When it comes to picking photography holidays, Italy is an excellent location for snappers of all ages. Just a few hours away by plane, you’ll find everything you need to improve your camera skills and make that holiday a success. It’s not simply because of the great food and wine but also the historic architecture, hill top villages and towns, sensational landscapes and breath-taking coastal scenery.
San Paolo 13th Century villa
If you can’t find something to photograph in Italy there’s probably no hope for you!
My personal favourite is Tuscany which has everything on offer that you could wish for. Not only is the light and weather great for a photography holiday, the people are friendly and travelling around is pretty easy. If you decide to go for one of our photography workshops, Italy offers the inspiration and material you need to create great images, learn valuable skills and forge new friendships. Combine that with excellent courses and you’re onto a winner.
Join the Enthusiasts
Coming together with a group of other camera nuts is an ideal way to build your skill level, meet different people and have fun at the same time. We run our photography workshops in Cortona, one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany.
It’s a place where you can all relax together, get to know each other and begin to learn some quality camera skills. Of course, you can learn stuff from books and articles online, but having a structured photography holiday where you share your experiences and learn from others is the perfect way to fast track those picture taking skills. Whether you are a beginner or a little further down the track, there’s no better place than Tuscany for honing your photographic ability.
Have a Plan Stan
Any holiday needs to be structured if you want to get the best out of it. If you are taking on the challenge of photography in Italy, you will benefit from being in the company of people who know what they are doing and have planned ahead so you can always make the most of your time. I work with my friend Charlie for our photography holidays. She’s lived in Cortona for 15 years, is fluent in Italian and knows the area like the back of her hand. There’s no better guide and organiser to bring to the party.
Cortona sunrise
Know Your Camera
If you are a beginner who is hoping to pick up some useful tips then it’s a good idea to get to know your camera before you come out on holiday. We’ll cover the mechanics of camera operation during our workshops but you’ll benefit if you know all the right buttons to press. Whether you have a high quality bridge camera or are opting for the traditional SLR with interchangeable lenses, practice using the functions to get a feel for everything. It could save you a lot of time and frustration when you land in Tuscany.
Learn Some Lingo
You don’t have to be fluent in the lingo to come on a photography holiday in Italy but it’s a great opportunity to pick up at least some snippets of the language. There are plenty of smart phone apps that can teach you the basics so you feel confident of saying the usual thank you and hello without a look of panic when someone local engages you in conversation.
Siena rooftops
What Do You Want to Capture?
Some people like landscapes, others architecture or taking pictures of people. A photography holiday in Italy gives you plenty of opportunity to do practically everything. A little bit of research about the Tuscany area can help you pick out those places you are most likely to want to take shots of.
Come with an Open Mind
If you want to get the best out of your photography course in Italy, it’s always a good idea to come with an open mind. Be prepared to learn new skills and try different things, even if they are slightly out of your comfort zone. It’s the best way to raise your proficiency in the photographic arts and could well lead you down a whole new and exciting path.
Pack What You Need
It goes without saying that you should bring everything with you that you need. Some people like to travel with lots of kit including tripods, lenses and various gizmos while others prefer to have as few extras as possible. Don’t forget things like plug adapters for when you need to charge up your batteries and lens cleaners and don’t forget to have the right amount of memory for your SD card as well.
Study the Experts
It’s easy nowadays to access high quality photos for any area that you want to visit. All you need to do is go online and put in some search terms. Pick out your favourite photos and try to figure out what makes them so good. It will also give you more ideas about what kind of pictures you want to cover during your photography holiday in Italy. Sites like Flickr are another great place to find brilliant amateur and professional images of the Tuscany landscape.
Poggio dinner
Don’t be Afraid to Fail
We don’t learn anything if we don’t fail. The great thing about digital cameras nowadays is that you can take as many pictures as you like and delete the ones that don’t work. You’ll be learning a few new tricks on your photography workshops in Italy but don’t be afraid to get it wrong first time. Come with a critical head on your shoulders so that you can look at your own photographs with a better eye to composition. It’s something we’ll be teaching you about from the very first day of the course.
Got Enough Battery Power?
And finally, one major problem with going out and taking so many pictures during the day is running out of juice. With so much to think about, don’t forget to bring a back up power supply so that you can get through any session without your battery running flat.
wine tasting
Planning a photography holiday in Italy is a great way to take in some beautiful landscape and experience the food and culture of an area like Tuscany, while at the same time learning something new. Not only will you come away having made some great new friends but you’ll also have a better understanding of your camera and how to take that perfect picture wherever you are in the world.
