#1012 Platform – Learn the Basics of Framing with Patrick Gordon Framing

Framed.

As part of our Platform Presentations we are very pleased to have Patrick Gordon Framing, one of Ottawa’s premier framing shops, teach you the basics of framing – and caring – for your artwork.

Join us to learn:
• how to enhance and protect your photos (and other art).
• different options for presenting your art
• basics of framing photography (and other art) with both aesthetics and longevity in mind

The seminar will focus on matting, frames, backings, mounting, glazing, hinging, as well as conservation methods of caring for your photos.

A big thanks to long time supporter and student Ken H for suggesting this seminar!

Details
Where: Patrick Gordon Framing – 160 Elm  (near Preston), Ottawa, ON.
When: Wednesday, November, 13th; 7:30-9pm.
Cost: Free – donations appreciated.
RSVP appreciated.

Framing Studio shop Ottawa

Photo courtesy of Patrick Gordon Framing

#1009 Creative Fundamentals Photo Class Review

Another session of our classic course is complete.

We’ve been running Creative Fundamentals since 2001 and it quickly became popular with people who were intimidated with f-stops, manual exposure mode and grey snow in their photos.

photo class Gatineau Park

Creative Fun – Photo Workshop – Gatineau Park © André Tognarelli

The course offers the fundamentals of photography in simple, easy to understand terms. People often join the course scared to shoot in manual exposure mode and, by the end, capture good exposures in tricky mixed lighting scenarios.

The students did well…

We often teach this course as a Custom Course.

Dates are up for the next group session of Creative Fundamentals in April 2014.

Photo Class Ottawa

Silhouette Photo – Photo Class – © Judy Scott

New, Advanced Creative Fundamentals II
For many years students have asked us to run a follow-up session to challenge and solidify  their fundamental skills.

Well, now is your chance to test your skills further. We take the core material of Creative Fundamentals and take you further. We assume you have some experience in Manual Exposure Mode and help you:
• recognize/capture advanced exposure scenarios
• maximize control of Depth of Field
• delve into creative compositional construction

Dates are set for May 2014

#1007 Online Program September’s Photo Challenge

photo challenge

Online Photo Program © Maisie I. Light Variations

In August we asked our members to shoot things from a different perspective.

Last month we offered a new challenge to members of the Online Photo Program – one to get them thinking about different light variations to help them go from an ok photo to something stunning!

Members were urged to shoot a scene in different ways (with guidance) to achieve photos like they’d never shot before! Tips and techniques were offered to help with starbursts, night shooting, star trails, sunsets, light painting as well as daytime shooting.

Results were awesome!

online photo challenge

Light Variations – Online photo Challenge – © Gilles Gagnes

Some comments, this month, about the program:

Yes, I am totally hooked…

I learned a tremendous amount and it was a refresher in night photography – something I don’t often do.

I found just dealing with all of the lighting conditions extremely challenging but overall the process very rewarding. I learned a great deal about lighting and my camera.  It was alot of fun and the reading on lighting effects was fascinating.

Looking forward to your lessons in the critique and what others have produced. There was some impressive work on the forum!

Thanks Harry – I have signed up for another 6 month session. I like the challenges. It stretches my creativity.

We’re proud of the student successes. They deserve some applause!

Interested in challenging yourself with weekly support and a supportive online photo group?
Join us for the Online Photo Program!

Photo Course

Online Photo Challenge – Light Variations – © AL Garner

#1001 Building Magic Worlds with Photoshop and Richard Desmarais

Photoshop Seminar

© Richard Desmarais – Building new worlds with photoshop

Good news!
Our Lightroom Seminar with Peter Handley is almost full (at time of writing.)
And we’ve just booked Richard Desmarais to share his skills in Photoshop.

Creating Fantasy Worlds with Photoshop
In November, Richard will be helping people learn to build new worlds using specific elements of Photoshop.

About Richard
Richard has spent 30 years working as a photographer for high profile clients. In that time his photoshop skills developed enormously. He brings some of these skills to you in this seminar!

Details
November 10th, 2013; 1-5pm
$100 + HST

Register! And see more details.

#996 Caffenol Platform Session – Alternative B&W processing

We are offering an evening with Matt Hinther as part of our Ottawa Platform Series. Matt is joining us to guide you through the new-ish alternative process of film and paper development – Caffenol!

Caffenol development

Caffenol – Black and White Processing

What is Caffenol?
The Caffenol process is a much less toxic development process using simple ingredients to develop and print B&W film.

People with home-based darkrooms or those working in shared darkrooms will appreciate working in a less toxic environment.The opportunity to try new tinting and creative options is also exciting!

Join us on October 25th for a fun, evening of exploration with Caffenol!
Only $15…
Details and registration.

#994 Portfolio Reviews with David Trattles

Remember David Trattles?

David Trattles

David Trattles

He’s offering his popular Travel & Documentary Photography Workshop again. It sold out again.

As part of our Platform Sessions he has offered his expertise to people through portfolio reviews. It’s last minute and there are not many spots available…

Details
Dave has kindly offered to meet with people One-on-One to review their photos and stories Saturday, September 14th afternoon slots at Ottawa Studio Works – 160 Preston St.

Half hour sessions are $50 + HST.

More details and registration…

#993 Gatineau Park Photo Safari Photos

Photo Adventure

Photo Safari MacKenzie King Estates © Morina Reece

Last weekend we ran a photo safari at MacKenzie King Estates in Gatineau Park for the NCC.

Many smiling faces joined us as we explored this year’s theme of Nature.

Some fine photos resulted. What do you think?!

Missed this photo adventure?
Join us for Creative Fundamentals as we help people get comfortable with their cameras in Gatineau Park

photo adventure Gatineau

Gatineau Park Photo Safari © Marcel Mathurin

Gatineau Park Adventure

Gatineau Park Photo Safari © Suzanne Rochford

Gatineau Park photography

Gatineau Park Photo Safari © Nathalie Fortier

#992 Online Photo Class – New Perspectives

In August we offered a new direction in challenges of our Online Photo Program.

In June we offered a Photojournalism Challenge and a (some said tougher!) Social Documentary Challenge in July.

Last month we asked our members to photograph the same subject AT LEAST 50 different ways.

Crazy, they said.
I don’t care, I replied.

Member’s resulting photos glowed, proving that my mad challenge had a purpose!

Online Photo Challenge - © Morina R

Online Photo Challenge – © Morina R

What member’s said this month:
“Always amazed to see the creativity folks display when taking on Harry’s challenges – constantly saying to myself,I wish I had thought of that.”
Al

Online Photo Challenge - © Morina R

Online Photo Challenge – © Jeffrey F

“I learned so much from the challenge and it was a lot of fun. The John Cleese video was especially entertaining and some really good tips on creativity.  I really enjoyed it.
Thanks again for keeping us on our photography toes, so to speak.”
Christine

Online Photo Class - © April L

Online Photo Class – © April L

“Great challenge. – again!

I am off tomorrow morning to the Freeman Patterson workshop. Thanks to the 6 months of experience in the online course, I am feeling much more comfortable using my camera.
Will renew my online course when I return.”
Anon.

Online Photo Challenge - © Kevan E

Online Photo Challenge – © Kevan E

“You guys and gals, have some wonderful shots. I am learning more and more each day.”
Michelle

“Just watched the critique and I learned something from EVERY photo submitted (and Harry’s advice of course!). Thank you all for sharing your efforts. All of you inspire me with your work! Looking forward to next month’s challenge …”
Maureen

Join us for the fall online photo challenges!

Online Photo Challenge - © Christine P.

Online Photo Challenge – © Christine P.

 

#989 Portraits Photo Class – Review

Another session of one of our longest running courses is complete.

We offered the summer session of Natural Light Portraits in August and nerves turned into smiles all round.

photo class

Natural Light Portraits
© Marie Josée Leblanc

Let’s face it … making people pictures is hard. The photographers often get nervous and worry they’ll be good enough. Not only do they have to manage their camera’s technical elements and creative concerns but they ALSO have to engage with a person or people. That’s a lot to deal with even if you have experience!
By the end of the course students were more comfortable and relieved that their ability to capture good portraits had produced good results!

Photo Course Ottawa

Portraits Course
© MJ Leblanc

“Great learning curve.”
“Very patient and positive instructor. Loved it.”

And the models were happy with their photos!Our busy workshop season is coming up with courses by photojournalist Blair Gable, socdoc photog David Trattles, Graphic Designer Peter Handley and myself, Harry Nowell. Courses range from Night Light to Fundamentals to Lighting to travel to processing.

See more workshop details and invest in yourself and your photo skills!

Photography Course

Portraits Photo Course
© Madeleine Bachand

#982 Photo Contest Winners Announced

In July we launched our 2nd annual photo contest for past students and we were very happy to see the results. Entires were diverse and spoke highly of the hard work (and fun) students have invested in their photo skills.

Ottawa photo contest

Photo Contest Winner! © Morina Reece

We selected four winners.

What were our criteria?
We were looking for:
• diversity in the photos
• technical excellence
• something different… There are many, many good photos out there – we wanted something that would catch the eye and make someone smile. We’ve always preached “Do something different.” Each of the winning photos stood above the norm.

Ottawa photo contest

Photo Contest Winner – © Eryck B

We’re very proud of all of our students.

Photography is tough. During the last ten years digital camera manufacturers have erroneously preached “EASY.” It’s NOT easy. It takes skill, perseverance, passion and many years of time to develop skills.

All the winners have been involved with our lessons for YEARS!

Alan and Cheryl have separately taken (almost) every course we’ve offered. They have taken a couple of courses more than once. Both are currently enrolled in our Online Photo Program with monthly challenges.

Yesterday Cheryl sent me a note after learning about her win: “I would have never got that photo if it wasn’t for your great teaching ability and getting me out of the box of ho hum photography.

Eryck started with the Pro Hockey photo workshop and has grown from there reading our photo tips and newsletters, etc.

Ottawa photo contest

Photo Contest Winner – © Al Garner

Morina completed our ProProgram last year and has taken many of our courses. She commented about Natural Light Portraits – “Superbly challenging, informative, exciting & very practical!

Thanks for sticking with us to develop your skills.

The winners all receive a free three month membership of our Online Photo Program.
Congratulations!

Ottawa photo contest

Photo Contest Winner © Cheryl Kreis