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Photography Holiday in Umbria

Highlights

  • 40 hours of hands on tuition and excursions to capture the diversity of the area
  • Stay in a in a 14th Century Italian Palazzo in the historic centre of Orvieto
  • Small groups of no more than 6 to enhance your photography learning experience
From £1273 pp*
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6 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Learn the art of photography on this adventurous photography holiday in Orvieto in Umbria that promises not just a photography course but also an Italian cultural immersion as you explore the regions of Umbria, Tuscany and Latium.

2025 Dates:
4th – 10th April
2nd – 8th May
6th – 12th June
4th – 10th July
1st – 7th August
5th – 11th September
3rd – 9th October
31st October – 6th November

Learn the art of photography on this adventurous photography holiday in Orvieto, a stunning hill top city in the heart of Umbria, famous for its white wines and even whiter gothic cathedral.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, a photography holiday course capturing spectacular landscapes, dramatic seascapes, beautiful buildings, lakes and stunning sunsets promises a unique learning experience that will stay with you long after the holiday is over.

Get out and about in a 4×4, explore the delights of Umbria and Tuscany, learn photography and take home images from this beautiful area that you will be proud to show to others.

If you like this itinerary but would like to a shorter duration course please see our 3 night itinerary by clicking here.

*From price is based on two people sharing a room.

 

Arrival - Orvieto and environs in Umbria

On arrival you will be collected from Orvieto train station* in the morning and transferred to your accommodation as your course starts after lunch.

Your course will start early after lunch with a wander around the beautiful city of Orvieto, the home of your photography tutor and famous the world over.

Orvieto like most of the towns in Umbria is an Etruscan city overlaid with Roman, Mediaeval and Renaissance buildings. The mediaeval quarter is so picturesque film crews often shoot here. The city was painted by William Turner who was struck by its site on an outcrop of rock above the Tiber valley and the cathedral is one of the wonders of Italy.

This evening is free to enjoy at leisure.

 

Lake Bolsena

Your course starts early after breakfast.

You’ll take a trip in the 4×4 to the dramatic Lake Bolsena only 20 minutes away, to capture the stunning scenery around its shores.

You’ll focus on shooting the working fishing villages with their boats, nets and gnarled fishermen ideal for experimenting with depth of field, vivid color composition, movement and portraiture. There are Etruscan tombs overlooking the lake where we practice high definition photography, balancing the gloom within, to the bright Mediterranean light outside.

Dinner will be at a lakeside restaurant.

 

Tyrrhenian coastline

You’ll have the morning in Orvieto to review the results of your photography from yesterday and will work with your tutor who will provide an overview of how to use Photoshop.

Using a tripod to catch the motion of the waves and take an abstract approach as you photograph bleached white skeleton trees washed up the shore.

This evening is free to enjoy at leisure.

The hill towns of Tuscany

After a short drive, you’ll spend a relaxing morning on the shores of Lake Bolsena.

After a picnic lunch on the shore you’ll get back in the 4×4 to drive to three hilltop towns in Tuscany, these towns are among the most picturesque in all of Italy and all three have been continuously inhabited since Etruscan times, 3000 years of history, a Jewish ghetto until the 1930s. The view of the town  from the abandoned Jewish cemetery is very moving and you’ll also have the chance to document Italian life and the people

This evening is free to enjoy at your leisure.

Mysterious Etruria

An early start again today with a drive to the Mysterious Etruria, the Etruscan civilization was here while Rome was still a swampy village, most of what the Etruscans have left is cut deep into the volcanic rock, the tufa.

You will explore their sacred ways, cut deep into the rock for unknown purposes This is ideal terrain for photo-stitching, multiple shots joined together to make a panoramic view in a confined space.

The Etruscans loved water and you will spend the rest of the day photographing the waterfalls and streams that are to be found all over this area.

Enjoy this evening at your leisure.

Classic Tuscan landscape

After a short drive, you’ll shoot vine covered hills, hot springs, lonely umbrella pines, sentinel cypress and characteristic farms and villas – the classic Tuscan landscape south of Siena called the Val d’Orcia.

Dinner tonight will be as a group in Tuscany.

Orvieto and Bagnoregio - Departure

Today is the last day of your photography course and you’ll check-out of your accommodation after an early breakfast.

You’ll photograph Orvieto from the hill opposite as the sun comes up the mist often comes up from the Tiber valley. Then it’s back in the 4×4 to drive to nearby Bagnoregio an almost deserted town, a sort of mediaeval ghost town.

After lunch, your photography holiday finishes and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you will be taking home new found photography skills and pictures to be proud of.

What's included

Included

  • 7 day photography holiday course
  • 6 nights accommodation in a 14th Century Italian Palazzo
  • Transfers from Orvieto train station
  • Breakfast and lunch daily (lunch is taken out on location)
  • 2 dinners with the group
  • All transport to each photography shoot location in a 4x4
  • An afternoon’s Photoshop training
  • A map of the area

Accommodation

Local Traditional B&B

Your accommodation is located in the historic centre of Orvieto. Orvieto is a lively town and a pleasure to stroll in as it is almost completely pedestrianised

All rooms are located in the attics* of an ancient noble palace of the 14th century which is located right in the heart of the city in Piazza del Popolo, adjacent to the palace of the same name.

The rooms are all equipped with TV, kettle, free Wi-Fi, private bathroom, hairdryer, heating, air conditioning and some with ceiling fans.

*If you have restricted mobility or concerns on the accommodation please contact us about alternative accommodation options, depending on availability.

Your local host

Patrick

Passionate about photography, British photography tutor Patrick has lived and worked in Italy since 1983 and knows the area intimately. With over 25 years experience working as a professional photographer, Patrick has worked in fashion, portrait and advertising, with his work published in magazines worldwide. Since 2007, he has run his own photography gallery in Orvieto, specialising mainly in landscapes.

Passionate about photography, British photography tutor Patrick has lived and worked in Italy since 1983 and knows the area intimately. With over 25 years experience working as a professional photographer, Patrick has worked in fashion, portrait and advertising, with his work published in magazines worldwide. Since 2007, he has run his own photography gallery in Orvieto, specialising mainly in landscapes.

Patrick image

Location

Based in Orvieto, at the corner of three regions each with their own history and traditions, Latium (the region of Rome), Umbria and Tuscany, this photography holiday gets you out and about around this stunning region of Italy and promises not only a photography holiday but an Italian cultural immersion.

Accommodation is included in the price and you’ll stay in a beautiful 17th century palazzo in the historic centre of Orvieto which is almost entirely pedestrianised.

Nearest airport: Rome or Perugia – please note that Rome has 2 airports, either airport is fine and you need to take a train from the centre of Rome to Orvieto for your course.

A complimentary pick-up is included in the price from Orvieto train station. Orvieto is just 50 minutes from Rome Termini station (in the centre of Rome) and trains run hourly.

What our travellers are saying...

Patrick N is a British born photographer who lives in Orvieto. He is a charming fellow and is very knowledgeable about Orvieto and the surrounding regions. He is also a capable professional photographer. Patrick met us at the train station and then gave us an overview of Orvieto. The next day we started early in the morning and he took us to many photography spots. The following day, we went to Bagnoreggio. We came away from both days with many,

Vance

I was a total novice and didn’t know what to expect. I even turned up without a camera. Patrick welcomed me like a friend and lent me his camera. He took me through the basics of photography and as I practised along with the keen amateurs and professionals on the course it was a great learning curve. We also learned to use Lightroom and Photoshop - we covered quite a lot of ground during the week. Patrick took us to places off the beaten track

Margherita

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced
- Minimum age 18
- Courses have a maximum of 6 persons in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for photography
- The course is mainly focused on digital photography using a digital SLR camera and you will need to bring your own DLSR with you

Can I bring a non-participating partner?

- If you wish to accompany a friend who is taking the photography holiday but not take the photography lessons, that is not a problem
- Non-participating partners will share a twin/double room with their friend for 6 nights
- The price includes breakfast daily and 2 evening meals also
- If there is space in the Land Rover, non participating guests can join a day trip at no extra cost (subject to availability)

When can I start?

All arrivals are on set monthly dates from April to October

What will I learn?

- As you are learning in a small group of no more than 6 people, you’ll have expert guidance and tuition will be adapted to each client’s needs
- You will get to know the basics such as composition, depth of field, lens choice and exposure tips
- Working in manual and Raw as well as use of flash, reflectors and technical tricks
- Tuition in downloading and editing your images using Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom
- High Definition photography (variable exposure) and photo stitching
- An overview of Fine-Art printing known as Giclée

What do the Masterclass dates consist of?

The Masterclass dates are designed for photographers with some experience and who have the right equipment – that said they host can lend a tripod if you want to save weight and also a lend Canon lenses.

You will learn photography techniques, lighting, both natural and artificial, on location using flash, reflectors, diffusers and simple means such as a hand held torch or flashlight; creating atmosphere using smoke; props and drapery; post production in Photoshop and fine-art printing. Here you will see the wide variety of locations found within one and a half hours by car from Orvieto.

Although this is a predominantly digital photography course, if you have a medium format film camera this is the time to use it

Restricted mobility access

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help
- We generally do not recommend this location for those with restricted mobility
- This holiday is based in a mountain village with steps and cobbled streets
- Accommodation is on the 3rd floor of a hotel without a lift
- If a person is able to walk but has 'some' restrictions then we would need further information concerning their needs, and they could perhaps stay in an alternative hotel nearby with a lift, depending on availability

Weather conditions and itinerary

- Your photography tutor Patrick will alter the itinerary if the weather doesn’t offer the best conditions for photographing the area

What should I bring?

- Bring your own camera (with manual), charger, memory cards, tripod, filters and flash if you have them, film if you use it
- Point and shoot if you have one
- You can borrow some photographic accessories such as tripods, flash guns, filters
- Please bring suitable footwear for walking as you will be spending a lot of time exploring the different areas and a sun hat
- A swimming costume is recommended as there will be a chance to swim in the lakes during the shoots

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