TAKE PART IN OUR DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP SURVEY

A Closer Look (at what really interests people) In addition to being a photographer, I teach at a local College, lead my own workshops, lecture at camera clubs, and provide private lessons as well as long term private mentoring programs to photographers. In that capacity I get asked lots of questions. However, 'what else do you teach?' is the most frequently asked question that I field as a teacher of photography. The most truthful answer I can give to that question right now is, 'that depends on what people want to learn.'  CLICK HERE TO TAKE OUR SURVEY Offering new digital photography programs through the college is not an option so I present a much wider variety of subject matter and learning opportunities through my workshops, my private instruction and coaching. It is not easy to guess what people really want in a workshop so I'm putting this survey out to see if I can get enough feedback from people to help me develop and implement a photography workshop agenda for the next six months. It depends on what subjects are truly important to those who would actually commit to registering in and attending a workshop...To find more specific answers to that question, this newsletter contains a quick survey that asks my readers to answer 7 questions. This is a completely anonymous process. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY I would really appreciate it if you take a few minutes to complete the survey. It will help me understand what courses and workshops I might offer that will help people in the 6 month program that I'm developing right now. Your feedback is invaluable to me and, once again, the survey process is anonymous.

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY - NOT NECESSARILY STRAIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Street photography doesn't have be straight photography - it's opened up to include exploring mystery in all it's forms. Night time on the streets gives us ample opportunity to do this with all the little things that come to the fore in darkness. Like the person who walked through the image below.

THE ART AND CRAFT OF BUILDING PICTURES

In my ten years of teaching photography I've found one fact to be true - few things help improve our photography faster than receiving trustworthy, constructive feedback and guidance about our work. This feedback can show us where we have been as photographers and in what direction it might be very good for us to go. Over the next three months I'm offering 90 minute private review sessions for $75.00. Our regular price is 135.00. These can be purchased in advance for oneself or as a gift for someone else who loves photography. The sessions may cover topics such as:

    - how to build pictures
    - composition and light
    - concepts for personal projects
    - how to create series and sequences
    - finding the unseen themes that run through your work
    - how to set photographic goals for maximum growth

For a session click here to go to the page where you can actually make a purchase. These are, in person private, reviews and we are located in the City of Toronto.

michael@michaelobrienphoto.com

www.michaelobrienphoto.com

STREET SHOOTING IN TORONTO

We have a good time street shooting during my workshops in Toronto. 

Street shooting is the way I started into photography in the mid eighties - it's freewheeling, usually unplanned, and spontaneous. Even though I work as a professional now, it is my regular street shooting sessions that keep me sharp and revved up. No subject matter is excluded, no 'style' is required.

These images are from The Power of Light,  Night Photography as well as the Vision and Technique  workshops that I teach - we are on Queen Street and in Kensington Market; everywhere we go we keep an eye open for the light, the people, the buildings, vehicles, dogs and anything else that is coming to us. The rain adds lots of reflection and mood to the shots.

Bob Marley T Shirt in Kensington Market Window

Ontario College of Art and Design building at Night. Shot during the Travel Photography course I teach. 

Morning sun provides sidelight during the Power of Light course I teach

Night Photography is enhanced by rain

One of my favourite shops in Toronto....owned by the ultimate 'collector'

The joy of street shooting in black and white on Queen Street in Toronto

Julia taking aim during a street shooting session at Nathan Phillips Square at New City Hall, Toronto, ON