"The perfect picture"
Photography workshop Umbria Tuscany Lake Trasimeno
Next class 2013
How to make better photos
with internationally acclaimed photographer René van Bakel
This workshop not only offers you a unique reason to travel, it also offers you the possibility to share your love for photography with like minded people. Lago (lake) Trasimeno is situated between the glorious Umbrian hills near the Tuscan border. Of course both Umbria and Tuscany are famous regions, renowned for their beautiful country side and their fill of historic places, art and culture. Illustrious cities like Assisi and Orvieto (Umbria) as well as Cortona and Montepulciano (Tuscany), lie all within reach. These inspiring surroundings form the backdrop for a special photography workshop under the passionate guidance of star photographer René van Bakel.
Suited for whom? You would like to raise your photographic knowledge and create staggering images to show? Then here you are in the right place. In this course you will learn all there is to know to create an excellent photograph. The basics of Photography (like image composition, diaphragm, shutter speed, focal length etc.) will be explained to you in a simple and understandable way. Furthermore you will have the possibility to practice your freshly gained knowledge in the stunning scenery, starting right at your feet. The results will be discussed with you on a daily basis. Both in a group session as well as on an individual basis throughout the day. You can be sure that photographer René van Bakel will not save on practical tips from his more than twenty years of experience of working - in over 65 countries worldwide - creating features for top quality magazines.
Watch now a video of the workshop with Renè van Bakel at La Rogaia 2011
More impressions from Tuscany by René van Bakel you can see here in colour
and here in black and white
and a feature about the carneval at Viareggio by Renè van Bakel
Workshop Program
Day 1 (Sunday May 20, 2012): Morning: Theoretical introduction; afternoon/evening: All-day: Photo-Shooting at a medieval festival.
- Photographic theme: Event photography
Day 2 (Monday May 21, 2012) Photo-Shooting at Villa La Rogaia/Castel Rigone; afternoon/evening: Photo-Shooting at Lake Trasimeno; Magione (villages, monuments, fishing nets, sunset etc.). In between theory/discussing the images.
- Photographic theme: Portrait- and Landscape
Day 3 (Tuesday May 22, 2012) All-day: Assisi, on the trail of Saint Francesco (founder of the Franciscan order), Basilica and Garden (In between theory/discussing the images)
- Photographic theme: Architectural Photography
Day 4 (Wednesday May 23, 2012): Morning: Debriefing and discussing of your images of the previous day. After that, the rest of the day off.
Day 5 (Thursday May 24, 2012): All-day: Photo-Shooting at the famous wine village of Montepulciano, the hot springs at Bagno Vignoni and the most famous Cypress Alley of Tuscany. (In between theory/discussing the images); Afternoon/evening: Culinary Photo-Shooting at Ristorante „Il Pozzo Antico“in Cortona (Food Photography both with available light and flash)
- Photographic theme: Landscape/Macro/Food Photography
Day 6 (Friday May 25, 2012): All-day: Photo-Shooting in the city of Orvieto (In between discussing the images/theory); Conclusive Highlight: Photo-Shooting of the city in late afternoon sunlight
and with the cities upcoming lights when it’s getting dark.
- Photographic Theme: City Reportage (during the course of the day in this beautiful city
and former Papal Seat, we try to implement all themes we have dealt with in the previous
days)
Subject to small changes in the program
This workshop is divided in theory lessons, lots of live practicing and discussing the
produced images afterwards. Through this thoroughly proven method you can be sure you will
comprehensively improve your photographic skills!
During theory lessons, following themes will be covered: Basic rules of image composition,
how to create a correct exposure (shutter speed, aperture and ISO adjustment), angles of
exposure (focal length, wide angle, telephoto, zoom) as well as focusing and sharpness.
Please note: Since we also will have Macro (close up) Photo-Shootings as well as
Photo-Shootings at night, it is recommended to bring a tripod. The organization has one
tripod available; however it would be consuming too much time to take turns using it. This
is why we ask you to bring your own tripod (if possible). Because we are shooting digital we
also ask you to bring your own laptop (if possible also a card reader) in order to quicken
the process of downloading images.
For this Photo Workshop, Nikon boroughs us cameras and lenses free of charge. Participants
who don’t own a camera of their own and would like to use one of these cameras and lenses
during this workshop, please let us know in advance (P.E. when you are signing up).
Your instructor René van Bakel:
Multiple award-winning photographer René van Bakel originates from the Netherlands where he studied photography (1989-1992). In his early years he worked for the press office of the Dutch Ministry of Defense providing the (inter)national media with photographic features. As such he traveled in many war- and crisis areas (P.E. Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ruanda, Arabian Gulf etc.) In 1996 he gained international acknowledgement as he was awarded the international award for war correspondents for his reportage on Srebrenica (Bosnia-Herzegovina). Currently, since more than 10 years now, René is working as a freelance photographer. Both corporate as well as for magazines with numerous publications (P.E. Los Angeles Times, Preview Dubai, Kampioen (ANWB), National Geographic, Bildzeitung, der Stern, Cap, Promotor, Arts & Auto, Lifestyle Magazine and many more) and Press agencies (ANP, WFA, APA, Reuters). Some years ago René moved to Vienna, Austria. Here he can count the APA, DerStandard/Rondo, Universum-magazine, the Spanish Riding School, Pferderrevue, Compliment (Styria) etc. to his portfolio. In 2009 René van Bakel was nominated for the prestigious Austrian Objektiv Fotopreis (Photography Award) in the category “Art & Culture” and in 2010 for the Photo+Adventure award in the category “Nature in Vienna”. In total René van Bakel worked in over 65 countries worldwide, creating features for top quality magazines as well as corporate and advertising photography for leading companies.
More information about the instructor at www.visualemotion.com
Details about the class contents and the locations will be published soon.
Instruction: on 6 days. Languages of instruction: English, German, Dutch
The number of participants is limited to 12 persons.
Your lodging:
"La Rogaia" is a romantic country house amidst the rolling green hills of Umbria above Lake Trasimeno in Umbria. Our guests stay in apartments or spacious rooms, all recently renovated with an artistic flair and art works by the sculptor and painter Wolfgang Sandt. The buildings are surrounded by a garden with pool.
Enjoy two evening meals on Saturday and on Fraiday at Villa La Rogaia, with Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine sitting at a long table like an Italian family. Our cook Ornella uses local organic products, partly grown at La Rogaia. And when she makes her appearance, with bowls full of home made pasta, torta al testo and other typical plates the whole room fills not only with the perfume of good food but also with her laughter and her mediterranean temperament. On the other 5 evenings the group will dine in restaurants close to the photo shooting locations (not included in the price).
Prices for instruction with lodging at Agriturismo La Rogaia:
- EUR 885 per person and week in double room at La Rogaia (shared bathroom )
- EUR 995 per person and week in single room at La Rogaia (shared bathroom )
- EUR 985 per person and week in apartment with private facilities, kitchenette and terrace (double occupancy)
- EUR 1.245 per person and week in apartment with private facilities, kitchenette and terrace (single occupancy)
Hotel-Upgrades:
Hotel**** "Relais La Fattoria" (at 4 km distance from La Rogaia)
Relais La Fattoria is a stylish and romantic hotel, formerly the ancient monastery of Castel Rigone, situated hogh above Lake Trasimeno. Enjoy the breathtaking view from your room, the terrace and the pool. All rooms are elegantly furnished and offer SAT-TV, telephone, minibar. Info: Relais La Fattoria at Castel Rigone
Pices for instruction with lodging at Hotel La Fattoria:
EUR 1.010 per person and week in double room
EUR 1.115 per person and week in single room
All prrices include:
· Course on 6 days (programme see above)
· Accommodation as chosen for 7 nights
· Food: breakfast and 2 dinners including beverages
· Additional extra for the Photography-Workshop:
There will be cameras and lenses made available to try for free by NIKON. In case you are contemplating to buy yourself a new camera and you would like to try these without commitment – in this seminar you can!
Not included in the price:
· Journey to and from
· 5 dinners and all lunches, extra beverages, tips
· Transportation to the photography-locations (we recommend to arrive with your own car). For those not travelling by car, or for those who do not want to drive themselves, there is a transportation service (minibus plus driver) from Villa La Rogaia available for an additional charge of € 100,00 per week per person
· Additional drinks
· Personal extras