Samuel Bitton Photographie: WORKSHOP

Photo Workshop:
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Creux du Van
WINTER
PHOTOGRAPHY

Dates :	Sat. 2 Feb. 2013 backup date: Sat. 9 Feb. 2013 (refer to the Terms and Conditions - section 6 WEATHER CONDITIONS / RESERVED DATES)
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 :	210.- CHF (payable in full at the registration stage in order to guaranty your place in the workshop). This price includes: The photographic teaching. The morning breakfast. A small notepad and paper for taking notes. Detailed comments and objective critics on the pictures you realise during the workshop. This price excludes: Any photographic equipment. Each participant must bring his own equipment. It will not be possible to hire any equipment from Samuel Bitton for the day. Any other equipment required to participate, such as specialised clothing, walking boats, snow shoes, etc. Each participant must provide all his own equipment. The mid-day and evening meals. Any transports by car required during the day. Any type of insurance (mountain rescue, cancelling, personal liability, etc.).
Location :	This workshop takes place in the Creux du Van area, a spectacular and famous natural landmark of the Neuchātel canton. This impressive cliff in the form of a horseshoe is 1km in width and over 4 km long. It's height is around 200 meters. From its upper rim, a breathtaking 360° view can be enjoyed, over the surrounding Jura mountains but also over the Swiss plateau and further a field the Alps. So, no need to precise that you will not be short of subjects to photograph ;-).
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: This workshop requires a good fitness level. To access the Creux du Van, a one hour snowshoeing walk is required (200m of ascent). During the day, we will totalise about five hours of walking with snowshoes for about 400m ascent. 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 with snowy landscape (diaphragm aperture, shutter speed, reading the histogram, etc...) how to manage the cold and all the difficulties photographing in winter condition can bring 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 of the global level of the participants and also according to your individual interests. In other words I will customise the workshop according to 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 Creux du Van rims of course, but also the little mountain tops that surround the Creux du Van which provide great views across the plateau and the Alps, and also the small valleys filled with beech and fir trees which, if the snow conditions are good can look very photogenic. Below is the detailed schedule planned for this workshop: Meeting on the car park of "les Rochats" restaurant, two hours before sunrise. A small five minutes drive and then we take the snowshoes for a 1h walk to the Creux du Van 20min before sunrise, we enter directly into action and start our first photo session of the day which will last between 1h to 1h30, depending on the conditions. Breakfast (I offer home made brioche, jam, honey, coffee and tea - all organic of course ;-)). We also take the opportunity to get to know each others. We continue with various photo sessions on the surrounding mounts and valleys, combined with various theoretical presentations on the different subjects mentioned above. Return to les Rochats restaurant in order to enjoy a good traditional fondue (or else if you don't like fondue). It's also a good opportunity to warm up. 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. Return to the Creux du Van with the snowshoes. Along the way we will enjoy various photo sessions. Then final photo session on the Creux du Van's rims with the setting sun lighting its impressive cliffs. Return to the cars (don't forget your head torch!) and end of the workshop.
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. Very warm clothing: down jacket, hat, mittens, under gloves, warm base layers for legs and upper body. It is recommended to have 4 layers of clothing. Some good and warm walking boots, suitable for snowshoeing. A pair of snowshoes A flask of hot tea + drinking water. some energy bars or chocolate to fill up in energy during the day a head torch for the morning and evening walk
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...).