Workshop Fee:
ACT NOW: save $500
when you register
by April 8, 2014
$2995 Early Registration by April 8, 2014
$3495 Registration after April 8, 2014
Stay on for the optional 4 night excursion to the Chianti wine region for an additional $1495 (private bedroom available for $300 single supplement)
Contact
Mary Louise Ravese, Workshop Leader
Bella Vista Photography
MLRavese@BellaVistaPhotography.com
(+1)(571) 594-2390 (East Coast, Virginia)
When
Thursday May 8 - Tuesday May 13, 2014
PLUS
Optional 4-Night Excursion to Chianti wine district:
Tuesday May 13 - Saturday May 17, 2014
Where
Tuscany covers a large area. We will photograph in the Val d'Orcia area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the region of Tuscany, Italy (Toscana in Italian).
Plus, if you choose to attend the optional 4-night excursion we will photograph in the Chianti wine district, the town of San Gimignano, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Florence.
The itinerary of the workshop and excursion is designed to give participants ample time to concentrate on their photography at our stops and receive feedback on their work over the course of the trip. Participants will return home with rewarding images and memories to last a lifetime.
Lodging
Lodging is included in the workshop fee. We will be staying at a villa near the village of Montalcino. Continental Breakfast is included.
Participants will have their own bedroom, but bathrooms are shared among 2-3 bedrooms.
Each apartment within the villa has shared kitchen/kitchenette facilities and a living room / lounge area. Internet WiFi is available on the property, although access via each bedroom is not guaranteed.
Getting There
The workshop starts on a weekday to enable cheaper airfares.
The nearest international airport is Florence Peretola Airport (FLR). From the U.S. you can get a connecting flight to this airport. Please do not book your non-refundable airfare until notified by workshop leader. We will try to consolidate airport arrival and departure times to minimize wait times in Florence airport.
If you plan to arrive or depart from some place other than Florence Peretola Airport or at times outside of the designated group transportation window, you may need to arrange your own transportation to/from our lodging at your own cost.
Comments from Previous Workshop Participants
“I would recommend Mary Louise’s class to anyone who wants to expand their horizons in photography from the realistic to the abstract and artistic” - Chip F.
“Love, love, love, her. Really amazing ability to teach! Mary Louise’s passion comes through and is understandable. Her ability to translate skill, passion and knowledge – phenomenal!” – Marji G.
"Well organized trip with varied and unique photo opportunities I wouldn't have easily found on my own"
"Mary Louise impressed me with giving everyone equal training time. She displayed great patience and was attentive to our shooting needs."
“Mary Louise is great - she obviously understands photography and all of the equipment so thoroughly that she can explain technical details to novices” – Jan W.
Photographing Tuscany in the Spring
Photography Workshop
Come explore Italy's famous Tuscany region this spring
with professional nature and travel photographer, Mary Louise Ravese.
Mary Louise is an experienced instructor who offer lots of practical tips and guidance in the field and classroom. Our low 6:1 student to instructor ratio is ideal for maximizing your learning experience.
This workshop location offers the quintessential Tuscan country experience. Unique shooting opportunities await you:
- The rural countryside of the Val d'Orcia area of Tuscany(recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) offers lush green rolling hillsides, frequently dotted with fields of red poppies at this time of year.
- Picturesque winding country roads lined with cypress trees.
- Vineyards and olive groves with views of medieval hilltop villages in the background.
- Abbeys and monasteries offer uniq
ue architecture shooting options - Quaint street scenes abound in the historic towns of Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Siena
- Expand your skills by learning how to create striking painterly & realistic high dynamic range (HDR) images
In addition to our time in the field photographing, throughou
t the trip there will be informal lectures, discussions about equipment, technique and shooting strategy, as well as supportive image feedback sessions, so you can improve your picture-making along the way.
The trip includes:
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daily photography sessions
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small group instruction (max of 6 students)
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one-on-one guidance and tips as needed throughout the trip
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group critiques and discussion
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ground transportation for the group
(~9 passenger vehicle driven by Mary Louise) -
comfortable 4-star accommodations with each person getting their own bedroom and shared bath
-
daily continental breakfast
-
welcome lunch on your arrival day
-
departing dinner on your last evening
The trip does not include:
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airfare
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lunch and dinner, with the exception of your welcome lunch and departing dinner
-
alcoholic beverages
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phone calls
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souvenirs and other incidentals
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gratuities, if applicable
Optional 4-night excursion to the Chianti region
Want more? For those who want to explore more of Tuscany we have a 4-night excursion at the end of our trip to the Chianti wine district of Tuscany, which lies south of Florence and north of Val d'Orcia area. We will stay in Barberino di Val d'Elsa conveniently located for the group to photograph in the rolling hillside vineyards of the Chianti wine district, the medieval village of San Gimignano, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Florence, the art capital of the region. There are wonderful opportunities to photograph landscapes, castles, street scenes, architectural details, and classic views of Florence and San Gimignano at night, among other great finds.
Our charming 4-star accomodations in a renovated castle turned hotel include shared or privat
e bedrooms, shared bathrooms, continental breakfast, free Internet WiFi, and some apartment style rooms feature a shared kitchenette.
This excursion is attractively priced at only $1495 extending your full stay in Tuscany to 10 days, 9 nights.
Who Should Attend
All skill levels are welcome. Participants must be familiar with basic camera operation, including the setting of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Whether you are a beginner or advanced photographer, the small group setting enables a tailored learning experience for all. Some experience with image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom or Photoshop Elements is advisable. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop running the latest version of their image editing software.
About the Instructor
Mary Louise Ravese specializes in fine art nature and
travel photography from locations across the world. Her photographs are in private, university & corporate collections in over 30 states and are exhibited nationally. She has published images in calendars, magazines, books and websites. Mary Louise is a regular speaker and competition judge for photography clubs. She also enjoys teaching on a wide range of topics related to nature, travel and creative photography. Based in Virginia, Mary Louise leads classes and workshops at a variety of locations across the US and abroad.