Powerhouse Computer

August 30th, 2011

Yesterday I received my new Dell computer. It’s an XPS 8300 with an Intel i7-2600, @ 3.4Ghz, 16GB  SDRAM, Dual 2TB Hard Drives, 1GB Video card. If you are not sure what all of that means, the sales rep’s description says it all -” Wow, this is a powerhouse computer”. He probably gets paid to say that when customers spend a lot of money.  Don’t ask me which is better a PC or a MAC,  probably the the best PC that you can buy is an iMac.

Now, I am working on transferring the files, deactivating programs on the old computer, installing programs on the new computer (trying to find all of the serial numbers), getting everything set-up just right, preferences, accounts,  and learning the new operation system. This is going to take me a while!

Posted in Computers | Comments Off on Powerhouse Computer

Ottawa Photo Shoot Locations

August 29th, 2011

I just wrote an article for the Camera Club of Ottawa about the importance of getting out and using your camera and how that will help in improving your photography. Another side benefit from it, is that by getting out you will find and explore many new locations for your photography. Since I have been photographing for a “few” years, I have discovered many great photo locations.

Quite often I am asked, where is a good spot for photography. Given that, and also that I heard this past weekend an Ottawa photographer and the couple that he was photographing were all given $95.00 tickets each for trespassing at an abandoned NCC barn off of March Road. Here’s a list of legal and excellent places for Wedding Ceremony Location Photos in the Ottawa region. These locations are also great for engagement and model photo shoots too!

 

  1. National Gallery of Canada
  2. Nepean Point Park and the Sunken Gallery behind the National Gallery
  3. Major’s Hill Park
  4. Locks next to Chateau Laurier
  5. Along the canal and under the “overpass” bridge across fro the Chateau Laurier
  6. In the market “Tin Court” around the Black Thorn Restaurant
  7. Around the Courtyard restaurant. Great place with lots of stone, sort of an old feeling.
  8. The stairs by the US Embassy and the area around there.
  9. Currency Museum Bank of Canada – good interior location as well.
  10. Tabaret Hall at the University of Ottawa
  11. Canadian Museum of Civilization
  12. Mooney’s Bay – little white arched bridges and Hog’s Back Falls
  13. Experimental Farm – Ornamental Gardens
  14. Experimental Farm – Arboretum
  15. Garden of Provinces – Wellington at Bay
  16. Graffiti wall at the corner of Bronson and Slater
  17. Graffiti wall Brewer park, across from CU – Bronson Bridge at Carleton
  18. The Grounds at Rideau Hall
  19. The Gazebo in Rockcliffe Park
  20. The Ruins at Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park
  21. The Rockcliffe Rockeries

Posted in Photography, Tips and Techniques | Comments Off on Ottawa Photo Shoot Locations

Model Photo Shoot Workshop

August 27th, 2011

Last weekend we held the Model Photo Shoot Workshop at the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park. For a workshop that was covering lighting I couldn’t have asked for a better day, well except for the 20 minutes when we had a torrential downpour in the late afternoon. But the light was just incredible right after the rain! The day had started off with a cloudless blue sky and as the day went on the cloud cover increased. It was incredible, we were able to cover so many different lighting situations.

With a location flash kit  we were using it to balance flash with ambient light, using it in direct sunlight, overpowering the sunlight with the flash, shooting it through an translucent umbrella, bouncing it off a large light panel, and…. well you get the idea, we did everything. New to the lighting kit for this workshop was the PocketWizard Plus II Wireless Triggering System. They were so easy for all of the photographers to use. I didn’t have to explain a thing, other than to say “this goes in the camera’s hotshoe – and shoot!”. They worked flawlessly triggering the flashes with everyone’s camera, it didn’t matter which make or model they had. It’s a big Plus (I guess that’s how they got the name) having these in the lighting kit. So far I have found them to be extremely reliable, they are proving to be a much better option than my other radio slaves, which seem so archaic when compared to these PocketWizards. I now why everyone raves about them!

Ottawa Model Photo Shoot Workshop

Another aspect of lighting that we covered was the use of reflectors.  We were demonstrating the use of white, silver and gold, we were also using some diffusers as well. Everyone was pretty amazed what a difference the reflectors made.  Even when it was overcast, which is something that they didn’t expect at all.

In the near future I will be posting some of the photos that the participant’s took on this workshop. The next Model Photo Shoot Workshop will be held on Saturday October 15th, there are still a few spaces open – Email to register or for details.

Ottawa Model Photo Shoot Workshop

Posted in Models, Workshops | Comments Off on Model Photo Shoot Workshop

Greece Workshop – May 2012

August 25th, 2011

Greek Islands Photography WorkshopI have posted the details for next May’s workshop to Greece on my web site and Facebook page.  Already it is FULLY BOOKED  (tentatively – I am waiting for the deposits from a couple of participants).

This will be the 6th time that I have gone to Greece in just over 10 years, no I am not Greek and I don’t have family there – but I do love it! If you missed out on this trip, I am sure that I will be going back again – soon.  Email to be placed on the wait list for this trip or mailing list for future workshops.  

 

Photography Workshop Santorini Greece

Mykonos Photography Tour Workshop

 

Posted in Travel, Workshops | Comments Off on Greece Workshop – May 2012

Free to a Good Home

August 22nd, 2011

No, I am not giving away free kittens.

For those of you who are still in the chemical processing and fixing world of photography, or if you want to try your hand at it.  A friend of mine is looking for a new home for his darkroom equipment.  Most of this equipment is probably best suited for 2 1/4 and 4×5 devotees of black and white photography.  At the moment he has a Beseler 4×5 Enlarger with a Zone V1 Cold Light Head, a Zone V1 4×5 Film Washer, a Zone V1 Print Washer and an 8×10 Darkroom Paper Safe.

Included with the above are several text books. He also have an assortment of 2 1/4 and 35mm films which have probably lost some speed over the years but a smart photog would know how to test for that.  There are also some photo chemicals; some in cans and bottles and others in wrap bags. All this to say that this whole lot or part thereof can be had for free. The catch being he/she must come here (Ottawa) to pick it up. Contact for further information.

Posted in Equipment | Comments Off on Free to a Good Home

Michael Orton

July 25th, 2011
Michael Orton Technique

Compound camera motion while changing focus

 

Michael Orton has to be one of the most creative individuals that I know. Now while, everyone knows him as the creator of the “Orton Effect”, his creativity goes far beyond that! Last year he sent me a couple CD’s of music….his music, all of which he had composed and performed using a multi-track recording. He used a synthesizer (drums, strings, piano, horns, etc ) along with him playing an acoustic and electric guiter. On several of the tracks he also sang. I was pretty impressed.
 
In recent conversations with Michael he has been telling me about his “new” passion of working with camera motion (which he had used many times over the years), but not like this. He was now using compound movements, at times changing focus and focal length during the exposure as well. The blending of light and colours that was resulting is quite simply amazing. They are more visually exciting that any Orton imagery from years gone by.
 
Last week I received an email from Michael Orton, letting me know he had launched his redesigned web site. Be sure to watch the Slideshow presentations in which he combines his musical and photographic talent. The presentation “Earth Symphony” features the “Orton Effect” as it evolved and his latest work, “Freedom”.  They are just incredible!!!!!
Michael Orton Techique

Compound motion while changing focal length

Posted in Guest Article, Tips and Techniques | Comments Off on Michael Orton

Montreal Photo Workshop

July 15th, 2011
Montreal Photo Workshop

Bonsecours Market Reflecting in Window

This past week I spent 2 days in Montreal, Quebec teaching a one-on-one photography workshop. Montreal is such a great city and only 2 hours from Ottawa I don’t know why I am not there more often.

Posted in Travel, Workshops | Comments Off on Montreal Photo Workshop

Been Busy

July 10th, 2011

I haven’t had time to post anything here for the past couple of weeks.  Lately, I have been working on  images from last year’s trip to Paris. Don’t even ask me how many more images (it’s probably tens of thousands)  I still have to process from other trips.  I have also been teaching several one-on-one workshops as well as the Impressionist and Model Shoot Workshops a couple of weeks ago.

The next Model Photo Shoot Workshop is scheduled for Saturday August 20th;   email for details.  The following 3 models have been confirmed for this photo shoot.

Jennifer - Ottawa Model Photo Shoot

Jennifer - Ottawa Model Photo Shoot

 

Virginie - Ottawa Model Photo Shoot

Virginie - Ottawa Model Photo Shoot

 

Tania - Ottawa Model Photo Shoot

Tania - Ottawa Model Photo Shoot

Posted in Workshops | Comments Off on Been Busy

Happy Canada Day!!!

July 1st, 2011
Canada Day

Canadian Flags in Ottawa

Posted in Photography | Comments Off on Happy Canada Day!!!

Multiple Exposures – Revisited

June 28th, 2011
Impressionist Photo Workshop

Multiple Exposures - 1986 Article

 

I first wrote about the technique of creating images using multiple exposures around twenty-five years ago.  The article was first published in the 2nd issue of the Canadian Nature and Outdoor Photography Magazine. The technique took off and is now used by photographers around the world, some photographers even put their own “spin” on it too. If you are a Canadian and wondering why you haven’t seen this magazine lately (or ever), well unfortunately the magazine didn’t fare as well as the technique did!

If you know something about multiple exposures you are probably looking at the cover image and saying “That’s not a multiple exposure”. You’re right, I always thought it was rather strange that they didn’t use a multiple exposure for the cover shot, instead they went with a slow shutter speed camera movement motion blur.  However, the other 3 photos accompanying the article were actual multiple exposures. 

If by chance you still shoot film the “How-To” is here . BTW – Shooting multiples is far easier using a digital camera compared to shooting them with film. If you own a high end Nikon camera it is extremely simple. Go into the shooting menu and set up multiple exposures to 10 with auto gain “ON” and shoot the 10 shots – wait a few seconds and the camera will create a multiple exposure image. As far as I know no other camera manufacturer makes a camera that is capable of taking multiple exposures. Don’t dispair if your camera can’t take multiple exposures, they are quite simple to create in Photoshop by using layers.

Multiple Exposures

Multiple Exposures

This past weekend I taught a Photo Impressionist Techniques Workshop, During this day long course we covered many different techniques, including how to create multiple exposures using Photoshop.  Suellen, who was one of the participant’s on this workshop has posted a few of her (incredible) images here.

Ottawa Impressionist Photo Workshop

Ottawa Impressionist Workshop

 

Ottawa Impressionist Photo Workshop

Impressionist Photography Workshop

Another day-long Photo Impressionist Workshop is scheduled for Saturday Oct 8th. Right now there is only one space available, email to register.

Posted in Published Work, Tutorials and Articles, Workshops | Comments Off on Multiple Exposures – Revisited

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »