Motion and Light Photography Workshop - Ottawa

Unlock the secrets of motion and light in this immersive, hands-on Motion and Light Photography Workshop by Learn Photography Canada. Whether you're looking to freeze fast action with razor-sharp clarity or transform a rushing waterfall into a silky cascade, this workshop will give you the tools and techniques to confidently control motion in your images. Even more importantly, you'll discover how to read and use light—from front lighting to side and backlighting—to craft photos that pop with atmosphere and dimension. With a professional Learn Photography Canada Coach by your side every step of the way, you'll get personalized guidance, expert tips, and the encouragement you need to propel your skills forward—fast. Join us and take your photography to a whole new level.

Info: We’ll kick things off by introducing the goals of the Motion & Light workshop and getting to know your Learn Photography Canada coach. This is also your chance to check that your camera is set up properly, review manual mode, and refresh your understanding of the exposure triangle so you're ready to dive in.

Info: In this session, we’ll explore the types of natural light—its direction, quality, and color—and how each affects your photos. You'll learn to “read” the light before you shoot, recognizing how contrast, metering, and the differences between hard and soft light can shape the mood and impact of an image.

Info: Front lighting occurs when the light source is behind the photographer, directly hitting the subject. It creates vibrant colors and minimizes shadows, but can make photos look flat. You’ll learn how to meter correctly, manage reflections, and add depth to your compositions using angles and foreground elements. We’ll wrap up this section with a practical session capturing portraits or objects with the sun at your back.

Info: Side lighting, where the light hits the subject from the left or right, is perfect for adding drama and texture to your photos. It introduces strong contrast and mood, though it can also make exposure more challenging. You’ll experiment with shadows as creative tools, use fill light or reflectors, and compare different metering approaches. Then, we’ll head out to practice shooting with natural or reflected side light.

Info: Back lighting—when the light source is behind your subject—can result in stunning rim lighting, atmospheric glows, or powerful silhouettes. You'll learn how to expose for highlights or shadows, control lens flare with hoods or filters, and intentionally create silhouettes. We’ll end this section with hands-on shooting using translucent subjects or people positioned against the light.

Info: Motion is more than just pressing the shutter at the right time. In this session, you'll learn how to freeze fast action with sharp clarity, blur motion for dynamic storytelling, and even pan with your subject to create motion trails. We'll cover how to adjust shutter speed, ISO, and aperture for a range of lighting conditions and subject movements—then put those techniques into practice with an extended shooting session.

Info: To close the day, we’ll come together to share a few of your favorite images and troubleshoot any lighting or motion challenges you encountered. Your coach will answer questions, offer personalized tips, and provide guidance on how to keep growing your skills—plus share bonus advice for shooting during golden hour. This is your moment to reflect on how far you’ve come and get inspired for your next photography adventure.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Canada