Tuscany Workshop 2008
By
Jim Chamberlain Photo Workshops
This is a private web page for participants in the 2008 Tuscany Photo Workshop. Also check out the Provence France Workshop in June/July 2008
To all the Tuscany participants welcome, This page will be updated thru the year with travel / photo tips and info on the places we will visit.
Please get me your flight schedule. I need to keep track of everyone's arrival & departure times/ flight info.
Remember to get a passport or check your expiration date.
It's a long flight, try & avoid the movies & get some sleep on the ride over.
NOTE to all participants, transportation around Tuscany will be in 2 vehicles. There is limited space for luggage, camera bags and us, plus stuff that we will no doubt purchase thru the trip.
There will be a limit of 1 camera bag per person, and 1 piece of luggage per person. A medium sized piece at that. Couples traveling together can bring 1 large bag or 2 medium size only.
I will have to be strict on this issue so we all fit.
We will be enjoying a great Tuscan experience, which means Casual. No suits needed, no dresses, high heals needed. I pack lightweight cotton washables. More on clothing as we get closer and get weather predictions of a cool or warm spring.
NOTE: airlines are very strict with baggage weight. There is a 50 lb limit per checked bag and a charge for being overweight even 1 or 2 pounds.
Here is the schedule for the week.
Day 1, May 11 leave the USA for Florence, Italy
Day 2, WE ALL MEET IN THE FLORENCE AIRPORT May 12, 2008. by 1PM
One of my reps or I will meet you outside baggage claim & direct you to the car rental area.
If you miss us outside baggage, make your way with all your luggage to the EUROCAR car rental office inside the terminal, this is our car rental place as of now.
I will be in Florence the day before on the 11th setting things up.
Everyone is to arrive in Florence the morning of the 12th and we all head south to the Castle in Grotti, about 15 miles south of Sienna. Here we will un-pack, get settled in our rooms, and re-group.
We will spend the rest of the day at the castle wandering around the grounds photographing some great views, getting aquainted with each other,have some wine and cheese.That evening we will go to the nearby village for dinner.
One of my favorite photographs from this years trip to Tuscany was taken from the parking lot of the castle, a 2006 PPA loan collection print
Nikon D2X, 200 mm lens, 1/250 sec at F.8, ISO 250
Day 3, May 13, we wake up at the castle & head south into the Tuscan countryside.
One morning, to be anounced, we will get up and leave by 5:15 and photograph the sunrise & fog as we head down the valley.
Day 4 and Day 5, May 14 & May 15. Same thing, we will visit the villages of the Crete to Val d' Orcia.
We will make day trips to S. Antimo, Montalcino, San Quirco d'Orcia, Pienza, Montepulciano. The exact schedule will be determintd by time / sun / weather / and mood.
At the end of each day we will return to the castle. The countryside changes so much from morning to night. Seeing it driving down and back presents great photo oppurtunities.
After dinner, back at the castle, there will be workshops on the art of photography, marketing art photography, photoshop & creating art & more depending on the energy level after a "hard" day of photographing in the countryside.
Dave and I will be available each day, to point out the locations that we find interresting, how to approach the subjects, lens choice, and the "Look" how does the scene "speak" to you, and make you create.
On the 14th or 15th, depending on models & weather, we will return early to the castle and have a couple models to photograph. There will be an Italian cooking / wine class for those interrested, followed by a nice feast of food & wine.
May 16, day 6, we head out in the morning to San Gimignano. This is Italy's most famous Tuscan hilltown. Also the best place to shop for Italian ceramica. A note here, remember, what ever you purchase, you have to carry or ship home. If it's larger than a handful, ship it. There are very dependable merchants there.
We will check into the hotel and explore San Gimignano for the day & evening. We will have a group dinner at one of my favorite places & wander around a little more.
May 17, day 7 we will head to Volterra for the day. The drive to and from Volterra is wonderful, The village has the oldest town hall in Tuscany, begun in 1208.
We head back to San Gimignano in the afternoon to expore the countryside and the town.
May 18, day 8 we head out in the morning to Venice, BTW breakfast is included in various forms depending on where we are. Some dinners are also included.
We will drive to the Venice airport and drop off the vans. Here we will take a water taxi to ST. Marks Square. Our Hotel is right on the waterfront by the water taxi stop, only a couple bridges from the Square.
We will explore the canals of Venice, the Rialto Bridge, and the Carnival mask shops / glass shops and all. Remember glass is actually made in nearby Murano Island.
May 19, day 9 we head for the water taxi for a ride to Burano and Murano. Burano is a colorful village full of photo opportunities. We will get there early to avoid too many tourists. After a couple hours we will take another water taxi to Murano, more canals plus glass blowing factories. After lunch we return to Venice for the rest of the afternoon / evening.
Another photographs from this years trip to Venice was taken from Burano, a 2006 PPA loan collection print
Nikon D2X, 18 mm lens, 1/350 sec at F.22, ISO 200
May 20, day 10 we all head to the water taxi for a ride to the airport and say goodby.
There will be more posting in the future on what to bring, cameras clothing & such plus a few suggestions to make your trip more enjoyable.
About a month before we leave I will post a list of contacts and phone numbers so family can reach you in an emergency.
Anytime you have a question please give me a call at 239-272-3321
Till later'
Jim Chamberlain
Back to web site.
By
Jim Chamberlain Photo Workshops
This is a private web page for participants in the 2008 Tuscany Photo Workshop. Also check out the Provence France Workshop in June/July 2008
To all the Tuscany participants welcome, This page will be updated thru the year with travel / photo tips and info on the places we will visit.
Please get me your flight schedule. I need to keep track of everyone's arrival & departure times/ flight info.
Remember to get a passport or check your expiration date.
It's a long flight, try & avoid the movies & get some sleep on the ride over.
NOTE to all participants, transportation around Tuscany will be in 2 vehicles. There is limited space for luggage, camera bags and us, plus stuff that we will no doubt purchase thru the trip.
There will be a limit of 1 camera bag per person, and 1 piece of luggage per person. A medium sized piece at that. Couples traveling together can bring 1 large bag or 2 medium size only.
I will have to be strict on this issue so we all fit.
We will be enjoying a great Tuscan experience, which means Casual. No suits needed, no dresses, high heals needed. I pack lightweight cotton washables. More on clothing as we get closer and get weather predictions of a cool or warm spring.
NOTE: airlines are very strict with baggage weight. There is a 50 lb limit per checked bag and a charge for being overweight even 1 or 2 pounds.
Here is the schedule for the week.
Day 1, May 11 leave the USA for Florence, Italy
Day 2, WE ALL MEET IN THE FLORENCE AIRPORT May 12, 2008. by 1PM
One of my reps or I will meet you outside baggage claim & direct you to the car rental area.
If you miss us outside baggage, make your way with all your luggage to the EUROCAR car rental office inside the terminal, this is our car rental place as of now.
I will be in Florence the day before on the 11th setting things up.
Everyone is to arrive in Florence the morning of the 12th and we all head south to the Castle in Grotti, about 15 miles south of Sienna. Here we will un-pack, get settled in our rooms, and re-group.
We will spend the rest of the day at the castle wandering around the grounds photographing some great views, getting aquainted with each other,have some wine and cheese.That evening we will go to the nearby village for dinner.
One of my favorite photographs from this years trip to Tuscany was taken from the parking lot of the castle, a 2006 PPA loan collection print
Nikon D2X, 200 mm lens, 1/250 sec at F.8, ISO 250
Day 3, May 13, we wake up at the castle & head south into the Tuscan countryside.
One morning, to be anounced, we will get up and leave by 5:15 and photograph the sunrise & fog as we head down the valley.
Day 4 and Day 5, May 14 & May 15. Same thing, we will visit the villages of the Crete to Val d' Orcia.
We will make day trips to S. Antimo, Montalcino, San Quirco d'Orcia, Pienza, Montepulciano. The exact schedule will be determintd by time / sun / weather / and mood.
At the end of each day we will return to the castle. The countryside changes so much from morning to night. Seeing it driving down and back presents great photo oppurtunities.
After dinner, back at the castle, there will be workshops on the art of photography, marketing art photography, photoshop & creating art & more depending on the energy level after a "hard" day of photographing in the countryside.
Dave and I will be available each day, to point out the locations that we find interresting, how to approach the subjects, lens choice, and the "Look" how does the scene "speak" to you, and make you create.
On the 14th or 15th, depending on models & weather, we will return early to the castle and have a couple models to photograph. There will be an Italian cooking / wine class for those interrested, followed by a nice feast of food & wine.
May 16, day 6, we head out in the morning to San Gimignano. This is Italy's most famous Tuscan hilltown. Also the best place to shop for Italian ceramica. A note here, remember, what ever you purchase, you have to carry or ship home. If it's larger than a handful, ship it. There are very dependable merchants there.
We will check into the hotel and explore San Gimignano for the day & evening. We will have a group dinner at one of my favorite places & wander around a little more.
May 17, day 7 we will head to Volterra for the day. The drive to and from Volterra is wonderful, The village has the oldest town hall in Tuscany, begun in 1208.
We head back to San Gimignano in the afternoon to expore the countryside and the town.
May 18, day 8 we head out in the morning to Venice, BTW breakfast is included in various forms depending on where we are. Some dinners are also included.
We will drive to the Venice airport and drop off the vans. Here we will take a water taxi to ST. Marks Square. Our Hotel is right on the waterfront by the water taxi stop, only a couple bridges from the Square.
We will explore the canals of Venice, the Rialto Bridge, and the Carnival mask shops / glass shops and all. Remember glass is actually made in nearby Murano Island.
May 19, day 9 we head for the water taxi for a ride to Burano and Murano. Burano is a colorful village full of photo opportunities. We will get there early to avoid too many tourists. After a couple hours we will take another water taxi to Murano, more canals plus glass blowing factories. After lunch we return to Venice for the rest of the afternoon / evening.
Another photographs from this years trip to Venice was taken from Burano, a 2006 PPA loan collection print
Nikon D2X, 18 mm lens, 1/350 sec at F.22, ISO 200
May 20, day 10 we all head to the water taxi for a ride to the airport and say goodby.
There will be more posting in the future on what to bring, cameras clothing & such plus a few suggestions to make your trip more enjoyable.
About a month before we leave I will post a list of contacts and phone numbers so family can reach you in an emergency.
Anytime you have a question please give me a call at 239-272-3321
Till later'
Jim Chamberlain
Back to web site.