Photographic Workshop Tours 2012

Carnival in Venice, Italy, February 12 - 18 2012
$750 / Limited to 6 Students

The rich colorful palette of Venice with its canals, bridges and the amazing architecture of San Marco Piazza and the Rialto bridge provide some of my favorite compositions to photograph. This February during historic Carnival I will be taking a small group to capture the architectural images as well as a the historic costumes of Carnival. The Colorful costumes against the medieval architecture that Venice provides for our backdrops will give you breathtaking images, some of the best images you will ever capture. This Island City is a great location to shoot through the year. Capturing images during Carnival when residents and visitors compete with each other for the most authentic and sometimes the most outrageous costumes is a must for every photographer. You can see some of my images from my last trip.

Charleston March 27 - April 1 2012
$700 / Limited to 8 Students

Charleston is a city rich in history, tradition, Southern charm and beauty. The Battery Park area is one of the oldest communities in the U.S. and offers a wide range of photographic opportunities. We will be spending time photographing gardens, reflection ponds and cypress swamps. Angle Oak a 1500 year old Live Oak is the oldest living tree east of the Rockies and is one of the locations we will be visiting during the workshop. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend sometime processing images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. A training video is included that you will be able reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire.

Update: My last trip was a great success and a lot of fun! You can see some of my images from the trip, or read some kind remarks from a few of the people that attended. I look forward to doing it next year!

Smokey Mountains April 22-27 2012
$700 / Limited to 8 Students

The Smokey Mountains come alive during the spring. This is the time that the dogwoods come into bloom and the streams run fast from spring rains and winter run off. This is the time that early morning mist looks like early morning mist can give you some dramatic images. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend sometime processing Raw images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. A training video is included that you will be able reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire. View video of Smokey Mountains.

Venice, The Cinque Terre and Pisa Oct. 18-24 2012
$750 / Limited to 8 Students

The colorful palette of Venice, The Cinque Terre and Pisa with there rich history is the perfect photographic venue. In Venice the Piazza San Marco and the Canals offer a variety of images that are wonderfully unique. The Cinque Terre a beautifully rugged stretch of coastline with five tiny villages set like jewels into the Ligurian Coast, we'll capture it's charm and beauty. It is one of those places people tend to read about once and then dream about forever. Pisa famous for its Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli is a great place to spend our last day capturing images. Pisa is a wonderful hub where you can catch a train for Florence or Rome, or a flights home. We will photograph sunrise and sunset in these wonderful cities. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend some time processing images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. There is a training video at my website that you will be able to reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire.. See images from the Venice Workshop or read testimonials.

Pisa Chianti and Rome Oct. 24-31 2012
$795 / Limited to 8 Students

Pisa famous for its Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli is a great place to spend our first day capturing images. In the Heart of the Tuscan region we'll be capturing images while staying in the Chianti countryside that boasts impressive Etruscan roots, with time for wine tasting a cooking class and some Photoshop work. Ancient Rome beckons to be photographed from the Vatican to the Colosseum and so much more. Our field time will be spent on composition and proper use of light. We will spend some time processing images using Photoshop and Nik Software to help you with your processing skills. There is a training video at my website that you will be able to reference when you are processing images at home. Our goal is to teach you how to capture beautiful images and explore how to create the images that continue to inspire.

Workshop Overview

In these workshops we will capture landscape images that excite and move, images that trace where the mind has been and form a unique vision that will last a lifetime. These workshops are about applying new skills learned daily and sharing our collective knowledge to take that next step in a supportive environment. We hold a deep passion for the places we travel to, and will help you explore how to create the images that continue to inspire. What takes time to create,time respects, good images don't just happen. Most often, our best images lie just beyond our greatest failures. We believe through photography and an open mind the best is yet to come.

Paul James is a published, award winning photographer from Southeastern Michigan who offers the best in personalized photographic instruction on every level; whether you're just beginning or a seasoned veteran. Paul takes great pride in his work, and this translates to some great teaching techniques. He has vast experience in both the artistic and technical aspects of photography; he is adept in Digital, Medium and Large format Cameras, which includes a large range of camera brands and models. He welcomes photographers of all formats and skill levels; however, this class will be geared for the digital photographer.

Every Morning we will be out shooting at the best time of the day "First Light" capturing those moments when the there is Magic in every shot.

• Learn tips and tricks used by the professionals to create impressive photographs.
• Discover new viewpoints, interesting details which might be overlooked, see the world photographically.
• Learn to sense the direction of light and how to capture the magic moment.
• Improve your photographic technique.
• Learn your camera and how to get the most out of it.
• Have fun!

Example Itinerary:

• Day One: Arrive Cinque Terre were we can go over equipment and Photograph at sunset.
• Day Two-Three: Photograph at sunrise and sunset and when the light is right. Enjoy the seaside villages, hike and shop throughout the day.
• Day Four: Travel to Roma by Train from Cinque Terre and photograph an evening shot.
• Day Five-Six: Photograph at sunrise and sunset and when the light is right. Enjoy Museums and beauty of Historic Roma.

A Journey shared is truly a Journey remembered

The Roma and Cinque Terre photographic workshops trips were a great success. Both groups came home with some wonderful images and some wonderful memories. I will soon be posting some of the new images on the website and hope that you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed taking them. Many thanks to my two wonderful friends Steve and Grazia who helped make the Rome workshop very special. For anyone traveling to Roma for a holiday, taking one of their personalized day tours is a must.