Travel with fellow artists, family & friends! In addition to Non-participating guest options, did you know that other workshops are offered this same week! Enjoy the experience together while immersed in different topics! View calendar for details
Photo Essay: Tuscany & Umbria with professional photographer/instructor David H. Wells April 10-17, 2010 Cortona, Italy
View Cortona videos online
About Photo-Essay: Tuscany
The class starts with introductions and the instructor shows his work,
highlighting the different kinds of essays he has produced for different
uses. This will be followed by a critique of the student's existing work.
The ideal portfolio consists of:
1) 10 of your very best images.
2) Photocopies or other reproductions of examples of imagery that inspires you. (It may be paintings or photos or....)
3) Another ten to twenty images that are unified on a single theme.
These images may or may not be the seeds of a photo-essay. These are guidelines, not absolute requirements. Do not bring original slides or images, which if lost would break your heart. Color photocopies, prints from a one-hour lab, simple digital printer images, etc. are ideal.
The class goes on to detail and define how essays are collections of
images that are stylistically and/or thematically unified in telling a
story. The work of master photographers and photo-essayists will be reviewed in class. The class will touch on how to transform your ideas for a photo-essay into a tightly defined, coherent collection of dramatic, story telling images. You will learn to write a proposal for a photo-essay, the first step towards funding, exhibiting and publishing a project.
Wells will share examples of proposals that have earned him exhibits, publication and grants. After the initial introduction to the class we will set to work seeing slides of master photographers and discussing techniques. After the initial intro to the mechanics of the photo-essay, students will produce a photo-essay (or part of a larger photo-essay to be completed after the class.)
Each day will be spent photographing selected locations in and around Cortona and two other Tuscan and Umbrian towns. The next morning and each morning thereafter will start with a critique of the previous day's film. A detailed final critique will happen at midday on the last day to look at the entire weeks' work and to discuss future directions you might want to take with your work. The class is for you to learn how to produce an essay and to enjoy Italy so a broad theme for the photo-essay is encouraged. For example, producing a photo essay on Italian faces will simultaneously improve your skills as a portrait photographer, produce the seeds of a photo-essay and allow you to enjoy a diversity of Tuscany and Umbria.
Wells will work one on one at least once with each student when shooting. Students will also improve their editing skills through a series of editing exercises. Finally, we will discuss how to establish a market for your photo-essay by researching what types of publications, museums and organizations might use your work and how to work with them through the entire shooting, editing and publication/exhibition process.
The workshop is designed to give the participants the opportunity to explore and photograph in and around Cortona, one of the famous Tuscan "hill towns." Cortona, which is often called the "City of Art," has its origin as an Etruscan city that pre-dates Roman time with sections of its walls dating back some 2500 years. As is typical of Tuscan hill-towns, Cortona is a walled city that, for purposes of defense, was built atop a prominent geographical point. The stone buildings and streets not only have the romance, style, and charm that are particular to Tuscany, but also speak of the lives and times Cortona has witnessed.
Our excursions outside Cortona to other nearby towns will give the participants an opportunity to photograph in the surrounding landscape, broadening their understanding and appreciation of life in Tuscany and Umbria.
The workshop is designed for all levels of photographer. As much of our photographic explorations will be walking tours, the participants should be mobile and comfortable with afternoons exploring on foot.
Picture Yourself...
among the sights and sounds of beautiful and romantic Tuscany: olive groves, vineyards, centuries-old buildings, winding streets, texture and vibrant sunlight.
Feel Yourself...
in the warm ambiance of Cortona, overlooking Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana, originally fortified by the Umbrians, claimed by the Etruscans, touched by the Renaissance, almost unchanged for centuries, one of Tuscany's jewels.
Experience...
the joy of photography in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere with the expert instruction of a nationally know photographer and instructor and the camaraderie of a small group of learners.
Enjoy...
great Italian food, delightful wines, new friends, breath-taking vistas, history and the hospitality of the people of Cortona.
Itinerary
Day 1– Arrival in Cortona
-Arrival and Check-in in Cortona
-7:00p Welcome to Cortona wine and chocolate tasting at La Saletta.
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona at La Loccanda nel Loggiatto
Day 2 - Cortona
-9:00a-1:00p Morning Session: Review of Digital Photo Essentials
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-7: 00p Afternoon Session: Lower Cortona
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Day 3 - Cortona - Poggio
-9:00-1:00p Morning Session
-1:00p Lunch
-3:00-7:00 Afternoon Session: Upper Cortona & Circle of Cortona
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Evening dinner in Cortona
Day 4 - Florence
-8:00a Taxi to Camucia Station (train at 8:29)
-Day trip to Florence with lite lunch provided
-4:09p Depart Florence
-7:30p Wine at
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Day 5 - Orvieto
-7:40a Taxi to Camucia
-9:00-12:00p Morning Session
-12:00p Lunch
-1:00-3:00p Afternoon Session
-4:31p Depart Orvieto station
-7:30p Wine tasting
-8:00p Dinner in Cortona
Day 6 - Castiglion Fiorentino
-9:00a Transfer to Camucia
-9:00 Morning Session at Camucia market
-11:30a travel to Castiglion Fiorentino 1:00p Lunch
-7:40a - Depart Cortona and travel to Passignano followed by boat to Isola Maggiore
-8:05a – Depart Camucia by train for Passignano & Isola Maggiore
-1:00p Lunch
-6:30 return to Cortona/Camucia
-8:00p Farewell Wine Tasting Dinner in Cortona
Day 8 – Cortona
-Morning Check-out and departure from Cortona or we can help you plan an extended stay!
-Each guest must make taxi/travel requests through the Hotel Oasi front desk.
Note: Toscana Americana reserves the right to alter this itinerary. All times are approximate
Hotel Oasi Neumann... proud partner of Toscana Americana Workshops
Visit Hotel Oasi Neumann online
All-inclusive* workshop includes: Escorted group travel Rome to Cortona April 10, 2010**** Instruction in the classroom and on location Seven nights accommodations in historic Cortona** (Private room & bath) Local Etruscan Museum & Museo Diocesano All meals*** (Italian breakfast, lunch and dinner) Daily wine tasting opportunities Day trips to Florence, Castiglion Fiorentino, Orvieto & Lago Trasimeno A farewell wine tasting dinner **Included with "Hotel Oasi" plans only. See details. ***Included with "Group Meal Plan" only. See details. ****Specific departure time only; to be announced *All-inclusive plans are Hotel plans A, C, E, G and Hostel plans I & K only. Air travel and ground transportation to/from Cortona is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Enroll as a Group* and save! Enroll 3 or more people for any of our 2010 workshops and save $150.00 per person! *Group discount applies to 3 or more people enrolling together in the same workshop program. New enrollment only.
