Holiday itinerary
This holiday beautifully combines intensive teaching sessions with plenty of free time to ensure that you get the most out of your photography holiday. The small class sizes mean that this holiday can be tailored to your individual needs and preferences and you will receive large amounts of individual advice and attention.
Your hosts believe that despite the fantastic development of the digital camera, the basics of taking a good photograph remain as fundamental today as they were a century ago. During this 7 night/ 8 day photography holiday you will be given expert tuition to improve your understanding and use of light, technique and composition in order to transform your photographic abilities.
Your photography classes will have no more than 4 students to maintain a high level of one-to-one tuition and you will develop your photograph composition and technique as well as your ability to manipulate and adjust your photographs using state of the art technology in the onsite studio set up.
During this photography holiday you will be taken on 6 planned excursions. Enjoyable visits to stunning countryside locations, a traditional French chateau and the vibrant local market will give you the opportunity to take beautiful photos and learn how to put your newly found photography skills to the test on the go.
You can to stay in your lovely accommodation with Wi-Fi, a flat screen TV and en-suite bathroom and there are no single supplements for solo travellers. A reduced price is available for a non participating partner who would like to join you without taking part in the photography lessons.
Improve your fundamental photography techniques in order to transform your photography ability. With all the equipment that you may need at your finger tips and a highly experienced tutor on hand, you will come home with a range of new skills and memories to treasure.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced
- Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult
- Courses have a maximum of 4 people in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for photography and there are NO single supplements
Photography Holiday Start Days
- Photography holidays are 7 nights/8 days
- Arrive on a Saturday and check out the following Saturday
- Check in from 3pm on day 1, and check out at 10am on day 8
Typical Photography Holiday Itinerary
Please note that the itinerary is as a guide only and may change depending on the weather and time of year.
Day 1 – Saturday – Course introduction and welcome dinner
- On arrival, you will be given a short introduction outlining the week ahead and the opportunity to tell your hosts what you hope to gain from your stay
- You will be assigned to and given a brief introduction of your work station
- The rest of the day is free for you to explore the hamlet of Les Ages
- The day will end with a delicious 4-course meal and wine where you will get to know your hosts and fellow guests
Day 2 – Sunday – Explore the local area
- After breakfast, you will be studying the fundamentals of photography and the structure of what makes a 'good photograph'
- You will be comparing classic photos to modern digital images to understand how today's technology emulates the basic rules
- Then it's off to Brantome to put into practice your photography skills
- If the weather permits, the lunch will take the form of a picnic
- In the evening you will review your images from the day with your tutor and look into the basics of editing in Photoshop
- End the day with another sociable 4 course meal with wine cooked by Pam
Day 3 – Monday – Free day
- Today is a free day where you will have a chance to do your own thing
- Work at your computer, explore the delights of the local area (perhaps visiting a lovely Chateau) or just relax in the garden
- One to one tuition will be on hand in the evening where you can ask advice on any aspect of your photography
- The day will finish with a delicious 4 course meal with wine
Day 4 - Tuesday
- Today you will be exploring the local area which offers good photography opportunities, off the tourist track
- At 5pm, it's back to the house where you will review the day's photos and look into 'Photoshop adjustment layers' and learn how to apply and control 'non destructive' editing
- You will then head off to a local postcard village to take photos
- Enjoy a delicious 4 course meal dinner
Day 5 – Wednesday – Market day
- Photograph a bustling French market this morning
- A visit to a French market is a delight for the eyes and you will be surrounded by colours and practice capturing the atmosphere of the bustling market goers
- A light lunch at a local restaurant is included in the price
- The day will finish with a delicious 4 course meal with wine
- In the evening after dinner, head out to Brantome to capture the atmosphere with night photography
Day 6 – Thursday – Free day
- Enjoy the flexibility of a free day
- You can spend the day in the studio learning more about photo software or go out and take more photographs in the lovely local area
- At 5pm you will review the photos of the day and look into portrait photography
- Enjoy another fantastic 4 course meal with your fellow guests this evening
Day 7 – Friday
- There is an option to do an early morning shoot to capture the dawn light if you feel like
- You will be taken to areas where you will be able to catch best the rising sun
- Return for a hearty breakfast
- You then head to the market of Brantome where you will capture its vibrant colour
- Return to the house for lunch
- In the afternoon you can pick your top 4 photos from the week to print
- Enjoy your last 4 course meal and say farewell to your fellow guests and hosts, ready to return home with new memories and expertise
Day 8 – Saturday – Departures
-Check out at 10am after breakfast and take your newfound photography skills and memories home with you
What Will I Learn?
- The small class sizes mean that you will get a lot of individual attention and your tutor is able to cater to your personal learning requirements
- Your photography tutor has 18 years of experience and is able to help you all levels of equipment from good quality compact cameras to full frame digital SLR’s
- You will master the basics of Photoshop CS6 as well as other state of the art software and learn how to use it to enhance your photographs.
- The workshops are not ‘photo shop heavy’ but will teach you how to use the software as an aid to let your photographs reach their highest potential
- Both morning and evening photo-shoots will allow you to experiment with different natural lighting
- On excursions e.g. to the colourful French market, you will learn how to capture the unique atmosphere of different locations
- The high level of one-to-one tuition allows you to vastly improve your technique during this holiday as well as giving you the opportunity to ask for any tips or advice about what you personally feel you would like to learn
Your Tutors and Hosts
- Paul Edmunds will be your tutor for this exciting week of photography and his wife Pam will be your welcoming host alongside her husband
- Paul has worked in the graphic arts industry for nearly 40 years. He has 18 years of experience of working as a photographer which has long been his passion
- He has done work for the local authorities as well as working largely within the wedding and food/hospitality industries
- For many years Paul was the Chairman for his local Photographic society, before he moved to France to pursue his love of photography
- Pam’s background lies in education and a lifelong passion for cooking
- She loves cooking traditional French and English food as well as specialising in vegetarian and gluten-free dishes
- Both Paul and Pam love welcoming guests into their home and take pride in making the holiday experience as warm and enjoyable as possible
Accommodation And Photography Studio
- Accommodation is set in a lovely 17th century stone house in a very rural location in Les Ages, France and in a detached house located 3 minutes walk away from the main house
- All bedrooms are en-suite and have Wi-Fi access as well as a flat screen television
- Every bedroom has a single and double bed, though usually only 2 guests would stay in each room
- The room in the detached house has a double bed with bathroom
- Solo travellers are welcome to stay in a private room for NO single supplement or you can choose to share a room with another guest for no extra charge too
- Alternatively a no- participating partner is able to share a room with a participating guest for a reduced price
- The studio set up is on site and will provide you with your own private work space
- You will be given access to your own Apple Mac for the week with state of the art software and optional use of a large range of photographic accessories such as tripods
- Check in time is from 3pm on day one and check out time is 10am on day 8
Meals
- All meals and drinks throughout the week are included.
- Breakfast choices are wide and varied, there will be something on offer for every taste, with continental and cooked choices offered everyday
- On Wednesday, lunch is taken in a local restaurant, this is included in the price
- In the evenings you will be treated to delicious 4 course meals with wine
- Light starters will be followed by substantial main courses and delicious desserts
- After savouring delicious French cuisine you can unwind with a cup of coffee and reflect on your photography filled day
- Please let us know of any dietary requirements at the time of booking
- Pam is a fantastic chef and happily caters for dietary requirements such as gluten-free or vegetarians
What To Bring
- You will need your camera, batteries/chargers and memory cards as well as any other equipment you may want to bring along with you
- Comfortable, weather proof clothing is essential as you will be out and about in the local area
With an expert at your side and inspiring locations all around you, your photography will skills will improve at an incredible rate. Return home with work that you can be proud of and skills that will last a lifetime on this intimate and fun-filled photography holiday.