Samuel Bitton Photographie: WORKSHOP - Teysachaux and Moléson

Dates :	Saturday 25 August 2012 backup date: Sunday 26 August 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 beautiful Fribourgeoises Prealps mountain region. From Moléson summit all the way to Teysachaux, we benefit from 360 degree panoramic views going from the Swiss plateau, Geneva lake, through the Vaudoises and Valaisannes Alps, all the way to the Bernese Alps. The few pictures that can be seen above give you some examples of what is waiting for you.
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. We ascend two summits during the day, the Moléson (2002m) in the early morning, which requires a 540m positive ascent, and Teysachaux (1909m) which requires a 400m of positive ascent. In total we ascend up to 1000m meters during the complete day for a complete walking time of approximately 6 hours. 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 (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, and panoramic photography using the stitching method. 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 exact 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 Moléson summit (2002m), to that of Teysachaux (1909m), through the Cręte de Moléson ridge. Here is the detailed schedule planned for this workshop: Meeting at Paccots village 2 hours before sunrise (we will not wait for those arriving late, as the light won't be waiting for us either) Small trip by car to the start of the walk, and walk during the last hours of the night all the way to the Cręte de Moléson (1h walk - 500m ascent) to be on the ridge at dawn 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. We head towards Moléson summit (1h walk - 100m ascent), from which we enjoy a breathtaking 360 degree view over Gruyčre lake and the valley of the same name, the Vanil Noir massif, and Teysachaux our evening destination. Photo session of a few hours with various theoretical presentations on the different subjects mentioned above. Lunch time - picnic Return back to the cars 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. Ascent towards Teysachaux summit (1h walk - 400m ascent) Last photo session of the day, with on one side the sun setting over the Swiss plateau, and on the other, the warm light of the setting sun painting over the Dent de Lys mountain. Return to the cars (don't forget your head torch!). 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, but also for panoramic photography using the stitching method. 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...).