June 5 – 9, 2025
This quote by the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova easily encapsulates my feelings about Italy, for of all the places I have travelled, 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 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 sunrise 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.
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 and 16mm to 65mm on an APS-C or “crop-frame” camera. A single zoom covering this range would be ideal and is all you really need.
3) A zoom covering a wide-angle range from 16-35mm (10-23mm on an APS-C camera) and/or a telephoto covering the range from 70 – 200mm or beyond (50 – 150 for APS-C) will round out your 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.
8) 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.
The workshop includes 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. Accommodation in the principal workshop location is not provided, and participants are responsible for reserving and paying for their own accommodation.
This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the light, landscape and culture of this most photogenic region, where your photographic vision and creativity will find new inspiration and new challenges each day. I hope you will join me. Email: [email protected] for further information
