Photo Workshop :
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   GENEVA LAKE
   Sonchaux - Rochers de Naye
Dates : Saturday 26 July 2010
Length : 1 day (from dawn to dusk)
Number of participants : 5 maximum
Language : This workshop is done in French.
Note that if you don't master perfectly this language, no worries, I will be able to translate in English or Spanish as necessary.
Price / person : 190.- CHF
- This price includes the photographic teaching and the morning breakfast.
- The mid day and evening lunches as well as the transports during the day are not included.
- Payable in full at the registration stage in order to guaranty your place in the workshop.
Location : This workshop takes place on the mountains directly dominating the Geneva lake, offering breath taking views all around us. Our main photographic subject is effectively the lake. You have the opportunity to photography it from close as we start the day on its shore, and also from far, all the way from the summit of Rochers de Naye, 1700m above the lake. The footpath which leads to the Rochers de Naye summit offers various impressive views looking down towards Geneva lake (see the few examples of pictures above).
No need to precise that you will not be short of subjects to photograph, from the lake of course, but also the surrounding mountains, from Dents du Midi, through the Diablerets, and all the way to the famous Eiger summit.
WHO CAN ATTEND : This workshop is open to beginners as well as more advanced photographers.
A small number of participants allows me to address the needs and questions of everyone individually, whatever your level.

Fitness level required:
A good fitness level is required to be able to attend this workshop.
The walk up to the Rochers de Naye summit, highest point of the day located at 2042m of altitude, requires a positive ascent of 800m on an easy mountain footpath. The round walking trip is around 4h30min.
The total walking time of the day is estimated around 5 hours.
Note that the walking pace adopted is quite slow and stops are frequent. We are here to do some photography, not to break records ;-) !
Content : The following subjects are covered:
  • preparation (study of the terrain, the weather, organising and choosing your photo equipment, etc...)
  • location and subject finding, searching for attractive compositions, the basic rules of composition
  • learning how to appreciate the quality of different lighting conditions
  • how to correctly expose an image (diaphragm aperture, shutter speed, reading the histogram, etc...)
  • learning how to control the depth of field (zone of sharpness)
  • use of filters
  • techniques of panoramic photography
  • general usage of the camera (aperture or shutter priority, white balance, histograms, ISO, etc...)
  • the post-processing
All these subjects are covered in more or less details depending on the global level of the participants and also according to your individual interests. In other words I will customise the workshop to suit your needs.

Overview of the workshop:
This workshop starts at dawn and finishes at dusk. This gives you the opportunity to photograph the most photogenic lights of the day. The day is made of theoretical explanations and a lot of practice. This is very much a hands on workshop. Everything takes place outdoor in the nature. We visit different photo locations, from the shore of Geneva lake, all the way to the Rochers de Naye summit from where we photograph the sun setting over the lake laying 1700 meters below us.
Here is the detailed schedule planned for this workshop:
  • Meeting by the Geneva lake 3/4 hour before sun rise (we will not wait for those arriving late, as the light won't be waiting for us either)
  • 20min before sunrise, we enter directly into action and start our first photo session of the day which will last between 1h30 to 2h.
  • I offer you breakfast (tea, coffee and nice fresh croissants). We take the opportunity to get to know each others and I present you in details the plan for the rest of the day.
  • We head to Sonchaux (by car), starting point of our ascent to Rochers de Naye summit.
  • Session on post-processing (on my lap-top). I present you my way of working by processing some of the pictures taken earlier in the day.
  • We start the ascent. After about 1h20min, first main stop of the day where a breathtaking view unfolds before us over the lake.
  • Photo session of a few hours with various theoretical presentations on the different subjects mentioned above.
  • Lunch time - picnic
  • We carry on our ascent all the way to the summit (around 1h)
  • Last photo session of the day, with on one side the sun setting over the Geneva lake, and on the other, the warm light of the setting sun painting the Dent du Midi pics but also the Dent de Jaman, the Diablerets, all the way to the Bernese Alps. Note that at dusk time we will have the privilege of seeing (if weather permits) a spectacular moon rise over the Diablerets summit.
  • Return to the cars (don't forget your head torch!).
  • For those who wants, we will finish the day around a traditional fondue in a local alpine restaurant (diner at your expense).
Equipment Required : A small and non-exhaustive list of the equipment required to attend the workshop :
  • First and foremost, VERY IMPORTANT: your eyes.
  • Also very important: a positive outlook :-) !
  • And of course your photographic equipment, film or digital.
  • A camera that can work in manual mode is strongly recommended.
  • A tripod is also recommended, especially for shots at dawn and dusk, when the light level is very low.
  • Warm clothing, as even in summer, temperatures can be very cold in the mountains, so hat, gloves and a waterproof jackets (Gore-Tex type) are strongly advised, whatever the time of the year.
  • Some good walking boots.
  • Sandwiches for your mid day lunch, as well as water for the whole day.
  • Obligatory: a head torch (for the return walk at dusk)
Registration : Can be done from the workshops presentation main page. Click here to access it.
Terms and Conditions : Click here to read the general terms and conditions (payment facilities, cancellations, insurances, etc...).



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