Tuscany was amazing! We came. We ate. We drank... And we photographed it all!
If asked what was my favorite thing about the workshop, I'd have to say that it was spending the week with such a great group of participants! By the workshop's end, many friendships had formed and countless special memories were made.
Our Home Base
We stayed at the Dievole estate, a 900-year-old working vineyard. Besides taking photos, we got to learn about winemaking, olive oil production, and of course, we took full advantage of the delicious Tuscan food.
The old stone buildings, rows of vines, and the beautifully landscaped grounds gave us plenty to photograph right where we were staying.
October turned out to be ideal. The light was warm and beautiful, the temperatures were mild and we could still see some grapes on the vines.
On the first morning we gathered before dawn, cameras ready, watching the vineyard emerge from darkness. The sky put on quite a show - soft pinks and peaches with hints of yellow. When the sun finally came up through the morning fog it lit up the rolling hills and dewy vines beautifully. Now that’s how to start the day!
Getting Out and About
We visited some fantastic spots:
- Siena with its impressive Duomo and lively Piazza del Campo
- San Gimignano's medieval towers
- The charming streets of Pienza
- The Val d’Orcia area for some iconic landscape shots
- Several hilltop towns with their own hidden corners
The Photography
We made the most of the golden Tuscan light and framed up some amazing vineyard landscapes.- In the towns and villages we visited, some of us photographed the ancient architecture and cathedrals, others captured life unfolding in the main square, and some captured the shop windows and street scenes.
- We had a few days of rain but we found ways to make even that look good.
- On the days that it didn’t rain, we’d start with a sunrise shoot over the vineyards.
More Than Just Photography
Each day brought something special. We had opera appreciation classes before our authentic Tuscan dinners, we enjoyed a traditional harvest-season pig roast, and had a memorable dinner in the old wine cellar.
The wine tasting tour taught us all about what makes Chianti wines of Dievole so special.
Great Company
By the end of the week, we had memory cards full of beautiful Tuscan scenes and had experienced this amazing region the way photographers do - taking our time, noticing details, and capturing the beauty of everyday moments.
The best part of any workshop is the people, and this group is no exception! It was truly a joy to spend time together exploring this beautiful and historic region of Italy!
VIEW THE PARTICIPANT'S PHOTOS ON OUR TUSCANY STUDENT SHOWCASE!
This workshop was run together with Il Chiostro Workshops. Many thanks to them for helping plan an excellent experience for the instructors and students!