Magical Cinque Terre – Photo Workshop Recap!

Magical Cinque Terre, Italy

We’ve just returned from an unforgettable week photographing the enchanting Cinque Terre region of Italy—five colorful villages perched along the Ligurian Sea. “Cinque Terre” translates to “Five Lands,” and each one offers its own unique flavor and charm.

Discovering the Spirit of the Five Villages

Originally fishing communities, these villages have evolved into popular vacation destinations, rich with local flavor. Though they share similarities—winding alleyways, blooming bougainvillea, coastal views, fresh seafood, and, of course, limoncello—each town has its own distinct personality:

• Monterosso, our home base for the workshop, is the largest and most resort-like, known for its beaches and laid-back, vacation vibe.
• Vernazza is quite photogenic, with two iconic viewpoints. It also has reputation as a hiking hub for the trails between the villages.
• Corniglia, perched high on a cliff, feels the most relaxed and removed—quiet, nonchalant, with its own charm.
• Manarola is a cheerful gem, surrounded by a scenic wine trail and splashed with yellow flowers. It offers breathtaking views both day and night.
• Riomaggiore spills straight down into a picturesque harbor, and offers a beautiful blue hour opportunity. 

Workshop Flow: Light, Color & Creative Exploration

- Each morning, we set out early to take advantage of the soft morning light, exploring one of the five towns before the crowds arrived.
- Afternoons were reserved for well-deserved rest, classroom time, or gelato breaks.
- In the evenings, we’d enjoy a dinner together and then head out to shoot the magical blue hour in one of the towns.

We had a wonderful group this year—talented, enthusiastic, and genuinely fun to travel with. Watching everyone capture their own interpretation of Cinque Terre was one of the best parts of the trip and I can’t wait to see more of their photos.

Highlights from the Week

Here are a few special activities that provided us with unique experiences and photo ops;

•  A scenic boat ride along the coast to view the villages from the water—new perspectives all around!
•  Shooting the full Strawberry Moon rising over the sea—an incredible photo opportunity.
• Gorgeous blue hour and night photography sessions in multiple towns.
• An outstanding lunch at a nearby vineyard— delicious authentic Ligurian cuisine, excellent wine, and many beautiful photo opportunities
• An afternoon swim in the sea for those willing to brave the (refreshing!) water.

Photo Techniques in Action

This region is a playground for photographers. Beyond landscapes and seascapes, we explored a range of techniques to enhance our creative storytelling:

• Blue hour/night photography to creating magical images that only the nighttime offers.
• Moon photography to capture the full Strawberry Moon rising over the Ligurian Sea.
• Exposure bracketing to capture the full dynamic range of the bright skies and shaded foregrounds.
• Neutral Density (ND) filters for long exposures of crashing waves.
• Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)— which was so much fun to play with, especially on the brightly striped beach umbrellas.

Until Next Time…

Most of us are back home now but Cinque Terre has a way of lingering in our minds. I’m still wandering those sunny villages, mentally composing shots, enjoying my favorite gelato and afternoon espresso, and looking forward to the day we'll return.

We have a few photos on the Showcase but do check back as we update it later this month with a gallery of stunning images from the students. We can't wait to share their incredible work with you.