Workshops

People Power

2009-10-26T12:00:00Z

Followup: David Trattles Photojournalism Photography Workshop
In early October, renowned social documentary photographer, and Canadian Geographic contributor, David Trattles, lead a workshop at CG’s headquarters in Ottawa. He was joined by amateur photographers who took part in assignments and a group critique of their work. Special thanks goes out Dave for sharing his expertise and enthusiasm, and to professional photographer Harry Nowell for partnering with us to create this workshop.

INSTRUCTOR

David Trattles is a renowned social documentary photographer whose work has been published in numerous national publications including Canadian Geographic and Maclean’s.

Learn more about Trattles through our one-on-one interview with him.

To view more of David Trattles' work, visit: www.photomediterraneo.com

In their own words: Participants speak about the workshop

"I am so happy I took this workshop! David helped me break through... Yay Dave!

My biggest photo self discovery on this course was that I needed to be a little "messy." My work was to "square" and "nice" as David put it. I realized that I don't need to put so much energy thinking about the photo I'm going to take, and to just let it happen. David helped me break through and view things differently.

Here's a photo I took during an assignment David sent me on. He simply said "take pictures of stairs..."

— Jessica Hodgson

"Participants who are nocturnal will delight in prowling the streets with Dave and partaking in his atmospheric assignments. He is the new incarnation of Cartier-Bresson — 100%, full-on, focused, kick-ass, charismatic, non-stop social documentary. This is not your average point-and-shoot workshop.

At the workshop I was able to tackle and get feedback on a photo essay I call "Wheel Politik" which aims to cover cycloculture, architecture, history, bilingualism and movement."
— Julie Enfield

"I met Dave Trattles a few years ago at a CAPA conference where he was leading a workshop. His life and enthusiasm fascinated me and I was impressed by the personal involvement and empathy he has for his subjects. His photographs record their sometimes quirky lives in an indirect way. He documents them as they are, rather than by what they do. So when he photographs girls in India who box, we don't see them boxing. When he photographs fishermen, we don't see them fishing. I think he's a brilliant social documentarian.

Being primarily a landscape photographer, I assumed I had zero talent for photojournalism. People move around too much! However, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend some time with David. The workshop was very relaxed. David is such a hugely genuine mensch, and funny as heck too. Those German and Indian accents! The assignments were well designed: not too specific, so there was lots of freedom, but with definite goals in mind. I appreciated the small group, which allowed us to view each other's work and learn from the comments David gave."

— Ross Norstrom

"This course changed the way I take pictures. But, more importantly, it changed the way I see myself and the world around me. It's not about WHAT we see in the world through the rectangular viewfinder, but HOW we see the world. My journeys in photojournalism will begin with a smile and a hand shake, rather than the sound of a shutter.

My photo here is the first part of a photo essay on what's most important to me — my family. I'm still learning a lot of technical stuff and look forward to joining future courses."
— Prasad Jetty

"I registered for this workshop with only one objective in mind: learn something new. I've taken many courses and workshops before and (as simple as it sounds) this objective wasn't easily achieved.

Dave shared his passion for photography with us. He told us stories and I learned a lot about taking pictures that represent my own take on life.

I learned that I can go beyond a “nice to frame picture” to reach a point where my picture tells a story. I’m not there yet, but I now aim at something else when I shoot — something meaningful. Thanks Dave!"

— Stéphanie Beauregard

Since this is the first photography workshop we've hosted we'd like to hear whether Photo Club members would be interested if we held another. If so, please let us know by responding to this post or by sending us an email about what kind of workshops you would like to attend in the future.

See the course calendar on HarryNowell.com for more information on upcoming workshops.

Photojournalism Photography Workshop with David Trattles

2009-08-10T11:00:00Z

“My biggest reward of all is getting to know the people I photograph. In some sense, I get to be part of their lives.”
– David Trattles

INSTRUCTOR BIO

David Trattles is a renowned social documentary photographer whose work has been published in numerous national publications including Canadian Geographic and Maclean’s.

Learn more about Trattles through our one-on-one interview with him.

To view more of David Trattles' work, visit: www.davidtrattles.com

Harry Nowell Photography inc. presents: Photojournalism and Social Documentary Photography with David Trattles

When:
October 1, 2009 to October 4, 2009
- evening sessions will be held on the 1st and 2nd, afternoon sessions will be held on the 3rd and 4th (approximately three hour sessions)

Where:
Canadian Geographic Headquarters
1155 Lola Street, Suite 200
Ottawa, Ontario K1K 4C1

Cost:
$375 + applicable taxes

Registration:
To register for this amazing workshop and for more information, visit www.harrynowell.com

David Trattles is a humanitarian, genuinely caring about the people he meets and conveying their stories with honesty. He is a gifted photographer who shares his passionate eye through his captures of the people and places that move him whether it’s female boxers in Kolkata or cowboys in Germany. While many photographers may spend hours setting up a shot, Trattles spends months getting to know his subjects.

Meet this amazing social documentary photographer at Canadian Geographic Headquarters this October. Develop your story telling skills and learn how to create compelling people-oriented photo essays during David Trattles’ four-day workshop. Each session will run about three hours long and will include a discussion and critique of your work as well as an assignment to complete for the following day. These critiques will focus on your body of work rather than the technical details of each image, since Trattles will not be teaching about aperture, exposures or Photoshop.

This man does things differently. Film, digital, point-and-shoot, whatever! This is a photography workshop focused on creating better pictures and it’s your skills behind the camera that will be emphasized. However, please note that digital images will be easier to display and critique and film shooters will need to process film and print examples before each session.

So for those planning to attend, get ready to burst into smiles and laughter as David Trattles guides you through the essence of street level photography.

Moose Photography Workshop with Rob Stimpson

2009-02-19T14:31:00Z

Growing up in Hudson, Que., a town on the Ottawa River west of Montréal, Rob Stimpson always had a close connection with the outdoors. He developed a passion for photography in his 20s and, despite the fact that he studied graphic arts, landed his first full-time position as a photojournalist shooting stock images at a large multinational pharmaceutical corporation in Switzerland. Twenty-five years later, Stimpson combines his love for travel and the outdoors with his award-winning photography through wildlife workshops.

Moose Workshop gallery Rob Stimpson's gallery Comments

Q How did you make the switch from your background in the graphic arts field to photography?

A I was one of those people who can’t figure out what to do in life. Photography happened by accident. When I was in my 20s, I had a friend who lent me a camera. I was raving to my father about how great it was. So he got me a Fuji camera for my birthday, and almost 25 years later I’m still taking photographs and am as passionate about it now as when I started.

My education was in graphic arts. While working in that field for a few years, I began doing some freelance photography work. I landed my first photography position in Switzerland as a photojournalist for a large multinational pharmaceutical corporation. My boss at the time, Emile Hasler, was instrumental in shaping my “creative eye.” He enriched my life more than I realized at the time.

Q Why did you choose photography as a career?

AI wanted a job that combined my love of the outdoors, travel and tourism and one that would allow me to be creative. The desire to create has always been part my life and photography is one of those vocations that allows this. I have the freedom of not working in an office. It took a while to get to where I am today but it is a very rewarding career.

Q Years after your first position as a photojournalist, do you still shoot assignment work?

A Yes. I’m mostly involved with tourism here in Ontario and get to travel all over the province. I’m working as an outdoor lifestyle photographer and have been to the Arctic and Antarctic working aboard expedition ships. I’ve been very lucky. I love this profession and I’ll do anything and everything I can to stay in it. I keep reinventing myself. You have to in this day and age.

Q Aside from assignment work, you’ve been leading workshops for almost a decade. Can you tell me about the Algonquin Provincial Park moose photography workshop?

A A few years ago I was talking with John Langford, the owner of Voyageur Quest, whom I had done some work for in the past. He suggested we run this moose photo workshop and we put an itinerary together.

It’s a chance to see one of North America’s largest animals in its natural state. Plus, you hardly see anybody in the park when we run the workshop, in June, because it is usually too early for most people to do any paddling. Also, there are certain flowers at this time of year like the pink lady slipper, an orchid found in pine forests, trout lilies and a variety of trilliums, both white and purple.

Being in the outdoors with people who are as passionate about photography and the outdoors as I am is always special

Q What can people expect to experience during this workshop?

A This is a great opportunity to shoot with like-minded people, learn new photographic skills or enhance the ones you already have and to experience the world-famous park at a time most people don’t even think of going on a canoe trip. If you have never seen a moose up close, to see this magnificent animal in its natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. Seeing a moose in its natural setting from a canoe rather than along the roadside is special.

Q Who would this experience appeal to?

A This will appeal to anyone who wants to capture wildlife in its natural setting and doesn’t mind sleeping in a tent, paddling a canoe and dealing with the natural environment. Photo experience is not a must but knowing your camera is – you don’t want to miss some of the exciting opportunities if you and your camera are not in sync. A long lens is also a must. We do not allow participants to get too close to the wildlife, so they will need at least a 200mm lens.

Q What equipment do you use for photographing wildlife?

A I have an 80mm to 400mm VR (vibration reduction) Nikkor lens. I also have an 80mm to 200mm f/2.8 Nikkor lens, which is sharp as a tack. I have two camera bodies: a Nikon D300 and a Fuji S5 Pro. I have a Manfrotto and a carbon fibre Gitzo tripod. The VR lenses are important, especially for wildlife photography. With the moose photography workshop, you want to have a camera that you get good steady shots with and the VR technology really helps.

Q What excites you about wildlife photography and how is this apparent to guests participating in your workshop?

A The chance to photograph an animal in its natural environment is an experience that not many get. I have photographed animals in Africa, the Arctic and Antarctica. The excitement is always there for this type of shooting and my enthusiasm is contagious.

Q What is your most memorable experience from your workshop?

A Last year, a young woman from Denmark was on the trip —she had never seen a moose and got to see 30 in two days!

To view more of Rob Stimpson's work, visit: http://www.robstimpson.com/

Interview by Michela Rosano.