|
Below you'll find a fuller description of the holiday photography courses including just some of the great things we've got planned for you. If you
have been searching for travel photography courses or landscape photography courses, then look no further as we have combined the two into one great digital photography course, thanks to the stunning landscape and variety
of places to visit in the Poitou-Charente region.
Each afternoon we meet for an informal group discussion at the tutor's house with a slide show relevant to the topic of the next day's assignment. The next morning, we all go out as a group to complete the assignment. We then go back to the tutor's house to upload the pictures. The rest of the afternoon is free for rambling, making more pictures, sunbathing, swimming, shopping and whatever else you would like to do.
Market, Jonzac (Photo: Rosier)
Day 0: Welcome drinks
After you have had a chance to settle in to your accommodation, there will be a small drinks party in the early evening in your tutor's garden under the pergola. There will be a short slide show on the chosen theme which will set you up for the next morning's outing and assignment. On these holiday photography courses we also like to encourge informal discussions about the assignments by way of exploring techniques and opening up to new ideas.
Day 1: Monuments
The course starts early after breakfast with a visit to a local château for the first photo shoot. We will explore the chateau and surrounding gardens and make some great photos! You will then have a few hours break to relax over lunch, followed by a walk in the woodlands and fields surrounding Chantillac. Later in the afternoon we will edit images on your tutor's computer using Photoshop CS3 and ACDSee Pro.
Day 2: Beaches and Coastline
Today starts at 8am with a short drive to the coast with its white, sandy beaches, dunes and striated rock formations. We will be photographing water and other natural features
in the area and then we head back to Chantillac in the afternoon.
Striated Rock Formation at Mescher (Photo: Anne Darling)
On these holiday photography courses we have built in plenty of spare time for you to just relax or explore the area around Chantillac. You might like to go for a stroll on the voie verte, a converted rail track, which is now called the Green Way, and is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
The voie verte is extremely well maintained and has a good, smooth surface, suitable for all levels of walkers. It is 35 kms in total but it is possible to do very short sections or circular routes. The pathway goes through some stunning countryside and woodland and it is well worth exploring with your camera in hand. You may encounter birds of prey circling the skies such as kites, osprey and harriers. Other bird species include hoopoes with their dramatic markings, black storks and purple herons. I'm even told there are Sacred Ibis in this region so if you spot one let me know! And of course there are deer, tree frogs (very noisy in spring!), lizards and the list goes on. It is impossible to go for a walk around Chantillac without seeing something fascinating.
There will be another editing session and informal discussion in your tutor's garden in the late afternoon/early evening.
Day 3: People & Street Photography
Today we will visit a street market where you will have the opportunity to make lots of photos and also do some shopping for local products. After a few hours break in the afternoon, there will be another editing session in your tutor's garden.
Day 4: Townscapes
In the morning we will visit the nearby town of Jonzac with its medieval back-streets, imposing Château, windmills, the meandering river La Seugne, and geothermal springs. After lunch you will be free to relax or practice your new found skills and then we will have an editing session.
Day 5: Landscapes
The morning will be spent exploring the surrounding vineyards and fields for landscape shots. You'll find inspiration for new photographs in the sloping fields, lakes, rivers and trees. After lunch you'll head back to the office for editing
Today you'll have the chance to choose one of your photographs which will be printed out by your tutor for a free complimentary A3 print. Your tutor will finish the trip with a final evaluation of your work and leave you with some advice to help you continue to improve your photography skills back home.
Optional Safari Park Visit
There is a safari park about 15 kms from Chantillac and if there is sufficient demand from the group, we will organise a visit. The animals live completely free and feed themselves. They include stags, roe deer, mouflons and other species. Guided visits are best at dawn or dusk up until the end of September and take place in open-roofed 4x4 vehicles which can carry up to 8 people. If you are interested in participating, please indicate on the booking form. It is strongly recommended that you bring binoculars and/or a telephoto lens to make observation easier.
The safari park has been set up on the model of the national park of Kanha in India where Kipling wrote "Jungle Book". It is divided into two parks of 150 and 500 hectares and aims to be a sanctuary for observation and conservation of wild life. The number of tourists is limited in order to preserve the natural habitat.
What Will You Learn?
As you are learning in a small group, guidance and tuition will be adapted to each person's needs but everyone will learn how to make photographs of a variety of different subjects including buildings, people, landscapes, town-scapes, beaches and street photography. Other skills you will learn include how to improve your composition and choose the correct exposure, and techniques for photo-editing using software such as Photoshop.
Logistics
You will need a digital SLR camera or a digital compact plus the manual for your particular model. Don't forget to bring the battery charger and a spare battery, a large capacity memory card or two, a camera bag, a tripod that is not too heavy as you will be carrying it around with you, a flash gun and extra lenses, if you have them. A cable shutter release could be useful but is not necessary. A polarizing filter is recommended.
Fitness Level
Please note that as there will be a certain amount of walking you do need to be basically fit. If you have reduced mobility you are still welcome on the course but it would be helpful if we could discuss any special needs you have in advance of booking. Click on the link to find out more about the Cognac region where the holiday photography courses are taking place.
|
