Our location workshops will return in 2023

This quote by the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova easily encapsulates my feelings about Italy, for of all the places I have traveled, Italy is the one to which my thoughts are always returning. Nowhere else can be found the heady combination of sublime light on fairy-tale landscapes, exquisite food and profound culture. In Tuscany, all things, whether there by the hand of nature or the hand of man appear exactly where they must be; nothing out of place, nothing to spoil the harmony of land and sky.

As a photographer, I am drawn to this place like no other. The question is never, “What should I photograph?” but rather, “How can I possibly photograph all that I see in the time that I have?”

Join me for a photographic adventure in this most special place. From our home base, we’ll explore the vineyards of Chianti, the rolling countryside of the Crete Senesi and the incredible landscapes of the Val d’Orcia. We’ll wander through ancient villages, watch the sun rise over mist laden valleys and see its last rays set the stone of those same towns ablaze.

This immersive workshop is for anyone who wishes to improve their photographic skills: to move from simply “taking pictures” to “making images”. We welcome all levels of photographic experience, from beginner to advanced. This is not a traditional classroom/assignment workshop; instead the emphasis is on creativity and photographic risk taking in the field. Rather than dry technical lectures, we head out into the world where images are made, and learn to apply the elements of good visual design to create stronger images. We consider the importance of lens choice and point of view, and learn how changing light during the day shapes form and mood in our images.

If you are a beginner, you will derive maximum benefit from this workshop if you are at least familiar with the basics of operating your camera: you should be able to place your camera in manual mode and understand how to adjust shutter speed and aperture. If this is a challenge for you, don’t worry: we will gladly provide help if needed. The more advanced photographer will be challenged by our emphasis on visual design and developing a sensitivity to the quality of light on the subject. Group sizes are kept small to ensure plenty of time for individualized instruction. The workshop is led by an award winning 30 year veteran photographer who is also an experienced workshop leader.

What to bring with you:

1) Your camera, of course: preferably an interchangeable lens dSLR or mirrorless camera.

2) A large collection of lenses is not needed, and can in fact get in the way of capturing great images. An extra lens or two does however provide additional photographic flexibility. A useful range for this workshop will allow you to cover focal lengths between 24mm and 100mm on a full frame camera like the Canon 5D or 6D series or Nikon D810, D750 etc. For reduced frame cameras like the Canon Rebel, Nikon D5xxx or D7xxx series, equivalent lenses will be in the range from 16mm to 65mm. A single zoom covering this range would be ideal, and frankly all you really need.

3) A zoom covering a wide-angle range from 16-35mm (10-23mm on a reduced frame camera) and/or a telephoto covering the range from 70 – 200mm or beyond (50 – 150 for reduced frame cameras) will round out an ideal kit.

4) If you have one, an extra camera body provides a comforting degree of redundancy should a problem develop with your primary camera.

5) A tripod! Too many creative opportunities are missed without the ability to stabilize your camera.

6) If you have one, a polarizing filter.

7) A laptop computer loaded with Adobe Photoshop and/or Adobe Lightroom if you wish to participate in the post processing sessions.If you don’t have a laptop, or don’t wish to bring it along, you will still need a way to create backup copies of your images. (If you bring a portable USB drive or Memory Stick I will help you to create backup copies of your image files using my laptop)Remember; carrying too much gear will only weigh you down and cause you to miss fleeting opportunities! Heavy, large aperture telephotos, like that 300mm f/2.8 are better left at home for this trip.

Some Details…

The workshop cost includes accommodation in the principal workshop location, all ground transportation within the region, daily instruction, critiques, discussion and sessions on post processing techniques.Air/Rail travel costs to and from Italy are not included.In October, the sun rises and sets at rather civilized times, allowing us the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of our accommodation for breakfast. Dinner will usually be a group affair, wherever we find our selves that day.This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the light, landscape and culture of this most photogenic region; a place where your photographic vision and creatively will find new inspiration and new challenges each day. I hope you will join me.Email: [email protected] for further information

Provence

Five Days in the footsteps of Matisse and Cezanne

Join us for a photographic workshop in one of my favourite regions of Europe. I have a continuing love affair with Mediterranean Europe, and Provence in particular. Great food, great wine, friendly people, the sun to warm your soul and light that has inspired artists for centuries… What more could a photographer wish for?

Arrive at Marseille-Provence Airport on the afternoon of Day 1; we’ll meet you and transport you to our home base for the first few days in Gréoux-les-Bains; a charming Provencal village minutes from the lavender fields of the Valensole Plateau where rows of fragrant Lavender stretch to the horizon, punctuated by Walnut trees and rustic stone cottages.

This workshop is planned as a nomadic adventure. We will move at least once, and possibly twice during the course of the seven days. This greatly reduces the amount of time spent driving between shooting locations each day and maximises your photographic experience. Over the course of the workshop, we’ll explore the hilltop towns of the Luberon Valley, popularized in novels by Peter Mayle (“A Year in Provence”). We’ll photograph open-air famers markets, and visit Provençal villages as they wake up early each morning… the smell of fresh baguettes wafting from bakeries along cobbled streets.

Each village throughout the whole region, from the ancient Abbey of Senanque, hidden away in its own “private” valley, to tiny Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, clinging to the side of the Alpes-de-Haute Provence, split by a narrow gorge with a stream tumbling through the centre of town, and in between hundreds of story book towns: Puimoisson, Rousillon, Cereste and Reillane among them, all offer up a wealth of unique image making opportunities. Of course we’ll also travel to the coast, visiting Cassis; one of the most picturesque villages in all of Mediterranean France.

Our itinerary will be flexible, allowing us to take advantage of whatever comes our way, but one thing is certain, we will be up before sunrise, and stay out after sunset to catch the magic light at the edges of night and day. The middle hours of each day will be reserved for downloading images, discussion, critique, and sessions on digital post processing. Or if you wish, for just lounging by the pool, shopping, or whatever suits you. And, since Provence is also about great food and great wine, we will reserve some time to enjoy this cornerstone of Provençal life.

Our goal is to make this adventure affordable and worry free: Gréoux-les-Bains has a surprising variety of very affordable hotels, even at this time of year. So bring your sense of adventure, and prepare to unleash your creativity in this magical part of the world.

Our Focus is on You!

The light in Provence is unique in all the world, and our field work is designed to take best advantage of it. The instruction focuses on developing a sensitivity to the light and a strong sense of visual design. This is all part of the Art of Seeing, for as Thoreau said, “It’s not what you look at, but what you see.”

We welcome all levels of photographic experience, from beginner to advanced. This is not a traditional classroom/assignment workshop, instead the emphasis is on creativity and “photographic risk taking”, rather than technical lectures. If you are a beginner, you will derive maximum benefit from this workshop if you are familiar with the basics of SLR camera operation, but individual technical assistance will be gladly provided as needed. The more advanced photographer will be challenged by our emphasis on the elements of visual design: line, shape, form, texture, pattern and colour, the importance of lens choice and point of view; the proper use of polarizing and graduated neutral density filters (yes; they are still useful in the ‘digital age’) and the use of reflectors and extension tubes.

The Details …

Group sizes are kept small (approx. 7-8 participants per instructor) to ensure plenty of time for individualized instruction. The workshop is lead by an award winning 30 year veteran photographer who is also an experienced workshop leader. The 2017 workshop cost of $US 1,495 includes all ground transportation within the region, daily instruction, critiques, discussion and sessions on post processing techniques. Air/Rail travel costs to Marseille, hotel accommodation, and all meals and beverages are not included.

This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the light, landscape and culture of this most photogenic region; a place where your photographic vision and creatively will find new inspiration and new challenges each day. I hope you will join me. Email [email protected] for further information