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Student Testimonials - Ottawa Photography Workshop

Harry has taught many students over the years. Read what graduates have said, below, about the teaching and learning experiences they gained from Harry Nowell.com workshops.

Recent comments:

"I am thankful to Harry, he was there all day - accomplished what he said we would do, still I didn't feel pressed. Thank you Harry, very professional course."
Anonymous Photography for Communications Professionals

"Harry is honestly having an enormous impact on my photography..."
PJ Natural Light Portraits

"The Natural Lights course held at the National Arts Gallery gives you a new perspective of the beautiful structure, all the while perfecting your photographic arts."
HH Natural Light Portraits

"Very good, very supportive but still the comments are constructive and helpful. Good at going around checking on everyone and keeping track of what we?re doing..."
RS Natural Light Portraits

"Felt like my 'aperture' opened up dramatically during this course."
Prasad Creative Fundamentals

"Harry was very approachable and knowledgeable. The concepts were presented in a very clear manner and were easy to follow along. I like the combination of theory and application!"
C. Creative Fundamentals

"Excellent - you take a difficult and often confusing topic and tell it simply. Actual practice in the field is also valuable."
Beth Creative Fundamentals

"Helped me to use my camera better & to think differently about what I'm shooting."
J.R. Photography for Communications Professionals

"Excellent. Adapts really well to everyone's level of experience & equipment."
Dominique Photography for Communications Professionals

"Provided a great opportunity to learn the basics to starting a creative based business."
Christine Creative Business Seminar

"Motivating, stimulating, informative."
S. Creative Business Seminar

"The instruction was clear and concise. It was easy to apply new techniques right away. The review session was a must. I like that you gave individual feedback as the course was ongoing.?
Curtis Night Light

"...supportive, and always encouraging. An excellent and well thought out introduction to night photography, printing with light and motion.?
Hagen Night Light

"It helped me consolidate a collection of abstract information in a more cohesive and complementary body of knowledge."
Maria Creative Fundamentals

"Amazing. He is truly a great teacher... made everything make sense. A very educational course that every new photographer should take."
A.D. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"We felt as though we were getting lots of individual attention. Creative Fundamentals perfectly describes this course."
J.D. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Perfect for learning the fundamentals with a few fun techniques as a bonus."
J.A. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Aimed at the right level - never felt silly asking questions."
K.S. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"An entertaining and educational introduction to shooting photos at night."
Al,  Night Light

"Learning a whole new aspect of photography - very exciting!  I have never before taken photos at night - (successfully!) and it is becoming more like 'art', which is one of my favorite outcomes of this course.  Harry is an awesome teacher.  I give him 10/10!"
Sandy,  Night Light

"The location and exercises were very well picked.  Highly effective!"
Sylvain, Night Light

"Great.  I liked the feedback and criticism, as well as the suggestions of which subjects to take and how to improve the composition."
Steffen, Night Light

"Good insight you wouldn't necessarily get from a book."
Anonymous, Creative Business Seminar

"...useful having your 'real life' stories."
Ellie, Creative Business Seminar

"Harry's experience shows through the whole class."
Sylvain, Creative Business Seminar

"I find your courses very well prepared, highly constructive.  Your approach is very holistic.  You are a good listener and are not afraid to share your expertise.  BRAVO!"
Anonymous, Creative Business Seminar

"Brilliant."
Stefan, Creative Fundamentals

"This course has opened a part of my mind that I did not know was there and I'm so excited to explore it."
Deb, Creative Fundamentals

"The best part of the workshop was the close interaction between student and teacher. I thought it was perfect.  I learned more about my camera and photography than I have in the ten years I been photographing"
Nicole, Creative Fundamentals

"Harry's teaching methods were excellent.  It was all explained in simple, easy to understand terms."
Anonymous, Creative Fundamentals

"Harry is the epitome of what makes a great teacher.  He has a way of making everything clear, in a very easy-going way and leaves you feeling confident and excited to try out what you learned!"
S.S. Gatineau Hills, Creative Fundamentals 

"I like your ability to adapt to everyone's way of learning."
Anonymous, Creative Fundamentals 

"The Creative Fundamentals course was incredibly useful and very enjoyable!"
O.C. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals 

"Harry, I enjoyed the course and have some very strong take-aways that will help me get more out of my photography."
P.R. LaPeche Creative Fundamentals 

"You are exceptional!  It shows that photography is your passion."
N.S. Ottawa Urban Landscapes

"Very Good.  Subtle but effective."
D.S. Ottawa Urban Landscapes

"Excellent, I saw a big difference in my pictures."
Anonymous. Ottawa Urban Landscapes 

"Challenging, fun, great learning and a teacher who is positive and able to provide constructive feedback in a gentle and positive manner."
M.M. Ottawa Sport Photo Workshop 

"I enjoyed learning from an experienced professional".
J.K. Ottawa Sport Photo Workshop 

"I'm glad that Teachers College didn't get you."
M.G. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals 

"Taught us not to fear the camera.  Even mistakes were useful sometimes."
R.O. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Harry is a great teacher.  He gives you great attention when he is with you discussing an issue, yet makes time for all students without you feeling rushed."
E.M. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Thanks Harry!  Before this workshop, I was afraid of 'manual' mode!"  Now I feel so much more confident in getting the "right" photo."
J.M. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"An excellent course for both beginners and those with some experience as Harry tailored the course to each person's level of knowledge."
R.B. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"The course is a fun balance of basics and more advanced technique that should appeal to anyone short of a seasoned professional photographer."
C.P. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Thank-you Harry for giving me the confidence to try and the encouragement to continue."
J.B. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Being in business for 20 years I've had loads of experience what I should be doing but should doesn't always bring action. Your seminar helped me connect sound business concepts to positive steps of action, thanks Harry." Becky Mason, fine artist and owner of Classic Solo Canoeing 2008. Creative Business Semnar

"...practical advice, given by someone who has 'been there, done that'... very useful, helpful and supportive. Thanks!" R.O. Ottawa Creative Business Semnar

"A great learning opportunity described as three days of fun!"
H.P. Ottawa Natural Light Portraits

"Approachable, relaxed. No pressure. Good atmosphere for learning."
S.J. Ottawa Natural Light Portraits

"A little intense... I mean that in the best possible way!"
K.C. Ottawa Natural Light Portraits

"I must tell you, Harry, that my fellow photographers have noticed a huge difference in my photography since I've taken your workshops. They also say, "That Nowell Guy has really made a difference". And of course I say, Harry is the Best instructor EVER! They go, yeah, yeah, we know. So you can be very proud of your ability of teach. Thank God, there is a Harry."
Cheryl - Ottawa garduate of many of my courses.
ed. note: She makes me blush when she says these things. Thanks Cheryl!

"... a professional who, with honesty and humour, identifies problems, challenges and solutions..."
H.V. Ottawa Creative Business Seminar

"Great inspiration to try a path to succeed in a creative business... good timing, well laid out, great suggestions. Thanks Harry!"
Anonymous, Ottawa Creative Business Seminar

"It's an excellent way to get your brain kick started into being more serious about a creative business" B.J. Ottawa Creative Business Seminar

"I've spent a bit of money since starting this and I feel that the money for the course was as necessary as the money for the camera. I'm really looking forward to the portraits course in January."
K.Y. Barrhaven Custom Course

"Good range of exercises (dusk, full dark, motion)... Thoroughly explains techniques."
S.H. Ottawa Night Light

"It's a great way to get out and see the city from a different perspective! Harry helps bring out the creativity!"
B.J. Ottawa Night Light

"Fantastic, he is passionate & his enthusiasm is transferable... he also explains EVERYthing well."
A.E. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Money very well spent :)"
K.C. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"Friendly. Clear. Patient! Helpful. Explains himself very well and admits if he can't answer a question.
I've read the (camera) manual, bought a video but your class is where everything came together and made sense."
S.M. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"I've taken another course that was purely classroom theory, and while I understood what was taught, it's hard to apply it yourself and know if you're doing it right or not. It's like learning to drive a car by just reading a book and never actually getting in a car with someone who knows what they're doing.
I've always wanted the confidence to shoot in manual, and now I really feel like I know what I'm doing. Not just HOW to do things, but also when and why. Thanks Harry!"
N.B. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"When I found Harry's website, it seemed that the workshops offered sounded just like what I needed to help me become comfortable with my newly acquired digital SLR. I signed up for the Creative Fundamentals and can honestly say that what I learned in the two evenings and one day workshop was FAR better than an 8 week course that I had taken a few months before at my local Community College. When I met Harry, I had a fundamental knowledge of the theory behind proper exposure, but not a clue how to actually DO it! Thanks to Harry, I can quite easily shoot frame after frame of properly exposed photos - some "keepers" too! Harry's insights into the creative side of photography helped me to take shots I never thought possible. I look forward to every workshop Harry wants to give."
S.S. Ottawa Creative Fundamentals

"We loved the last [Custom] course with you. I've been meaning to send in a course critique but I honestly can't think of much to say that would help you improve it. We recently took a [different photo] course... I learned more in the five hours with you than in a five week course with them!"
C.P. Ottawa Custom Course

"These 3 exercises, were a turning point on how I viewed photography. Frankly I finally got it. Thanks Harry. You are very gifted with the ability to teach! Oh, and (a) hugely gifted Photographer! That goes without even saying...
Harry, you have the gift for simplifying the complexity of Photography...
This course combined with The Creative Fundamentals Workshop, I feel go hand in hand."
C.K. Ottawa Urban Landscapes

"Harry - I wanted to let you know just how much I enjoyed and benefited from the custom course you designed and delivered for me. I was looking for help to develop a systematic approach to photography. This included the intangible of deciding what to photograph and getting the creative juices flowing as well as a step-by-step approach to resolving the technical questions that come with taking a photo. You delivered big time on both counts! As a result my confidence in taking photos and the joy I get in taking them have both greatly increased - not too mention the improvement in my technical skills! You have terrific teaching skills, great patience and a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Harry, I would happily recommend your custom courses to anyone who asked... With much appreciation and thanks,"
Al G. Ottawa Custom Course

Other Comments:

"I've taken many photo courses and this has been the absolute Best. 10 out of 10."
"Harry takes all the technical stuff and keeps it simple so people get it."
Cheryl, Ottawa

"A+! Very knowledgeable on photography, friendly environment and very, very, very helpful!"
Dimas, Ottawa

"Very good! Made many different subjects come together in a concise & fun way."
Peter, Chelsea

"Excellent. Positive. Great communication."
"Much superior to other classes."
Terri, Ottawa

"Excellent — Not many people that do can teach. Very patient and tailored learning to students."

"Awesome! Can't wait for the next one!"

"Great! Very calm and interesting without being too long-winded or 'techy'."

"It's great to see other students' work."

"After taking Harry's courses my confidence level in experimenting with different things has greatly increased. Thanks, Harry!"

"Good pacing and information is clearly covered."

"A very challenging experience which grows skills."

"Great course!"

"A good course for people with intermediate experience and interest in both the technical and creative concepts."

"Clear messaging."

"Excellent - easy to understand his explanations of difficult concepts..."

"Invigorating!"

"You have a very kind, thoughtful and 'present' way about you that enables people to be at ease."

"Very good. Examples, hands-on and critique session were perfect for teaching."

"I learned more from Harry than I've learned in the past year reading dozens of books."

"A great course, Harry!"

"Harry, don't change a thing!"

"This course is essential for anyone wanting to move beyond 'point and shoot.'"

"I'm looking forward to the next one! Thanks, Harry!"

"Excellent! Very patient, and although Harry is obviously very knowledgeable, he has an easy way of putting things into perspective. (Pardon the pun.)"

"Very good. Very interactive and descriptive."

"I loved every minute of it and feel I know so much more than I did a week ago."

"Patient, thorough exploration of concepts."

"Learning how to see and how to truly explore a subject are wonderful exercises."

"It is a very thorough course which teaches you the fundamentals and gives you direction in applying it."

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