Finished up the Urban Landscapes workshop last night. There were smiles all round. All students progressed well.

Before the trip to Iceland - see past postings - I started looking for a new over-the-shoulder (OTS) camera bag. I have had many photo bags and use different styles for different projects. For a backpack style I have owned two LowePro full sized camera backpacks - they’re good.

My current OTS bag was starting to break down, it had no waist belt and when loaded it hurt my shoulder. Time for a new bag. I searched and googled for a couple months. I kept coming back to the Crumpler “Brazilian Dollar Home”. It seemed to have everything I wanted:

• waist belt support
• large capacity
• inconspicuousness (does not yell “steal these cameras!!!”)
• comfy
• laptop-able

I bought it at Henry’s in Ottawa. I have had it for over a month and have used it for assignment, travel, Iceland, etc.

The verdict?

I love it. I can load it and travel comfortably. I have fit:

• 2 full features bodies + 1 small body
• 4 prime lenses + 1 large telephot
• laptop
• memory cards, film, batteries, cords, etc.
• laptop

This loaded it’s heavy.

The only downside may be that there is pressure on the laptop when fully loaded as the bag wraps around my body trying to curve the laptop. Is this bad for the laptop?

Two thumbs up for the Crumpler bag.

Harry

Pretty perfect weather was what we had for the Urban Landscapes Workshop this past weekend.

Harry, the instructor.

It was a good group sharing varied experiences. We explored locations in central Ottawa and Hull discovering unknown secrets, rediscovered memories and overlooked landmarks.

Reviewing the ideas of the ‘gray card.’

One student piped up “I’ve never noticed that tall building before!” Another was full of smiles and new knowledge by the end… she had come a long way, photographically, in a short time.

… Helping navigate the camera.

Another student sent me some photos from the start of the course to use on my blog - thanks Chris!

“The one thing to remember…”

Thanks for the fun! We meet again for the critique session this week. There may be an Urban Landscapes course in the spring - stay tuned.

Harry

I have been all about Iceland lately. There is life beyond Iceland:

The Urban Landscapes Photo Workshop is hosted this weekend. It’s a fun and challenging photo safari in the beautiful cities of Ottawa and Hull.

I am also working on a magazine feature for Ottawa Magazine - covering local Olympians and their Ottawa Training site. It’ll run next spring.

Some more stock work for a government client is being delivered tomorrow.

So far this year work has been good. I am smiling. While you will always have some good luck, consistent business growth takes sustained hard work. See my Creative Business Seminar for ideas for your creative business.

H

I just shot Ottawa Bluesfest for a couple of different media outlets. The festival has grown into an extravaganza of international music festival proportions.

Wyclef Jean 

For the last night of the fest I was hired to shoot and file the headline show. I got called in the afternoon to see if I could cover more. That meant twice the work. “Yes,” I said and asked for a larger budget to cover the extra work. “No,” they said.
I stood my ground and said for the original budget I’d shoot the original assignment. Their freelancer’s rates are very low already. They changed the show I was to cover. Fine - same work but I was done earlier.

I saw the staff writer covering the event. “What?!” he exclaimed! He phoned the media outlet - my assigned photos wouldn’t match his review. The office spoke to me again and asked if I could shoot more - “Yes,” if there was a larger budget!

They ended up hiring a student on site at the last minute for the extra work. The student told me he was paid $40 to shoot. Apparently he borrowed a laptop to file the work. Another photographer told the student what just went down. “You just took Harry’s work!” …and accepted almost nothing to do it. The student was a little uneasy! I am not upset with him - but he has some learning to do!

Crowd at Bluesfest 

There are many people who see shooting Bluesfest for a paper a great opportunity with great exposure that could lead to great things. With an attitude like that it will likely lead to low, unsustainable wages.

“But he got $40! Better than nothing.”

No! With the amount invested in photo and computer gear, the price of gas and the cost of doing business the student would be far better pursuing other jobs that paid a realistic wage.

“But it’s Bluesfest!” (ie fun). The media outlets know there are many ‘wanna-be’ photographers with stars in their eyes! This scenario often leads to low, unsustainable wages.

I filed my assigned work, enjoyed the show for twenty more minutes and went home to my wife. I filed my invoice and said I was interested in other work “… if the rates were reasonable.” I may never get another call from them. That’s fine - I’ll be working for better clients!

Sam Roberts 

If you have a new creative business BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! There are few clients who will pay you a penny more than they have to. They know there is a far greater supply of new photographers (or other new creatives) than there is demand for their services. They can often get away with paying low $. Saying “no” to low $ can get you further in the long run.

How can you learn the ropes of a creative business?

• Consider a professional organization. I started a network group for “Working Creatives” in Ottawa.
• Work as an assistant in the field.
• Go to school!
• Also consider my Creative Business Seminar November 1, 2008

Our monthly newsletter, ‘Exposed!‘ is going out today - we discuss “Passion in Portraits“:

“… Many of my Natural Light Portraits students fall into the same trap. They are so stressed about getting the right light, location and composition that they forget they are working with a living, breathing, emotional creature. Their portraits often mimic a lifeless boulder in a desert landscape…”

The article illustrates pitfalls of portraiture with tales from the studio! To receive ‘Exposed!’ automatically - sign up above, right.

There is also new work at ChelseaGallery.ca - some renovations going on at the site, too!

Football at ChelseaGallery.ca

Have Fun,

Harry

I taught a custom course last month to a woman working for the federal government - she was given the task to photograph the Canadian government’s apology to survivors of the native residential school system. See post #81.

She went from an occasional hobby photographer to being in the photo hot seat - capturing a highly emotional event with our highest elected and appointed officials!

Talk about stress!

Terri arranged for some of my photo training through her workplace to help her achieve some good photos. We spent time refreshing ideas of photography - this won’t make anyone a pro but it will help achieve results.

Terri did well - see her photos - posted with permission:

Assembly of First Nations leader Phil Fontaine

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Canadian Governor General Michaëlle Jean.

Nice work Terri!

A custom course makes sense for the workplace when there is no budget for a pro photographer but good photos are required!

Harry