Tag Archives: photo

#160 Sessions Photo Challenge

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Our newest course – Sessions Photo Challenge – started last week. We photographed in and around the National Gallery in Central Ottawa. Students were challenged to capture landmarks and landscapes of the city. The enormous spider was a draw for students!

Spider!

‘Sessions’ provides students a photo challenge per week and allows their photo skills to progress steadily with tips and feedback along the way. While the four sessions offer a complete progression students may join for a single challenge.

On Wednesday evening we will be meeting to investigate the buzz of the city. If you wish to join the challenge – or are curious to hear more – please contact us.

Harry

#158 Dogs!

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Yes, dogs.

I have a very big soft spot for dogs. My dear old Tigger and our new pooch Biscuit have kept me smiling for years.

I have started working on a new photo project that has me smiling – dogs. I spent the afternoon recently walking many beautiful canines with my equipment.

Here are a few out takes:

Dog photo  Dog Photo

Dog Photo  Dog Photo

Dog Photo  Dog Photo

A past photo workshop student also sent me a link to a fun site:

www.UpsideDownDogs.com    Thanks Chris!

Other news – our winter photo workshops will be announced at the end of next week. Stay tuned!

Harry

#154 Guilty Pleasures

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I have often mentioned the challenges of running a small business. It has its tough moments!

There are benefits…

This morning I awoke to 15 cm of snow AND no power in the house or office. The temperature was 9C in the office and no chance of warming till QuebecHydro’s power was restored – scheduled for early afternoon.

The last 8 weeks have been very busy at ‘Harry, Inc.’ I gave strict orders for time off. Skis were waxed and I had the earliest start to the ski season – ever! The skiing was great.

Power was restored by 2:30pm. I managed to start my work day later than expected with a smile on my face and a tired dog at my side.

Ski Gatineau Park

XCOttawa.ca skiing in Gatineau Park

Harry

#153 Stock photography a tough(er) market

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When I started work as a photographer (~1994) I had one goal in mind – shoot stock, period. And that hurt my young business.

The Golden Years

At the time, established and successful stock photographers were making a very good living shooting exciting (and less exciting) imagery. The mantra was “shoot, shoot, shoot.” It was a numbers game – the more photos you could get in front of buying customers the better the odds of sales.

Stock Photo Stock photography

The Bubble Bursting

But everyone else noticed the gold. The market started filling with imagery and sales agencies started undercutting each other in the feeding frenzy. The bubble slowly started bursting to the point that you can now sell imagery for $1 on iStockPhoto and actually earn 20 cents in royalty fees for that sale. Wow. That’s rough.

Current News

I just saw a Photo District News article about Bill Gates’ large Corbis stock agency – they are predicting lower stock sales and reduced royalties for Rights Managed stock shooters – making a tough market tougher.

Stock is still a fun and viable industry but you need to be very savvy on the business front. There are no longer stock streets paved with gold – you have to work much harder to find your jackpots.

Diversify

At “Harry, Inc.“ we still shoot stock, love it, and earn profits. But we are more careful about our business choices and have started seeking out under-saturated stock and photo niches related to stock and photography. I shoot directly for clients and consult on projects. My expertise has diversified. The business has grown well since I took the blinkers off.

This weekend I will be collaborating with the Entrepreneurship Centre to facilitate the Creative Business Seminar where we explore viable creative business practices, evaluate stock agencies and test ideas.

Take photos, work smart!

Harry

#152 Taking a well deserved break

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Fall is one of my busiest seasons – and by the end of last week I was looking forward to a break. By Saturday evening I realized my batteries were low. It hit me all of  a sudden.

This often happens – once a busy spell eases I crave some rest. Saturday was the end of a long streak and my body told me it was time for a break. I cannot afford to get low or call in sick!

I caught myself talking nonsensically to a friend Friday night – “… I am taking Sunday off and will be doing some editing and prep work.” That just didn’t make sense.

So Sunday came and my wife and I slept in, went to Wakefield for bruch, took a leisurely hike and watched a movie. This week still involves deliverables but also time to charge the batteries.

HarryNowell.comRest and Relaxation!

Ahhh,

Harry

#147 “But seriously…”

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It’s getting cool in the Ottawa area – dropping below 0C some nights.

My wife was driving her 125cc scooter to town and asked “What should I wear?” Considering the wind chill and cool temperature I made my suggestions that involved ‘significant insulation’. She responded “But seriously, what should I wear?”

Scooter

What has scooting got to do with photography? My wife’s response was similar to student’s reaction when I am teaching outside at this time of year. Creating photos while standing still takes extra insulation to stay warm – usually more than people expect!

I sent Saturday’s Night Light photo course students my “Warm Photos from Winter’s Cold” article from ‘Exposed!‘

The students (and my wife) are learning the fine art of staying warm in the cold.

Winter warmth!

Winter is coming!

H

#144 Fall colours

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‘Tis fall colour season in Gatineau Park. Maples, oaks and other trees show their finest colours at this time of year.

It is also a busy time of year for the hobby photographer – as there is some fabulous material to capture. Getting some good results is easier with stunning views everywhere you look:

fall colours

Many hobby shooters flirt with the idea of turning their beautiful landscapes into a part time business. It’s a tough job. There are millions and millions of excellent landscape photos out there. High supply, low demand – makes for a tough landscape photo market!

It is possible to make a living at your photography – with reasonable ideas about business and good business skills.

Good luck. Have fun,

Harry