TUSCANY
THE LIGHTS OF VAL D’ORCIA
LEO MARIA SCORDO BIO :
Leo Maria Scordo was born in Reggio di Calabria on 17 September 1972. He took his first steps in the world of art in early age, in the studio of his father Gaetano, painter, engraver and mosaic artist, in whom he often goes to play after school and where he made his first recording at the age of six. A family atmosphere open to creativity pushes him to approach the photographic medium from an early age, when on the occasion of his first communion he receives a gift from his grandfather a Polaroid and a set of films. At seventeen, after the fall of the Berlin Wall e the consequent diffusion on the market of Soviet photographic material, he buys his first on a stall reflex, a Zenith 122, with which he begins to perceive the expressive possibilities of manual camera management. At the age of 19, during his architectural studies, driven by a born curiosity and the continuous search for new means expressive, abandon the Zenith for a Nikon F90X, much more performing, reliable and with the possibility of an immense photographic equipment. Since that time he experiences and practices many kinds of photography, specializing in architectural photography, by landscape, and in travel reports. In 2001, after a work experience as an architect and photographer on the island of San Martin in the Netherlands Antilles, he leaves for Russia where he makes a report on a slide that will give life to the audiovisual entitled 'in Heart of Russia ', obtaining several important patronages and numerous awards. In that year he began to approach digital photography buying the Nikon Coolpix 950 camera and finds out the potential of the digital negative, which offers new perspectives and infinite horizons. After moving to Vicenza, receiving the post of teacher of sign and history of art at the prestigious Liceo Tron in Schio and begins to organize photography courses at various institutes and high schools in the Veneto, managing to infect with a passion for art and the camera over 800 students, thus becoming an important reference in the field of training for those who approach it to the photographic medium. It organizes basic level courses ed advanced to Vicenza, Alte di Montecchio, Thiene, Bassano and Padua. The teaching of photography led him to organize photographic workshops both in Italy and abroad. Several shots of the city of Vicenza obtain important recognition and are used in the Giornale di Vicenza and on the cover of the tourist guide “Vicenza la great Beauty ".
I, Earl Mallia am a Landscape & Astrophotographer based in Malta . Ever since I owned my first camera, photography has been a constant passion for me. The camera was the missing piece of the puzzle that truly changed my life and opened up my world. It all started back in 2015 when I owned my first camera. From that moment on it was a turning point for me , as I started experimenting with long Exposure photography ,then after a while I focused more on shooting landscapes and seascapes while documenting and visualising that moment in time where it brought me deeper into nature. I wanted to create that emotional recreation of the viewer. Being outdoor in nature is what gives me that sense of direct connection and the experience of witnessing something unique .
I always wonder in awe at landscapes were power of nature is truly revealed. On the other hand, the night skies always bring that sense of mystical elements, while wondering how small we are compared to the vastness of the Universe. It is what keeps me motivated to go out and capture the best of the night skies. The feeling in itself is something which I cannot describe, as the mystery always remain. Photography makes me feel like actually taking part in that whole thing that is always going on.
The Ultimate Photo Location Tuscany :
Tuscany is one of those places that it will leave you mesmerised with breathtaking vistas and there wide rage of Green fields rolling hills and steep alleys of fortified medieval towns, golden mists in the morning over Val d’Orcia and Florentine architectural marvels, silvery olive gardens and distinctive local cuisine – Tuscany is all this and much, much more. The profound feeling of tranquility pervades you from the first minutes on this beautiful land and stays with you forever. , there’s no wonder that a lot of big names in photography visit this place not just ones.
If there's one thing that almost all the travel photographers have in common is to dedicate a lot of time, prior to the actual trip, to location scouting and planning. We can help with that me and leo maria scordo we are doing this workshop , so that we can maximize our time when we are on the location.
The Lights Of Val D'Orcia 2024 (4th-7th June)
Highlights of this Tour:
Photograph classic Tuscan landscapes and hidden gems
( Such as Baccoleno, Crete Sinesi, Croce Di Prata, Cappella Di Vitaleta, Podere Belvedere, Siena & Much More)
Improve your composition with in-the-field & support
Learning new photography skills to improve your landscape photography images
Learning advanced techniques to get the best of the light and conditions
Eating & tasting wine from some of the best restaurants from the region
Stay at a comfortable in a Hotel in the heart of Tuscany
Focused on a small group, you may have a more personalized experience, get to know your tour guides and fellow photographers, and connect with other people who share your passion for photography.
WORKSHOP DETAILS :
Dates: 04th June till 07rd June 2024
Maximum Number of Participants: 7
Difficulty: Easy – (All locations are easily reached on foot in less than 5 minutes, and no hiking is required)
Included in the package:
Flights from Malta to Bologna Airport and Back
All transfers / transport from Bologna Airport throughout our journey and back
Accommodation in a Hotel in the centre of Tuscany (Acciano) rooms 3 or 2 share
Daily Breakfast
Instruction by two professional guides
Image Post-processing Review
Visiting the best locations in Tuscany
Not included in the price:
Lunch / Dinner
Alcohol / Drinks
Travel Insurance (Required)
Equipment Insurance (Recommended)
WORKSHOP PLAN :
Day 1 - 04/06/24
We will meet at Malta international Airport at around 5.00am where we will organize everything into our lagguge’s, flight departs at 07.15am and arrive around 10.00am at Bologna G. Marconi Airport and then head for the heart of Tuscany, Val D’Orcia. After a light lunch, we will check into the Hotel La Pace in Acciano and you will settle into your own rooms before we will have a quick briefing and head out to photograph the sunset, we will have dinner before sunset also we’ll try to capture some Milky Way shots if the weather is cooperative.
Day 2-3 05/06/24 - 06/06/24
Early in the morning, we leave to capture the sunrise at one of Tuscany's many breathtaking places. If we're lucky, the landscape will be covered with fog. We will return to our Hotel for breakfast after capturing the best of the light, followed by some downtime to unwind/rest. We will stop in one of the nearby picturesque towns in the early afternoon before traveling to the spot where the sun will set. We'll eat dinner before the sunsets and then after we had back to the hotel. (if the weather is cooperative and we have clear skies will attempt to captrue some Milky Way images among the top locations Tuscany has to offer)
Day 4 - 07/06/24
Even though it's our last day, we'll still wake up early to catch the sunrise at another well-known Tuscan site. Once we've captured the sunrise, we'll head back to the Hotel for breakfast and to pack our bags. In the afternoon, we visit a few more spots and unwind with a delicious lunch .Then around 16.30pm we ill had back to bologna for our return trip to Malta Airport .
We will arrive at the Airport around 19.00pm over there we will talk about the entire journey and share our thoughts.
Flights Departs from Bologna Airport at 10.00pm arriving Malta around 00.30am
Note : Our timetable is flexible and things may be moved around depending on the weather to optimize the experience and get better photos also If someone does not want to attend the session, he or she may do so and stay at the hotel, but I cannot compromise the session for the other participants.
Because the workshop is entirely dependent on weather conditions over which no one has control, I cannot guarantee that we will shoot the Milky Way every night, but if the weather permits, we will.
Luggage Flight Info : Because of limited space in the van and to be comfortable , we'll have to share 20 kilograms drop in luggage between two people. On the flight, each person can bring a 10-kilogram camera bag as well as a small hand luggage. With eight people in total, everyone's luggage will be split in half.
Accommodation At Hotel la Pace Acciano
During the duration of the workshop, our home will be Hotel La Pace in Acciano. This carefully chosen location serves as an ideal hub for our activities, as it is conveniently situated just a brief drive away from all the picturesque sites where our workshop will unfold.
Hotel La Pace boasts a delightful rustic allure that beautifully encapsulates the essence of Tuscany. It offers participants a genuine and immersive experience, allowing them to savor the true flavors of the region.
Gear (Recommended):
DSLR / Mirrorless Camera
Tripod and remote shutter release
A wide-angle lens (16mm - 35mm)
A middle-zoom lens (24-70 mm)
A telephoto zoom lens (70-200mm )
Filters (Graduated NDs and a Polarizer)
Tracking Mount (optional)
Drone (optional)
Head Torch
Spare batteries
Clothing (Recommended):
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Waterproof pants
Insulated jacket
Tracking Shoes
Sunglasses
Price: 950 Euro per person
Please Note: (A non-refundable Deposit of €550 is required to secure your spot on this tour by the 28/02/24 the remaining balance needs to be paid 90 to 120 days before the start of the tour).
