A 4-part instructional series designed to inform and teach the basics of photography will take place June 16 – 24 at Vistek’s Toronto location. Experienced teacher & accomplished photographer, Gary Ray Rush,  uses the theory & application approach in these highly-interactive sessions that will give attendees ample opportunity to learn photography in a fun, hands-on environment.

Class topics include:

1. Creative Camera – Learn the photographic basics that apply to every camera ever made, film or digital, beginner to professional. Students will learn to shoot in manual mode to understand the principles of how an image is made.
2. Language of the Photographer – Discover how your camera records light, so you can control the way it affects your photographs. Put your manual controls to full advantage to shape the effect of light.
3. Creative Lighting – This class is designed to inspire. First, you will experiment indoors with studio lights to learn how light can be shaped and manipulated. Then you will move outdoors, working with available light and modifying with on-camera flash.
4. Composition – A brilliant Powerpoint presentation with all the rules, reasons and explanations of composition; all backed up with classic and contemporary fine art. Your work is then reviewed and critiqued.

Classes can be purchased individually, but students registering for the entire series will save $100 on the price of admission.

When: June 16 to 24, 2009 (classes start at 10am and run for 3 hours)
Where: Vistek Toronto – 496 Queen St. E [map]
Price: $400 for the entire series; $125 per class.

Get more info & register.

Continue reading...

Every year, the Hasselblad Masters celebrates the best in both established and rising photographic talent. This year, though, the voting process will be handled a little differently: they’ve reserved one of the jury spots for the Hasselblad public, allowing photographers and other photo professionals to cast a vote. The combined public vote will be combined with the official jury’s votes to determine who will be the Hasselblad Masters winners for 2009.

Photographers from China, Japan, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, India, Canada, the United States, Italy, Australia, Germany, and other countries have captured images that reflect 10 categories: architectural, editorial, fashion/beauty, fine art, general, landscapes/nature, portrait, products, upcoming, and wedding/social.

The top 100 finalists been selected and their images are now online for viewing and voting. Note:  you will have to register as a jury member in order to cast your vote.

The 10 winners will be announced January 1, 2010.

Continue reading...

This year’s Chang School Photography Exhibit kicks off with it’s Opening Reception Thursday, June 25 from 6 – 9pm.

This annual event gives photography and image arts students an opportunity to display their best work in a juried show. And each year, a leading professional from the photography community selects several works for their outstanding merit. The winning artists receive valuable awards that in the past have included tuition for a Chang School course and a $500 gift certificate from a photography-supply merchant.

When:
June 25 to July 11/09
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 25/09  from 6 – 9pm

Where:
Ryerson Gallery
80 Spadina Avenue, Suite 305
Toronto, ON

Continue reading...

If you’re in the GTA, you can check out the Colour Management Basics seminar at Vistek’s Mississauga location. This Saturday morning seminar starts at 10am and presents the theory behind colour management and will show you how to put it this theory into effective practice.

For those of you a bit further west, Vistek’s Sports Photography Basics seminar also gets underway at 10am this Saturday (10am) at the Edmonton store. With an aim to make sure you can catch all the action – from your child’s little league game on up – this seminar will teach you valuable shooting tips as well as show you the best equipment for the best shots.

Admission is $50 & registration for both events is available online.

Colour Management Basics (register online)
May 23/09 @ 10am
Vistek Mississauga
5840 Mavis Road

Sports Photography Basics (register online)
Vistek Edmonton
10569 109th Street NW

Continue reading...

There are a lot of talented people showcasing their works from East coast to West… get out there and see them!

Here are just a few to get you started:

Stephen Bulger Gallery (Toronto, ON)
Gerry Deiter: Give Peace a Chance (May 26 to June 2, 2009)
→ Features photographs of John Lennon and Yoko Ono during the 1969 eight-day bed-in for Peace in Montréal.

Alison Rossiter: Lament (until May 23, 2009)
→ Features new works by American photographer Alison Rossiter

Confederation Centre (Charlottetown, PEI)
RBC Emerging Artists Series Exhibit (until May 31, 2009)
→  Features PEI photographer Becka Viau’s exhibit “Young Farmers.”

Various Venues (Toronto, ON)
CONTACT (until May 31. 2009)
→  Features more than 100 artists with exhibits at over 220 venues.

Have you got an upcoming exhibit you’d like to promote? Let us know – we’re more than happy to give you a shout out.

Continue reading...

The Ryerson University Film Festival starts May 14 and runs through until May 16. The 3-day event showcases over 30 films produced by Ryerson University’s graduating class and runs the gamut from sci-fi, historical, drama, horror and comedy, to documentary and experimental.

This annual public showcase of thesis works takes place at the Royal Cinema on College St. in Toronto and tickets can be purchased, in advance,  online.

Continue reading...

As part of this years’ CONTACT festival, Ryerson University is presenting MFA Documentary Media Discussion – a select artist presentation and panel discussion  moderated by Esther Choi.

This free event takes place May 21 at 7pm in Jorgenson Hall (350 Victoria St.) and features guest speakers  Tori Foster, Ryan Gauvin, Lara Rosenoff and Marie Wustner.

Bringing together documentarians from a broad spectrum of backgrounds, the Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media program at Ryerson is home to students producing works that find their roots in fine art, photojournalism, anthropology and experimental media.

Date: Thursday, May 21
Time: 7pm
Location: Ryerson University, Jorgenson Hall
350 Victoria St., room LIB72, Toronto

More info…

Continue reading...

This year’s CONTACT festival takes place May 1 to 31 and gets underway Friday from 7 – 10pm with its Festival Launch & Still Revolution Opening Celebration at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art in Toronto. And, as an added bonus, there is no cover charge for the event – which boasts an evening of reveling with festival artists, photographers and special guests.

CONTACT 2009 is a yearly month-long festival of photography that showcases over 1000 local, national and international artists in over 220 venues across the GTA.

Touted as the largest photography event in the world, CONTACT has grown exponentially since its 2002 inception. With a focus on curated programming and special events, the festival features a primary exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, high-profile public installations, feature exhibitions, an international lecture series, a film program in partnership with the National Film Board, portfolio reviews and workshops.

From the official website: CONTACT 2009 examines how each significant innovation in photography’s evolution has radically altered the creation and consumption of images, irrevocably changing the history of visual representation.

Continue reading...

The Black Star Collection at Ryerson University is giving you the opportunity to hear from the people behind the photographs. Iconic images of Presidents, international leaders & celebrities captured an era on a worldwide scale and opened doors to photojournalists like never before.

Photographing an Era: The ’60s and ’70s takes place May 9 at 3pm.  James Pickerell, Steve Schapiro and Fred Ward – 3 prominent photographers from these captivating decades – lead a panel discussion of two decades that changed the world of photojournalism and allowed unparalleled access into the private lives of public figures.

When: Sat. May 9/09 – 3pm
Where: Rogers Communication Centre (RCC 204); 80 Gould Street (at the intersection of Church Street)
Admission: Free

Continue reading...

Need to maximise your productivity with your video projects? Let Vistek show you the way – for free!

On May 14, a 3-part seminar with Brian Young from Sony will detail the operational features of Sony pro camcorders and provide valuable time-saving tips on how to increase efficiency in post-production.

Each seminar will tackle a specific Sony line, including Sony’s HDV, HXR and XDCAM EX camcorders.

With Sony’s Advanced Workflows, those in attendance will learn how to realize savings in media costs, save time in post-production, and how to derive the most value from their Sony pro camcorder.

Seminars will take place at the Vistek Toronto location (496 Queen Street East):

• 10am (2 hours)
  Sony Images and Workflow – HXR (New POV camera) – find out more & register
• 12 noon (1 hour)
  Maximizing your Workflow with the New HXR POV Sony Camcorder – find out more & register
• 2pm (2 hours)
  Maximizing your Workflow with the XDCAM EX Sony Camcorder – find out more & register
  

Oh yeah… did we mention these seminars are FREE? So it sort of goes without saying that seats are limited.  Make sure to reserve your spot today. Sign up for one – or spend the day with us and take part in all three!

Continue reading...