ESCOULIN - October 2010

I will be leading my fifth workshop in October this year and we are currently finalising dates and details. It will be the first autumn workshop at Escoulin and the prospects are exciting! I will be updating this page soon, meanwhile here are the details of last summer's workshop, which was a tremendous success.

'Getting to Escoulin' - see below,
'General arrangements' - see below.

An Escoulin photo workshop covers a broad spectrum!
This will be the fourth I have led for Sue Fallon at her characterful 16th century farmhouse in the little valley hamlet of Escoulin, on the River Sepie.

Some of it seems like a photographic house party -

• like minded souls relaxing in, and enjoying the summer warmth of southern France;
• al fresco meals courtesy of Sue's fine blend of Provencal and English cookery;
• poolside discussions on all sorts of photographic subjects;
• comfortable and inspiring accommodation and surroundings.

Some of it seems like visiting some special places with your own personal guide -

• great viewpoints such as La Velan, above Plan de Baix;
• dramatic landscapes such as Les Gorges d'Ombleze;
• old characterful towns and villages - Die, Crest, Saillans, all on the River Drome;
• local artists, creative people and small, visually interesting, local businesses;

And some will seem like having your own photography tutor, guide and supportive students to help you achieve whatever you are striving for in your photography.

Each day we set up at least one visit, perhaps just a local walk, or at the other extreme a much longer day out with a picnic, and a variety of places to see. For each I will preview it with a talk and discussion of the photo possibilities, and best ways to tackle them. There will be plenty of opportunity to review the photography you do, especially useful if you're working digitally, and there is always lots of supportive discusion at any time of day.

Here are some of the places we may visit -

• Saillans is a small town that we often visit on Sunday for the market, a gentle start to the week and perhaps a picnic beside the River Drome;
• Gorges d'Ombleze - an area of wooded and steep limestone gorges;
• La Velan - a dramatic viewpoint above the little village of Plan de Baix, giving views over all the hills to the south and east, including the Escoulin valley;
• Crest - the main town in the area, sitting on the banks of the Drome, with an old town of curious little streets and alleys running up the hillside to the 'Donjon' at the top. We will come here one evening, for some low light photography;
• Escoulin church - an early morning walk to the church will be rewarded with breakfast beside the church and fine views across the valley;
• ...some more to follow...

I will add more information soon, meanwhile please also look at the images on the 'Escoulin Images' pages. Bookings are currently being taken, so please get in touch if you are interested in this special week in southern France!

GETTING TO ESCOULIN

• The French road network is efficient and it's straightforward to get to Valence, and then to Crest on the River Drome, by autoroutes and major roads. From Crest it's about 20 kilometres to Escoulin and we'll give you the easy directions to follow.
• By rail it will take about 6 hours from London to Valence TGV on the Eurostar and TGV. Change at Lille (same station), and possibly Lyon. Prices are from 109 euros; bookings can be made up to 120 days before travel. Go to ww.raileurope.co.uk (UK residents) or www.voyages-sncf.co.uk. (www.seat61.com is also an excellent rail info website). We will be able to collect you from Valence TGV station at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and drop you back there the following Sunday morning.
• Flying - There are many options, all of which require a short onward rail journey to Valence TGV, where we'll be able to collect you at 6 p.m., Saturday, and return you the following Sunday morning. Here are some options from south east England.
  Easyjet fly from London Gatwick to Lyon;
  Ryanair fly from London to Marseilles and Grenoble;
  Flybe fly from Southampton to Avignon;
  BA fly from London Heathrow to Lyon;

GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS

• To book and confirm a place on the workshop a 25% deposit (i.e. £100 / 110 euros) is required;
• Included in the fee is accommodation in comfortable single / twin / double rooms as appropriate.
  All 'in-house' meals are included, also the occasional picnic, such as breakfast beside Escoulin church.
  An occasional glass of wine is included, but generally alcohol is NOT included;
• Non photographic partners are usually welcome;
• We'll probably eat out one evening, this is NOT included in the fee;
• Special diets can be catered for, but please discuss your requirements well in advance of the workshop;
• Photographic support is offered as appropriate!
  If you have specific tasks you wish to accomplish, please let me know in advance, so I am able to help as much as possible.
  If you are a beginner, have a new camera or other new bit of kit, the workshop will give you lots of helpful support, as you gain confidence.
  It's great if you are able to bring some existing work to show and share. I prefer to see and discuss 'work in progress' than completed work - it enables me to understand your creative journey better!
  There will be lots of opportunity for informal photo chat, and there'll be many books, magazines and other resources available.
  Both film and digital users are welcome. A major advantage of digital is the ability to review work immediately, but perhaps film users will feel more fulfilled in the long term...
  At the end of the week we'll stage a small exhibition, as a culmination and celebration of the week. For this we'll make a few mounted ink jet prints - this is included in the fee.
• There will be between 4 and 10 participants on the workshop, with varying levels of skill / experience / interest in photography.
  Other visual artists are also welcome. We'll meet some local photographers and creative people.