The photography workshops will be 4 days to one calendar week long.  They are intended to be an intense experience, days of full-immersion photography.  The workshops will cover basic and advanced photographic principles and techniques, and enriching tips will be given.  Participants will have the opportunity to put into practice their newly acquired skills out in the field and the images will be discussed by all of us as a group.

These are the ideal workshops for people who want to travel to Sicily, Malta or Scotland for a holiday with a purpose.  The week will involve a mix of instruction and being out in the field shooting some of the destinations’ most stunning locations.  The workshops will be led by professional photographer John Grech.

Their purpose is first and foremost to help you realize your photographic objectives.  It is intended that, with your commitment, our dedication and a great deal of fun, each participant walks away satisfied that he or she has mastered a significant number of new skills.  Beside the intrinsic significance of your surroundings, a workshop like this will help you learn to see them also as visual elements.  You will learn how to look around you with a photographer’s eye, how to look for  potential photos in every day situations, and how to use your own interpretation, vision and style to show something different, something unique.  At the bottom of it all lies the belief that you can be taught to ‘see creatively’ and that great photography is within the reach of us all.

There are these sessions to choose from;

MALTA

March 2019 – Dates to be announced

July 2019 – Dates to be announced

SCOTLAND

May 2019 – Dates to be announced

SICILY

July 2019  –  Dates to be announced

October 2019  –  Dates to be announced

Trying to fit so much into one week is not easy.  We try to find the right balance, locations, variety, as well as time to teach.  The itinerary is worked out so that we try as much as possible to be in the best places at the best time of day.  If the weather is not in league with us, there is  still plenty that can be done creatively.

Below you’ll find some of the technical and creative concepts that these workshops cover.  If some of these concepts still seem a bit beyond your understanding, this workshop will help you bridge that gap.  The less experienced you are in photography, the more you stand to gain.  Every place we shoot at will allow for people who have different levels of skill to employ their creativity without losing out on the fun.

Below are some of the concepts and topics that these workshops will cover:

• Low Light / Night Photography
• Street photography
• Creative exposure control
• Using movement creatively
• Shooting landscapes, sunrises & sunsets
• Visualising and seeing differently
• Using filters creatively
• The difference between snap-shots and making photographs
• Shooting with different lenses and how they can change your image

No doubt, participants will go home with a collection of impressive images.   Beneath the appeal of the images you will take, however, there will also be a real opportunity for acquiring new photographic techniques.  The workshops provide challenges such as taking portraits, communicating with locals, using basic lighting, taking photos as documentary and “story-telling”.  Each participant’s photographic interests and style will create a melting pot of different results as well as points for discussion.  Someone may be interested in stunning portraits while someone else might prefer a more abstract approach.  Another participant may be interested in events, the people and telling a  “story”.

Once you have figured out how to operate your camera, your single concern and worry becomes the quality of your ideas and creativity.  Simply knowing how to operate your camera will not make you a better photographer.  As in all art forms, once the basic techniques have been mastered, the critical areas a photographer must work upon, are generating ideas and the quality of those ideas.

This workshop will also help develop your creative mind so that you will go home with a repertoire of ideas, which will hopefully be varied, original and interesting enough to tease you into producing more quality images.

The most important thing to stress here is that these workshops are designed specifically to appeal to amateur photographers and more advanced individuals who take their “hobby” seriously.  Wherever we go as a group it is ensured that the participant is not out of his or her depth, or left un-challenged.  We will do everything in our power to make the experience an inspirational one, regardless of how green you may be.

Given its geographical position, Sicily has for centuries been a key player in what went on in the Mediterranean arena: battles, culture, politics, commerce, art . . . all this has given shape to much of our civilization. Yet, in spite of all that it stands for, Sicily is a place which to a great extent still remains undefiled by global commerce and trade. On this island, deeply fascinating as it is, time seems to be irrelevant. As a photographer, one wants to explore and discover things, and this place is the perfect destination for such a person, for Sicily has so much in its character that awaits discovery, artistically speaking.

In as much as history, art and culture are the soul of Sicily, any visual artist, above all others, must not overlook the physical character of the place. There are mountains, valleys, lakes – beautiful landscapes and seductive coastlines that render the place a mecca for photographic exploration. Roads winding through the mountains take you through picturesque villages whose friendly inhabitants make your visit a unique experience.

We are very much accustomed to hearing of Tuscany and Provence as perhaps the places more synonymous with landscape and light. Sicily, however, holds some very pleasant surprises for the inquisitive visitor. Our days will be spent immersed in spectacular photographic opportunities – smooth, rolling hills of varied textures; fields of endless colour palettes dotted at times with architectural gems, at others with forgotten ruins; small villages, precariously perched on hills that overlook breathtaking sceneries. Isolated winding roads will lead us through undulating landscapes into ancient towns where time seems to have wiped itself out. Whilst the main emphasis of the workshop will be upon landscape photography, there will also be many other opportunities to capture Sicilian life on your digital “film”.

And then, there is the gastronomic experience. Sicilians live to eat – that’s a well known fact. Food is what makes them who they are and what nourishes their day-to-day culture. Cooking and dining is for Sicilians a way of extending their hospitality and strengthening relations. Their cuisine is an expression of their identity.

These are some of the major reasons why Sicily has been chosen as a setting for our photography workshops. During the week, we will have the opportunity to explore part of the island (Enna Region and whereabouts) and its people, learn the right techniques to help you take pictures that are artistically superior, understand photography better and the creative process which leads you there. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your work with your peers and receive guidance from a professional who has been in the field for years.

From the North Sea to the Irish Sea, the Highlands to the Lowlands, the landscapes of Scotland may take your breath away. Rugged, colorful, and feisty, Scotland stands apart. From its stony architecture to its wild landscape, the woodlands, windswept moors, deep lochs, to the more laid-back nature of its people, Scotland is distinctly not England. This is exactly what makes Scotland such an interesting place to visit even from a photographic perspective.

Filled with more natural and historical mystique than people, the rocky Highlands are where Scottish dreams are set. The evocative “Weeping Glen” of Glencoe aches with both history and natural beauty. Legends of Bonnie Prince Charlie linger around crumbling. The Highlands are the most mountainous, least inhabited, and for many, the most scenic and romantic part of Scotland.

Although it has a reputation for unpredictable weather, the rugged and remote Isle of Skye offers some of Scotland’s best scenery, and it rarely fails to charm. Narrow, twisty roads wind around Skye in the shadows of craggy, black, bald mountains. We will drive around the appealing Trotternish Peninsula, visit a pair of castles, go for a hike in the dramatic Cuillin Hills, sample a peaty dram of whisky, and walk across a desolate buff to a lighthouse at the end of the world.

TRANSPORT

Since the workshops are not always based in one accommodation but various ones across the country we will always remain together as a group and transport throughout the whole week will be catered for and included in the price of the workshop.

ARRIVING BY PLANE

MALTA:  Workshop starts and ends at Malta International airport.  We meet at the airport’s info desk in the arrivals lounge on arrival day at 11:00am.

SICILY:  The closest and most practical airport is Fontanarossa Catania.  From there you can easily reach the train station by bus and then get a train directly to Enna.  We are about 90 minutes away from the airport.  Arrangements can be made for you to be collected from the airport.  Please advise us well in advance.
Depending on your flight schedules, other airports are Palermo and Trapani.  Train connections from these airports to Enna are not direct and the journeys are over 3 hrs and 6 hrs long respectively, due to the fact that you would need to change trains at a number of stations en route.

SCOTLAND:  Workshop starts and ends at Prestwick airport.  We meet at the airport’s info desk in the arrivals lounge on Thursday at 11:00am.

ARRIVING BY TRAIN IN SICILY

The closest station is Stazione di Enna. From there, we can arrange a free pick up service on Sunday afternoon.  It is 5 minutes distance from La Rosa dei Venti.  For train schedules, please consult the website www.trenitalia.com.

ARRIVING BY CAR IN SICILY

GPS:         014o22’06.34”E          037o34’43.24”N

For those driving from Catania, take motorway A19 (Catania-Palermo).  The exit is ENNA direction Pergusa, then take SS117 and turn left towards Valguarnera to take the SS192.  Drive for 5 Km and turn left to cross the train tracks onto SP121.  Turn right on SP121 and then right again (crossing the train tracks once again) to get to Strada Extraurbana Rossi.  Follow the signs “La Rosa dei Venti” for 2 Km.

For those driving from Palermo take motorway A19 (Palermo-Catania) and exit at ENNA.  From here on directions are as above.

WHEN SHOULD YOU ARRIVE

MALTA:  You should be at the Malta International airport information desk on arrival day at 11:00am.  From there we will proceed to our accommodation.

SICILY:  You should arrive between 3 and 6 p.m. on Sunday:  that will give you time to check into your room and relax before your first meeting at 7 p.m. where you will meet your instructor and the other participants.

The workshops end at 10 a.m. on the following Sunday.  All participants are to check out from their room by not later than 11 a.m.

SCOTLAND:  You should be at the Prestwick airport information desk on Thursday at 11:00am.  From there we will proceed to collect our rented car.

ACCOMMODATION

MALTA:  Our accommodation will be at Tas-Silg, located on the south-eastern coast of the Island of Malta close to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk.  Rooms will be comfortable with basic facilities and own or shared bathrooms

SICILY:  Our centre will be La Rosa dei Venti – Villa D’Arte, a beautiful holiday house in the region of Enna.  The place, 10 hectares of it and at an altitude of 550m, is run by a charming and energetic young couple who manage to make all their visitors feel as though they have never left home.  A good part of the land at this facility is used to grow olives and figs.

Surrounded by hills, vegetation and clean air, the place is a perfect setting for these workshops, a perfect place where to relax and have the time to practice your passion without any interruptions.
The friendly nature of Sandro and Irene and their warm hospitality will surely contribute to your memories of a workshop not to be forgotten.
Rooms are spacious, comfortable and with own private bathroom.

SCOTLAND:  Since we will be moving from one place to another, accommodation here will be at selected cottages and guesthouses.  Rooms will be comfortable with basic facilities and own or shared bathrooms.

MEALS

All of you should go home with very fond memories not only of the landscapes, friendly people and great experience, but also of the food experience.  Meals are an important communal moment to relax, exchange opinions and ideas.

Malta:  Due to the nature of this workshop it is impossible to have a designated place for our meals, however we will be eating at chosen restaurants where we will be guaranteed good traditional local cuisine.  The meals in this workshop are not included in the price.

SICILY:  The food is hearty and traditional Sicilian country food.  It is possible, upon request on registration, to have vegetarian meals.  All meals at La Rosa dei Venti – Villa D’Arte are included in the workshop price.  The few meals we will have at restaurants on location have to be paid by the participant.

SCOTLAND:  Due to the nature of this workshop it is impossible to have a designated place for our meals, however we will be eating at chosen restaurants where we will be guaranteed good traditional local cuisine.  The meals in this workshop are not included in the price.

INTERNET SERVICE

There will be Wi-Fi Internet connection at all the accommodations in Malta, Sicily and Scotland.

COMPANIONS

Photography is a passion shared by many.  Participants may choose to travel with their husbands, wives, partners or friends, who may or may not share this passion.  It is possible, and encouraged, to come with a companion, who will not take active part in the workshop.  We do our best to make non-participating partners as welcome as everybody else.  Should you wish to attend with a partner, who might opt to or not to follow the workshop, and require a double room upgrade, please state this upon registration.  We will contact you with further details and a quote.  There is no risk of getting bored:  especially in the case of the Malta & Sicily Workshops your companion can use the week to visit the surrounding region, take walks or bike rides, swimming, horse riding or any other activity.

One has to bear in mind however that in the case of the Scotland Workshops, even though we still do encourage companions, since we will be constantly on the move from one location to another, the freedom of companions doing things other than the photography part of the workshop will be greatly affected.

TRANSFER

There will be no charge for transferring between workshops, as long as John Grech Photography is notified at least two weeks in advance of the workshop start date. (No transfers can be made once the workshop has started).

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Seven days of tuition during the entire workshop
• Seven nights of accommodation where most rooms have own bathroom and some with shared bathroom
• All transportation during the entire workshop
• Sicily workshop – Daily breakfast, most lunches and dinners
• Scotland workshop – Daily breakfast
• Malta workshop – Daily breakfast, all lunches (packed – since most of the day we will be on the move)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• International air travel to Malta, Sicily and Scotland
• Transfer to and from airports unless otherwise agreed upon

WHAT TO BRING

Photographic equipment you normally use, make sure that it is in perfect working condition.  Some sessions might need a tripod.  A selection of your work for the first meeting with your instructor and the other participants is essential.  This will be very useful to the instructor in order to evaluate your photographic level and you will be able to see the steps you have made by the end of the workshop.

IMPORTANT

It is useful to bring a lens cleaning kit, we work in the country and it is a good habit to keep your equipment clean to avoid dust problems.

We suggest that you bring your own laptop:  you will have the independence to work on your files without having to wait for our computers to be available.

LANGUAGE

All workshops are conducted in English and/or Italian.