Last week we published our latest Exposed! photo newsletter – ‘Photography First‘ – aiming to get people to take more photos. We urged you to “Get a camera. Right now! Start clicking.”

As an incentive to pick up the camera right away we offered a prize – one spot in our most popular workshop, Creative Fundamnetals, or two free photo safaris in 2012.

… And the photos started coming in. We had a tough time selecting the top spot and, because there were so many entries we offered a runner-up prize of one free photo safari in 2012.

Criteria for winning was simple – “partly on technical merit (small %), quirky fun (more marks) and how quickly the photos appear!”

Below is the winner, runner-up and two honourable mentions.

Thank-you for all your entries!!! Congratulations to the winners and to everybody for trying.

First Place

Ottawa Photo Contest Winner - Glen O

Glen won first prize. He took the photo right after reading the newsletter and discovered a fox out the window of his home. He writes:

“I read almost all of your Exposed! newsletters. This one was the ultimate in your type of (simple) inspiration. Thank you for the simplicity and accessibility of how to learn photography. I have learned a lot from reading, I have learned a lot from you  but I know that I have learned the most from snapping the shutter. So in the middle of writing this comment, I just stood up from my desk for a moment, looked out the patio door to see what I could snap – and there was a fox…in our neighor’s yard…and I had my long lens on my D90…it was ready to go! I now have 7 shots of a fox in the city that I can play with (and learn with) that I would not have had if I didn’t just grab my camera and snap. Thanks for that!”

Glen’s photo was well captured, shot immediately after reading the newsletter and it just shows you to keep your eyes open – there may be a fox in your back yard!!

Glen wins his choice of a spot in a Creative Fundamnetals Workshop in 2012 or 2 photo safaris in 2012 (see details below.)

Runner up

Ottawa Photo Contest - Runner-Up - Leanne D

Runner up goes to Leanne D. Her photo is fun, well shot and was shot quickly after reading the newsletter.

She writes: “I dropped what I was doing and took a spin in my chair. How fun!  As soon as I am done, I am going outside to take more pictures. Cheers, Leanne”

Leanne wins a Photo Safari in 2012 (see details below).

Honourable Mentions

We’d like to show many of the photos submitted but have limited space! The two below we’d like to acknowledge for the spirit of their submissions.

Ottawa Photo Contest - Honourable Mention - Al G

Al has taken many of our workshops and his work has developed beautifully after much hard work!

He says: “I have attached a couple of shots I took at the point in the article when you said to stop reading and go take a picture.  I used my Canon S90 P&S. I went for a couple of fun shots – a salad strainer (self-portrait if you look close) and a close-up of a glass ball.
You are a great inspiration Harry – keep up the good work!”

Congratulations (and thanks) Al!

Ottawa Photo Contest - Honourable Mention - Robert M.

Robert’s heartwarming shot comes as a result of reading the Photos First newsletter. Good photos can be found anytime, anywhere – if you are looking. Congratulations Robert!

Prizes

• Creative Fundamentals Photo Workshop – This is our most popular course because it explains many complex photo ideas (white balance, aperture, exposure) in down to earth ways. Offered in April and September, 2012.

• Photo Safaris – We offer photo safaris every couple of months. Here are some we offered last year (likely similar safaris this year!):

1. Dancing Horses Photo Safari (April 15, 2012)
2. Farm Photo Safari (May – to be confirmed)
3. Bike Race Photo safari (June/July – to be confirmed)
4. Fire breathing, Unicycle Riding, Flaming Juggler Photo Safari (August – to be confirmed)
5. Blacksmith Photo Safari (Fall – to be confirmed)

Thanks for participating – it was a fun newsletter to write and super fun to see your work come in.

Keep it up!!

Photos First!

Stop reading. Go and take photos!!! … And win a photo workshop while you’re at it. See details at the end of the newsletter.

All kinds of people join our ProProgram looking to start a photo business or improve their photography dramatically over a year. It’s a great year of learning, photo and personal development.

Sometimes, though, I have to tear people away from reading about photography to actually go and practise photography!

Really.

So, in this month’s Exposed! photo newsletter – Photos First - we look at the easiest way to get you taking more (and better) pictures.

Read the whole newsletter (and get a chance at winning a free photo workshop)

Harry says "Get a camera and take more photos!"

Composition Photo Safari - © Sarah R - Gatineau

A week ago we ran the Composition Photo Safari at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau.

The session was geared towards helping participants see and understand elements of composition from:

• recognizing the flow within the viewfinder
• understanding the effect of tones on composition
• learning to see the potential within the ordinary

Composition Photo Safari - © Anne G - Gatineau

Composition Photo Safari - Gatineau

Dancing Horses Photo Safari - Ottawa

This week we finished our longest running and most popular course – Creative Fundamentals.

Ottawa Photo Workshop

It’s popular because we take complicated ideas of f-stops, shutter speeds, iso and their inter-relationship and break them down into understandable concepts. Light bulbs go off and people smile.

Ottawa Photo Class - Willa

Students worked hard through the exercises – I love to see the different ways people interpret the same visual content.

Ottawa Photo Course - Laurie

Results are shown in the photos of this blog – we held the critique at our photo studio - Ottawa Studio Works.

Ottawa Photo Class - George

The next session of Creative Fundamentals is coming up April 25th, 28th, May 2nd.

Ottawa photography class - self portrait - Adrienne

Student’s said:

“I now know how to get my photos the way I want. It was fun!”

“Love the workshop!! Harry you are the best.” … Harry blushes.

Ottawa photo course - Christopher

Missed the last one? Don’t miss this one!

Contact us to reserve your spot with a $125 deposit and registration form.

It’s coming up fast – our annual Photographing Pro Hockey Photo Workshop with the Ottawa 67s.

Dates:
Saturday, January 28th, 2012: hockey prep, 10am-1pm
Saturday, February 4th, 2012: Game Day, noon-6pm (approximately)
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012: Review & Critique, 6-9pm

Locations
Ottawa Studio Works and the J Benson Cartage Centre at Lansdowne Park.

Costs
$325 + taxes

Ottawa Hockey Photography Course

Ottawa 67s hockey

We’ve been running this photo course for 5 years – it’s a great opportunity to test your photo skills in the high paced action of professional hockey. Players are working hard to earn spots in the NHL and participants of this course get within inches of the action.

Hockey photography Workshop

It’s a chance of a lifetime!

Course details

Contact us to reserve one of the last spots…

Ottawa hockey photo course

Photos for this blog post have come from past workshops with the 67s. Join the fun and test your skills!

Ottawa Hockey Photo Workshop

Over the last decade I have been lucky enough to photograph many stars on the stage while covering Bluesfest, Jazzfest, Tulip and other events.

I love seeing fresh new acts and stars who have shaped our culture. Thanks, Etta, for all you have done!

Etta James, 2006:

Etta James 2006 Ottawa Bluesfest

Etta James 2006 Ottawa Bluesfest

Etta James: 1938-2012

Photographed in 2006 on film – Ilford Delta 3200:

Etta James

Photo Studio Open Hours

Ottawa Studio Works will be opening doors to the public again next week:

Monday, January 23rd; 6-8pm.
Tuesday, January 31st; 6-8pm.

Come by to see the artwork, ask about workshops or enquire about hiring a photographer.

Ottawa photo studio

Photo Newsletter Video Feedback

Last week we posted our first video through our Exposed! photo newsletter. It was called Rise and Tilt, featuring a way to get a cleaner background in your photos.

The video happened because a colleague – cartoonist and videographer Paul Mason – had been urging me to do a video for over a year. I procrastinated and he persisted.

Late last year we pulled it together and launched the first video. The response was great. Web stats spiked. Comments came in:

“Great stuff Harry! I burst laughing when I saw your “fight” with the cardboard TV. Very funny!”

Readership was up and I had way more fun producing the video than solely writing the newsletter. We have a second related newsletter lined up – look for it in the next few months.

Big thanks go out to Jess and Joel for acting, Ian Tamblyn for supplying the music and  Paul Mason for persisting! And thanks to you for reading/watching!

Paul Mason

Ottawa Portrait Workshop

On the weekend we ran our Ottawa based portraits workshop. This course covers the groundwork for people pictures from technical elements to managing people in the pictures.

Ottawa Portrait Workshop

The course is intense and participants earned their rest on Sunday – it’s a tough course with lots to learn. Stay tuned – student results will be posted in a week or so. Below is some of the fun. See some of last year’s results.

Ottawa Portrait Workshop

Coming up next week is the Composition Photo Safari and Photographing Pro Hockey is just around the corner.

Ottawa Portrait Workshop

A big thank-you to models, students and our hosts at the gallery!

Ottawa Portrait Workshop

Dancing Horses - Ottawa Photo Safari

In April we have confirmed a visit  to some dancing horses near Ottawa. Some lucky photographers will have the opportunity to photograph graceful horses and their riders as they train for the discipline of dressage.

We will spend two hours exploring stables, horses and the training arena or outdoor training area with your cameras.

Challenge yourself to capture the beauty, power and precision of the horses.

Dancing Horses Photo Safari

Date:

April 15th, 2012; 1-3pm

Location:

30 minutes from central Ottawa – car pooling is encouraged!

Cost:

$75 plus taxes = $84.75

Register by contacting us to reserve your spot. We ask for payment (credit card by phone or cheque in the mail) and a complete registration form.

Enrolment is limited to ten people. Challenge your photo skills in April!

Dancing Horses Photo Safari

Dancing Horses - Ottawa Photo Safari