Silver Creek Photography | Sylvia Galbraith

2022-01-05

Workshops update, January 2022

Here we go again!  Another series of restrictions were definitely NOT part of my plan for 2022.  After months of cancellations and re-bookings, I have been looking forward to getting my workshop schedule back on track, and have my new studio all set up and ready to go.  At the same time, I think we have become very adaptable and to that end, my plan is to run my first course, Digital Skills - Photoshop Level 1 starting on Tuesday Jan. 18 as scheduled.  If necessary, I will run the first class or two in an online format using Zoom, as I have done before, and we can switch back to in-person as Public Health protocols allow.  This course works very well in either format, so you can be confident that you will receive the full benefit of the course regardless how it's delivered.  And with the winter months ahead, what better time to play with photo editing?  Details on the course are found under my Course Calendar, and please let me know if you have questions.


2023-11-27

This just happened!

Winter 2023 - I've been sitting on this email since last August, but now I can finally share the news...

"Dear Sylvia, 
I am so pleased to tell you that your submission, CATALINA COAST, has won this year’s Riddle Fence Visual Art Grand Prize! Our editors loved the piece, and we’re so excited that you submitted it to us. "Catalina Coast" will run in Issue 50, which is a doubly exciting anniversary issue, packed with truly amazing writers and artists. The issue will be out in early December 2023." 

Riddle Fence is a hub for fast-paced literature from Newfoundland & Labrador, across Canada, and around the world, unearthing the best contemporary writing and art.  The magazine is published four times per year, and is full of poetry, fiction, features and reviews alongside visual art.  I'm completely blown away by this award.  Wow.
riddle fence

 

 


 

 


 

 

 


2023-11-26

Online shop now open!

Winter 2023 - After some procrastinating, a lot of sorting, and tons of help from Digital Main Street, I'm happy to let you know that my online store is now live.  You can shop for photographs - limited editions, framed work, or some of my latest alternative process photographs, some of which are one-of-a-kind unique prints, and some that are reprinted on fine art paper, depending on the process used to create the original work. I have also included options for purchasing gift certificates which can be used for lessons, artwork or custom printing of your own photographs. You can check it out here: 
online store pic

 

 


2022-11-09

Semi-private group lessons now available....

Fall 2022 - Many of you have been asking about photography lessons, and while my plan is to offer courses starting later next winter, I have introduced the option of taking semi-private lessons for groups of two to three people.  If you have a friend or two who can join you, there is a significant savings from private lessons, yet you have all the same benefits;  flexible scheduling, customized topics and  individual attention.  Details are in the Course Calendar.


2022-03-11

SNAP Toronto Photography Auction 2022

March 2022 - I'm honoured to have one of my photographs selected for SNAP Toronto, an annual photographic fundraiser in support of ACT (Aids Committee of Toronto). Bidding for the auction is now open through Waddington's Auctions.  For tickets to the SNAP 20th Anniversary Gala on March 24, check out: SNAP Toronto.  "Fifth Avenue" is 16 x 24", Print #2 (edition of 10). 

                                                       FifthAvenueSG.jpg  

 

 


2022-03-11

Spring 2022 Photography Courses - back on track!

March 2022 - Yay!  Spring is coming, and my photography workshops and courses are back on track, with in-person classes starting in April.  Check out the schedule on my course calendar, and keep in mind that I am restricting class sizes for now.  


2022-03-04

A peek inside the new studio.....

I'm really enjoying the new studio...  and happy to have my printer back up and running.  Even better, I can finally take a look at photos and video from my latest trip to Newfoundland. Feeling very inspired .....

New studio inside

 


2021-11-18

Welcome to my new downtown Fergus studio!

After having to give up my studio this past spring (thanks COVID!)  I'm happy to announce that I have found a beautiful, bright new space in the historic Fergus Marketplace building in downtown Fergus to call home.  With huge windows for lots of natural light, the character of a quirky old building, and the Grand River rushing past, it's a fabulous location for classes and field trips, and a perfect spot for private lessons.  I'll finally have room for my large printer, and will be offering fine art printing once again, as well as portfolio reviews and other professional photography services.  If you're looking for one of my own photographs, I'll have framed prints available as well.  It just needs a bit of fresh paint, and a few strong family members to carry my stuff up the stairs!

 

new studio

 


2021-11-18

Courses and lessons are back on track for 2022.

I'm looking forward to teaching classes and lessons in my new Fergus Studio starting in January, 2022 with courses on camera skills, Photoshop, documentary photography, and more.  If you're in the market for Christmas gifts, I can provide gift certificates for private lessons or any of my workshops.  Contact me for more info....  


2020-07-18

Documenting Artwork.... yes, quality matters.

Many artists underestimate the value of having their work professionally photographed.  There's a sense that a few 'snaps" of your paintings or sculpture will be sufficient for that gallery submission or grant application.... so you take the painting outside, lean it against a wall, and shoot something with your iphone...  perfect, right?  Why pay big bucks for this when you can do it yourself?  

As someone who has served on juries and assessed artwork for competitions, I can't stress enough how important it is to properly document your work for ANY application.  Many galleries and juries will immediately toss it out if your images are not sharp, properly sized, colour corrected, and show only the artwork with no background.  Lighting has to be even and not present shadows or colour casts.  Poor quality photographs indicate a lack of respect for your own art, and given how much time you put into creating your work and preparing an application, doesn't it make sense to give yourself every opportunity fo success?

Contact me for package pricing for artwork documentation.  These include the photography session, either in your studio or mine, and both web size and high resolution colour corrected digital files that are suitable for publication or printing fine art papers if limited edition prints are required. 


2020-07-18

It's true! Professional photography boosts your business.

These days we all have to consider the bottom line.  Expenses are climbing, profits are shrinking and we need to assess how we operate,  looking at new ways to attract clients and keep existing ones.  Our starting point is to look at current advertising methods.  Have we updated our letterhead and brochures?  Is our website out of date?  Are we still using the same old photos from years ago, that we took ourselves with a cheap camera?  Guess what?  It shows.  Customers today are more discriminating.  They want to hire businesses and individuals who are professional and organized.  They want value for their money.  Your website or print material is the first impression they have not only of your business, but of you.  If you’ve cut corners on your photographs, it will show and you won’t ever hear from them.  Professional quality photographs catch the viewer’s attention, especially in today's oversaturated visual world, and stand out from the crowd of badly produced images.  Mostly, though, great photos tell potential clients that you care about the impression you make, you care about your business practices, and will treat them the same way.  

Give me a call or send an email, and I can discuss photography ideas with you.


2020-07-15

Fall classes resume in September. Yay!

I am pleased to report that I will be resuming my in-person classes starting in September.  I will be re-configuring my Fergus teaching space to allow for physical distancing and will be following all health department protocols regarding personal safety.  So far the schedule includes two of my college level courses, with more added in the next week or so, including a few field trips to get you outside.  Details are in the course schedule.  On-line classes are in the works as well...  stay tuned for those details soon.


2020-05-20

Virtual Exhibition Now Live

Just because we can't visit art galleries, it doesn't mean we should be deprived of art...  even though I've had several exhibitions cancelled this year, I've been playing with virtual exhibition software, and invite you to check out "Outside of Time" which is destined for a show in Newfoundland at some point.  Enjoy!


2019-06-16

Off-site summer workshops

If you're looking for a fun holiday experience, I am a guest instructor for three workshops in fabulous new locations across Canada.  These will take place in exciting locations in Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.   Details, and registration info is available through the organizations' websites...  links are below.  All of these offer in-depth photography instruction and field trips that will take you beyond simply taking a snapshot, and will draw on local scenery, history and architecture for subject matter.  The courses are:

July 8 to 12, 2019 - Photography Explorations, Wellington County Museum, Elora, Ontario - 5 full days of instruction and field trips in and around 'Ontario's most beautiful village" and the Elora Gorge.

August 20, 2019 - Between Land & Sea, Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland - field trip along the coastal rocks and pools in Tickle Cove, home of the famous sea arch and 500 million year old rocks.  This free workshop is part of the Bonavista Biennale arts event that runs from Aug. 17 to Sept. 15, 2019.

Sept. 16 to 20, 2019 - Land & Sea Photography Explorations, St. Andrew's, New Brunswick - 5-day workshop in and around the historic town of St. Andrew's-by-the-Sea.  Recognized for it's beautiful location on the shore of the Bay of Fundy, and it's historic and diverse architecture.


2018-07-10

Wedding Photography at the Elora Mill Inn

I'm looking forward to shooting weddings again at the rejuvenated Elora Mill Inn ...it was always one of my favourite locations over the years, and with the recent expansion and redesign, it's even more fabulous for photography. Check out my interview at thestar.com.