and timing the fast paced action in the studio.

Ottawa photo safari - glass blowing!!

We have arranged to bring photo fans to a glass blowing studio in Ottawa. The action heats up as our hosts build glass art before your cameras.

This safari is most suited to photographers comfortable with setting exposures in manual mode. This photo safari will test your skills!

ottawa photo safari - glass-blowing!

What’s the difference between a photography workshop and a photo safari?
• In photo workshop, we set up multiple photo sessions to teach specific elements within a photography niche.
• In a photo safari, we bring photographers to a shorter, single session with the emphasis on photo fun offering tips to maximize results.

Details:
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013 (7-9pm)
$75 + taxes
Due to space constraints this photo safari is limited to six participants. We work on a first come, first served basis!

To register visit the Glass-Blowing Photo Safari page!

Ottawa photo safari - Glass-Blowing!

#872 – Student Success! Another ProProgram Photo Course Graduate.

Posted on November 11, 2012 by admin — 1 Comment ↓

Please join me in congratulating Sarah Ruest as she graduates from her ProProgram. I first met Sarah when she enrolled in a bike race safari in 2011 and she quickly decided photography was something she wanted to pursue!

She worked hard to explore many facets of photography from technical proficiencies to underlying style and story behind each photo project.

Sarah progressed well over her year in the program and we’re excited to see where she takes photography next! Keep an eye out for her work!

The Program helped Sarah take some big steps in photography. Hear what she has to say:
“I entered the ProProgram with a love of photography, but feeling quite uncertain of how to grow my skills and vision for what was a fun hobby and outlet for me. I found Harry’s Bike Race Photo Safari and had a blast shooting something different. I was amazed at how much I learned in this short evening safari, and was impressed with Harry’s transparent teaching style. I took a few more workshops, and in the fall joined the ProProgram officially.

Student success - ProProgram course graduate

The ProProgram allowed me to gain technical skills and build creative business sense. Harry’s constant encouragement and advice guided me toward building my vision for how photography fit into my life. It is the ideal program for anyone, because it is customized to your interests and needs instead of being a boilerplate.

I have a long list of projects to pursue, and hope to have a show someday. Harry shared all of his experiences and lessons learned in this field, which gave me the confidence I needed to know that I can do anything I want to in photography. Burned in my mind forever are Harry’s words “Do something different”!“

We’re cheering for Sarah’s next steps in photography.
Congratulations, Sarah!

We’ll keep you posted with tales from ProProgram grad successes!

Interested in taking a giant leap in your photography? Ask us about the ProProgram!