Samuel Bitton Photographie: WORKSHOP

   Photo Workshop :
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   DENTS DU MIDI
   Pointe de Bellevue

Dates :	Saturday 2 June 2012 backup date: Sunday 3 June 2012 (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. 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, headtorch, 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 Dents du Midi region, a spectacular and famous mountain chain. From its 3257m of altitude, this chain is the highest in the region and in this workshop you have plenty of opportunities to photograph it from far and close, from the Geneva lake shore as well as from the summit of Pointe de Bellevue (2042m). This last view point is an easily accessible mountain from which can be enjoyed a 360° panoramic view over the Dents du Midi of course, but also the Portes de Culet pass, the Rhône valley bellow, and further the Geneva lake (see the few examples of pictures above). 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 good fitness level. The access to the Pointe de Bellevue summit (2042m) is done from Porte de Culet pass and requires a 45min walk and 250m of positive ascent, over an easy mountain path.
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 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 shore of Geneva lake to the Pointe de Bellevue summit. All offer breathtaking views over our main subject the Detns du Midi as well as the surrounding mountains. Below 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. 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. Change of location, we head closer to the Dent du Midi, somewhere above Champoussin. Photo session of a few hours with various theoretical presentations on the different subjects mentioned above. Come lunchtime (location will be decided at the last moment according to the weather) We head to Portes de Culet pass. 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. Walk towards Pointe de Bellevue summit (250m positive ascent on an easy mountain footpath - between 35 and 45mn required) Last photo session of the day, with on one side the sun setting over the French Alps, and on the other, the warm light of the setting sun painting the Dent du Midi peaks and the Swiss Alps all around. Return to the cars (don't forget your head torch!). If it's not too late, and 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...).