Instructor: Stéphanie dé Rougé
Centrally located on the Mediterranean sea at the crossroads of Northern Africa, Southern Europe, and Western Asia is one of the largest European ports since antiquity: Marseille. Situated in a region of intense history, offering a rich diversity of religions, languages, and cultures, a multiplicity of enchanting flavors and unexpected colors, unique and stunning nature, Marseille is both classical and modernist, eclectic and minimalist, loud and silent. It is also an adventure for all the senses and a challenge for the visual artist. Monet, Chagall, and others spent years trying to tame its unusual light. Capturing that light will be our main challenge during the week. We explore the contrasting architecture of the city, from the legendary Notre-Dame de la Garde to the ultra modern Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations. Accompanied by a French painter and cook, we travel the city's markets (Prado and Nouailles) where we can taste both local Provençal products and Asian delicacies. We practice street photography in the picturesque neighborhood known as "Le Panier," where tiny alleys, abrupt staircases, and quaint churches challenge our sense of space. We then hike in the "Roucas Blanc" to practice exposing in extreme lighting situations. One day is spent exploring the arid and sweet-smelling Mediterranean flora and learning how to create depth in a flat landscape. A half-day expedition at sea with professional sailors, provides an opportunity to explore the notion of border, picture the relationship between city and sea, and learn to observe and shoot the liquid element.
As it can be very hot in Marseille, we start early each morning and stop shooting before lunch. Lunch (not included in the fee) is had in local markets or cafés. Following the local custom, we take a short rest after lunch and gather indoors for two to three hours in the afternoon to upload, edit, and develop our photos. We then go out again for sunset shoots and dinner. There will be time to cool off with a swim at least once a day.
Each day offers the possibility of many photographic challenges. Participants refine their exposure and composition skills, learn to expand their shooting style, and experiment with street, architecture, portrait, action, and landscape photography. We review Lightroom's editing possibilities and focus on storytelling. The goal of this workshop is to assemble a travel diary about the city of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea. Final projects are presented on the last night at the hotel, after our July 4 special dinner. The next day, we upload our projects to Blurb and send them to print. A date will be chosen by the group to gather in New York to share memories of the trip and discover one another’s printed books!
Each participant will need a camera (DSLR recommended), a laptop with the latest version of Lightroom, an external hard drive, and an international outlet converter.
The workshop fee of $3,990 includes double-occupancy room at the Hotel La Residence, breakfast every morning, three dinners at the hotel including a special feast on July 4. Single rooms are available to early registrants on request for a supplemental fee of $700. Transportation by taxi to the Calanques and the boat ride are also included in this fee. A nonrefundable $1,000 deposit is required to reserve your place. Note: The fee does not include round-trip airfare. note: Please do not purchase airline tickets until the trip is confirmed. Full payment is due April 20, 2015.