UMBRIA AND TUSCANY LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
This exciting eight-day workshop takes in medieval architecture, sublime landscapes and spectacular waterfalls, starting in Umbria - the "green heart" of Italy - and moving into the glorious rolling countryside of southern Tuscany. As befits the laid-back Italian vibe, the pace of this July workshop is relaxed to give you plenty of opportunities to nurture your imaging skills, along with time to enjoy the local gastronomy and, of course, the beautiful July weather.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE
Photograph the stunning landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria in sun-drenched July on this eight-day workshop, including medieval towns, rolling hills and wildflower plains.
Key photo locations in Umbria include Assisi, with its stunning basilicas and quaint cobblestoned streets, the walled town of Norcia, wildflowers on the Piano Grande Plain, and the Cascata della Mamore - the world’s tallest man-made waterfalls. In Tuscany, we'll photograph the breathtaking hilltop village of Civita di Bagnoregio and the charming fortress town of Pitigliano.
This trip is as much about meeting and exchanging ideas with your fellow photographers as it is about boosting your photography skills. With no more than six people on the workshop, it's a friendly space with a relaxed pace, including plenty of time for individual tuition from Tom.
With Tom's expert guidance, you'll see your photography skills developing throughout the workshop. From the best camera settings for a scene, to compositional advice and how to work with the light, including golden dawns and sunsets, Tom will give you the benefits of his four decades of professional landscape photography experience - including some handy post-production tips, too.
All transport during this photography workshop is included, so all you have to do is sit back, relax and drink in the beautiful scenery.
Your accommodation includes a well-appointed private room and a delicious breakfast. There'll be ample opportunity to try out regional specialities, including street foods like porchetta (seasoned roast pork) and torta al testo (filled focaccia), as well as local pastas such as strangozzi and pici. Finocchiona sausage is a typical Tuscan starter along with cold meats and cheeses.
With the weather guaranteed to be hot and sunny, how better to cool down than with a glass of one of the local wines? Umbria boasts 13 wines of controlled origin (DOC), with orvieto is most famous variety, while Montefalco Rosso is a must for red wine lovers. Tuscany is home to 11 DOCG wines, including Vernaccia of San Gimignano (white) and Nobile di Montepulciano (red). Saluti!
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP ITINERARY
Umbria (five nights)
After meeting at Perugia Airport on Saturday July 6th, we'll head out to the medieval hill-top town of Assisi, just a 15-minute drive away. The birthplace of St Francis and a World Heritage Site is dominated by churches and castles, features one of Italy's best-preserved medieval squares and is rightly famous for its sunsets. In short, it's the perfect place for our first day's shooting. You'll never forget your first sight of it nestling in the trees and looking out over the plains below - and we'll be capturing equally unforgettable images.
The following morning we drive to the Norcia (also known as Nursia), our base for three nights (July 7-9th). This pretty town is completely encircled by ancient walls dating back to the 14th century and, ringed by the soft green mountains of the Sibillini National Park, it's ideally located for photographing the wildflowers that carpet the broad Piano Grande plain near Castelluccio.
The Cascata della Mamore - the world's tallest man-made waterfalls - are our final Umbrian destination (July 10th). Originally created when the Romans boldy diverted the River Velino over a 541-foot (165m) precipice in 271 BC, the tiered cascades are in full flow twice a day when the local hydroelectric plant sends the waters plunging down the cliff-face in an atmospheric haze of mist and rainbows.
Tuscany (two nights)
Our first Tuscan photo destination is Civita di Bagnoregio (July 11-12th). Teetering atop a crumbling volcanic plateau, and accessible only by foot, this medieval hamlet of honey-stoned houses makes a magical, "frozen-in-time" centrepiece for landscapes - especially for dramatic sunrise and dusk shots taken from the other side of the narrow Ponte Panoramico footbridge, with its lights twinkling enticingly against the hazy blue of the mountain backdrop.
We spend our last day focusing on Pitigliano, an enchanting fortress town south of Montepulciano that dates back to the 14th century. Carved from the tuff-stone ridge from which it rises, it commands the lush valley below. Among its intriguing features are the ruins of a necropolis, the Medici aqueduct at its centre. It's a splendid enough sight by day, but at sunset, lit up and gleaming gold against the pinking skies, Pitigliano makes for truly magnificent images.
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP DETAILS
What's included?
- One-to-one and group tuition with Tom
- Seven nights' accommodation
- Private rooms (no single supplement)
- Breakfast
- Airport transfers to/from Perugia Airport
- Transport during workshop
What's not included?
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Lunches, evening meals, snacks and drinks
Whether you're a beginner or a semi-pro, you'll find plenty to learn and enjoy on this workshop.
You'll require either a digital camera with at least a 16GB memory card (minimum 32GB if it's high resolution) or a film camera (SLR, medium, large or wide format) - Tom has many years of experience working with both.
Additional kit - a tripod, shutter release and polarising filter will help you maximise your shooting opportunities, although they aren't essential.
Average fitness levels are required - you'll need to carry your kit up some hills, although nothing too strenuous.
July is one of the hottest months in Umbria and Tuscany, with daytime highs up to 31C / 88F and lows around 18C / 64F. After dark, it cools typically to around 25C / 77F, but can often be warmer. You certainly won't need your fleecy PJs here - and you're highly unlikely to need waterproofs either, with an average of only 6mm of rain over the whole month.
This workshop is limited to six people to ensure quality, individual tuition and an enjoyable, laid-back pace, so book early to secure your place.
If you have any questions about Tom's photography workshops, please check the frequently asked questions page. Alternatively, get in touch with Tom directly and he'll be happy to help you.
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