Photo Workshop :
_
 Matterhorn
 Riffelsee lake - Stellisee lake
Dates : 13-15 Sept. 2013
backup dates: 20-22 Sept. 2013 (refer to the Terms and Conditions - section 6 WEATHER CONDITIONS / RESERVED DATES)
Length : 3 complete days
Number of participants : 4 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 : 490.- CHF (payable in full at the registration stage in order to guaranty your place in the workshop).

This price includes:
  • The photographic teaching.
  • The train from Täsch to Zermatt, and from Zermatt to Riffelalp.
  • 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, headtorch, etc. Each participant must provide all his own equipment.
  • Every meals.
  • Any type of insurance (mountain rescue, cancelling, personal liability, etc.).
Location : This workshop takes place in the Matterhorn massif. The Matterhorn is world famous for its unique and impressive pyramidal shape. It is certainly a very photogenic mountain.
We walk around the flanks of the eastern mountains overlooking Zermatt valley, from Riffelsee lake all the way to Stellisee lake. At all time we can enjoy breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and all the other surrounding four-thousanders (mountains over 4000m).
From Riffelsee lake we also have an equally impressive view over the Gornergletscher cumb, dominated by the Monte Rosa (highest of the Swiss summits at 4654m), the Liskamm and the Breithorn, all above 4000m.
Between, lakes, glaciers and snowy mountains and potential mountain wildlife, no need to precise that you are not 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:
A very good fitness level is required to be able to attend this workshop.
Day 1: 250m of ascent for an approximate total of 1 hours of walking.
Day 2: 400m of ascent and 620m of descent for an approximate total of 4 to 5 hours of walking.
Day 3: 920m of descent for an approximate total of 3 hours of walking.
During those 3 days, even if we walk on easy terrain, we are constantly between 2500 and 3000m of altitude, and are carrying a heavy back pack. For un-acclimatised people, it can be more demanding then expected.
Note however that the walking pace adopted is always quite slow and stops are frequent. We are here to do some photography, not to break records ;-) ! The mountain footpath used are all easy.
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
  • techniques of night photography and light trails
  • 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 on the global level of the participants and also according to your individual interests. In other words I will customise the workshop to suit your needs.

Overview of the workshop:
This workshop runs over three full days with two bivouacs (wild camping) in the mountains.
Over the course of those three days, we are in complete autonomy. We therefore carry back packs with all necessary equipment for the bivouac, as well as food, water and photographic equipment (it might be possible to refill in water in various places.)

Here is the detailed schedule planned for this workshop:

Day 1:
  • Meeting in Täsh at 9am (we will not wait for those arriving late, as the light won't be waiting for us either).
  • Train up to Zermatt and then to Riffelberg station (Gornergrat train). These trips are included in the workshop's price.
  • Walk up to Riffelsee lake.
  • First photo session followed by mid-day lunch (picnic).
  • Various photos sessions until dusk around Riffelsee lake area, with views over Gornergletscher, the Mattherhorn and all the other surrounding peaks.
  • Diner.
  • Setup camp, nearby the lake with breathtaking view over Monte Rosa and Gornergletscher glacier.
  • We finish the day with a night photography session (long exposures, star trails, etc).
Day 2:
  • We get up at dawn for the first photo session of the day, from dawn to after sunrise.
  • Breakfast.
  • We leave the camp (ensuring we leave nothing behind us other then the beautiful landscape we have had the chance to photograph).
  • Walk towards Stellisee lake. The walk is broken up by several photographic sessions, during which I will talk about the various subjects listed above.
  • Arrival at Stellisee lake in mid afternoon.
  • Photo session around the lake, from sunset to dusk.
  • Diner.
  • Setup camp, nearby the lake.
  • We finish the day with a small night photo session (long exposures, light trails, etc).
Day 3:
  • We get up at dawn for the first photo session of the day, from dawn to after sunrise, around the lake, with views of the sunrise light over the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains.
  • Breakfast.
  • We leave the camp (ensuring once again that we leave nothing behind us other then the beautiful landscape we have had the chance to photograph).
  • Descent towards Zermatt, during which we stop a few times for some photographic sessions.
  • Arrival at Zermatt at around mid day. I propose to enjoy a traditional Swiss fondue, or else if you are allergic to cheese :-) (lunch at your expense).
  • Return to the cars in Täsh via train (train ticket included in the workshop's price).
  • I end the workshop by a short session on post-processing (on my lap-top). I present you my way of working by processing some of the pictures taken during those three days.
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 essential for shots at dawn and dusk, when the light level is very low, and also for the night photography.
  • Very warm clothing, as even in summer, temperatures can be very cold in the mountains, so hat, gloves, warm base layers, and a waterproof jackets (Gore-Tex type) are essential.
  • Some good walking boots.
  • All necessary equipment for bivouac (tent, stove, sleeping bag, sleeping mat)
  • Water for the two days and food for one breakfast, two lunches and one diner. Also bring things that provide energy during the walks (e.g. chocolate, energy bars, etc..).
  • Obligatory: a head torch (with spare batteries)
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...).
Some of the pictures taken during the past workshops:

15-16 Oct. 2010 workshop:

                                               

                       



10-12 Sept. 2011 workshop:

                                                   

                         


31 Aug. - 2 Sept. 2012 workshop:
Winter conditions for a summer workshop!! The first half of the workshop is spend under rather rough weather conditions but all participants will be rewarded for their patience in waiting for the better weather which will eventually reward us with some superb photographic conditions.

                    

                    

             



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1618 Châtel-St-Denis, Switzerland, +41 (0)798 35 35 45, sam@samuelbitton.comAll Rights Reserved © Samuel Bitton Photographie