MARIAFALCONERPHOTOGRAPHY

The Bigger Picture

April 18th - June 27th, 2021- Online Workshop

A Collaboration

Photography is most often perceived as a solo activity, which of course can be a double edged sword. We photographers like nothing more than the opportunity to wander off alone and poke our lenses into the more unusual aspects of the world around us, but this process can also be quite isolating, especially when there are tricky editing decisions to make or if we find ourselves a little 'stuck' within the creative process. So we have created a series of ongoing workshops,The Bigger Picture, designed to bring small groups of curious photographers together to work on a collective project. The workshops will run every two weeks and will provide stimulus, guidance and feedback not just from the tutors but from the collaborating photographers in the group.

We began 'The Bigger Picture' workshops towards the end of 2020 with two groups running concurrently. Their theme was The Pandemic. Check out the video below to see what they made and hear about their experiences, or click on the thumbnails for a more detailed look at their work.

Video from The Bigger Picture groups 1 & 2. Theme- The Pandemic

The Content

The programme consists of six two-hour online sessions with Paul and Maria, plus one follow up feedback session on completion of the project. The workshop will be limited to eight participants and is designed to stimulate a range of creative image making responses around a theme. In addition to input by Paul and Maria, group members will also be invited to contribute to the presentations, discussions and feedback.

Over the course of the workshop, participants will work both independently and collaboratively to produce a group body of work. This could take the form of an online exhibition, a book, a mulit media response or something else entirely. This is one of the many decisions that will be made by the group.

The Theme

The past 12 months have presented us all with some difficult and challenging times. And with this in mind, we would like to invite you to join us for a little Light Relief.
You will of course be familiar with the definition of this well known phrase...

That which provides simple or distracting entertainment during or after something that is very serious or tedious.

And given the year that we have all endured most of us would welcome a little of that. But scratch below the surface of this most obvious interpretation and you will begin to uncover a myriad of creative possibilities.

Ever since the formation of the Sun and the solar system about (4.5 billion years ago), the earth has been bathed with light; it is our most important source of energy. And the sun isn't the only light source available to us; the moon, stars, fire, lightening and even creatures such as jelly fish and fireflies are all natural sources of light. When you add in the numerous forms of artificial light that we use to illuminate our world, tungsten, LED, fluorescent, incandescent, it's clear that light plays a huge role in our lives.

But light is also richly metaphoric. To 'see the light', to 'bring something to light', to 'shine a light' or 'light at the end of the tunnel' are all wonderful sources of creative stimuli.

And of course the word Photography itself is derived from the Greek phot (meaning light) and graphe (to draw). Without light there would be no photography at all. Light is integral to our image making, not just technically and aesthetically, but also as a powerful tool for conveying meaning.

The open nature of this topic lends itself to a vast range of interpretations and responses, including the personal, political, environmental, historical, geographical, psychological, fantastical and / or experimental.

And each photographer is invited to bring their own unique perspective to the project.

The Format

Unlike our one-day or weekend workshops, this project will be ongoing, and regular input from the entire group will help to shape and direct each individual's work as well as the final group project.

It's important to recognise that participation in this workshop will demand a degree of commitment, both in attending the fortnightly sessions, meeting as a group in between sessions and also producing work. Having said that, there is a degree of flexibility available if a participant is unable to attend an individual session. But it's most important that everyone is present for the first and last dates.

All sessions will take place on Sundays between 10.00 and 12.00

What you will need

• A sense of curiosity, a willingness to share your knowledge and experience, and a commitment to the group.


• A camera - anything from a smartphone upwards is fine by us. Remember that a camera is just a tool, the important thing is that you are comfortable using it.


• Something to edit your images on - eg desktop computer, laptop, ipad etc.


• A wifi connection.


• Zoom downloaded and installed onto your computer, it's free and available here.

But don't just take our word for it ...

Booking - Maximum 8 participants

The workshop takes place from 10.00 to 12.00 on selected dates between Sunday April 18th and Sunday June 27th, 2021.

Cost - £175

After booking you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours with further information.

Please note that refunds are not available after booking unless we are able to reallocate your place.

Buying a workshop as a gift? Just let us know when you book it and we will send you a gift certificate!

If you have any questions or would simply like a chat about the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact Maria - email / mobile +44 (0)7740 985 887, or Paul - email / mobile +44 (0)7977 700 274. We would be delighted to hear from you.

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ONLINE WORKSHOPS

Seeing Photographically

Postponed - Date TBC- Online Workshop

How we translate the three-dimensional world into an interesting two-dimensional picture is often referred to as the art of photography. It is called seeing photographically or camera vision.

The subject matter is just the starting point, it is the photographic approach that is important - how you orchestrate all those complex elements in front of the camera into an arresting and personally relevant image.

This two day workshop explores the key components of camera vision, together they will change how you see and photograph the world around you.

Part 1 - Seeing the Light

Without light there would be no photography, but do we really think about light whenever we lift the camera to our eye?

How often do we closely examine the tones shapes,and colour hues, or consider where and how the light is falling?

Light is integral to our image making, not just technically and aesthetically, but also as a powerful tool for conveying meaning.

The Content

We often hear photographers complaining that the light is 'bad' of 'flat', by which they usually mean that the light isn't bright and crisp.

But on this workshop you will explore many wonderful ways of making pictures with different kinds of light, that go far beyond the most obvious high contrast scenario.

We will identify different qualities of light and look at how they can each be used effectively. And we will explore how light itself can become a subject to photograph.

There will be presentations, exercises and feedback sessions all designed to help you see and use light more creatively.

Over the course of the day you will use light in a range of different ways to make some unique images. And there will also be time to share your work and receive feedback from the tutors.

Part 2 - Changing Perspectives

The framed image gives the illusion of being a window through which the photographer views the three-dimensional world, but photographic images are two-dimensional and composed of flat shapes that you have to orchestrate within the viewfinder.

Furthermore, a machine is not a human being and it doesn't take long to realise that the camera provides a view of the world unlike the one produced by the human optical system.

Photography is a very subjective medium, despite the apparently objective way it appears to represent what is before the camera. Your choice of framing, vantage point and perspective are all decisions to be made that will contribute to the final image, not only technically and aesthetically, but also to how it may be interpreted.

The Content

In part two we will look at how choices made around framing, perspective and vantage point influence both the look and the meaning of images.

Having an awareness of what you choose to 'put' in the frame is so important, as well as considering what to 'leave' out. We will experiment with vantage point and perspective and investigate how these tools can radically transform our image making.

There will be a series of presentations, exercises and feedback sessions all designed to extend your visual vocabulary, expand your photographic perspective and help you create an individual style and look to your photography.

You will also be able to share your work with fellow enthusiasts who are on similar journeys of discovery.

What you will need

• A camera - preferably with a telephoto and wide angle option. It can be very basic, but if you're unsure just drop us a line.


• Something to edit your images on - eg desktop computer, laptop, ipad etc.


• A reasonable wifi connection.


• Zoom downloaded and installed onto your computer, it's free and available here.

But don't just take our word for it ...

Booking

Seeing Photographically is postponed but we hope to have a date later in the year.

Cost - £ 130

After booking you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours with further information.

Please note that refunds are not available after booking unless we are able to reallocate your place.

Buying a workshop as a gift? Just let us know when you book it and we will send you a gift certificate!

If you have any questions or would simply like a chat about the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact Maria - email / mobile +44 (0)7740 985 887, or Paul - email / mobile +44 (0)7977 700 274. We would be delighted to hear from you.

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LIVE WORKSHOPS

A Creative Audience - July 30th - Aug 1st, 2021

As image makers how do we react to the work of others? And how does that in turn influence our own practice?
This workshop invites you to submerge yourself in both roles - photographer and audience - and draw on the experience to create new work.

A Creative Hot House

Photography, more often than not, is a solo activity. Typically it involves just you and your camera, out looking for inspiration.

But left alone it's all too easy to fall into the same old patterns, and produce similar kinds of work.

So imagine a workshop full of creative activity where participants bounce ideas, share feedback and work on projects.

On this workshop you will will experience three full days of stimulating ideas, discussions and image making.

Interactive

Photographs, like all visual art forms are designed to be viewed, to communicate to a wider audience.

So does a photograph really have any meaning if it is only ever seen by the maker? And how does the audience feed back into the creative process?

What's particularly unique about this workshop is that your companions will be both your inspiration and your audience.

Together you will challenge and be challenged, with time to think, experiment and grow as photographic practitioners.

The participants

This deeper dive into photography is suitable for anyone who is willing to jump in.

You absolutely don't need any formal qualifications, or extensive practical experience. But you will certainly have to come with a curiosity about the medium, and an interest in photography as a vehicle for communication and creativity.

Each participant will be asked to bring along work which will serve as a starting point for a journey of discovery. Together we will explore each others' contributions, taking time to decode or 'read' them.

Through a series of discussions, talks and exercises we'll learn more about what photography is and how it's communicated, more about what inspires us and what leaves us cold. And then, with a fresh perspective, we will embark on new photographic projects.

The Location

Of course, we could do this workshop in a motorway services conference room or in a city pub function room, but as you know, that is not our style.
We are basing it in the cuddly countryside of the Hambleden Valley in the Chilterns where they made The Vicar of Dibley, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Midsomer Murders.

We will be visiting the adjacent Parmoor where King Zog of Albania lived, following in the steps of Albert Einstein, Pandit and Indira Nehru, Ian Fleming and Charles de Gaulle who all stayed there. And for those who wish to join us, the discussions will continue over dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings at a local pub / restaurant (if Covid-19 regulations allow).

So why not come along for a thought provoking three days with like-minded photographers; enjoy a relaxed but stimulating environment; boost your creative energy, and take advantage of a fresh photographic perspective.

But don't just take our word for it ...

Accommodation

There are a range of accommodation options around Frieth, Here are a few situated close by;

• The Frog at Skirmett - 1.6 miles from Frieth
  
  
• Little Parmoor Farm - 0.9 miles from Frieth.
  
  
• St Katharine's, Parmoor - 0.8 miles from Frieth
  
  
• The Stag and Huntsman - 1.7 miles from Frieth
  
  
• The Dog and Badger - 1.8 miles from Frieth
  
  

Booking

The workshop will take place from 10.00 to 17.00 on Fri 30th and Sat 31st July, and 10.00 to 16.00 on Sun 1st August, 2021. Our base will be the Village Hall, Frieth, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6PR

Covid-Safe Regulations

Naturally we wish to make the environment as safe as possible for everyone involved, so for the duration of the workshop you will be required to adhere to all government Covid-19 regulations in operation at the time. At the moment it's difficult to predict exactly what this might entail, but it MAY require you to produce evidence of a Covid-19 vaccination and/ or a negative Covid-19 test result. We will update you shortly before the workshop takes place.

Booking

Cost - £255

Please be aware before booking that;

• Booking indicates that you have read and agree to our terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy.


• You will require a laptop / ipad / tablet for editing.
  (You need to be able to transfer your work from your device to our laptop for feedback sessions - eg USB memory stick / airdrop etc.)


• IF ANY OF OUR WORKSHOPS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 regulations YOU WILL BE REFUNDED
  

Buying a workshop as a gift? Just let us know when you book it and we will send you a gift certificate!

If you have any questions or would simply like a chat about the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact Maria - email / mobile +44 (0)7740 985 887, or Paul - email / mobile +44 (0)7977 700 274. We would be delighted to hear from you.

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Dancebase, Edinburgh, Scotland - Live Workshop

We are very excited to offer this one day action packed Dance Photography workshop at Dance Base in Edinburgh, Scotland's National Centre for Dance.

You won't find another dance photography workshop like this in the UK (or anywhere else as far as we know). You will have the opportunity to work with many wonderful dancers, in a range of different settings that will push your creativity to the max!

You will photograph highly trained contemporary dancers both out on location and in a live theatre setting. There will be presentations and exercises, discussions and technical info - but mostly you will be at the sharp end of picture making! We think it's fair to say that you will come out buzzing!

Check out our video from previous workshops

Video from previous workshops - all images made by participants

May I have the Pleasure?

Unless you live somewhere in a dark hole, you can't possibly have missed the recent explosion of dance on our streets, cinemas, theatres and TVs! Dance has taken the UK - and the rest of the world - by storm! From Ballroom to Ballet, Strictly to Street Dance, everyone is up and moving!

But this new craze isn't easy to photograph. Production shots, location shoots, choreography, direction, improvisation and collaboration - what's it all about?
The world of dance photography can be both bewildering and fascinating, hard work and fun!
But we can show you the steps - if you're up for the challenge?

On this workshop Maria Falconer and Paul Hill will introduce you not only to the technical aspects of shooting dance, but much more importantly - the creative ones.

And because the numbers are limited to 12, you will have plenty of time and space to work, and lots of input from the tutors.

Digital Camera Magazine feature on Maria's Performance Photography

The Workshop

It doesn't matter if you are an experienced photographer or new to the medium, this workshop welcomes a rich mix of enthusiastic participants. And if you are new to dance photography, Maria and Paul will guide you through the day.

The workshop will be packed with exercises and advice designed to help you create interesting unique images.

You will work with trained dancers both on location and in a live theatre setting.

Everything that you need will be on hand, so that you can really get involved and enjoy the experience.

The Content

The workshop will include presentations, demos and a series of technical
and creative exercises around the following topics;

• Directing / collaborating with dancers
• Working on location
• Shooting in the theatre
• Camera angles and vantage points
• Colour, costume and backgrounds
• Using the light to your advantage
• ISO, Shutter speeds, Aperture and all that jazz
• Getting beyond the clichés
• Experimentation and creativity
• Copyright and Model Release

Images from previous workshops - all made by participants

The Location.

Dance Base
14 - 16 Grassmarket
Edinburgh
EH1 2JU

This one day workshop will take place from 09.30 - 17.30 on Sunday (Date TBC)) at Dance Base's award winning building in the heart of Edinburgh. It's easily accessible by bus, train and car.

Dance Base, Edinburgh

Promotional image for So Many Steps, So Little Time, Bruges.

The Tutors

Maria Falconer

Maria is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, holds an MA in Photography, and teaches at De Montfort University.
Her work has been shown at Arles Photography Festival, The Edinburgh Festival, ThePrintSpace Photovoice awards London, FORMAT Photography Festival, DanceMoves in New Jersey and at the Lightmoves Dance Film festival in Limerick.
Her specialist dance photography has been published in The Guardian, The Times, The Glasgow Herald and The Scotsman.
In Jan 2017 Maria exhibited her work at an international Dance Festival in Bruges. She was delighted to discover that one of her images was used to advertise the event.
Maria also trained as a contemporary dancer at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London, and enjoys being on both sides of the fence!

Paul Hill

Awarded an MBE for his services to photography, Paul is the originator of photographic workshops in the UK. An influential teacher, he has published several books and exhibited all over the world. Originally a photo journalist, his work is in international collections of photography. www.hillonphotography.co.uk.

This is what the UK's best selling photo magazine Digital Camera wrote about Paul:

An eminent photographer, teacher and workshop pioneer, Paul Hill witnessed many of the major changes that transformed British photography ... and works to help students develop their own vision: "to say something rather than just show something."

But don't just take our word for it ...

Covid-Safe Regulations

Naturally we wish to make the environment as safe as possible for everyone involved, so for the duration of the workshop you will be required to adhere to all government / Dance Base Covid19 regulations in operation at the time. At the moment it's difficult to predict exactly what this might entail, but it MAY require you to produce evidence of a Covid-19 vaccination and/ or a negative Covid-19 test result. We will update you shortly before the workshop takes place.

If we are still in a position where masks are required, the workshop will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.

Booking

Numbers are restricted in order to maximize your time working with the dancers. This also enables us to spend more time with each photographer, and offer advice and constructive feedback to everyone.

Cost - £195

Please be aware before booking that;

• Booking indicates that you have read and agree to our TERMS & CONDITIONS including Covid-19 procedures and cancellation policy.


• You will need to bring a laptop with you for editing.


• IF ANY OF OUR WORKSHOPS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 regulations YOU WILL BE REFUNDED
  

Production shot for Edge Fwd, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Buying a workshop as a gift? Just let us know when you book it and we will send you a gift certificate!

If you have any questions or would simply like a chat about the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact Maria - email / mobile +44 (0)7740 985 887, or Paul - email / mobile +44 (0)7977 700 274. We would be delighted to hear from you.

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Nottingham - September 8th & 9th, 2021

So far we have run six Dance Photography workshops in the UK. They all sold out and you told us that YOU LOVED THEM! So here we are again with yet another fabulous workshop at Dance4 in Nottingham.

You won't find another dance photography workshop like this in the UK (or anywhere else as far as we know). You will have the opportunity to work with many wonderful dancers, in a range of different settings that will push your creativity to the max!

You will photograph trained contemporary dancers out on location, in the theatre and also in the photographic studio!

There will be presentations and exercises, discussions and technical info - but mostly you will be at the sharp end of picture making! I think it's fair to say that you will come out buzzing!

Check out our video from previous workshops

Video from previous workshops - all images made by participants

May I have the Pleasure?

Unless you live somewhere in a dark hole, you can't possibly have missed the recent explosion of dance on our streets, cinemas, theatres and TVs! Dance has taken the UK - and the rest of the world - by storm! From Ballroom to Ballet, Strictly to Street Dance, everyone is up and moving!

But this new craze isn't easy to photograph. Production shots, location shoots, choreography, direction, improvisation and collaboration - what's it all about?
The world of dance photography can be both bewildering and fascinating, hard work and fun!
But we can show you the steps - if you're up for the challenge?

On this workshop Maria Falconer and Paul Hill will introduce you not only to the technical aspects of shooting dance, but much more importantly - the creative ones.

And because the numbers are limited to 12, you will have plenty of time and space to work, and lots of input from the tutors.

Digital Camera Magazine feature on Maria's Performance Photography

The Workshops

It doesn't matter if you are an experienced photographer or new to the medium, this workshop welcomes a rich mix of enthusiastic participants. And if you are new to dance photography, Maria and Paul will guide you through the day.

The workshop will be packed with exercises and advice, designed to help you create interesting unique images.

You will work with trained dancers on location, in the theatre and also in the photographic studio. We are very fortunate to have with us the lighting expert Nick Lockett, a highly experienced professional photographer and teacher - see below for more about Nick.

Everything that you need will be on hand, so that you can really get involved and enjoy the experience.

The Content

The workshop will include presentations, demos and a series of technical
and creative exercises around the following topics;

• Directing / collaborating with dancers
• Working on location
• Shooting in the theatre
• Studio lighting
• Camera angles and vantage points
• Colour, costume and backgrounds
• Using the light to your advantage
• ISO, Shutter speeds, Aperture and all that jazz
• Getting beyond the cliches
• Experimentation and creativity
• Copyright and Model Release

Images from previous workshops - all made by participants

The Location.

Dance4
iC4C2
Dakeyne Street
Nottingham
NG3 2AR

This weekend workshop will take place from 09.30- 17.00 at Dance4's beautiful and prestigious new Centre for Choreography in Nottingham's Creative Quarter. It's easily accessible by bus, train and car - full access details here

Dance4 studio, Nottingham

Promotional image for So Many Steps, So Little Time, Bruges.

The Tutors

Maria Falconer

Maria is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, holds an MA in Photography, and is a qualified teacher.
Her work has been shown at Arles Photography Festival, The Edinburgh Festival, ThePrintSpace Photovoice awards London, FORMAT Photography Festival, DanceMoves in New Jersey and at the Lightmoves Dance Film festival in Limerick.
Her specialist dance photography has been published in The Guardian, The Times, The Glasgow Herald and The Scotsman.
In Jan 2017 Maria exhibited her work at an international Dance Festival in Bruges. She was delighted to discover that one of her images was used to advertise the event.
Maria also trained as a contemporary dancer at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London, and enjoys being on both sides of the fence!

Paul Hill

Awarded an MBE for his services to photography, Paul is the originator of photographic workshops in the UK. An influential teacher, he has published several books and exhibited all over the world www.hillonphotography.co.uk.

This is what the UK's best selling photo magazine Digital Camera wrote about Paul:

An eminent photographer, teacher and workshop pioneer, Paul Hill witnessed many of the major changes that transformed British photography ... and works to help students develop their own vision: "to say something rather than just show something."

Nick Lockett - Guest teacher, Nottingham workshop

For twenty years Nick was Chief Photographer and Head of Pictures for Carlton Television in London, producing still images and picture publicity on TV programmes as diverse as Inspector Morse, Spitting Image and Pop Idol. Formerly Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University, Nick teaches part-time at Staffordshire University and also undertakes photo assignments for newspapers, magazines and book publishers.
Nick has an impressive client list including; The British Museum, The Louvre, BBC, ITV, C4, Australian Film Commission, Ofsted, The Oval & Surrey County Cricket Club, Royal Mail, The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Melbourne Age, Weidenfeld & Nicholson and Grove Atlantic.

But don't just take our word for it ...

Covid-Safe Regulations

Naturally we wish to make the environment as safe as possible for everyone involved, so for the duration of the workshop you will be required to adhere to all government / Dance4 Covid19 regulations in operation at the time. At the moment it's difficult to predict exactly what this might entail, but it MAY require you to produce evidence of a Covid-19 vaccination and/ or a negative Covid-19 test result. We will update you shortly before the workshop takes place.

If we are still in a position where masks are required, the workshop will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.

Booking

Numbers are restricted in order to maximize your time working with the dancers. This also enables us to spend more time with each photographer, and offer advice and constructive feedback to everyone.

Cost - £325

Please be aware before booking that;

• Booking indicates that you have read and agree to our TERMS & CONDITIONS including Covid-19 procedures and cancellation policy.


• You will need to bring a laptop with you for editing.


• IF ANY OF OUR WORKSHOPS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19 regulations YOU WILL BE REFUNDED
  

Production shot for Edge Fwd, Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Buying a workshop as a gift? Just let us know when you book it and we will send you a gift certificate!

If you have any questions or would simply like a chat about the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact Maria - email / mobile +44 (0)7740 985 887, or Paul - email / mobile +44 (0)7977 700 274. We would be delighted to hear from you.

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Ooh La Loire! - at the wonderful Château de Montsoreau-Museum of contemporary art

Montsoreau, The Loire Valley, France
June 7th - 12th, 2022

Château de Montsoreau-Museum of contemporary art

The market town of Montsoreau -
'One of the most beautiful in France'

The Location

What better inspiration for a photography workshop than spending 6 days in the magnificent Loire Valley France.

For centuries the Loire has been a popular destination for artists, from Rabelais and Turner to Alexandre Dumas and Rodin.

Here, hundreds of majestic châteaux and palaces line the course of the country's longest river, and such is the beauty of the ancient towns, limestone hills and historic châteaux, that a 300km-long stretch of the valley has been designated a World Heritage Site.

We are delighted to be based at the renowned Château de Montsoreau-Museum of contemporary art, which is the only château that is actually built on the Loire riverbed itself.
Created in April 2016 on the initiative of the French contemporary art collector Philippe Méaille, the Château de Montsoreau-Museum of contemporary art is a radical, committed, living place. Its permanent collection is the world's largest collection of works from the Art & Language movement."

Just beyond the château walls lies the charming market town of Montsoreau, officially classified as 'One of the most Beautiful in France'. Here you'll find architecture in the subtle shades of French lace and Troglodyte houses that are cut into the cliff side.

Our base for the workshop - in the heart of the château

The Theme

Our theme is inspiration! And in addition to the fabulous location we have an action packed programme for you.

We are extremely fortunate to be based in a classroom in the heart of the château with 6 days free access to the museum's collection of contemporary art and temporary exhibitions.

The workshop will be packed with short presentations, technical and creative exercises, as well as lots of advice and feedback. We will have field trips, challenges, stimulating discussions and a whole lot of fun! And over the course of the week we will be making online books (don't panic if you've never done that before!)

We don't want to give too much away and spoil the surprises, but suffice to say that this workshop is not about landscape, portraiture, or any specific genre, it's about you and your photography. Inspiration to think and work differently. Inspiration to make new and unique images.

It doesn't matter if you are an experienced photographer or relatively new to the medium, we welcome a rich mix of enthusiastic participants.
And we do our best to create a warm, supportive, non competitive environment where you have time and space to experiment.

But don't just take our word for it ...

Overview

The workshop will take place from 10 am on Tuesday June 7th, to 5 pm on Sunday June 12th, allowing Mondays for traveling. And there is also an optional welcome dinner on Monday 6th for those who are able to join us. Over the course of the workshop there will be challenges and exercises in and around the Château de Montsoreau-Museum of contemporary art itself, around the town of Montsoreau and also two field trips.
We have factored in a day off in the middle for you to relax or explore as you wish, or continue making pictures in this wonderful location.
Montsoreau offers a range of recreational activities including, canoeing, cycling, wine tasting (and courses to learn about wine), shopping or just hanging out enjoying the local atmosphere.

The first outing will be to the incredible Château de Bréze.
Built and rebuilt between the 11th and 19th centuries in the heart of a vineyard, this château is not quite all that it seems. At first glance there is nothing to suggest that it sits atop the largest underground fortress in Europe. But situated deep beneath the château there are actually more than 1 km of underground passages, housing everything from the largest underground bakery in France, to an ice-house and a 'Son et Lumiére' show on the bare rock of one of the caverns.

Our second excursion will be to the medieval town of Chinon. Resting on the banks of the Vienne river, Chinon, with its cobbled streets and houses is a town steeped in history and culture dating back to the 15th century. Rich with cafés, shops and restaurants, Chinon also boasts its own château where in 1429 the teenage Joan of Arc visited the Dauphin Charles VII to acknowledge him as the rightful heir to the throne.

Although our workshop does involve rather a lot of châteaux, it's absolutely not about making pretty pictures. The exercises and challenges will help you to see beyond the obvious and encourage you to photograph everything in new and unique ways.

We find that workshop participants really learn a lot from chatting to each other, both during the workshop and also socially. Invariably group members come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and have an enormous amount of experience and skills to share. After hour meet ups over a drink or an evening meal can elicit the most fascinating discussions and are a great way to relax too!

And so with this in mind, we have arranged two opportunities to dine out as a group, an introductory dinner on the evening of Monday 8th, and a farewell meal on Sunday June 13th. And although it would be wonderful to see everyone there, this is of course entirely optional.

On arrival we will dine at Créperie Saladerie la Dentellière. They don't have a web site, (which is not uncommon for small businesses in rural France), but you can find them listed on Trip Advisor here.

We are still to finalise the details of our farewell meal but we will post details as soon as possible.

Because we appreciate that it's not always possible for people to attend the social activities, we don't include them in the price. But there will be an opportunity to opt in or out when booking, so that we can give the restaurants plenty of notice about numbers and dietary requirements.

Accommodation

There are a range of accommodation options in Montsoreau - from posh hotels to campsite chalets, as well as interesting airbnb possibilities. Here are a few but there are many more available online;

In Montsoreau

Self Catering

• Holiday Charlotte
• Holiday Margot
• Holiday Adele

B&B and Hotels

• B&B Juliette
• Hotel la Marine de Loire
• Chambres d'hotes Oiseau
• Hotel le Bussy

Camping & Chalets

• Camping L'Isle

Nearby is the village of Fontevraud l'Abbaye (2.5 miles)

• Hotel Croix Blanche
• Dormir en Troglo
• The Desgriere

And Varennes-sur-Loire (2 miles)

• Apartment in the heart of the valley of the Kings
• Chambre independante plein pieds
• Chambre LUCILE à la Gravemillette

There are also helpful listings on

• Montsoreau Tourist Office web site,
• Home Away
• Trip advisor.

Travel

Ryanair fly from Stansted to Tours and Nantes, and Flybe from Birmingham and Southampton to Nantes. From Tours and Nantes there are regular trains to Saumur where you will be picked up on arrival. If you have the option though, it is quicker to get to Saumur from Tours than Nantes.

It's also easy to travel by Eurostar with just 2 changes from London St Pancras to Saumur.

And if you would like to drive, Montsoreau is only 5 hours from Calais.

So come and join us for a unique creative experience, make the sort of pictures that you have never made before, and improve your technical skills and creative vision! Enjoy a friendly and informal learning environment, with space and time for you to share ideas, meet other photographers, and make some new pictures! We would love to welcome you on board!

Booking

Cost

Booking temporarily suspended but will be open as soon as possible.

Price £495

Price includes;

• All tuition
• Transfers to and from Saumur train station
• Transport to and from Bréze and Chinon
• Entrance to Château de Bréze.

Please be aware before booking that;

• You will need a laptop / ipad with you for editing.
  (Make sure that your device has the technology to transfer your images to our laptop for feedback sessions - eg USB port / airdrop etc.)


• Booking indicates that you have read and agree to our cancellation policy.


• IF ANY OF OUR WORKSHOPS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19, YOU WILL BE REFUNDED
  

Buying a workshop as a gift? Just let us know when you book it and we will send you a gift certificate!

If you have any questions or would simply like a chat about the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact Maria - email / mobile +44 (0)7740 985 887, or Paul - email / mobile +44 (0)7977 700 274. We would be delighted to hear from you.

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