Photography News Issue 30

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Photography News Issue 30 absolutephoto.com

Holidays are great – everyone knows that – but photo holidays are even better! After all, who wants to spend all day by a package holiday pool when they could be splashing the cash on a proper shooting experience. Book the right photo break and you’ll find photographic holidays and training experiences can be amazing fun, and there are courses and trips to suit all tastes and wallets. Here you’ll find a few of the best in the UK and abroad...

Greece PhotoWorkshops Aimed at photographers with a passion for travel and sophisticated living, a photo tour with the excellent Greece Photo Workshops will see you returning not only fulfilled by an unforgettable photographic holiday, but also having experienced a little of Greece’s heart and soul. The company’s ethos, is that the best way to discover and experience a location is through its locals: “Our experienced photographers aspire to bring together like-minded people eager to explore and truly experience, amazing, rarely seen places in Greece, while learning or further polishing their skills in photography. Overall, though, our photography principle is the basic rule of the arts: first, feel; then, create.” Always choosing destinations they know well, Greece Photo Workshop’s’ 2015 calendar includes the Cycladic island, Tinos, the surprising medieval island of Chios, the deep blue Amorgos, the uncanny stone built Mani and the magnificent Athens. As part of a fully organised photography package guests can expect traditional Greek hospitality in a homely environment and a high standard of service; authentic, sophisticated accommodation, local cuisine, comfortable transportation by car or van and training and direction from inspired and skilled photographers. Workshops cater for all skill levels, and groups, usually 6-10, are small to ensure all the contact time you need. Want something more bespoke? Greece Photo Workshops also provides tailor-made photography vacations for the ultimate personal photography experience upon request. You can check out the company’s website, or find them on Facebook at greecephotoworkshops.

CREATE AMAZING

Paul Reiffer Through his commercial photography, Paul Reiffer had the opportunity to travel to some amazing locations around the world, gaining in-depth knowledge of those locations. This, along with many requests for tuition over the years, led him to introduce his respected workshop programme. “The goal of our workshops,” says Paul, “is to offer something unique; we stepped away from traditional options, instead offering all-inclusive photo experiences with small groups (max. six), luxury transfers, non-shared hotel accommodation, great food and even things like helicopter shoots where appropriate – all for a fixed cost. We’re able to cater for photographers of all abilities, but each workshop location is assigned a recommended level to ensure everyone gets the best out of it.” As a huge advocate of getting shots right in- camera, Paul spends time teaching people how to accurately capture the scene rather than relying on correcting issues in post. “As such, key elements of all our workshops are the filter and camera setting discussions, in combination with post-processing sessions to make any final minor adjustments that are required. We’re there to ensure you get the best fromyour equipment and images each day – with a debrief and guidance offered between shoots.” “It’s always great toworkwith groups of people,” Paulconcludes,“andgettounderstandwhatthey’re looking for in their images. We’ve had scenarios where, while one photographer was gettingmad at the birds in a lone tree ruining their scene, others have been desperate for them to return after being scared away. Our job is simple – to help make sure everyone gets the shot they’re looking for.”

SCENIC SHOTS

TAKE TOP PICS IN HISTORIC GREECE

paulreiffer.com info@paulreiffer.com 0208 123 0250

Greecephotoworkshops.com info@greecephotoworkshops.com 0030 6944 588 344

Lights Over Lapland Based in Sweden andoperating in the beautiful Abisko National Park, Lights Over Lapland specialises in trips and workshops shooting the amazing but elusive Northern Lights. Well, elusive isn’t quite the right word here, as the park’s micro-climate provides the highest chance of seeing auroral activity, and therefore the best opportunity for shooting. Lights Over Lapland is the brainchild of Chad Blakley, once a wedding photographer who escaped the ‘bridezillas’ of New Orleans to set the company up with hiswife and co-founder Linnea. The first of its kind in theAbisko area, it offers a rangeof trips to suit all skill sets. For instance, beginners and those who just want to experience the lights can enjoy a single evening’s shooting with cameras and other kit provided. All trips are conducted by world-class photographers from the UK, and groups are kept to a maximum of ten, so there’s plenty of opportunity to learn and receive one- to-one guidance on tricky subjects such as focusing and exposing in low light. For more serious enthusiasts, there are week- long expeditions (full board accommodation). Chad says that “even those with no low-light and astro photography experience will have a complete understanding by the end of theweek – and a portfolio of amazing shots to prove it.” Again, camera gear and winter clothing can be provided, and you can also create your own customisable aurora holiday. Chad says the company has never had a week’s tour that lacked auroral activity and feedback for the trips is amazingly positive – they’re ranked highest in the Abisko National Park on Tripadvisor. You can also check out Lights’ Facebook page to see how many people have been blown away by their trip.

StreetSnappers Street photography is one of the hardest styles to master; a mix of technique, quick thinking and confidence. So if candid photography is your thing you need a course specifically tailored to you; enter StreetSnappers. The company’s principal and course tutor is Brian Lloyd Duckett, a full-time photojournalistandcommercialphotographerwith a lifetime of urban experience having pounded the streets as press photographer. Brian also lectures on street photography and is writing a book called Mastering Street Photography , due in the autumn. “Our full day masterclass involves an hour- and-a-half of intensive tuition before hitting the streets,” he told PN , “and groups are small (max. six), so there’s plenty of time for one-to- one coaching.” So, what are the most important things readers will take from their day? “Beyond the technical skills, we instill confidence and good observational skills – the ability to capture a great moment. They’ll learn how to be ‘invisible’ on the streets making shooting easier and understand the legal and ethical issues in street photography, too.” One-dayworkshops range from£95 to £145, and vary from beginners guides at a variety of lively London locations, to days designed around events; the latter are perfect for photojournalism, such as the EU Referendum on 23 June. Longer courses are available, and StreetSnappers also runs courses in Venice, Prague and Rome, with Paris and New York to be added this year. No prior knowledge of street photography is needed and Brian tells us he also gets lots of other professionals, particularly “wedding photographers who find it an excellent way to develop their documentary shooting skills”.

CAPTURE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

SHOOT BETTER CANDID PICS

streetsnappers.com bookings@streetsnappers.com 0207 412 8918

lightsoverlapland.com info@lightsoverlapland.com 0046 0760 754300