Photography and Painting Workshops in Italy

Lazio & Umbria in Tuscany -- September 2008

Deadline for deposits: January 15, 2008

Photographer Nancy J. Ori of Berkeley Heights, NJ and painter Mindy Lighthipe of Warren, NJ, well-known artists and educators, will lead two workshop groups in central Italy for a creative workshop.  Participants will focus on the quiet countryside and villages, with an emphasis on architecture, documentary scenes, portraiture and landscape.  Tuition, shared accommodations, transportation during the workshop, all breakfasts, some dinners and tours are all covered by the $2,700 fee.  The workshop given September 13-20, 2008 is designed for any level of experience in photography or painting.

 The workshops will begin in Berkeley Heights, NJ a couple of weeks before the trip to Italy when all workshop participants will be invited to meet at a weekend afternoon brunch and orientation.  An important part of this meeting will be the sharing of images for discussion and a chance to develop new friendships prior to the workshop.  Then, after traveling to Italy in September, the second part of the workshop will begin with camerawork/painting and discussions in the picturesque countryside and small lesser-known hilltop towns in Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria. 

Each day, we will explore architecture, piazzas, countryside, gardens and street life.  Tourist locations will be avoided, as we will be photographing and painting in more private areas where movement will be easier, safer and allow for group discussions in the field.  Local travel within Lazio will be to towns such as Viterbo with architecture like scenes from Romeo and Juliet and to the town of Orvieto located in the rolling hills of Umbria with its fairy-tale castles, walled villages and Roman ruins.

Both Nancy and Mindy enjoy the structure of a well-organized workshop yet like the freedom to stop along the way when an interesting opportunity presents itself.  Although the two specialize in their specific mediums, crossing the boundaries between mediums within two workshops is not new to Ori.  She runs workshops in Santa Fe and Cape May, New Jersey on both painting and photography and enjoys helping students discover what each discipline can learn from the other.  “It is important to understand in practical terms how the behavior of light defines the nuances of form, color, space and atmosphere in all mediums. These are not new concepts to us as teachers of photography or painting, where light is our subject and when composed well, it reveals the beauty of the world to us.” Ori said. 

The workshops will help you discover and fine-tune your own reactions to light, your own personal vision and creative process no matter what medium you are working in. There will be time for painters to get feedback and photography instruction to make better photographs for records to paint from when you return home. And time for the photographers to learn how the painters see light, color and composition in order to grow as photographic artists.  These workshops will offer all participants the chance to find new inspiration from this magical land and experience the fun of a different culture and cuisine.

The evening sessions will involve discussions answering many photographic, drawing and painting questions from the daily working sessions and orientation for the next day.  Digital downloads will be done from images created during the workshop and projected to share with the group. Basic Photoshop manipulations will be done to show how a few simple steps can enhance your images greatly prior to printing or painting.

Both single and shared accommodations are available at La Torretta, a recently restored 15^th Century B&B located in the historical center of the romantic town of Casperia.  La Torretta retains the ambience of an historic bed and breakfast complete with frescos, but has all the amenities expected by a 21^st Century guest. The opening wine reception on our patio overlooking a valley of olive groves will give the participants the perfect introduction to the culture and landscape of the area.  The group’s personal chef will prepare breakfasts and three special dinners during the workshop. 

Participants are encouraged to bring a significant other to share this rewarding experience overflowing with history, beauty, warmth and lots of shopping.  Guests are certain to have an equally wonderful time and are welcome as an integral part of the workshop.

For additional information visit www.studio16online.com  to view images of the tour and to down load a registration form. Email them at: nancyori@comcast.net or Mlighthipe@mac.com.   The deadline for deposits to allow the workshops to be booked, is January 15, 2008.