Tuscany & Cinque Terre

May 2-6, 2017

THE REGION

Tuscany, in Central Italy, is known for its landscapes, traditions, history and artistic legacy. Tuscany is also regarded as the birth place of Italian Renaissance. It produces some of the best known wines in the world. Tuscany is home to seven World Heritage sites and over 120 protected nature reserves. Tuscany stretches from the Apennines to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Central Tuscany is dotted with medieval hilltop fortresses, vine-planted hillsides and cypress trees; the northwest and east harbor boast dramatic mountain ranges and fecund forests; and the Tuscan Archipelago creates the central and southern coasts.

WORKSHOP

Together, we will explore landscapes in the rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera, medieval villages, historic towns, and country side. This tour is designed to aid you in understanding the utilization of light, and the importance of visualization and planning of a location, which will enable you to capture these magical locations in this beautiful country. In this workshop, you will learn basic aspects of photography, general composition skill and other technical aspects of photography, including post-production, which will help you create extraordinary images.

You will also get a basic understanding of different aspects of photography, including landscape, long exposure, architecture and street photography. Overall, we will have quality time together, which will include individual and group discussions that will generate creative ideas, memorable moments and, of course, great fun. And what could be better than Tuscany!

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

All accusation is based on double occupancy

Tuscany – Filettole, Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
Check in: Tuesday May 2nd at 4 pm
Check out: Thursday May 4th morning
We offer free early accommodation from May 1st. after 3 pm.

 

Cinque Terre – La Spezia, Liguria, Italy
Check in: Thursday May 4th at 4 pm
Check out: Sunday May7th morning before 10 am

WEATHER

Tuscany- The average temperature in Pisa area, Tuscany in May is very mild at 16.2 °C (61.16 °F). Afternoons can be really warm with average high temperatures reaching 21.9 °C (71.4 °F). Overnight temperatures are generally quite mild with an average low of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).

Cinque Terre- The average high is 20°C (68°F)and low is 12°C (53°F). It might be a good idea to carry a jacket and a raincoat.

May 2, Tuesday

We check into the villa at 4 p.m. The first evening, we shall spend getting to know each other and hold a lecture on the Basics of Photography. This session will be held between 5 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. The lecture will be followed by a welcome dinner. We call it a day with an early bedtime at 9.30 p.m.

May 3, Wednesday

The day starts at the crack of dawn and we shall start off for the one and a half hour ride to San Gimignano which is a medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. On the way we will stop at Castelfalfi which has 57 acres of vineyards and 9000 olive trees.  Known as the Town of Fine Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval towers that still stand in town, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls form “an unforgettable skyline”.  We will climb one of them, and will capture the spectacular views which are some of the best in Italy. We will have some spare time walking through the streets and enjoy the beauty of this medieval town and there will be opportunity for street photography. After lunch we will goback to Filettole for photo processing.

In the evening we will be going to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. After spending time there taking photos of this iconic structure we will have dinner and will head back to the villa.

May 4, Thursday

We start our day with a 90km ride to Florence. We will be taking shots from one of the best spots for a view over Florence from the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio, called Torre di Arnolfo. We then head to Piazzale Michelangelo to shoot  the iconic, sweeping views of Florence. From an elevated position overlooking the city, we will photograph the city’s fortified walls, the River Arno, the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio and the round red dome of the Duomo. We spent the entire day in Florence and will  return to the villa after having dinner in Florence.

May 5 & 6, Friday & Saturday

Early morning we will be moving our base to the exotic Cinque Terre region. Cinque Terre is located in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia, and comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We will be hiking through the different hiking trails connecting these villages and will be taking photographs at vantage points.

May 7, Sunday

We check out at 10 a.m.

Things to Bring

  1. Camera- preferably a DSLR camera DSLR, mirrorless, compact or iPhone cameras
  2. Tripod
  3. Laptop with Lightroom or other basic photo editing software
  4. Comfortable clothing
  5. Warm clothing
  6. Swimming trunk
  7. Waterproof/ jacket raincoat
  8. Comfortable shoe- moderate amount of walking
  9. External Battery Charger for cell phone

Recommended Lens:

  1. 16-35mm
  2. 24-70 mm
  3. 70-200mm
  4. Any kit lens will be also acceptable

Recommended Accessories:

  1. Circular Polarizer
  2. 10 stop ND Filter
  3. Camera Release Cable

Experience/Difficulty Level

Beginner, amateur, and semi-pro photographers
(non-photographers also welcome)

Fitness Level

This photography workshop involved moderate level of physical fitness.

Payment

Payment is by invoice and payable through paypal: rajbosephotography@gmail.com
The non-refundable deposit is calculated as 20% of the total amount payable at time of booking.
Payment of the balance is due one month before the tour commences

Cost Includes

  • Accommodation (3 & 4 star hotels)
  • Daily breakfast
  • Comfortable/ luxury transport with plenty of room for camera equipment and luggage
  • Ferry crossings
  • Private guide/driver services
  • 2x group airport transfers

Not Included

  • Any additional meals
  • Entry fees

Cancellation policy

In case the workshop is filled, and you decide to cancel, we will refund you the full amount you paid minus $300 as service charge. In case there are still seats available for the workshop and you decide to cancel, then you will be refunded based on the following: More than 60 days to the commencement of the workshop: few will refund you the full amount minus $300 fee. 45 – 60 days: 50% refund. Less than 45 days: no refund We will refund you by the same method you originally paid for the workshop