Photography Holidays In Spain
2010 Course Dates:
11-18 April - 2-9 May
7 Nights in our typical Andalucian village house accommodated in separate rooms and to include all meals, transfers and transportation. £800.
Location - Niguelas, Andalucia
Mules set the pace in Niguelas - a typical whitewashed Andalucian hill town set amongst the olive and almond groves and nestling in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada national park. The immediate vicinity is one of breathtaking mountains and waterfalls feeding the Moorish aqueducts that lead to the nearby orange groves. Conveniently located 25 minutes from Granada international airport and the Arabian splendour of the city’s Alhambra Palace, we are also close to the Aljuperras with their snow capped peaks, rugged canyons and Moorish villages clinging to the sides of lush valleys. We are close enough to visit Cordoba and its amazing mosque and the El Torcal national park, which rivals monument valley in statuesque eeriness.
The accommodation - is located in our village house, which boasts a mirador and roof terrace. The baker round the corner supplies our daily bread and morning pastries. Our daily excursions will include a picnic of local delicacies and wine to aid focussing on the afternoon’s subjects. Evening meals will be courtesy of the local restaurants and over Photoshop sessions at home.
Testimonial 1 - Last October I attended a photographic course in Italy led by Christian. His friendly and relaxed manner immediately put everyone at ease. He cleverly managed the differing expectations and skills of the group and provided appropriate levels of support to each individual.
He explained the technical aspects of photography in a simple and clear manner, and encouraged development of this understanding throughout the course in the diverse shooting locations he had chosen.
His endless patience and willingness to repeat explanations as often as necessary rapidly built up the confidence amongst the students to start experimenting with their shots and to be creative.
Christian’s organisation was effective and yet unobtrusive. Schedules felt relaxed and flexible, yet each day was fully utilised.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course and, under Christian’s guidance, I came away with numerous new skills and felt inspired and stimulated to take my photography further. I have since contacted him several times for advice and help, and he has been unfailingly helpful, friendly and generous with his time.
Christian’s photographic and creative skills, coupled with his intelligent and sensitive approach to people, make him an exceptional course leader.
Judith Sparrow
Salisbury
Testimonial 2 - Many thanks to yourself and Christian for a fantastic week, it’s a shame to be back in the rainy UK as I had such a good time. Suffice to say I wouldn’t hesitate in booking another photogrphic holiday! - Sarah Boulton.
Testimonial 3 - Christian’s tuition was excellent, detailed and informal and I feel I have improved considerably from when I arrived. The places we visited were off the beaten track and provided fantastic shots that you wouldn’t find on the normal tourist trail. - Stephen Mitchell
Itinerary
Day 2. Classroom based tutorial covering camera controls, framing, depth of field, filters. individual assessments and objective setting to be continued throughout a buffet lunch. In the afternoon there will be an expedition alongside ancient aqueducts flowing through rock arches to the spectacular waterfall in Durcal. The return walk will offer many opportunities for colourful sunset shots of the ravine and mountains. Evening, photoshop tutorial and meal at home.
Day 3. A trip to the local Moorish castle, a photographers banquet in itself with its ruined walls and terraces bathed in the natural scent of wild lavender, thyme and rosemary. Lunch will be had in the citadel which perches high above the valley. The return walk as the shadows lengthenwill takes us through orange groves, olive groves. The evening meal will be accompanied by a photoshop tutorial.
Day 4. Aljuperras. Spectacular mountain landscapes and waterfalls are the backdrop to the last Moorish settlements in Spain. The famous white villages, more Moroccan than Spanish, crest the pastures’ shoulders. Evening meal and photoshop tutorial.
Day 5. Through unfinished parks and housing developments which offer a wealth of geometric and atmospheric shots, we journey to shoot the classic landscapes of the Spanish plains before arriving at a gorge where we will have our picnic lunch. The nearby dam, built during the Franco era offers a surreal landscape just ripe for capture. We also stop at the spa baths where the water is always geothermically warm. Alhama di Granada, a classic Spanish hilltop village provides our afternoon attraction, as does its delicious ice-cream. Pathways wind themselves down the side of the ravine. Small-holdings have been carved out of the overhanging rock. And lead us into a lush valley. Our evening meal will be courtesy of the restaurant in the village square.
Day 6. Morning download and group viewing. Free day in Granada. This is your chance to capture and explore this fascinating city with its Catholic churches and the amazing Alhambra palace and water gardens. In the evening you may want to head to the Arabic quarter with its bazaar and wealth of restaurants. After a shisha and mint tea you may fancy some flamenco or some authentic Arabic.
Day 7. Cordoba will occupy our morning. The mosque is a world famous jewel of interlocking arches supported by forests of striped columns. In the afternoon, we head to the eerie wonders of the El Torcal national park, the Iberian monument valley. The evening will feature a meal at home and final assessments.
Day 8. Departure with drop offs to Granada gratis.
Digital camera, preferably SLR
ND Grad filters, Cokin brand
Walking shoes
Equipment Desirable:
Laptop
Tripod
Remote release
Circular polariser
